L band (NATO)

Not to be confused with L band.

NATO L band

Frequency range	40 – 60 GHz
Wavelength range	7.5 – 5 mm
Related bands	K / V band (IEEE) SHF / EHF (ITU)

The NATO L band is the obsolete designation given to the radio frequencies from 40 to 60 GHz (equivalent to wavelengths between 7.5 and 5 mm) during the cold war period. Since 1992 frequency allocations, allotment and assignments are in line to NATO Joint Civil/Military Frequency Agreement (NJFA).

However, in order to identify military radio spectrum requirements, e.g. for crises management planning, training, Electronic warfare activities, or in military operations, this system is still in use.

NATO Radio spectrum designation
LATEST SYSTEM			ALTERNATIVE SYSTEM
BAND	FREQUENCY (MHz)		BAND	FREQUENCY (MHz)
A	0 – 250		I	100 – 150
B	250 – 500		G	150 – 225
C	500 – 1 000		P	225 – 390
D	1 000 – 2 000		L	390 – 1 550
E	2 000 – 3 000		S	1 550 – 3 900
F	3 000 – 4 000		C	3 900 – 6 200
G	4 000 – 6 000		X	6 200 – 10 900
H	6 000 – 8 000		K	10 900 – 36 000
I	8 000 – 10 000		Ku	10 900 – 20 000
J	10 000 – 20 000		Ka	20 000 – 36 000
K	20 000 – 40 000		Q	36 000 – 46 000
L	40 000 – 60 000		V	46 000 – 56 000
M	60 000 – 100 000		W	56 000 – 100 000