Post by jonasparker on Feb 2, 2018 2:09:01 GMT 10
Not so much comms-related as just good general knowledge... like "print-it out-and-put-it-in-a-ring-binder" stuff.
Glossary of military abbreviations
List of abbreviations, acronyms and initials related to military subjects such as modern armour, artillery, infantry, and weapons, along with their definitions.
Contents
A
AA – anti-aircraft
AA – AEGIS Ashore
AAA – anti-aircraft artillery "Triple A"
AAAV – Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle
AAD – Armoured amphibious dozer
AADC – Area Air Defense Commander
AAG – Anti-aircraft gun
AAK – Appliqué armor kit (US)
AAN – Army after next
AAP – Advance Authority to Procure
AAPC – Advanced Armoured Personnel Carrier (Turkey)
AARADCOM – Army Armament Research and Development Command
AAR – After Action Review
AAV – Amphibious assault vehicle
AAV – Assault Amphibious Vehicle
AAW – Anti-Aircraft Warfare
AAWC – Anti-Aircraft Warfare Coordinator
AB – Air burst
ABC – Atomic, biological, chemical (replaced by chemical, biological, radiological (CBR), and Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC))
ABC – Automatic brightness control
AB(C) – Aviation battalion (combat)
ABIT – Advanced Built-In Test
ABM – Air Bursting Munition
ABM – Anti-Ballistic Missile
ABMD – AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense
ABMS – air bursting ammunition system
ABRO – Army Base Repair Organisation
ABS – Aww-Busting System
ABS – anti-skid braking system
ABSP – AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Signal Processor
ABSV – Armoured Battlegroup Support Vehicle
A/C – aircraft commander
AC – alternating current
ACA – ammunition container assembly
ACADA – Automatic Chemical Agent Detector and Alarm
ACAVP – Advanced Composite Armoured Vehicle Platform (UK)
ACB – Advanced Capability Build
ACB/TI – Advanced Capability Baseline/Technical Insertion
ACC – AEGIS Computer Center
ACCE – Abrams/Crusader Common Engine
ACCV – Armored Cavalry Cannon Vehicle (US)
ACD – Automated Common Diagrams
ACE – Armored Combat Earthmover (US)
ACEGIO – Advanced Conversion Equipment Group Input Output
ACH – Advanced Combat Helmet (MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet)
ACLOSAutomatic Command to Line of Sight
ACM – Acoustic Countermeasures
ACOG – Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight
ACOMMS – Acoustic Communications
ACP – Automatic Colt Pistol
ACP – Alignment control Panel
ACPU – Aft Central Processing Unit
ACR – Advanced Combat Rifle
ACR – Armored cavalry regiment
ACRV – Armoured command and reconnaissance vehicle
ACS – Artillery communications system
ACS – AEGIS Combat System
ACS – Air Control Supervisor
ACSC' – AEGIS Combat Systems Center
ACTS – AEGIS Combat Training System
ACU – Army combat uniform
ACU – Antenna Coupler Unit
ACV – Aardvark Cleaning Vehicle (US)
ACV – Armoured combat vehicle
ACVT – Armored Combat Vehicle Technology Program (US)
A/D – Analog to Digital
ADA – air defense artillery
ADAM – Area Denial Artillery Munition
ADAMS – Air Defense Advanced Mobile System (US)
ADAP – Advanced Digital Antenna Production
ADATS – Air Defence Anti-Tank System
ADC-A – Assistant Division Commander – Fire and Maneuver
ADC-B – Assistant Division Commander – Combat Support
ADEA – Army Development and Employment Agency
ADF – Australian Defence Force
ADG' – Acoustic Display Generator
ADI – Australian Defence Industries
ADM – Advanced Development Model
ADNS – Automated Digital Network System
ADS – Advanced Display System
AE – action express
AECU – Antenna Environmental Control Unit
AEF – Allied expeditionary force
AEP – Action Entry Panel
AER – Alteration Equivalent to Repair
AESA – Active electronically scanned array
AEWC – Airborne Early Warning and Control
AEV – Armoured engineer vehicle
AF – Air force
AF – And Following (as "in DDG-113 AF ships will receive the AMDR Radar")
AFA/ARA – Aerial field artillery/aerial rocket artillery (US, Vietnam war era attack helicopter batteries employing 2.75 in. FFAR)
AFARV – Armored, Forward Area, Re-arm Vehicle (US)
AFAS – advanced Field Artillery System
AFATDS – Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System
AFC – Australian Flying Corps
AFCS – automatic fire-control systems
AFD – automatic feeding device
AFDL – Advanced Flight Deck Lighting
AFFF – Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam (smothers fire cutting off oxygen)
AFSC – air force specialty code
AFSV – armoured fire support vehicle
AFV – Armored Family of Vehicles (US)
AFV – Armoured fighting vehicle
AGC – automatic gain control
AGF – Army ground forces
AGL – above ground level
AGL – automatic grenade launcher
AGLS – automatic gun laying system
AGS – armored gun system (US)
AGS – Advanced Gun System
AGV – assault gun vehicle
AGVT – Advanced Ground Vehicle Technology
Ah – Ampere hour
AHC – Attack Helicopter Company (USA)
AHE – Aircraft Handling Equipment
AI – Action Item
AIC – Air Intercept Controller (US Navy)
AICS – Accuracy International Chassis System
AICW – Advanced Individual Combat Weapon
AIF – Australian Imperial Force (Australia, WWI)
AIFS – Advanced Indirect Fire System
AIFV – Armoured infantry fighting vehicle
AIPS – Advanced Integrated Propulsion System (US)
AIS – Automatic Identification System (US NAVY)
AIT – Alteration Installation Team
AIT – Advanced Information Technology
AK – Acknowledgement
ALAAVS – Advanced Light Armored/Amphibious Vehicle System (US)
ALC – Advanced Land Combat (US)
ALICE – All-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment
ALO – AEGIS Light Off
ALS – Advanced laying system
ALS – Advanced Lighting System (flight deck)
ALSV – Armoured logistics support vehicle
ALT – Armoured launching turret
ALWT – Advanced Lightweight Torpedo
AM – Acquisition Manager
AMC – United States Army Materiel Command
AMC – Advanced Mortar Carrier (Turkey)
AMCCOM – Armament Munitions and Chemical Command
AMDR – Air and Missile Defense Radar
AMDS – Anti-Missile Discarding Sabot
AMF – Amphibische Mehrzweck-Fahrzeuge (multipurpose amphibious vehicle)
AML – Automitrailleuse Légère (light armoured car)
AMLCD – Active-matrix liquid crystal display
AMN - Afghanistan Mission Network
AMOS – Advanced mortar system
AMPS – Afloat Master Planning System (US NAVY)
AMR – Anti-materiel rifle
AMR – Automitrailleuse de Reconnaissance
AMRWS – Advanced multi-role weapon station
AMS – Armoured mortar system
AMS-H – Advanced Missile System – Heavy
AMX – Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux
ANAD – Anniston Army Depot
ANZAC – Australia and New Zealand Army Corps
ANZUS – Australia New Zealand United States Treaty
AO – Area of operations
AOI – Arab Organisation for Industrialisation
AOS – Add-on stabilisation
AP – Anti-personnel
AP – Armour-piercing
APAM – Anti-personnel, anti-matériel
APBC – Armour-piercing ballistic cap
APC – Armoured personnel carrier
APC – Armour-piercing capped
APCBC – Armour-piercing capped ballistic cap
APC-T – Armour-piercing capped – tracer
APCT-BF – Armour-piercing capped tracer – base fuze
APCNR – Armour-piercing composite non-rigid
APCR – Armour-piercing composite rigid
APCRBC – Armour-piercing composite rigid ballistic cap
APDS – Armour-piercing discarding sabot
APDS-T – Armour-piercing discarding sabot – tracer
APE – Amphibisches Pionier-Erkundungsfahrzeug (amphibious front-line reconnaissance vehicle)
APEP – Armour-Piercing Enhancement Programme
APERS – Anti-personnel
APERS-T – Anti-personnel tracer
APFIDS – Armour-piercing fragmentation incendiary discarding sabot
APFSDS-T – Armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot – tracer
APFSDS(P) – Armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (practice)
APFSDSDU – Armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot, depleted uranium
APG – Aberdeen Proving Grounds
APGM – Autonomous precision-guided munition
APHC – Armour-piercing hard core
APHE – Armour-piercing high-explosive
API – Armour-piercing incendiary
APIT – Armour-piercing incendiary tracer
APM – Anti-personnel mine
APS – Advanced propulsion system
APS – Artillery pointing system
APSA – Armour-piercing secondary effect
APSE – Armour-piercing secondary effect
APSE-T – Armour-piercing secondary effect – tracer
APT – Armour-piercing tracer
APTE – Abrams Power Train Evolution (US)
APU – Auxiliary power unit
APV – Armoured patrol vehicle
AR – Assault rifle
AR/AAV – Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle (US)
ARD – Anti-reflective device
ARDEC – Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
ARDNOT – Automatic day/night optical tracker
ARE – Atelier de Construction Roanne
ARETS – Armour Remote Target System
ARFORGEN – Army force generation
ARMAD – Armoured and Mechanised Unit Air Defence
ARMSCOR – Armament Manufacturing Corporation (South Africa)
ARMVAL – Anti-armor vehicle evaluation (US)
ARP – Anti-radiation projectile
ARP – Armoured repair plates
ARRADCOM – Armament Research and Development Command
ARRV – Armoured repair and recovery vehicle
ARSV – Armored Reconnaissance Scout Vehicle (US)
ART – Armoured Recon Transport
ARV – Armoured recovery vehicle or Armed Robotic Vehicle (XM1219)
ASAAdvanced security agency
ASAP – As soon as possible
ASARC – Army Systems Acquisition Review Council
ASCOD – Austrian Spanish Co-operative Development
ASM – Armored Systems Modernisation (US)
ASP – Automatic, self-powered
ASTROS – Artillery Saturation Rocket System (Brazil)
ASV – Armored Security Vehicle (US)
ASV – Ammunition supply vehicle
AT – Anti-tank
AT – Ape tape
ATACS – Advanced tank cannon system (US)
ATAS – Automatic target acquisition system
ATCAS – Advanced towed cannon system
ATD – Advanced technology demonstration
ATD – Advanced technology demonstrator (US)
ATD – Automatic target detection
ATDT – Automatic target detection and tracking
ATDU – Armoured Trials and Development Unit (UK)
ATFCS – Automated Targeting and Fire Control System
ATG – Anti-tank gun
ATGL – Anti-tank grenade launcher
ATGM – Anti-tank guided missile
ATGW – Anti-tank guided weapon
ATK – Alliant Techsystems
ATLAS – Advanced technology light artillery system
ATLV – Artillery target location vehicle
ATM – Anti-tank mine
ATR – - EDS Automotive test rig – Electric drive system
ATS – Atelier de Construction de Tarbes
ATTC – All Terrain Tracked Carrier
ATTS – Air Transportable Towed System
ATV – All-terrain vehicle
ATV – Armoured TOW vehicle (Turkey)
AUG – Armee Universal Gewehr
AVGP – Armoured Vehicle General Purpose (Canada)
AVH – Armoured Vehicle Heavy
AVL – Armoured Vehicle Light
AVLB – Armoured vehicle-launched bridge
AVM – Armoured Vehicle Medium
AVR – Armoured vehicle reconnaissance
AVRE – Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers (UK)
AVT – Advanced Vehicle Technologies (US)
AWE – Advanced Warfighting Experiment
AWOL – Absent without official leave
B
BAe – British Aerospace
BAR – M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle
BARV – Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle
BASE – British Aerospace Systems and Equipment
BATES – Battlefield Artillery Target Engagement System
BAT – Biometrics Automated Toolset
BB – Base bleed
BBSP – Blowback shifted pulse
BC – Battery commander
BCC – battery control centre
BCP – Battery command post
BCT – Brigade combat team (US)
BCT – Basic combat training
BCV – Battle command vehicle
BD – base detonating
BDA – Browning double action or bomb damage assessment
BDM – Bunker demolition munition
BDU – Battle dress uniform
BE – Base ejection
BFA – Blank-firing adaptor or blank-firing attachment
BFV – Bradley Fighting Vehicle
BGT – Brigade combat team
bhp – Brake horsepower
BIFF – Battlefield identification friend or foe
BILL – Bofors, infantry, light and lethal
BITE – Built-in test equipment
BL – Blank
BL-T – Black tracer
BLITS – Beta lighted infantry telescope system
BLT – Battalion landing team
BLR – Blindado Ligero de Ruedas
BMF – Belgian Mechanical Fabrication
BMNT – Begin morning nautical twilight
BMP – Pronounced "bimp". A Former Warsaw Pact IFV
BMR – Blindado Medio de Ruedas
BMS – Battalion mortar system
BMS – Battlefield management system
BNCC (USAF) – Base network control center
BNS – Bill night sight
BOCV – Battery operations centre vehicle
BOG-Dwell – Boots on the ground – dwell (down time)
BOL – Bearing-only launch
BOLTS – Bolt-on loading tray system
BOSS – Ballistic optimizing shooting system
BPS – Battery power source
BSP – Bright source protection
BSSG – Brigade service support group
BST – Basic skills trainer
BT – Boat tail
BT – Bullet trap
BTA – Best technical approach
BTRY – Battery
BTU – Bullet trap universal
BUA – BILL under armour or built-up area
BW – Bacteriological warfare
BX – Bionix AFV
C
C3I – Command, control, communications, and intelligence
CAB – Combat aviation battalion
- Combat Action Badge
CAD – Computer-assisted design
CAG – Commander of the Air Group
CAL – Canadian Arsenals Limited
CAP – Civil air patrol (USAF civilian auxiliary)
CAP – Combat air patrol
CAP – Combustible augmented plasma
CAP – Covering Agent Program
CARRV – Challenger armoured repair and recovery vehicle
CAS – Close air support
CASEVAC – Casualty evacuation
CAT/FCS – Command adjusted trajectory/fire-control system (US)
CAT/LCV – Combined arms team/lightweight combat vehicle (US)
CATT – Combined arms tactical trainer (UK)
CATT-B – Component Advanced Technology TestBed (US)
CAV – Composite armored vehicle (US)
CAWS – Cannon Artillery Weapons Systems (US)
CAX – Combined arms exercise
CBR – Chemical, biological, radiological
CBRN – Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear
CCC – Combustible cartridge case
CCD – Charge-coupled device
CCO – Close combat optic
CCP – Computer control panel
CCR – Crown copyright reserved
