military glossary of acronyms

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Military Factory > Military Glossary of AcronymsMilitary Glossary of AcronymsThe who's who of what's that.

A

AA - Air-to-AirAA - Anti-AircraftAAA - Anti-Aircraft ArtilleryAAC - Army Air Corps (UK)

AAM - Air-to-Air MissileAAMG - Anti-Aircraft Machine Gun

AAAV - Advanced Amphibious Assault VehicleAAV - Amphibious Assault VehicleAAV - Assault Amphibian Vehicle

AAVC - Assault Amphibian Vehicle, CommandABM - Anti-Ballistic Missile

ACC - Air Combat Command (USAF)ACM - Air Combat ManeuveringACMI - Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation

ACMR - Air Combat Maneuvering RangeACP - Armored Command PostADATS - Air Defense Anti-Tank System

ADF - Australian Defense ForceADIZ - Air Defense Identification Zone

AEW - Airborne Early WarningAEW&C - Airborne Early Warning and ControlAEV - Armored Engineer Vehicle

AF - Air ForceAFB - Air Force Base (US)

AFD - Automatic Feeding Device

AFMC - Air Force Material Command (USAF)AFV - Armored Fighting VehicleAIFV - Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle

ALBM - Air Launched Ballistic MissileALCM - Air Launched Cruise Missile

AMC - Air Mobility Command (USAF)AMRAAM - Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (Raytheon AIM-120)

AMX - Atelier De Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux (France)ANG - Air National Guard (US)ANZAC - Australia New and Zealand Army Corps

ANZUS - Australia New Zealand United States Security TreatyAP - Armor PiercingAPAM - Anti-Personnel, Anti-Material

APC - Armored Personnel CarrierAPDS - Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot

APDS-T - Armor-Piercing Discarding Sabot TracerAPFSDS - Armor Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding SabotAPHE - Armor Piercing High Explosive

APU - Auxiliary Power UnitAP-T - Armor Piercing - TracerARM - Anti-Radiation Missile

ARRV - Armored Repair and Recovery VehicleARV - Armored Recovery Vehicle

ASCOD - Austrian-Spanish Co-Operative Development

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SPA


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ASLAV - AUstralian Light Armored VehicleASM - Air-to-Surface MissileASPJ - Airborne Self-Protection Jammer

ASRAAM - Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air MissileAST - Air Staff TargetASTOVL - Advanced Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing

ASV - Anti-Surface VesselASW - Anti-Submarine Warfare

ASuW - Anti-Surface WarfareAT - Anti-TankATGW - Anti-Tank Guided Weapon

ATBM - Anti-Tactical Ballistic MissileAUW - All Up Weight

AVLB - Armored Vehicle Launched BridgeAVRE - Armored Vehicle Royal Engineers (UK)AWACS - Airborne Warning and Control System (Boeing E-3 Sentry)

AWOL - Absent WithOut Leave

BB - Bomber designation (as in B-52 Stratofortress)BAe - British Aerospace, now BAe Systems

bhp - Brake HorsepowerBVR - Beyond Visual Range

CC2 - Command and Control

C3 - Command, Control and CommunicationsC3I - Command, Control, Communications and IntelligenceCAF - Canadian Armed Forces, now Canadian Forces

CAP - Combat Air Patrol

CAS - Close-Air SupportCAWS - Close Assault Weapon SystemCDU - Control Display Unit

CEA - Circular Error AverageCEP - Circular Error Probable

CEV - Combat Engineer/Engineering VehicleCF - Canadian ForcesCFE - Conventional Forces Europe

CFV - Cavalry Fighting VehicleCIWS Close-In Weapon System (US)CO - Commanding Officer

COIN - Counter InsurgencyCOL - Colonel

COTAC - Conduite de Tir Automatique pour Char (France)

CPL - CorporalCPT - Captain

CRARRV - Challenger Armored Repair and Recovery VehicleCRT - Cathode Ray Tube

CSB - Close-Support BridgeCV - Conventionally Powered aircraft carrier (USN)CV - Combat Vehicle

CVN - Attack aircraft carrier, nuclear powered (US)CVRT - Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked

DDEW - Distant Early Warning (US)

DFC - Distinguished Flying Cross: air force decorationDGPS - Differential GPS

DoD - Department of DefenseDP - Dual Purpose

DVI - Direct Voice InputDZ - Drop Zone

E

E - EnlistedEAAK - Enhanced Applique Armor Kit (France)

ECCM - Electronic Counter CounterMeasuresECM - Electronic CounterMeasuresECR - Electronic Combat Reconnaissance, SEAD Panavia Tornado variant

EFIS - Electronic Flight Instrument SystemELINT - ELectronic INTelligence

Endurance - Length of time an aircraft's fuel load will permit it to stay airborne.EOD - Explosive Ordnance DisposalEPG - Engin Principal du Genie (France)

ERA - Explosive Reactive Armoreshp - Equivalent Shaft Horsepower

ESM - Electronic Support Measures


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EW - Electronic Warfare

EW - Electronic Warning

FF - Fighter designation (as in F-15 Eagle)

