[Milsurplus] id cables

[rb]

Two things.  Starting in around '75, the military went to Work Unit Codes
(WUCs).  These were eventually made unique to the functional block level,
and then downward.  Functional block diagrams were contractually required
for most system purchases.  Part numbers (P/Ns) were assigned to give
assembly relationship to next higher assemblies.  Don't know if this hits at
what you're asking or not.  You could work either of these from the bottom
up, or from top down.