CCTV – Closed-circuit television
CCU – Central control unit
CCV – Close combat vehicle
CCV – Command and control vehicle (US)
CCV-L – Close combat vehicle – light
cd – Candela
CDA – Combat defensive action
CDM – Coastal defence missile
CDU – Command display unit
CDU – Computer display unit
CE – Chemical energy
C/E – Crew/enlisted (enlisted aircrew member)
CECOM – Communications-electronics command
CEFO – Combat equipment fighting order (webbing contents)
CENTCOM – Central command
CENTO – Central Treaty Organisation or Baghdad Pact
CEOI – Communications electronics operating instruction
CEP – Circular error of probability
CES – Engineer Services Regiment (Sri Lanka)
CEPP – Controlled effect police projectile
CET – Combat engineer tractor
CEU – Computer electronics unit
CEV – Combat engineer vehicle
CF – Canadian Forces
CF – Controlled fragmentation
CFE – Conventional forces Europe
CFV – Cavalry fighting vehicle (US)
CG – Commanding general
CGS – Crew gunnery simulator
CHA – Cast geneous armour
CHARM – Challenger chieftain armament
CHIP – Challenger improvement programme
CIFV – Composite infantry fighting vehicle
CILAS – Compagnie Industrielle des Lasers
CINC – Commander In-Chief
CIS – Chartered Industries of Singapore
CIS – Commonwealth of Independent States
CITV – Commander's independent thermal viewer (US)
CIWS – Close-in weapons system
CLAMS – Clear lane marking system (US)
CLASS – Computerised Laser Sight System
CLAWS – Close combat light armor weapon system (US)
CLGP – Cannon-launched guided projectile (US)
CLOS – Command to line of sight
CLU – Command launch unit
CM – Colour-marking or "continue mission"
CMS – Common missile system
CMS – Compact modular sight
CMT – Cadmium–mercury telluride
CMV – Combat mobility vehicle (US)
CNVD – Clip-on night vision device
COA – Course Of Action
COB – Close of Business
CO – Commanding officer
COG – Course over ground
Comp – B Composition B
COMVAT – Combat vehicles armament technology (US)
COMZ – Communications zone
COP – Combat out post
COS – Chief of section
COSCOM – Corps support command (US Army)
CofS – Chief of staff
COTAC – Conduite de Tir Automatique pour Char (tank automatic fire)
COTS – Commercial-off-the-shelf
COV – Counter obstacle vehicle (US)
CP – Concrete-piercing
CPR – Common practice round
CPS – Cardinal points specification (UK)
CPV – Command post vehicle
CQB – Close quarters battle
CQBW – Close-quarters battle weapon
CR – Capability requirement
CR – Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
CRISAT – Collaborative research into small arms technology
CRM – Composite risk management (US)
CROWS – Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station
CRR – Carro de Reconhecimento Sobre Rodas (reconnaissance tracking scout car)
CRT – Cathode ray tube
CRU – Cable reel unit
CS – Communications subsystem
CS – Confined space
CS (USAF) – Communications squadron
CSB – Combat Support Boat
CSF – Combined service forces
CSI – computer-synthesised image
CSS – Computer sighting system
CSSD – Combat service support detachment
CTA – Case telescoped ammunition
CTD – Concept technology demonstrator
CTI – Central tyre inflation
CTIS – Central tyre inflation system
CTO – Central Treaty Organisation or Baghdad Pact
CTR – Close Target Recce
CTRA – Carro de Transporte Sobre Rodas Anfibo (amphibious tracking scout car)
CTT – Challenger training tank
CV90 – Combat Vehicle 90
CVAST – Combat vehicle armament system technology (US)
CVR(T) – Combat vehicle reconnaissance (tracked) (UK)
CVR(W) – Combat vehicle reconnaissance (wheeled) (UK)
CVRDE – Combat vehicle research and development establishment (India)
CVT – Controlled variable time
CVTTS – Combat vehicle targeting system
CW – Chemical warfare
CWR – Continuous wave radar
CWS – Cupola weapon station
D
DA – double action
DAHA – dual-axis head assembly
DAO – double action only
DARCOM – US Army Matériel Development and Readiness Command
DAREOD – damaged airfield reconnaissance explosive ordnance disposal
DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (US)
DAS – deep air support
DAS – defensive aid system/suite
DASP – demountable artillery surveillance pod
DBMS – dead bodies make sense
DC – direct current
DCA – défense contre avions (anti-aircraft)
DCCT – dismounted close combat trainer
DD – Detroit diesel
DDA – Detroit Diesel Allison
DDS – Department of Defense Support
DDU – digital display unit
DECA – digital electronic control assembly
DEFA – direction des études et fabrications d'armement
DERA – Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (UK)
DESO – Defence Export Sales Organisation (UK)
DFAC – Dining Facility (US)
DFCS – digital fire-control system
DFSV – direct fire support vehicle
DFV – desert fighting vehicle
DHSS – data handling subsystem
DIA – Defense Intelligence Agency (US)
DICON – Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria
DIP – driver instrument panel
DISA – Defense Information Systems Agency
DISCOM – division support command
DIVARTY – division artillery
DMC – digital magnetic compass
DMR – dedicated marksman rifle
DMU – distance measurement unit
DNRS – day/night range sight
DoD – Department of Defense (US)
DOIM (US Army) – Directorate of Information Management
DOP – Department of Productivity
DP – demonstration purpose
DP – dual purpose
DPA – Defence Procurement Agency (UK)
DPICM – dual-purpose improved conventional munition (US)
DPTR – diopter
DRA – Defence Research Agency (UK)
DROPS – demountable rack offloading and pick-up system
DROS – Date of Return Overseas (US)
DS/T – practice discarding sabot/tracer
DSACS – direct support armored cannon system (US)
DSETS – direct support electrical test system
DSO – Defence Sales Organisation
DSRV – Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (US)
DSWS – Division Support Weapon System
DTAT – Direction Technique des Armements Terrestres
DTT – driver training tank
DU – depleted uranium
DV – demining vehicle
DVE – driver's vision enhancer
DWFK – deep water fording kit
DZ – drop zone
E
EAAK – Enhanced Appliqué Armor Kit (US)
EAOS – Enhanced Artillery Observation System
EBG – Engin Blindé Génie (armoured combat vehicle)
EBR – Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance (armoured reconnaissance vehicle)
EBRC – Engine Blindé à roues de Contact
EC – Enhanced Carbine
ECB – Engineering and Construction Bulletins
ECM – Electronic countermeasures
ECOS – Enhanced Combat Optical Sight
ECS – Environmental Control Subsystem
ECV – Enhanced Capacity Vehicle
EDD – Explosive Detonation Disruption
EDS – Electric Drive System
EFAB – Etablissement d'Etudes et de Fabrications d'Armement de Bourges
EFC – equivalent full charge
EFCR – equivalent full charge rounds
EFM – Explosives Factory Maribyrnong
EFP – Expanded Feasibility Phase
EFP – Explosively Formed Penetrator
EFV – Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (New name for AAAV)
EFVS – Electronic Fighting Vehicle System (US)
EG – External Gun
EGLM – Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module
EI – Engineering and Installation
EIS – Engineering and Installation Squadron
EI SIT – Engineering and Installation Site Implementation Team
ELB – Extended Life Barrel
ELEC – Electronic
ELEX – Electronics
ELKE – Elevated Kinetic Energy Weapon (US)
ELS – Electromagnetic Launcher System
ELSAP – Elektronische Schiessanlage für Panzer (electronic fire system for tanks)
EM – electromagnetic
EMC – Executive Management Committee
EMD – Engineering and Manufacturing Development
EMDG – Euromissile Dynamics Group
EMEW – Electromagnetically-Augmented High Explosive Warhead
EMG – externally mounted gun
EMP – electromagnetic pulse
EMPG – Electromagnetic Pulse Grenade
ENGESA – Engesa Engenheiros Especializados (Brazil)
EOC – Essential Operational Capability
EOD – explosive ordnance disposal
EOR – Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance
EOTS – Electro-Optical Tracking System
EPC – electronic plane conversion
EPC – Engin Principal de Combat (future main battle tank)
EPG – Enhanced Performance Grenade
EPG – European Production Group
EPG – European Programme Group
EPS – Electrical Power Subsystem
EPU – Electronics Processing Unit
ER – enhanced radiation
ER – extended range
ERA – explosive reactive armour
ERA – extended range ammunition
ERC – Engin de Reconnaissance Canon
ERFB – extended range full-bore
ERFB-BB – extended range full-bore – base bleed
ERGFCDS – Extended Range Gunnery Fire-Control Demonstration System
ERGP – extended range guided projectile
ERMIS – Extended Range Modification Integration System
ERP – Extended Range Projectile
ERSC – extended range subcalibre
ERV – emergency rescue vehicle
ERV – Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle
ES – Extreme Spread
ESAF – Electronic Safety and Arm Function
ESD – Electronique Serge Dassault
ESLDE – Eyesafe Laser Daylight Elbow
ESPAWS – Enhanced Self-Propelled Artillery Weapon System (US)
ESRS – electro-slag refined steel
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival
ETC – ElectroThermal Cannon
ETD – Estimated Time of Departure
ETE – Estimated Time of Endurance
ETM – Electronic Technical Manuals
ETS – Elevated TOW System
ETS – Engineer Tank System
ETS – End of Term of Service (discharge date) (US)
EW – electronic warfare
EWK – Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern Gцppner
EWS – external weapon station
F
FAAD – Forward Area Air Defense
FAAR – Forward Area Alerting Radar (US)
FAARP – Forward Area Arming & Refueling Point
FAASV – Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (US)
FAC – Forward Air Control(er)
FAC-A – Forward Air Control(er)-Airborne
FACE – Field Artillery Computer Equipment
FAL – Fusil Automatique Légère
FAPDS – Frangible Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot
FARP – Forward Area Refueling Point
FARS – field artillery rocket system
FARV-A – Future Armored Resupply Vehicle – Artillery (US)
FAST – Forward Area Support Team
FAV – Fast Attack Vehicle (US)
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBM – Fleet Ballistic Missile
FBRV – Future Beach Recovery Vehicle (UK)
FCC – Fire Command Centre
FCC – Fire-Control Computer
FCCVS – Future Close-Combat Vehicle System (US)
FCE – fire-control equipment
FCLV – Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (UK)
FCS – fire-control system/subsystem
FCS – Future Combat System
FCU – Fire Control Unit
FDC – fire direction centre
FDCV – fire direction centre vehicle
FDSWS – Future Direct Support Weapon System
FEBA – Forward Edge of the Battle Area
FEP – Firepower Enhancement Programme
FET – Future Engineer Tank
FFAR – Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket
FFE – Fire for Effect
FFR – Fitted For Radio
FFSS – Future Fighting Soldier System
FFW – Fitted For Wireless
FG – field gun
FH – field howitzer
FIBUA – Fighting In Built-Up Areas
FID – Foreign Internal Defenses
FIFV – Future Infantry Fighting Vehicle (US)
FIRM – Floating Integrated Rail Mount
FIS – Fuze Interface System
FISH – Fighting In Someone's House (UK) (Colloquial. Slang term for FIBUA)
FIST – Future Integrated Soldier Technology (UK), Fire Support Team (US)
FISTV – Fire Support Team Vehicle (US)
FITOW – Further Improved TOW (US)
FLEA – Frangible Low-Energy Ammunition (i.e. a fragmentation grenade or a low-yield IED)
FLIR – forward-looking infra-red
FLOT – forward line of own troops
FLSW – Future Light Support Weapon
FM – U.S. Army Field Manuals
FM – Titanium tetrachloride (code designation)
FMBS – Family of Muzzle Brake/Suppressors
FMC – Food Machinery Corporation
FMF – Fleet Marine Force
FMJ – Full Metal Jacket
FMJBT – Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail
FMJLF – Full Metal Jacket Lead Free
FMN - Federated Mission Networking
FMPDS – Frangible Missile Piercing Discarding Sabot
FMS – Foreign Military Sales
FMTV – Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles
FN – Fabrique Nationale (Manufacturer)
FO – Forward Observer
FOB – Forward Operating Base
FOC – Full Operational Capability
FOD – Foreign Object Damage (i.e., damage not caused by enemy fire. Includes bugs, dirt, etc.) (Aviation)
FOG – Fibre Optic Gyro
FOM – Fibre Optic Missile
FOO – forward observation officer
FORTIS – Forward Observation and Reconnaissance Thermal Imaging System
FOTT – Follow On To TOW
FOV – field of view
FPA – Focal Plane Array
FRAG – fragmentation
FRAGO – FRAGmentary Order. (see OPORD)
FRES – Future Rapid Effect System
FROG – free rocket over ground
FSCL – fire support coordination line
FSCM – fire support coordination measure
FSCV – fire support combat vehicle
FS – fire support element
FSED – full-scale engineering development (US)
FSSG – Force Service Support Group
FST – Future Soviet Tank/Follow-on Soviet Tank
FSV – fire support vehicle
FSV – Future Scout Vehicle (US)
FTA – Frangible Training Ammunition
FTMA – Future Tank Main Armament
FTS – Future Tank Study
FTT – Field Tactical Trainer
FUBAR – Fouled/fooked Up Beyond All Reason/Recognition/Repair
FUE – First Unit Equipped
FUG – Felderitц Usу Gépkosci
FV – fighting vehicle
FV/GCE – fighting vehicle gun control equipment
FVDD – Fighting Vehicle Development Division
FVRDE – Fighting Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (UK)
FVS – Fighting Vehicle System (US)
FVSC – Fighting Vehicle Systems Carrier (US)
FY – fiscal year
G
g – gramme(s)
G – gendarmerie
GAMA – Gun Automatic Multiple Ammunition
GAO – General Accounting Office
GAP – Gun Aiming Post
GBAD – Ground Based Air Defence
GCE – gun control equipment
GCT – Grande Cadence de Tir (high rate of fire)
GCU – Gun Control Unit
GCW – Gross Combined Weight (not "Gross Combat Weight"). Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) plus Gross Trailer Weight (GTW).