FA - Frontal AviationFAA - Fleet Air Arm (UK, Australia, Argentina)FAB - Forca Aerea Brasileira , Brazilian Air Force

FAC - Forward Air Control / Forward Air ControllerFAE - Fuel Air Explosives

FAR - Force d'Action Rapide (France)FAV - Fast Attack Vehicle

FBW - Fly-by-WireFCS - Fire Control SystemFEBA - Foward Edge of Battle Area

FLIR - Forward Looking InfraredFIFV - Future Infantry Fighting VehicleFly-by-Wire - Flight control systems with electric signaling

FMC - Food Machinery CorporationFMS - Foreign Military Sale (US)

FN - Fabrique National (Belgium)FUBAR - 'Fouled' Up Beyond All RecognitionFV - Fighting Vehicle

G

g - Measure of the force of gravityGAM - GPS-Aided MunitionGCI - Ground-Controlled Intercept

GCT - Grande Cadence de Tir (France)GE - General ElectricGIAT - Groupement Industriel des Armements Terrestres (France)

GP - General PurposeGPMG - General Purpose Machine Gun

GPS - Global Positioning Systemgr - Grams (or Grain if talking about small arms ammunition)GTK - Gepanzertes Transport-Kraftfahzeug (Germany)

H

HE - High ExplosiveHEAP - High Explosive Anti-PersonnelHEAT - High Explosive Anti-Tank

HEAT -FS - High Explosive Anti-Tank - Fin StabilizedHE-FRAG - High Explosive-Fragmentation

HEI - High Explosive Incendiary

HEMAT - Heavy Expanded Mobility Ammunition TrailerHEP - High Explosive Plastic

HESH - High Explosive Squash HeadHE-T - High Explosive - Tracer

HF - Hi Frequency (Between 3 to 30 MHz)HOTAS - Hands On Throttle and StickHOTCC - Hands on Thrott le, Collective and Cyclic

HMS - Her Majesty's Service (UK/Australia)HP - HorsePowerHQ - Headquarter(s)

HR - Hour(s)HUD - Head Up Display

HUDWAC - Head Up Display Weapon Aiming ComputerHUDWASS - Head Up Display Weapon Aiming SubSystem

HVAP - High Velocity Armor PiercingHVM - High Velocity Missile

IIADS - Integrated Air Defense System

IAS - Indicated Airspeed ShownICBM - InterContinental Ballistic MissileIFF - Identification Friend or Foe

IFV - Infantry Fighting VehicleIGE - In Ground Effect

ILS - Instrument Landing SystemIMP - Imperial (UK)INS - Inertial Navigation System

IOC - Initial Operational CapabilityIR - InfraRed

IRAN - Inspect and Repair as NecessaryIRBM - Intermediate Range Ballistic MissileIRCM - Infra-Red CounterMeasure


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ISA - International Standard Atmosphere

IRS - Inertial Reference SystemIRST - Infra-Red Search and Track

JJASDF - Japan Air Self Defense Force

JAST - Joint Advanced Strike TechnologyJDAM - Joint Direct Attack MunitionJGSDF - Japan Ground Self Defense Force

JMSDF - Japan Maritime Self Defense ForceJoint-STAR - Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Grumman E-8)

JSOW - Joint Stand-Off WeaponJSF - Joint Strike Fighter

JTIDS - Joint Tactical Information Distribution System

K

KCAS - Calibrated AirSpeed (in Knots)KG - KilogramsKIAS - Knots Indicated Airspeed

KM - KiloMeterKM/H - KiloMeters per HourkN - KiloNewton measure of force (1,000 Newtons : 1 Newton = 0.2248 lbs of force)

Knot - Aviation and maritime unit of velocityKT - Kiloton (equivalent explosive force of 1,000 tons of TNT)

Kt/Kts - Knot(s)KTAS - True AirSpeed in KnotskW - KiloWatt

L

LABS - Low Altitude Bombing SystemLAMPS - Light Airborne MultiPurpose SystemLANTIRN - Low Altitude Targeting InfraRed for Night

LAPES - Low Altitude Parachute Extraction SystemLARS - Light Artillery Rocket System

LAV - Light Assault Vehicle

LAV - Light Armored Vehicle

lb - Pound(s)LCD - Liquid Crystal DisplayLF - Low Frequency (30 to 300 kHz)

LGB - Laser-Guided BombLLLTV - Low Light Level Television

LO - Low ObservablesLPT - Low Profile TurretLRMP - Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft

LT - LieutenantLT - Light Tank

LVTP - Landing Vehicle Tracked PersonnelLZ - Landing Zone

MMACH - Measure of Airspeed (Mach 1 = 1,223 kph/760 mph at sea level)

MAC - Military Airlift Command; Now AMC (USAF)MAD - Magnetic Anomaly DetectorMAJ - Major

MAP - Military Assistance ProgramMAW - Marine Air Wing (USMC)

MBT - Main Battle TankMCM - Mine CountermeasuresMFD - Multi-Function Display

MG - Machine GunMILAN - Missile d'Infanterie Leger Anti-Charmin - Minute(s)

MLU - Mid-Life UpdateMLRS - Multiple Launch Rocket System

mm - MillimeterMoD - Ministry of DefenseMPA - Maritime Patrol Aircraft

MPC - Multi-Purpose CarrierMR - Maritime Reconnaissance

MRAV - Multi-Role Armored VehicleMRBM - Medium Range Ballist ic MissileMSIP - Multi-Stage Improvement Program

MTOW - Maximum Take-Off Weight

NNAS - Naval Air StationNASA - National Aeronautics & Space Administration


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NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Nautical Mile - Measurement of distanceNBC - Nuclear, Biological and Chemicalnm - Nautical Mile

NOE - Nap of the Earth

OO - OfficerOCU - Operational Conversion Unit

OGE - Out of Ground EffectOTH-B - Over-The-Horizon Backscatter radar

OTHR - Over-The-Horizon Radar

OTHT - Over-The-Horizon Targeting

PPACAF - Pacific Air Force (USAF)

PFC - Private First ClassPGM - Precision-Guided Munition

PID - Passive IDentificationPNGDF - Papua New Guinea Defense ForcePTG - Poseur de Travures du Genie (France)

PVT - Private

Q(None available)

RR&D - Research & Development

RAF - Royal Air Force (UK)RAAF - Royal Australian Air ForceRAAWS - Radar Altimeter and Altitude Warning System

RAM - Radar Absorbing MaterialRAN - Royal Australian NavyRAST - Recovery Assist, Secure and Traverse system

RATO - Rocket-Ass isted Take-OffRCS - Radar Cross-Section

Recce - ReconnaissanceRISE - Reliability Improved Selected EquipmentRMAF - Royal Malaysian Air Force

RMG - Ranging Machine GunRN - Royal Navy (UK)

RNAS - Royal Navy Air ServiceRNeAF - Royal Netherlands Air ForceRNZAF - Royal New Zealand Air Force

ROE - Rules of EngagementRoKAF - Republic of Korea Air Force (South Korea)

RP - Rocket PropelledRPG - Rocket Propelled GrenadeRPM - Revolutions Per Minute (or Rounds Per Minute if dealing with small arms)

RPV - Remotely-Piloted VehicleRR - Rolls RoyceRSAF - Republic of Singapore Air Force

RSAF - Royal Saudi Air ForceRTC - Royal Tank Corps

RWR - Radar Warning Receiver

S

SA - Surface-to-AirSAAF - South African Air Force

SAC - Strategic Air Command (USAF - merged into ACC)SAM - Surface-to-Air MissileSAR - Search And Rescue

SAS - Special Air ServiceSEAD - Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses

SENSO - SENSor OperatorSEP - Systems Enhancement Package

SEALs - SEA, Air and Land (USN)SGT - Sergeantshp - Shaft HorsePower (usually in reference to a helicopter's engine output power)

Sigint - SIGnals INTelligenceSLAP - Saboted Light Armor Penetrator

SLAR - Side-Looking Airborne RadarSLEP - Service Life Extension ProgramSOCOM - Special Operations COMmand

SOLRS - Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron (USAF)SMG - Sub Machine Gun

' '


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- ua on orma , oue pSP - Specialist (when referred in a soldiers rank)

SP - Self-PropelledSPG - Self-Propelled Gun

SPAAG - Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft GunSSM - Surface-to-Surface MissileSRAM - Short Range Attack Missile

STO - Short Take-OffSTOL - Short Take-Off and Landing

STOVL - Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing

T

TAC - Tactical Air Command (USAF, now merged into ACC)

TACAMO - TAke Charge And Move OutTACAN - TACtical Aid to NavigationTACCO - TACtical COordinatorTANS - Tactical Air Navigation System

TBO - Time Between OverhaulsTBT - Tank Bridge TransporterTFR - Terrain Following Radar

TIALD - Target Identification Airborne Laser DesignationTNI-AU - Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Udara, Indonesian Air Force

TOW - Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-GuidedTSSAM - Tri-Service Stand-off Attack MissileTRV - Tank Recovery Vehicle

U

UAV - Unmanned Aerial VehicleUHF - Ultra-High Fequency (300MHz to 3 GHz)

UN - United NationsUSAF - United States Air ForceUSAFE - United States Air Force in Europe

USMC - United States Marine CorpsUSN - United States Navy

VVDU - Visual Display Unit

VHF - Very High Frequency (3 to 300MHz)V/STOL - Vertical or Short Take-Off and LandingVSEL - Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering LTD

VTAS - Voice, Throttle and Stick

VTOL - Vertical Take-Off and Landing

W

WO - Warrant OfficerWSO - Weapon System Operator (or Weapon System Officer)

X(None available)

Y(None available)

Z(None available)

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