GD – General Dynamics
GDLS – General Dynamics Land Systems
GDU – Gun Display Unit
GFE – Government Furnished Equipment
GH – gun-howitzer
GIGN-Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale ("National Gendarmerie Intervention Group")
GIAT – Groupement Industriel des Armements Terrestres
GL – Grenade Launcher
GLATGM – Gun Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile
GLC – gun lay computer
GLDNSM – Grenade Launcher Day-Night Sight Mount
GLH-H – Ground-Launched Hellfire-Heavy (US)
GLLD – Ground Laser Locator Designator (US)
GLS – Gesellschaft für Logistischen Service
GM, MVO – General Motors, Military Vehicle Operations
GMC – General Motors Corporation
GMG – Grenade Machine Gun
GMLRS – Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System
GMS – Gun Management System
GND – Ground (electrical)
GOCO – government-owned, contractor-operated (US)
GOP – General Out Post
GP – General Purpose
GP – guided projectile
GPMG – General Purpose Machine Gun
GPO – gun position officer
GPS – Global Positioning System
GPS – gunner's primary sight
GPSS – Gunner's Primary Sight Subsystem
GR – Gajaba Regiment (Sri Lanka)
GREM – Grenade Rifle Entry Munition
GRU – Glavnoe Razvedyvatel'noe Upravlenie, meaning Main Intelligence Directorate
GSR – General Staff Requirement (US)
GSRS – General Support Rocket System
GSG9- Grenzschutzgruppe 9 der Bundespolizei (Border Protection Group 9 of the Federal Police)
GSOF – Georgian Special Operations Forces
GST – General Staff Target
GST – Gesellschaft fьr System-Technik
GTCS – Gun Test and Control System
GTG – Good To Go
GTI – German Tank Improvement
GTW – Gross Trailer Weight
GVW – Gross Vehicle Weight. Curb weight plus max payload weight.
GW – Gemunu Watch (Sri Lanka)
GW – guided weapon
H
h – hour(s)
H&K – Heckler and Koch
HAB – Heavy Assault Bridge (US)
HAB – Heavy Artillery Brigade (UK)
HAG – Heavy Artillery Gun
HALO – High Altitude Low Opening, High Activity/Low Observable
HAMS – Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron – Marine Aircraft Group (USMC)
HAWK – Homing-All-the-Way-Killer (US)
HB – heavy barrel
HBAR – Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle
HC – Hexachloroethane/zinc
HC – high-capacity
HC – Hollow Charge
HCER – high-capacity extended range
HCHE – high-capacity high-explosive
HCT – HOT Compact Turret
HDS – HOLOgraphic Diffraction Sight
HE – high-explosive
HE-APERS – high-explosive anti-personnel
HE-FRAG – high-explosive fragmentation
HE-FRAG-FS – high-explosive fragmentation – fin-stabilised
HE-FS – high-explosive – fin-stabilised
HE-S – high-explosive spotting
HE-T – high-explosive tracer
HE/PR – high-explosive practice
HEAA – High-Explosive Anti-Armour
HEAB – High-Explosive Air Burst
HEAP – High-Explosive Armor-Piercing
HEAP-T – high-explosive anti-personnel – tracer
HEAT – high-explosive anti-tank
HEAT-FS – high-explosive anti-tank fin-stabilised
HEAT-MP – high-explosive anti-tank multipurpose
HEAT-MP(P) – high-explosive anti-tank multipurpose (practice)
HEAT-T – high-explosive anti-tank – tracer
HEAT-T-HVY – high-explosive anti-tank – tracer – heavy
HEAT-T-MP – high-explosive anti-tank – tracer – multipurpose
HEAT-TP-T – high-explosive anti-tank – target practice – tracer
HED-D – Hybrid Electric Drive – Demonstrator
HEDP – high-explosive dual-purpose
HEER – High-Explosive Extended Range (US)
HEF – High-Explosive Fragmentation
HEFT – High-Explosive Follow Through
HEI – high-explosive incendiary
HEIT – high-explosive incendiary tracer
HEL – High-Energy Laser (US)
HEL – Human Engineering Laboratory (US)
HELP – Howitzer Extended Life Program (US)
HEMAT – Heavy Expanded Mobility Ammunition Trailer (US)
HEMP – High-Explosive Multi-Purpose
HEMTT – Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (US)
HEP – high-explosive plastic
HEP-T – high-explosive practice – tracer
HEPD – high-explosive point detonating
HERA – high-explosive rocket-assisted
HESH – high-explosive squash head
HESH-T – high-explosive squash head – tracer
HET-PF – high-explosive tracer – percussion fuze
HETF – High Explosive Time Fuzed
HETS – Heavy Equipment Transport System
HFCC – Howitzer Fire-Control Computer (US)
HFHTB – Human Factors Howitzer TestBed (US)
HFM – Heavy Force Modernisation (US)
HIFV – Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle
HIMAG – High-Mobility Agility Test Vehicle (US)
HIMARS – High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (US)
HIP – Howitzer Improvement Program (US)
HIRE – Hughes Infrared Equipment
HITP – High-Ignition Temperature Propellant
HIU – Heading Indicator Unit
HMC – Howitzer Motor Carriage
HMD – Helmet-Mounted Display
HMG – Heavy Machine Gun
HMH – Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron
HMLC – High-Mobility Load Carrier
HML/A – Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron
HMM – Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron
HMMWV – High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
HMX – Marine Special Mission Helicopter Squadron
HOE – Holographic Optical Element
HOT – Haute subsonique Optiquement Téléguidé
How – Howitzer
HP – High Power; Hollow Point
hp – Horsepower
HPFP – High-Performance Fragmentation Projectile
HPS – Helmet Pointing System (or Sight)
HPT – high-pressure test
HRU – Heading Reference Unit
HS – Headquarters Squadron – Marine Wing Support Group (USMC)
HSS – Hunter Sensor Suite
HSTV(L) – High-Survivability Test Vehicle (Lightweight) (US)
HTTB – High-Technology TestBed (US)
HVAP – high-velocity armour-piercing
HVAP-T – high-velocity armour-piercing tracer
HVAPDS-T – high-velocity armour-piercing discarding sabot – tracer
HVAPFSDS – high-velocity armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot
HVCC – High Velocity Canister Cartridge
HVM – Hypervelocity Missile
HVSS – horizontal volute spring suspension
HVSW – Hypervelocity Support Weapon
HVTP-T – high-velocity target practice – tracer
HWSTD – High Water Speed Technology Demonstrator
HYPAK – Hydraulic Power Assist Kit
I
I – Incendiary
IAF - Indian Air Force
IAFV – infantry armoured fighting vehicle
IAI – Israel Aircraft Industries
IAL – Infra-red Aiming Light
IASD – Instant Ammunition Selection Device
IBAS – Improved Bradley Acquisition System
ICC – information co-ordination centre
ICM – improved conventional munition
ICM – BB improved conventional munition base bleed
ICV – Infantry Combat Vehicle
IDF – Israel Defense Forces
IDF – Indirect fire
IDW – Individual Defence Weapon
IED – Improvised Explosive Device
IEPG – Independent European Program Group
IFCS – Improved/Integrated Fire-Control System
IFF – Identification Friend or Foe
IFV – infantry fighting vehicle
IFVwCM – Infantry Fighting Vehicle with Integrated Countermeasures (US)
IGLS – Individual Grenade Launcher System
II – image intensification/intensifier
IIR – Imaging Infra-Red
ILL – illuminating
ILMS – Improved Launcher Mechanical System
ILS – Integrated Logistic Support
IM – Insensitive Munition(s)
IMMLC – Improved Medium Mobility Load Carrier
IMU – Inertial Measurement Unit
INSAS – Indian Small Arms System
InSb – Indium-antimonide
IOC – initial operational capability
IOF – Indian Ordnance Factory
IPB – Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield
IPF – Initial Production Facility
IPO – International Programme Office
IPPD – Integrated Product Process Development
IR – Infra-Red
IRBM – Intermediate-range ballistic missile
IRU – Inertial Reference Unit
IS – internal security
ISD – In Service Date
ISGU – Integrated Sight and Guidance Unit
ISR – Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance
ISU – Integrated Sight Unit
ISV – Internal Security Vehicle
ITAS – Improved Target Acquisition System
ITOW – Improved TOW
ITPIAL – Infra-red Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser
ITT – Invitation To Tender
ITV – Improved TOW Vehicle (US)
IVPDL – Inter-Vehicle Positioning and Data Link (US)
IW – Individual Weapon
IWS – Improved Weapon System
J
JBMoU – Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding
JDAM – Joint Direct Attack Munition
JERRV – Joint Engineer Rapid Response Vehicle
JGSDF – Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force
JHP – Jacketed hollow point
Shiniqwa – Javelin Composite Launch Tube
JMAC – Joint Medium-calibre Automatic Cannon
JPO – Joint Project Office
JSC – Joint Steering Committee
JSCS – Joint Service Combat Shotgun
JSDFA – Japanese Self-Defence Force Agency
JSP – Jacketed Soft Point
JSSAMP – Joint Services Small Arms Master Plan
JSSAP – Joint Services Small Arms Programme
K
KAAV – Korean Armoured Amphibious Vehicle
KAC – Knight's Armament Company
KE – Kinetic energy
KEC – Kaman Electromagnetics Corporation
KEM – Kinetic Energy Missile (US)
kg – kilogramme(s)
KIA – Killed in Action
KIFV – Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle
KPA – Korean People's Army
L
LAAG – light anti-aircraft gun
LAAM – Light Anti-Aircraft Missile
LAAW – Light Anti-Tank Assault Weapon
LCAC – Landing Craft Air Cushion
LAD – light aid detachment
LADS – light air defense system (US)
LAG – Light Artillery Gun
LALO – Low Altitude Low Opening
LAM – Laser Aiming Module
LAPES – Low-Altitude Parachute Extraction System
LAR – Light Automatic Rifle
LASER – Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
LASIP – Light Artillery System Improvement Plan
LATS – Light Armoured Turret System
LAU – Light Armoured Unit
LAV – Light Armored Vehicle (US)
LAV – Light Assault Vehicle (US)
LAV-AD – Light Armored Vehicle – Air Defense
LAW – light anti-tank weapon
LB – Long Barrel
LC – Laser Collimator
LCD – Liquid crystal display
LCS – Loader Control System
LCU – Landing Craft Utility
LCV – Light Contingency Vehicle (LCV) (US)
LD – Low drag, Line of Departure
LE – Law Enforcement
LED – light emitting diode
LEP – Life Extension Programme
LEU – Launcher Erector Unit
LF – ATGW Light Forces' Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
LF – Linked Feed
LFHG – Lightweight Fragmentation Hand Grenade
LFL – Light Fighter Lethality
LIA – Linear Induction Accelerator
LIMAWS – Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System
LION – Lightweight Infra-red Observation Night sight
LIW – Lyttleton Engineering Works
LKP – Loader Keyboard Panel
LLAD – low-level air defence
LLLTV – low light level television
LLM – Launcher Loader Module
LMAW – Light Multi-purpose Assault Weapon
LMG – light machine gun
LNS – Land Navigation System
LNS – Laying and Navigation System
L/O – Liaison Officer
LOAL – Lock-On After Launch
LOBL – Lock-On Before Launch
LOC – Line Of Communication
LOS – Line Of Sight
LOSAT – Line Of Sight Anti-Tank
LP – Liquid Propellant
LP – Listening Post
LPC – Launch Pod Container
LPC – Launcher Pod Carrier
LPG – Liquid Propellant Gun
LPO – Leading Petty Officer
LPT – Low-Profile Turret
LPTS – Lightweight Protected Turret System
LR – Long Rifle
LR – Long-Range
LRAR – Long Range Artillery Rocket
LRASS – Long-Range Advanced Scout System
LRAT – long-range anti-tank
LRBB – long-range base bleed
LRD – Long Range Deflagrator
LRF – laser rangefinder
LRF – Low Recoil Force
LRHB – long-range hollow base
LRIP – Low-Rate Initial Production
LRM – Laser Rangefinder Module
LRN – Lead Round Nose
LRN – Low Recoil NORICUM
LRRP – Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol
LRSA – Long Range Sniper Ammunition
LRSU – Long Range Surveillance Unit
LRU – Launcher Replenishment Unit
LRU – Line Replacement Unit
LRU – Line-Replaceable Unit
LSAT- Lightweight Small Arms Technologies
LSB – Landing Support Battalion
LSS – Lightweight Shotgun System
LSVW – Light Support Vehicle, Wheeled (Canada)
LSW – Light Support Weapon
LTA – Launch Tube Assembly
LTD – Laser Target Designator
LTFCS – Laser Tank Fire-Control System
LTP – Laser Target Pointer, Luminesant Training Projectile
LUTE – Lightweight Uncooled Thermal Imager Equipment
LVA – landing vehicle assault (US)
LVS – Lightweight Video Sight
LVT – Landing Vehicle Tracked (US)
LVTC – Landing Vehicle Tracked Command (US)
LVTE – Landing Vehicle Tracked Engineer (US)
LVTH – Landing Vehicle Tracked Howitzer (US)
LVTP – Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel (US)
LVTR – Landing Vehicle Tracked Recovery (US)
LWC – Lead Wad Cutter
LWIR – Long Wave Infrared
LWL – LightWeight Launcher
LWML – LightWeight Multiple Launcher
LWMS – LightWeight Modular Sight
LWS – laser warning system
LWT – light weapon turret
LZ – landing zone
LRW – Light Repair Works (Indian Army)
M
m – metre(s)
m/s – metres per second
MAB – Marine Amphibious Brigade
MABS – Marine Air Base Squadron
MAC – Medium Armored Car (US)
MAC – Military Airlift Command
MACS – Modular Artillery Charge System
MACS – Marine Air Control Squadron
MADLS – Mobile Air Defence Launching System
MAF – Marine Amphibious Force
MAG – Marine Aircraft Group
MAGTEC – Marine Air/Ground Training & Education Command
MAGTF – Marine Air/Ground Task Force
MAHEM – Magnetohydrodynamic Explosive Munition
MALOS – Miniature Laser Optical Sight
MALS – Marine Air Logistics Squadron
MAMBA – Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar
MANPADS – Man Portable Air Defense System
MAOV – Mobile Artillery Observation Vehicle
MAP – Military Aid Programme
MAPS – Modular Azimuth Position System
MAR – Micro Assault Rifle
MARDI – Mobile Advanced Robotics Defence Initiative (UK)
MARDIV – Marine Division (US)
MARS – Military Amateur Radio Station
MARS – Mini Assault Rifle System
MARS – Multi-purpose Aiming Reflex Sight
MARS – Multiple Artillery Rocket System
MASS – Marine Air Support Squadron
MATCS – Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron
MATSG – Marine Air Training Support Group
MAU(SOC) – Marine Amphibious Unit (Special Operations Capable)
MAV – maintenance assist vehicle
MAVD – MLRS Aim Verification Device
MAW – Marine Air Wing (US)
MBA – main battle area
MBB – Messerschmitt-Bцlkow-Blohm
MBC – Mortar Ballistic Computer
MBT – main battle tank
MCISRE – Marine Corps Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Enterprise
MCLOS – Manual Command to Line Of Sight
MCRV – Mechanised Combat Repair Vehicle
MCS – Microclimate Conditioning System
MCS – modular charge system
MCSK – Mine Clearance System Kit (US)
MCT – Medium Combat Tractor (US)
MCT – Mercury Cadmium Telluride
MCV – Mechanised Combat Vehicle
MCWL – Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
MCWS – Minor Calibre Weapons Station (US)
MDB – Multi Domain Battle
MDMP – Military Decision Making Process
MDU – Map Display Unit
MEB – Marine Expeditionary Brigade
MEDEVAC – Medical Evacuation
MEF – Marine Expeditionary Force
MENS – Mission Element Need Statement (US)
MEP – Modular Explosive Penetrator
MEPS – Military Entrance Processing Station
METO – Middle East Treaty Organisation; CENTO or Baghdad Pact
METL – Mission Essential Task List
METT-TC – Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and support available—Time available, Civilians
METT-TSL – Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and fire support available - Time available, Space, Logistics
MEU(SOC) – Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)
MEV – medical evacuation vehicle (US)
MEWS – Mobile Electronic Warfare System
MEWSS – Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System
MF – multifunction
MFC – Mortar Fire Control(ler)
MFCS – Multi-Fire Control System/Mortar Fore Control System
MFCV – Missile Fire-Control Vehicle
MFF – munition filling factory
MG – machine gun
MGB – Medium Girder Bridge
MGL – Multiple Grenade Launcher
MGS – Mobile Gun System
MGTS – MultiGun Turret System
MGU – Mid-course Guidance Unit
MI – Military Intelligence
MIA – Missing In Action
MICOM – Missile Command (US)
MICV – mechanised infantry combat vehicle
MILAN – Missile d'Infantrie Léger Antichar (light infantry anti-tank missile)
MILES – Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (US)
MILSPEC – Military Specification
MILSTAN – MILitary STANdard
MILSTAR – MILitary Strategic and Tactical Relay (US)
MIPS – Medium Integrated Propulsion System (US)
MIR - Mechanized Infantry Regiment (Sri Lanka)
MIRV - Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle
MLA – Manufacturing Licence Agreement
MLC – Military Load Class
MLC – Modular Load Carrier
MLF – Marine Logistics Force
MLR – Marine Logistics Regiment
MLI – Mid-Life Improvement
MLO – Muzzle Loaded Ordnance
MLRS – Multiple Launch Rocket System (US)
mm – millimetre(s)
MMBF – mean miles between failures
MMG – Medium Machine Gun
MMS – mast-mounted sight
MMS – Modular Mounting System
MNVD – Monocular Night Vision Device
MoA – Memorandum of Agreement
MOA – Minute Of Angle
MoD – Ministry of Defence
MODA – Ministry of Defence and Aviation
MOLF – Modular Laser Fire Control (Germany)
MOLLE – MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment
MOPP – Mission Oriented Protective Posture (US)
MOS – Military Occupational Specialty (US)
MoU – Memorandum of Understanding
MOUT – Military Operations in Urban Terrain (urban warfare) (US)
MP – Machine Pistol
MPBAV – MultiPurpose Base Armoured Vehicle
MPC – MultiPurpose Carrier (Netherlands)
MPDS – Missile Piercing Discarding Sabot
MPGS – Mobile Protected Gun System (US)
MPI – Mean Point of Impact
MPIM – MultiPurpose Individual Munition
MPM – MultiPurpose Munition
MPS – Maritime Prepositioning Ships (US)
MPV – Multi-Purpose Vehicle
MPWS – Mobile Protected Weapon System (US)
MR – Medium Range
MRAP – Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (Vehicle)
MRAR – MultiRole Assault Round
MRAV – MultiRole Armoured Vehicle
MRBF – mean rounds before failure
MRBS – mean rounds between stoppages
MRE – Meal Ready to Eat
MRS – multiple rocket system
MRS – muzzle reference system
MRSI – Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact
MRV(R) – Mechanised Recovery Vehicle (Repair)
MRVR – Mechanised Repair and Recovery Vehicle (US)
MSSG – MAU/MEU Service Support Group (USMC)
MSL – Missile
MSR – Missile Simulation Round
MSR – Main Supply Route
MSTAR – Man-portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar
MSV – Modular Support Vehicle
MT – mechanical time
MTB – Mobility TestBed
MTBF – Mean Time Between Failure
MTI – moving target indication
MTL – Materials Technology Laboratory (US)
MTR – Mobile Test Rig (US)
MTSQ – mechanical time and super-quick
MTSQ – Mechanical Time Semi-Quick
MTU – Motoren- und Turbinen-Union
MTVL – mobile tactical vehicle light
MUGS – Multipurpose Universal Gunner Sight
MULE – Modular Universal Laser Equipment (US)
MUSS – Multifunctional Selfprotection System
MV – muzzle velocity
MVEE – Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment (UK)
MVRS – Muzzle Velocity Radar System
MWCS – Marine Wing Communications Squadron
MWHS – Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron
MWS – Manned Weapon Station (US)
MWS – Modular Weapon System
MWSG – Marine Wing Support Group
MWSS – Marine Wing Support Squadron
N
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NAVSEA – Naval Sea Systems Command
NBC – Nuclear, Biological, Chemical
NBMR – NATO Basic Military Requirement
NCIS – Naval Criminal Investigative Service (US)
NCO – Non-Commissioned Officer (US, E-4 – E-9)
NCOIC – Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge
NDI – Non-Developmental Item
NDU – Navigation Display Unit
NFOV – Narrow Field Of View
NG – New/Next Generation
Ni/Cd – Nickel Cadmium
NLAW – Next Light (weight) Anti-armour Weapon
NLOS-C – Non-Line Of Sight-Cannon
NLOS-M – Non-Line Of Sight-Mortar
NOD(s) – Night Optical Device(s)
NRF – NATO Response Force
NS – Network Services
NTC – National Training Center (USA)
NUGP – nominal unit ground pressure
NV – Night Vision
NVD – Night Vision Device
NVE – Night Vision Equipment
NVESD – Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate
NVG – Night Vision Goggle
NVS – Night Vision System
NZDF – New Zealand Defence Force
NZEF – New Zealand Expeditionary Force (in WWI & WWII)
NZSAS - New Zealand Special Air Service
O
OBR – Optical Beam-Riding
OCC – Obus à Charge Creusé (shaped-charge shell)
OCOKA – Observation and fields of fire, Cover and concealment, Obstacles, Key terrain, and Avenues of Approach.
OCSW – Objective Crew-Served Weapon
OCU – Operational Centre Unit
ODE – Ordnance Development and Engineering (Singapore)
OEG – Occluded Eye Gunsight (a type of Collimator sight)
OEO – optical and electro-optical
OFSA – Objective Family of Small Arms
OFSA – One Size Fits All
OFW – Objective Force Warrior
OHWS – Offensive Hand Weapon System
OIC – Officer In Charge
OICW – Objective Individual Combat Weapon
OOTW – Operations Other Than War
OP – Observation post
OP – Operators Panel
OPCON – OPerational CONtrol
OPDW – Objective Personal Defense Weapon
OPORD – OPerations Order
OPSEC – OPerational SECurity
OPV – Observation Post Vehicle
OSW – Objective Sniper Weapon
OSC – Operation Strategy Command
OSS (USAF) – Operational Support Squadron
OSW (USAF) – Operational Support, Weather
OT – operational test
OTA – overflight top attack
OTEA – Operational Test and Evaluation Agency (US)
P
P – How - pack howitzer
P-38 — P-38 can opener (US)
P3I – Pre-Planned Product Improvements
PAR – pulse acquisition radar
PAT – power-assisted traverse
PC – Personal Computer
PCB – printed circuit board
PCC – Police Compact Carbine
PCI – Pre-combat inspection
PD – Point Defense
PD – point detonating
PD – Point of Departure
PDNA – Positioning Determining/Navigation Unit
PDRR – Program Definition and Risk Reduction
PDW – Personal Defence Weapon
PE – MoD Procurement Executive (UK)
PE – Peace Enforcement (US DoD)
PEC – Printed Electronic Circuits
PFD – proximity fuze disconnector
PFHE – prefragmented high-explosive
PLF – protective line of fire
PFPX – prefragmented proximity fuzed
PGMM – Precision Guided Mortar Munition
PH – Probability of Hit
Pi – Probability of incapacitation
PIAT – Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank
PIBD – Point Initiating Base Detonated
PID – Positive Identification
PIE – pyrotechnically initiated explosive
PIP – Product Improvement Programme
PL – Phase Line
PLA – People's Liberation Army
PLARS – Position Location And Reporting System (US)
PLC – Programmable Logic Control
PLO – Palestinian Liberation Army
PLOS – Predicted Line Of Sight
PLS – Palletised Load System (US)
PM – porte mortier (mortar carrier)
PM – Product Manager
PMCS – Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services
PMEE – U.S. Air Force abbreviation for Prime Mission Electronic Equipment
PMO – Program Management Office (US)
PMO – Provost Marshall's Office
PMOD – Platform Modifications
PMS – Pedestal-Mounted Stinger
PNU – Position Navigation Unit
POA&M – Plan Of Action & Milestones
POF – Pakistan Ordnance Factory
POS – Postes Optiques de Surveillance
POW – Prisoner(s) of War
PPG – PT Parade Games (Bangladesh Cadet Colleges)
PPI – plan position indicator
PPS – Precise Positioning Service
PRAC – practice
PRAC-T – practice tracer
PRI – projector reticle image
PRP – Personnel Reliability Program (screening and monitoring of individuals with access to "special" weapons)
PSD – Propulsion System Demonstrator
PSO – Peace Support Operations
PSS – Primary Sight System
PTO – power take-off
PVP – Petit Véhicule Protégé
PW – Prisoner of War
PWI-SR(GR) – Panser Wagen Infanterie-Standaard (Groep)
PWP – Plasticised White Phosphorus
PWR – Power
Q
QCB – Quick Change Barrel
QE – Quadrant Elevation
QRF – Quick Reaction Force
R
RA – Royal Artillery
RAA – Royal Australian Artillery
RAAM – Rifle-launched Anti-Armour Munition
RAAMS – Remote Anti-Armor Mine System (US)
PABD – Pay Entry Base Date
RAC – Royal Armoured Corps
RADIRS – Rapid Deployment Multiple Rocket System (US)
RAAF – Royal Australian Air Force
RAE – Royal Aircraft Establishment, Royal Aircraft Establishment (Farnborough)
RAE – Royal Australian Engineers, Australian Combat Engineers
RAF – Royal Air Force
RAM-D – reliability, availability, maintainability and durability
RAN – Royal Australian Navy
RAO – Rear Area Operations
RAP – Regimental Aid Post [1]
RAP – rocket-assisted projectile
RAPI – Reactive Armour Protection
RARDE – Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (UK)
RATAC – Radar de Tir pour L'Artillerie de Campagne (radar for field artillery fire)
RATELO – Radio Telephone Operator
RAW – Rifleman's Assault Weapon
RBL – Range and Bearing Launch
RC/MAS – Reserve Component/Modified Armament System
RCAAS – Remote-Controlled Anti-Armor System (US)
RCAF – Royal Canadian Air Force
RCC – ROLAND Coordination Center (US)
RCDU – Remote-Controlled Defence Unit
RCL – Recoilless rifle
RCN – Royal Canadian Navy
RCS – Radar Cross Section
RCT – Regimental Combat Team
RCT – Royal Corps of Transport
RCV – Robotic Command Vehicle
RDF – Rapid Deployment Forces
RDF/LT – Rapid Deployment Force Light Tank (US)
RDJTF – Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (US)
RDT&E – Research Development Test and Evaluation
REME – Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
REMF – Rear Echelon Mother F*cker
RF – Rimfire
RFA – Royal Field Artillery
RFAS – Russian Federation and Associated States
RFC – Royal Flying Corps
RFI – request for information
RFP – request for proposals
RFPI – Rapid Force Projection Initiative
RFQ – Request For Quotations
RGGS – Rifle Grenade General Service
RHA – rolled geneous armour
RHA – Royal Horse Artillery
RIN – the former Royal Indian Navy
RIS – Rail Interface System
RISE – Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
RLC – Royal Logistic Corps
RLEM – Rifle-Launched Entry Munition
RLG – Ring Laser Gyro
RLT – Regimental Landing Team
RMG – ranging machine gun
RN – Royal Navy
RNZAF – Royal New Zealand Air Force
RNZN – Royal New Zealand Navy
RO – Royal Ordnance
ROBAT – Robotic Counter-Obstacle Vehicle (US)
RoC – Republic of China
ROC – required operational characteristics
ROE – Rules Of Engagement
ROF – Royal Ordnance Factory (UK)
ROF – Rate of fire
RoK – Republic of Korea
RoKMC – Republic of Korea Marine Corps
RoKIT – Republic of Korea Indigenous Tank
ROR – range only radar
ROTA – Royal Ordnance Training Ammunition
RP – Red phosphorus
RP – rocket-propelled
RPC – Rocket Pod Container
RPG – Rocket-propelled grenade
RPG – Ruchnoy Protivotankovy Granatomyot
RPV – Remotely piloted vehicle
RR – Recoilless rifle
RRPR – Reduced Range Practice Rocket
RRT – Radio Recon Team
RRTR – Reduced Range Training Round
RSAF – Royal Small Arms Factory (UK) (now closed)
RSN – Role Specialist Nation (US & NATO)
RSS – Rosette Scanning Seeker
RTE – Rifle Team Equipment
RTT – Roues Transporteur de Troupes
RUC – Royal Ulster Constabulary
RWS – Remote weapon system (or station)
S
s – second(s)
S&W – Smith & Wesson
SABCA – Société Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques
SABR – Selectable Assault Battle Rifle
SABS – Stabilizing Automatic Bomb Sight
SAC – Small Arms Collimator
SACLOS – Semi-Automatic Command to Line Of Sight
SADA – Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly
SADARM – Sense And Destroy Armor (US)
SADF – South African Defence Force
SAE – Society of Automotive Engineers
SAF – Small Arms Fire
SAFCS – Small Arms Fire Control System
SAFIRE – Surface-to-Air Fire
SAL – semi-active laser
SAM – surface-to-air missile
SAMM – Société d'Applications des Machines Motrices
SANDF – South African National Defence Force
SANG – Saudi Arabian National Guard
SAP – Semi-Armour-Piercing
SAPHEI – Semi-Armour-Piercing High Explosive Incendiary
SAPI – semi-armour-piercing incendiary
SAS – Special Air Service
SASR – Special Air Service Regiment
SAS-EAS – Sealed Authenticator System – Emergency Action Procedures (Nuclear Weapons Release Control)
SASR – Special Application Sniper Rifle
SAT – Small Arms Trainer
SATCP – Systиme Anti-aérien à Trиs Courte Portée (very short-range anti-aircraft system)
SAVA – Standard Army Vectronics Architecture
SAW – Squad Automatic Weapon
SAWS – Squad Automatic Weapon System
SB – Short Barrel
SCORE – Stratified Charge Omnivorous Rotary Engine
SD – self-destruct(ion)
SEAL – Sea/Air/Land
SEALOCK – Search, Locate, and Communicate or Kill
SEATO – Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation
SEME – School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
SEN – shell extended range NORICUM
SEP – Soldier Enhancement Programme
SFCS – Simplified Fire-Control System
SFIM – Société de Fabrication d'Instrument de Mesure
SFIRR – solid fuel integral rocket/ramjet
SFM – Sensor Fuzed Munitions
SFMG – Sustained Fire Machine Gun
SFSW – Special Forces Support Weapon
SFW – Special Forces Weapon
SGTS – Second-Generation Tank Sight
SH/PRAC – squash head practice
SHORAD – Short-Range Air Defence System
shp – shaft horsepower
SIC – Second in Command
SICPS – Standard Integrated Command Post Systems
SINCGARS – Single Channel Ground/Air Radio System
SIP – System Improvement Plan/Programme
SIPS – Small Integrated Propulsion System
SITREP – Situation Report
SJFN – Semi-Jacketed Flat Nose
SJHP – Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point
SKOT – Sredni Kolowy Opancerzny Transporter (armoured personnel carrier)
SLA - Sri Lanka Army
SLAC - Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
SLAF - Sri Lanka Air Force
SLAGSE - Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps
SLAOC - Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps
SLAPC - Sri Lanka Army Pioneer Corps
SLASC - Sri Lanka Army Service Corps
SLAWC - Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps
SLCG - Sri Lanka Coast Guard
SLCMP - Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police
SLE - Sri Lanka Engineers
SLEME - Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
SLLI - Sri Lanka Light Infantry
SLMC - Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps
SLNG - Sri Lanka National Guard
SLN - Sri Lanka Navy
SLRC - Sri Lanka Rifle Corps
SLSR - Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
SLAP – saboted light armor penetrator
SLAW – Shoulder-Launched Assault Weapon
SLEP – Service Life Extension Program (US)
SLR – Self-Loading Rifle
SLR – Super Low Recoil
SLWAGL – Super Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher
SM – smoke
SMAW – Shoulder-launched Multi-purpose Assault Weapon
SMG – sub-machine gun
SMK – Smoke
Smoke – BE smoke base ejection
Smoke – WP smoke white phosphorus
SMP – Surface Mine Plough
SMU – Special Mission Unit
SNAFU – Situation Normal, All Fouled Up
SNCO – Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (USMC, E-6 – E-9)
SNCOIC – Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (USMC)
SOCOM – Special Operations Command
SOF – Special Operations Force(s)
SOG – Speed Over Ground
SOP – Standing/Standard Operational Procedure(s)
SOS – Struck Off Strength
SP – Shore Patrol
SP – self-propelled
SP – Soft Point
SPAAG – self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
SPAAM – self-propelled anti-aircraft missile
SPAG – self-propelled assault gun
SPARK – solid propellant advanced ramjet kinetic energy missile
SPAS – Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun
SPATG – self-propelled anti-tank gun
SPAW – self-propelled artillery weapon
SPG – self-propelled gun
SPH – self-propelled howitzer
SPL – self-propelled launcher
SPLL – Self-propelled Loader Launcher
SPLY – Supply
SPM – self-propelled mortar
SPP – Special Purpose Pistol
SPR – Special Purpose Rifle
SPS – Standard Positioning Service
SPSM – Sensorgezundete Panzerabwehr SubMunition
SPW – Special Purpose Weapon
SR – Short Rifle
SR – Staff Requirement
SRAW – Short Range Assault Weapon
SRC – Space Research Corporation
SRG – shell replenishment gear
SRI – Short Range Insert
SRTS – Short Range Thermal Sight
SRU – Shop Replaceable Unit
SRU – Slip Ring Unit
SRV – Surrogate Research Vehicle (US)
SSA – Special Spaced Armour
SSG – Single Shot Gun
SSK – Single Shot Kill
SSW – Squad Support Weapon
ST6 - seal team six
ST – Staff Target
STA – shell transfer arm
STAB – Steered Agile Beams
STAFF – Small Target Activated Fire-and-Forget (US)
STANAG – STANdardisation Agreement
STARTLE – Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar for Tank Location and Engagement (US)
STE/ICE – Simplified Test Equipment/Internal Combustion Engine (US)
STOVL – Short Take Off and Vertical Landing
STUP – spinning tubular projectile
SUB – SUBstitute
SUC – Square Ultra Compact
SUIT – Sight Unit Infantry Trilux
SUSAT – Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux
SWARM – Stabilised Weapon and Reconnaissance Mount
SWAT – Special Weapons And Tactics
SWC – Semi WadCutter
SWS – Sniper Weapon System
T
T – Tracer
TAAR – Tactical Air to Air Refueling
TACBE – Tacbe
TACMS – Army Tactical Missile System (US)
TACOM – Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (US)
TACP - Tactical Air Control Party
TAD – Temporary Additional Duty (Naval Services term)Temporary Duty
TADDS – Target Alert Display Data Set (US)
TADS – Target Acquisition and Designation System (US)
TAM – Tanque Argentino Mediano
TAS – Target Acquisition Subsystem
TAS – tracking adjunct system
TAS – Turret Attitude Sensor
TBAT – TOW/Bushmaster Armored Turret (US)
TC – Tank Commander, also Truck Commander (US Army)
TCO – Tactical Combat Operations
TCTO – Time-Compliance Technical Order
TCU – tactical control unit
TD – Tank Destroyer
TDCS – Tank Driver Command System
TDD – Target Detection Device
TDR – Target Data Receiver
TDY – Temporary Duty
TE – Tangent Elevation
TEL – Transporter-Erector-Launcher
TELAR – Transporter-Erector-Launcher And Radar
TES – Tactical Environment Simulation
TES – target engagement system
TGMTS – Tank Gunnery Missile Tracking System
TGP – Terminally Guided Projectile
TGP – Targeting pod
TGS – Tank Gun Sight
TGSM – terminally guided submunition
TGTS – tank gunnery training simulator
TI – thermal imaging/imager
TIC – Troops In Contact
TICM – thermal imaging common modules
TIIPS – Thermal Imaging and Integrated Position System
TIM – Thermal Imaging Module
TIPU – Thermal Image Processing Units
TIRE – Tank Infra-Red Elbow
TIS – thermal imaging system
TLC – Transport Launching Container
TLD – Top Level Demonstrations
TLE – Treaty Limited Equipment
TLP – Troop Leading Procedures (US)
TLR – Tank Laser Rangefinder
TLS – Tank Laser Sight
TM&LS – Textron Marine & Land Systems
TMBC – Turret Management Ballistic Computer
TMP – Tactical Machine Pistol
TMS – Turret Modernisation System
TMUAS – Turreted Mortar Under Armor System (US)
TNT – Trinitrotoluene
TO – Technical Order
TOE – table of organisation and equipment
TOGS – Thermal Observation and Gunnery System (UK)
TOP – Total Obscuring Power
TOPAS – Transporter Obrneny Pasovy
TOTE – Tracker, Optical Thermally Enhanced
TOW – Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire command link guided (US)
TP – Target Practice
TP-FL – target practice flash
TP-S – or TPS Target Practice-Spotting/Signature
TP-SM – target practice – smoke
TP-SP – target practice – spotting
TP-T – target practice – tracer
TPCM – Target Practice Colour-Marking
TPDS – Target Practice Discarding Sabot
TPFSDS-T – target practice fin-stabilised discarding sabot – tracer
TPTF – Target Practice Time Fuzed
TR – Triple Rail
TRACER – Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (UK)
TRACKSTAR – Tracked Search and Target Acquisition Radar System (US)
TRADOC – Training and Doctrine Command (US)
TSFCS – Tank Simplified Fire-Control System
TSQ – time and super-quick
TSR – Tavor Sporting Rifle
TT – transport de troupes (troop transporter)
TTB – Tank TestBed (US)
TTD – Transformation Technology Demonstrator
TTG – Time To Go
TTS – Tank Thermal Sight
TU – Terminal Unit
TU – Traversing Unit
TUA – TOW Under Armor (US)
TUR – Tiefflieger-Ьberwachungs-Radar (low-level surveillance radar)
TV – Television
TWD – Thermal Warning Device
TWMP – Track Width Mine Plough
TWS – Thermal Weapon Sight
TYDP – Ten Year Defence Programme (Australia)
U
UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UBLE – Universal Bridge Launching Equipment
UCVP – Universal Combat Vehicle Platform
UDR – Ulster Defence Regiment
UET – Universal Engineer Tractor (US)
UGV – Unmanned Ground Vehicle
ULC – Unit Load Container
UMA – Universal Mounting Adapter
UMP – Universal Machine Pistol
USA – United States of America/United States Army
USAADS – U.S. Army Air Defense School
USAARMS – U.S. Army Armor School
USAAVNS – U.S. Army Aviation School
USAAF – United States Army Air Forces
USAF – United States Air Force
USCG – United States Coast Guard
USMC – United States Marine Corps
USN – United States Navy
USP – Universal Self-loading Pistol
UTL – Universal Tactical Light
UTM – Universal Transverse Mercator
UTS – Universal Turret System
UV – Ultraviolet
UW – Urban warfare
V
V – Volt(s)
VAB – Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé (front armoured car)
VAB – Vickers Armoured Bridgelayer
VADS – Vulcan Air Defense System (US)
VAE – Vehiculo Armado Exploracion
VAK – Vehicle Adaptor Kit
VAPE – Vehiculo Apoyo y Exploracion
VARRV – Vickers Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle
VARV – Vickers Armoured Recovery Vehicle
VBC – Véhicule Blindé de Combat (armoured combat vehicle)
VBCI – Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie
VBL – Véhicule Blindé Léger (light armoured vehicle)
VBM – Véhicules Blindés Modulaires
VC – Vehicle Commander
VCA – Véhicule Chenillé d'Accompagnement (tracked support vehicle)
VCC – Veicolo Corazzato de Combattimento
VCG – Véhicule de Combat du Genie (armoured engineer vehicle)
VCI – Véhicule de Combat d'Infanterie; Vehiculo combate infanteria (infantry combat vehicle)
VCP – Vehicle Check Point
VCR – variable compression ratio
VCR – Véhicule de Combat à Roues (wheeled combat vehicle)
VCR/AT – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Atelier Technique (salvage)
VCR/IS – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Intervention Sanitaire (stretchers)
VCR/PC – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Poste de Commandement (HQ)
VCR/TH – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Tourelle HOT (turret with four HOT ATGW)
VCR/TT – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Transport de Troupes (troop carrier)
VCTIS – Vehicle Command and Tactical Information System
VCTM – Vehiculo de Combate Transporte de Mortero (armoured mortar carrier)
VCTP – Vehiculo de Combate Transporte de Personal (armoured personnel carrier)
VDA – Véhicule de Défense Anti-aérienne (anti-aircraft defence vehicle)
VDAA – Véhicule d'Auto-Défense Anti-aérienne
VDC – Voltage Direct Current
VDM – viscous damped mount
VDSL – Vickers Defence Systems Ltd
VDU – visual display unit
VEC – Vehiculo de Exploraciòn de Caballerie
VEDES – Vehicle Exhaust Dust Ejection System (US)
VERDI – Vehicle Electronics Research Defence Initiative (UK)
VHIS – visual hit indicator system
VIB – Véhicule d'Intervention du Base
VIDS – Vehicle Integrated Defence System
VINACS – Vehicle Integrated Navigation and Command System
VIRSS – Visual and InfraRed Smoke Screening System
VITS – Video Image Tracking Systems
VLAP – Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile
VLC – Véhicule Léger de Combat (light armoured car)
VLI – Visible Light Illuminator
VLSMS – Vehicle-Launched Scatterable Mine System
VMA – Marine Light Attack Squadron
VMA(AW) – Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron
VMBT – Vickers Main Battle Tank
VMF – Marine Fighter Squadron
VMFA – Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
VMFA(AW) – Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron
VMGR – Marine Aerial Refueler/Transport Squadron
VMFP – Marine Aerial Reconnaissance Squadron
VMM – Marine Tilt-rotor (MV-22B) Squadron
VMU – Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron
VMR – Marine Transport Squadron
VMAQ – Marine Electronic Warfare Attack Squadron
VMS – Vehicle Motion Sensor
VNAS – Vehicle Navigation Air System
VRL – Véhicule Reconnaissance Léger (light reconnaissance vehicle)
VSEL – Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd
VT – variable time (fuse)
VTOL – Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft
VTP – véhicule transport de personnel (personnel carrier)
VTT – véhicule transport de troupe (troop transporter)
VVSS – vertical volute spring suspension
VXB – Véhicule Blindé à Vocations Multiples (multipurpose armoured car)
W
WAAC – Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and individual members of; obsolete
WAC – Women's Army Corps and individual members of; obsolete
WAF – Women (in the) Air Force and individual members of; obsolete
WAM – Wide Area Mines (US)
WAMI – Wide Area Motion Imagery (US)
WAPC – Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier (Canada)
WASAD – Wide Angle Surveillance and Automatic Detection Device
WAV – Wide Angle Viewing
WAVES – Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (USN); obsolete
WES – Wing Engineer Squadron (USMC)
WFOV – Wide Field Of View
WFSV – Wheeled Fire Support Vehicle (Canada)
WHA – Weapons Head Assembly
WHSA – Weapons Head Support Assembly
WLR – Weapon Locating Radar
WM – Woman/Women Marine(s)
WMD – Weapon(s) of Mass Destruction
WMRV – Wheeled Maintenance and Recovery Vehicle (Canada)
WP – white phosphorus
WP-T – white phosphorus – tracer
WSM – Winchester Short Magnum
WTS – Wing Transportation Squadron (USMC)
X
XO – Executive Officer
Y
YMRS – Yugoslav multiple rocket system
Z
ZULU – GMT/UTC
Glossary of military abbreviations
List of abbreviations, acronyms and initials related to military subjects such as modern armour, artillery, infantry, and weapons, along with their definitions.
Contents
A
AA – anti-aircraft
AA – AEGIS Ashore
AAA – anti-aircraft artillery "Triple A"
AAAV – Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle
AAD – Armoured amphibious dozer
AADC – Area Air Defense Commander
AAG – Anti-aircraft gun
AAK – Appliqué armor kit (US)
AAN – Army after next
AAP – Advance Authority to Procure
AAPC – Advanced Armoured Personnel Carrier (Turkey)
AARADCOM – Army Armament Research and Development Command
AAR – After Action Review
AAV – Amphibious assault vehicle
AAV – Assault Amphibious Vehicle
AAW – Anti-Aircraft Warfare
AAWC – Anti-Aircraft Warfare Coordinator
AB – Air burst
ABC – Atomic, biological, chemical (replaced by chemical, biological, radiological (CBR), and Nuclear, Biological, Chemical (NBC))
ABC – Automatic brightness control
AB(C) – Aviation battalion (combat)
ABIT – Advanced Built-In Test
ABM – Air Bursting Munition
ABM – Anti-Ballistic Missile
ABMD – AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense
ABMS – air bursting ammunition system
ABRO – Army Base Repair Organisation
ABS – Aww-Busting System
ABS – anti-skid braking system
ABSP – AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Signal Processor
ABSV – Armoured Battlegroup Support Vehicle
A/C – aircraft commander
AC – alternating current
ACA – ammunition container assembly
ACADA – Automatic Chemical Agent Detector and Alarm
ACAVP – Advanced Composite Armoured Vehicle Platform (UK)
ACB – Advanced Capability Build
ACB/TI – Advanced Capability Baseline/Technical Insertion
ACC – AEGIS Computer Center
ACCE – Abrams/Crusader Common Engine
ACCV – Armored Cavalry Cannon Vehicle (US)
ACD – Automated Common Diagrams
ACE – Armored Combat Earthmover (US)
ACEGIO – Advanced Conversion Equipment Group Input Output
ACH – Advanced Combat Helmet (MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet)
ACLOSAutomatic Command to Line of Sight
ACM – Acoustic Countermeasures
ACOG – Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight
ACOMMS – Acoustic Communications
ACP – Automatic Colt Pistol
ACP – Alignment control Panel
ACPU – Aft Central Processing Unit
ACR – Advanced Combat Rifle
ACR – Armored cavalry regiment
ACRV – Armoured command and reconnaissance vehicle
ACS – Artillery communications system
ACS – AEGIS Combat System
ACS – Air Control Supervisor
ACSC' – AEGIS Combat Systems Center
ACTS – AEGIS Combat Training System
ACU – Army combat uniform
ACU – Antenna Coupler Unit
ACV – Aardvark Cleaning Vehicle (US)
ACV – Armoured combat vehicle
ACVT – Armored Combat Vehicle Technology Program (US)
A/D – Analog to Digital
ADA – air defense artillery
ADAM – Area Denial Artillery Munition
ADAMS – Air Defense Advanced Mobile System (US)
ADAP – Advanced Digital Antenna Production
ADATS – Air Defence Anti-Tank System
ADC-A – Assistant Division Commander – Fire and Maneuver
ADC-B – Assistant Division Commander – Combat Support
ADEA – Army Development and Employment Agency
ADF – Australian Defence Force
ADG' – Acoustic Display Generator
ADI – Australian Defence Industries
ADM – Advanced Development Model
ADNS – Automated Digital Network System
ADS – Advanced Display System
AE – action express
AECU – Antenna Environmental Control Unit
AEF – Allied expeditionary force
AEP – Action Entry Panel
AER – Alteration Equivalent to Repair
AESA – Active electronically scanned array
AEWC – Airborne Early Warning and Control
AEV – Armoured engineer vehicle
AF – Air force
AF – And Following (as "in DDG-113 AF ships will receive the AMDR Radar")
AFA/ARA – Aerial field artillery/aerial rocket artillery (US, Vietnam war era attack helicopter batteries employing 2.75 in. FFAR)
AFARV – Armored, Forward Area, Re-arm Vehicle (US)
AFAS – advanced Field Artillery System
AFATDS – Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System
AFC – Australian Flying Corps
AFCS – automatic fire-control systems
AFD – automatic feeding device
AFDL – Advanced Flight Deck Lighting
AFFF – Aqueous Fire Fighting Foam (smothers fire cutting off oxygen)
AFSC – air force specialty code
AFSV – armoured fire support vehicle
AFV – Armored Family of Vehicles (US)
AFV – Armoured fighting vehicle
AGC – automatic gain control
AGF – Army ground forces
AGL – above ground level
AGL – automatic grenade launcher
AGLS – automatic gun laying system
AGS – armored gun system (US)
AGS – Advanced Gun System
AGV – assault gun vehicle
AGVT – Advanced Ground Vehicle Technology
Ah – Ampere hour
AHC – Attack Helicopter Company (USA)
AHE – Aircraft Handling Equipment
AI – Action Item
AIC – Air Intercept Controller (US Navy)
AICS – Accuracy International Chassis System
AICW – Advanced Individual Combat Weapon
AIF – Australian Imperial Force (Australia, WWI)
AIFS – Advanced Indirect Fire System
AIFV – Armoured infantry fighting vehicle
AIPS – Advanced Integrated Propulsion System (US)
AIS – Automatic Identification System (US NAVY)
AIT – Alteration Installation Team
AIT – Advanced Information Technology
AK – Acknowledgement
ALAAVS – Advanced Light Armored/Amphibious Vehicle System (US)
ALC – Advanced Land Combat (US)
ALICE – All-purpose lightweight individual carrying equipment
ALO – AEGIS Light Off
ALS – Advanced laying system
ALS – Advanced Lighting System (flight deck)
ALSV – Armoured logistics support vehicle
ALT – Armoured launching turret
ALWT – Advanced Lightweight Torpedo
AM – Acquisition Manager
AMC – United States Army Materiel Command
AMC – Advanced Mortar Carrier (Turkey)
AMCCOM – Armament Munitions and Chemical Command
AMDR – Air and Missile Defense Radar
AMDS – Anti-Missile Discarding Sabot
AMF – Amphibische Mehrzweck-Fahrzeuge (multipurpose amphibious vehicle)
AML – Automitrailleuse Légère (light armoured car)
AMLCD – Active-matrix liquid crystal display
AMN - Afghanistan Mission Network
AMOS – Advanced mortar system
AMPS – Afloat Master Planning System (US NAVY)
AMR – Anti-materiel rifle
AMR – Automitrailleuse de Reconnaissance
AMRWS – Advanced multi-role weapon station
AMS – Armoured mortar system
AMS-H – Advanced Missile System – Heavy
AMX – Atelier de Construction d'Issy-les-Moulineaux
ANAD – Anniston Army Depot
ANZAC – Australia and New Zealand Army Corps
ANZUS – Australia New Zealand United States Treaty
AO – Area of operations
AOI – Arab Organisation for Industrialisation
AOS – Add-on stabilisation
AP – Anti-personnel
AP – Armour-piercing
APAM – Anti-personnel, anti-matériel
APBC – Armour-piercing ballistic cap
APC – Armoured personnel carrier
APC – Armour-piercing capped
APCBC – Armour-piercing capped ballistic cap
APC-T – Armour-piercing capped – tracer
APCT-BF – Armour-piercing capped tracer – base fuze
APCNR – Armour-piercing composite non-rigid
APCR – Armour-piercing composite rigid
APCRBC – Armour-piercing composite rigid ballistic cap
APDS – Armour-piercing discarding sabot
APDS-T – Armour-piercing discarding sabot – tracer
APE – Amphibisches Pionier-Erkundungsfahrzeug (amphibious front-line reconnaissance vehicle)
APEP – Armour-Piercing Enhancement Programme
APERS – Anti-personnel
APERS-T – Anti-personnel tracer
APFIDS – Armour-piercing fragmentation incendiary discarding sabot
APFSDS-T – Armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot – tracer
APFSDS(P) – Armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (practice)
APFSDSDU – Armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot, depleted uranium
APG – Aberdeen Proving Grounds
APGM – Autonomous precision-guided munition
APHC – Armour-piercing hard core
APHE – Armour-piercing high-explosive
API – Armour-piercing incendiary
APIT – Armour-piercing incendiary tracer
APM – Anti-personnel mine
APS – Advanced propulsion system
APS – Artillery pointing system
APSA – Armour-piercing secondary effect
APSE – Armour-piercing secondary effect
APSE-T – Armour-piercing secondary effect – tracer
APT – Armour-piercing tracer
APTE – Abrams Power Train Evolution (US)
APU – Auxiliary power unit
APV – Armoured patrol vehicle
AR – Assault rifle
AR/AAV – Armored Reconnaissance/Airborne Assault Vehicle (US)
ARD – Anti-reflective device
ARDEC – Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center
ARDNOT – Automatic day/night optical tracker
ARE – Atelier de Construction Roanne
ARETS – Armour Remote Target System
ARFORGEN – Army force generation
ARMAD – Armoured and Mechanised Unit Air Defence
ARMSCOR – Armament Manufacturing Corporation (South Africa)
ARMVAL – Anti-armor vehicle evaluation (US)
ARP – Anti-radiation projectile
ARP – Armoured repair plates
ARRADCOM – Armament Research and Development Command
ARRV – Armoured repair and recovery vehicle
ARSV – Armored Reconnaissance Scout Vehicle (US)
ART – Armoured Recon Transport
ARV – Armoured recovery vehicle or Armed Robotic Vehicle (XM1219)
ASAAdvanced security agency
ASAP – As soon as possible
ASARC – Army Systems Acquisition Review Council
ASCOD – Austrian Spanish Co-operative Development
ASM – Armored Systems Modernisation (US)
ASP – Automatic, self-powered
ASTROS – Artillery Saturation Rocket System (Brazil)
ASV – Armored Security Vehicle (US)
ASV – Ammunition supply vehicle
AT – Anti-tank
AT – Ape tape
ATACS – Advanced tank cannon system (US)
ATAS – Automatic target acquisition system
ATCAS – Advanced towed cannon system
ATD – Advanced technology demonstration
ATD – Advanced technology demonstrator (US)
ATD – Automatic target detection
ATDT – Automatic target detection and tracking
ATDU – Armoured Trials and Development Unit (UK)
ATFCS – Automated Targeting and Fire Control System
ATG – Anti-tank gun
ATGL – Anti-tank grenade launcher
ATGM – Anti-tank guided missile
ATGW – Anti-tank guided weapon
ATK – Alliant Techsystems
ATLAS – Advanced technology light artillery system
ATLV – Artillery target location vehicle
ATM – Anti-tank mine
ATR – - EDS Automotive test rig – Electric drive system
ATS – Atelier de Construction de Tarbes
ATTC – All Terrain Tracked Carrier
ATTS – Air Transportable Towed System
ATV – All-terrain vehicle
ATV – Armoured TOW vehicle (Turkey)
AUG – Armee Universal Gewehr
AVGP – Armoured Vehicle General Purpose (Canada)
AVH – Armoured Vehicle Heavy
AVL – Armoured Vehicle Light
AVLB – Armoured vehicle-launched bridge
AVM – Armoured Vehicle Medium
AVR – Armoured vehicle reconnaissance
AVRE – Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers (UK)
AVT – Advanced Vehicle Technologies (US)
AWE – Advanced Warfighting Experiment
AWOL – Absent without official leave
B
BAe – British Aerospace
BAR – M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle
BARV – Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle
BASE – British Aerospace Systems and Equipment
BATES – Battlefield Artillery Target Engagement System
BAT – Biometrics Automated Toolset
BB – Base bleed
BBSP – Blowback shifted pulse
BC – Battery commander
BCC – battery control centre
BCP – Battery command post
BCT – Brigade combat team (US)
BCT – Basic combat training
BCV – Battle command vehicle
BD – base detonating
BDA – Browning double action or bomb damage assessment
BDM – Bunker demolition munition
BDU – Battle dress uniform
BE – Base ejection
BFA – Blank-firing adaptor or blank-firing attachment
BFV – Bradley Fighting Vehicle
BGT – Brigade combat team
bhp – Brake horsepower
BIFF – Battlefield identification friend or foe
BILL – Bofors, infantry, light and lethal
BITE – Built-in test equipment
BL – Blank
BL-T – Black tracer
BLITS – Beta lighted infantry telescope system
BLT – Battalion landing team
BLR – Blindado Ligero de Ruedas
BMF – Belgian Mechanical Fabrication
BMNT – Begin morning nautical twilight
BMP – Pronounced "bimp". A Former Warsaw Pact IFV
BMR – Blindado Medio de Ruedas
BMS – Battalion mortar system
BMS – Battlefield management system
BNCC (USAF) – Base network control center
BNS – Bill night sight
BOCV – Battery operations centre vehicle
BOG-Dwell – Boots on the ground – dwell (down time)
BOL – Bearing-only launch
BOLTS – Bolt-on loading tray system
BOSS – Ballistic optimizing shooting system
BPS – Battery power source
BSP – Bright source protection
BSSG – Brigade service support group
BST – Basic skills trainer
BT – Boat tail
BT – Bullet trap
BTA – Best technical approach
BTRY – Battery
BTU – Bullet trap universal
BUA – BILL under armour or built-up area
BW – Bacteriological warfare
BX – Bionix AFV
C
C3I – Command, control, communications, and intelligence
CAB – Combat aviation battalion
- Combat Action Badge
CAD – Computer-assisted design
CAG – Commander of the Air Group
CAL – Canadian Arsenals Limited
CAP – Civil air patrol (USAF civilian auxiliary)
CAP – Combat air patrol
CAP – Combustible augmented plasma
CAP – Covering Agent Program
CARRV – Challenger armoured repair and recovery vehicle
CAS – Close air support
CASEVAC – Casualty evacuation
CAT/FCS – Command adjusted trajectory/fire-control system (US)
CAT/LCV – Combined arms team/lightweight combat vehicle (US)
CATT – Combined arms tactical trainer (UK)
CATT-B – Component Advanced Technology TestBed (US)
CAV – Composite armored vehicle (US)
CAWS – Cannon Artillery Weapons Systems (US)
CAX – Combined arms exercise
CBR – Chemical, biological, radiological
CBRN – Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear
CCC – Combustible cartridge case
CCD – Charge-coupled device
CCO – Close combat optic
CCP – Computer control panel
CCR – Crown copyright reserved
CCTV – Closed-circuit television
CCU – Central control unit
CCV – Close combat vehicle
CCV – Command and control vehicle (US)
CCV-L – Close combat vehicle – light
cd – Candela
CDA – Combat defensive action
CDM – Coastal defence missile
CDU – Command display unit
CDU – Computer display unit
CE – Chemical energy
C/E – Crew/enlisted (enlisted aircrew member)
CECOM – Communications-electronics command
CEFO – Combat equipment fighting order (webbing contents)
CENTCOM – Central command
CENTO – Central Treaty Organisation or Baghdad Pact
CEOI – Communications electronics operating instruction
CEP – Circular error of probability
CES – Engineer Services Regiment (Sri Lanka)
CEPP – Controlled effect police projectile
CET – Combat engineer tractor
CEU – Computer electronics unit
CEV – Combat engineer vehicle
CF – Canadian Forces
CF – Controlled fragmentation
CFE – Conventional forces Europe
CFV – Cavalry fighting vehicle (US)
CG – Commanding general
CGS – Crew gunnery simulator
CHA – Cast geneous armour
CHARM – Challenger chieftain armament
CHIP – Challenger improvement programme
CIFV – Composite infantry fighting vehicle
CILAS – Compagnie Industrielle des Lasers
CINC – Commander In-Chief
CIS – Chartered Industries of Singapore
CIS – Commonwealth of Independent States
CITV – Commander's independent thermal viewer (US)
CIWS – Close-in weapons system
CLAMS – Clear lane marking system (US)
CLASS – Computerised Laser Sight System
CLAWS – Close combat light armor weapon system (US)
CLGP – Cannon-launched guided projectile (US)
CLOS – Command to line of sight
CLU – Command launch unit
CM – Colour-marking or "continue mission"
CMS – Common missile system
CMS – Compact modular sight
CMT – Cadmium–mercury telluride
CMV – Combat mobility vehicle (US)
CNVD – Clip-on night vision device
COA – Course Of Action
COB – Close of Business
CO – Commanding officer
COG – Course over ground
Comp – B Composition B
COMVAT – Combat vehicles armament technology (US)
COMZ – Communications zone
COP – Combat out post
COS – Chief of section
COSCOM – Corps support command (US Army)
CofS – Chief of staff
COTAC – Conduite de Tir Automatique pour Char (tank automatic fire)
COTS – Commercial-off-the-shelf
COV – Counter obstacle vehicle (US)
CP – Concrete-piercing
CPR – Common practice round
CPS – Cardinal points specification (UK)
CPV – Command post vehicle
CQB – Close quarters battle
CQBW – Close-quarters battle weapon
CR – Capability requirement
CR – Sri Lanka Army Commando Regiment
CRISAT – Collaborative research into small arms technology
CRM – Composite risk management (US)
CROWS – Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station
CRR – Carro de Reconhecimento Sobre Rodas (reconnaissance tracking scout car)
CRT – Cathode ray tube
CRU – Cable reel unit
CS – Communications subsystem
CS – Confined space
CS (USAF) – Communications squadron
CSB – Combat Support Boat
CSF – Combined service forces
CSI – computer-synthesised image
CSS – Computer sighting system
CSSD – Combat service support detachment
CTA – Case telescoped ammunition
CTD – Concept technology demonstrator
CTI – Central tyre inflation
CTIS – Central tyre inflation system
CTO – Central Treaty Organisation or Baghdad Pact
CTR – Close Target Recce
CTRA – Carro de Transporte Sobre Rodas Anfibo (amphibious tracking scout car)
CTT – Challenger training tank
CV90 – Combat Vehicle 90
CVAST – Combat vehicle armament system technology (US)
CVR(T) – Combat vehicle reconnaissance (tracked) (UK)
CVR(W) – Combat vehicle reconnaissance (wheeled) (UK)
CVRDE – Combat vehicle research and development establishment (India)
CVT – Controlled variable time
CVTTS – Combat vehicle targeting system
CW – Chemical warfare
CWR – Continuous wave radar
CWS – Cupola weapon station
D
DA – double action
DAHA – dual-axis head assembly
DAO – double action only
DARCOM – US Army Matériel Development and Readiness Command
DAREOD – damaged airfield reconnaissance explosive ordnance disposal
DARPA – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (US)
DAS – deep air support
DAS – defensive aid system/suite
DASP – demountable artillery surveillance pod
DBMS – dead bodies make sense
DC – direct current
DCA – défense contre avions (anti-aircraft)
DCCT – dismounted close combat trainer
DD – Detroit diesel
DDA – Detroit Diesel Allison
DDS – Department of Defense Support
DDU – digital display unit
DECA – digital electronic control assembly
DEFA – direction des études et fabrications d'armement
DERA – Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (UK)
DESO – Defence Export Sales Organisation (UK)
DFAC – Dining Facility (US)
DFCS – digital fire-control system
DFSV – direct fire support vehicle
DFV – desert fighting vehicle
DHSS – data handling subsystem
DIA – Defense Intelligence Agency (US)
DICON – Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria
DIP – driver instrument panel
DISA – Defense Information Systems Agency
DISCOM – division support command
DIVARTY – division artillery
DMC – digital magnetic compass
DMR – dedicated marksman rifle
DMU – distance measurement unit
DNRS – day/night range sight
DoD – Department of Defense (US)
DOIM (US Army) – Directorate of Information Management
DOP – Department of Productivity
DP – demonstration purpose
DP – dual purpose
DPA – Defence Procurement Agency (UK)
DPICM – dual-purpose improved conventional munition (US)
DPTR – diopter
DRA – Defence Research Agency (UK)
DROPS – demountable rack offloading and pick-up system
DROS – Date of Return Overseas (US)
DS/T – practice discarding sabot/tracer
DSACS – direct support armored cannon system (US)
DSETS – direct support electrical test system
DSO – Defence Sales Organisation
DSRV – Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (US)
DSWS – Division Support Weapon System
DTAT – Direction Technique des Armements Terrestres
DTT – driver training tank
DU – depleted uranium
DV – demining vehicle
DVE – driver's vision enhancer
DWFK – deep water fording kit
DZ – drop zone
E
EAAK – Enhanced Appliqué Armor Kit (US)
EAOS – Enhanced Artillery Observation System
EBG – Engin Blindé Génie (armoured combat vehicle)
EBR – Engin Blindé de Reconnaissance (armoured reconnaissance vehicle)
EBRC – Engine Blindé à roues de Contact
EC – Enhanced Carbine
ECB – Engineering and Construction Bulletins
ECM – Electronic countermeasures
ECOS – Enhanced Combat Optical Sight
ECS – Environmental Control Subsystem
ECV – Enhanced Capacity Vehicle
EDD – Explosive Detonation Disruption
EDS – Electric Drive System
EFAB – Etablissement d'Etudes et de Fabrications d'Armement de Bourges
EFC – equivalent full charge
EFCR – equivalent full charge rounds
EFM – Explosives Factory Maribyrnong
EFP – Expanded Feasibility Phase
EFP – Explosively Formed Penetrator
EFV – Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (New name for AAAV)
EFVS – Electronic Fighting Vehicle System (US)
EG – External Gun
EGLM – Enhanced Grenade Launcher Module
EI – Engineering and Installation
EIS – Engineering and Installation Squadron
EI SIT – Engineering and Installation Site Implementation Team
ELB – Extended Life Barrel
ELEC – Electronic
ELEX – Electronics
ELKE – Elevated Kinetic Energy Weapon (US)
ELS – Electromagnetic Launcher System
ELSAP – Elektronische Schiessanlage für Panzer (electronic fire system for tanks)
EM – electromagnetic
EMC – Executive Management Committee
EMD – Engineering and Manufacturing Development
EMDG – Euromissile Dynamics Group
EMEW – Electromagnetically-Augmented High Explosive Warhead
EMG – externally mounted gun
EMP – electromagnetic pulse
EMPG – Electromagnetic Pulse Grenade
ENGESA – Engesa Engenheiros Especializados (Brazil)
EOC – Essential Operational Capability
EOD – explosive ordnance disposal
EOR – Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance
EOTS – Electro-Optical Tracking System
EPC – electronic plane conversion
EPC – Engin Principal de Combat (future main battle tank)
EPG – Enhanced Performance Grenade
EPG – European Production Group
EPG – European Programme Group
EPS – Electrical Power Subsystem
EPU – Electronics Processing Unit
ER – enhanced radiation
ER – extended range
ERA – explosive reactive armour
ERA – extended range ammunition
ERC – Engin de Reconnaissance Canon
ERFB – extended range full-bore
ERFB-BB – extended range full-bore – base bleed
ERGFCDS – Extended Range Gunnery Fire-Control Demonstration System
ERGP – extended range guided projectile
ERMIS – Extended Range Modification Integration System
ERP – Extended Range Projectile
ERSC – extended range subcalibre
ERV – emergency rescue vehicle
ERV – Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle
ES – Extreme Spread
ESAF – Electronic Safety and Arm Function
ESD – Electronique Serge Dassault
ESLDE – Eyesafe Laser Daylight Elbow
ESPAWS – Enhanced Self-Propelled Artillery Weapon System (US)
ESRS – electro-slag refined steel
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival
ETC – ElectroThermal Cannon
ETD – Estimated Time of Departure
ETE – Estimated Time of Endurance
ETM – Electronic Technical Manuals
ETS – Elevated TOW System
ETS – Engineer Tank System
ETS – End of Term of Service (discharge date) (US)
EW – electronic warfare
EWK – Eisenwerke Kaiserslautern Gцppner
EWS – external weapon station
F
FAAD – Forward Area Air Defense
FAAR – Forward Area Alerting Radar (US)
FAARP – Forward Area Arming & Refueling Point
FAASV – Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle (US)
FAC – Forward Air Control(er)
FAC-A – Forward Air Control(er)-Airborne
FACE – Field Artillery Computer Equipment
FAL – Fusil Automatique Légère
FAPDS – Frangible Armour-Piercing Discarding Sabot
FARP – Forward Area Refueling Point
FARS – field artillery rocket system
FARV-A – Future Armored Resupply Vehicle – Artillery (US)
FAST – Forward Area Support Team
FAV – Fast Attack Vehicle (US)
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation
FBM – Fleet Ballistic Missile
FBRV – Future Beach Recovery Vehicle (UK)
FCC – Fire Command Centre
FCC – Fire-Control Computer
FCCVS – Future Close-Combat Vehicle System (US)
FCE – fire-control equipment
FCLV – Future Command and Liaison Vehicle (UK)
FCS – fire-control system/subsystem
FCS – Future Combat System
FCU – Fire Control Unit
FDC – fire direction centre
FDCV – fire direction centre vehicle
FDSWS – Future Direct Support Weapon System
FEBA – Forward Edge of the Battle Area
FEP – Firepower Enhancement Programme
FET – Future Engineer Tank
FFAR – Folding-Fin Aerial Rocket
FFE – Fire for Effect
FFR – Fitted For Radio
FFSS – Future Fighting Soldier System
FFW – Fitted For Wireless
FG – field gun
FH – field howitzer
FIBUA – Fighting In Built-Up Areas
FID – Foreign Internal Defenses
FIFV – Future Infantry Fighting Vehicle (US)
FIRM – Floating Integrated Rail Mount
FIS – Fuze Interface System
FISH – Fighting In Someone's House (UK) (Colloquial. Slang term for FIBUA)
FIST – Future Integrated Soldier Technology (UK), Fire Support Team (US)
FISTV – Fire Support Team Vehicle (US)
FITOW – Further Improved TOW (US)
FLEA – Frangible Low-Energy Ammunition (i.e. a fragmentation grenade or a low-yield IED)
FLIR – forward-looking infra-red
FLOT – forward line of own troops
FLSW – Future Light Support Weapon
FM – U.S. Army Field Manuals
FM – Titanium tetrachloride (code designation)
FMBS – Family of Muzzle Brake/Suppressors
FMC – Food Machinery Corporation
FMF – Fleet Marine Force
FMJ – Full Metal Jacket
FMJBT – Full Metal Jacket Boat Tail
FMJLF – Full Metal Jacket Lead Free
FMN - Federated Mission Networking
FMPDS – Frangible Missile Piercing Discarding Sabot
FMS – Foreign Military Sales
FMTV – Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles
FN – Fabrique Nationale (Manufacturer)
FO – Forward Observer
FOB – Forward Operating Base
FOC – Full Operational Capability
FOD – Foreign Object Damage (i.e., damage not caused by enemy fire. Includes bugs, dirt, etc.) (Aviation)
FOG – Fibre Optic Gyro
FOM – Fibre Optic Missile
FOO – forward observation officer
FORTIS – Forward Observation and Reconnaissance Thermal Imaging System
FOTT – Follow On To TOW
FOV – field of view
FPA – Focal Plane Array
FRAG – fragmentation
FRAGO – FRAGmentary Order. (see OPORD)
FRES – Future Rapid Effect System
FROG – free rocket over ground
FSCL – fire support coordination line
FSCM – fire support coordination measure
FSCV – fire support combat vehicle
FS – fire support element
FSED – full-scale engineering development (US)
FSSG – Force Service Support Group
FST – Future Soviet Tank/Follow-on Soviet Tank
FSV – fire support vehicle
FSV – Future Scout Vehicle (US)
FTA – Frangible Training Ammunition
FTMA – Future Tank Main Armament
FTS – Future Tank Study
FTT – Field Tactical Trainer
FUBAR – Fouled/fooked Up Beyond All Reason/Recognition/Repair
FUE – First Unit Equipped
FUG – Felderitц Usу Gépkosci
FV – fighting vehicle
FV/GCE – fighting vehicle gun control equipment
FVDD – Fighting Vehicle Development Division
FVRDE – Fighting Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (UK)
FVS – Fighting Vehicle System (US)
FVSC – Fighting Vehicle Systems Carrier (US)
FY – fiscal year
G
g – gramme(s)
G – gendarmerie
GAMA – Gun Automatic Multiple Ammunition
GAO – General Accounting Office
GAP – Gun Aiming Post
GBAD – Ground Based Air Defence
GCE – gun control equipment
GCT – Grande Cadence de Tir (high rate of fire)
GCU – Gun Control Unit
GCW – Gross Combined Weight (not "Gross Combat Weight"). Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) plus Gross Trailer Weight (GTW).
GD – General Dynamics
GDLS – General Dynamics Land Systems
GDU – Gun Display Unit
GFE – Government Furnished Equipment
GH – gun-howitzer
GIGN-Groupe d'intervention de la Gendarmerie nationale ("National Gendarmerie Intervention Group")
GIAT – Groupement Industriel des Armements Terrestres
GL – Grenade Launcher
GLATGM – Gun Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile
GLC – gun lay computer
GLDNSM – Grenade Launcher Day-Night Sight Mount
GLH-H – Ground-Launched Hellfire-Heavy (US)
GLLD – Ground Laser Locator Designator (US)
GLS – Gesellschaft für Logistischen Service
GM, MVO – General Motors, Military Vehicle Operations
GMC – General Motors Corporation
GMG – Grenade Machine Gun
GMLRS – Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System
GMS – Gun Management System
GND – Ground (electrical)
GOCO – government-owned, contractor-operated (US)
GOP – General Out Post
GP – General Purpose
GP – guided projectile
GPMG – General Purpose Machine Gun
GPO – gun position officer
GPS – Global Positioning System
GPS – gunner's primary sight
GPSS – Gunner's Primary Sight Subsystem
GR – Gajaba Regiment (Sri Lanka)
GREM – Grenade Rifle Entry Munition
GRU – Glavnoe Razvedyvatel'noe Upravlenie, meaning Main Intelligence Directorate
GSR – General Staff Requirement (US)
GSRS – General Support Rocket System
GSG9- Grenzschutzgruppe 9 der Bundespolizei (Border Protection Group 9 of the Federal Police)
GSOF – Georgian Special Operations Forces
GST – General Staff Target
GST – Gesellschaft fьr System-Technik
GTCS – Gun Test and Control System
GTG – Good To Go
GTI – German Tank Improvement
GTW – Gross Trailer Weight
GVW – Gross Vehicle Weight. Curb weight plus max payload weight.
GW – Gemunu Watch (Sri Lanka)
GW – guided weapon
H
h – hour(s)
H&K – Heckler and Koch
HAB – Heavy Assault Bridge (US)
HAB – Heavy Artillery Brigade (UK)
HAG – Heavy Artillery Gun
HALO – High Altitude Low Opening, High Activity/Low Observable
HAMS – Headquarters and Maintenance Squadron – Marine Aircraft Group (USMC)
HAWK – Homing-All-the-Way-Killer (US)
HB – heavy barrel
HBAR – Heavy Barrel Assault Rifle
HC – Hexachloroethane/zinc
HC – high-capacity
HC – Hollow Charge
HCER – high-capacity extended range
HCHE – high-capacity high-explosive
HCT – HOT Compact Turret
HDS – HOLOgraphic Diffraction Sight
HE – high-explosive
HE-APERS – high-explosive anti-personnel
HE-FRAG – high-explosive fragmentation
HE-FRAG-FS – high-explosive fragmentation – fin-stabilised
HE-FS – high-explosive – fin-stabilised
HE-S – high-explosive spotting
HE-T – high-explosive tracer
HE/PR – high-explosive practice
HEAA – High-Explosive Anti-Armour
HEAB – High-Explosive Air Burst
HEAP – High-Explosive Armor-Piercing
HEAP-T – high-explosive anti-personnel – tracer
HEAT – high-explosive anti-tank
HEAT-FS – high-explosive anti-tank fin-stabilised
HEAT-MP – high-explosive anti-tank multipurpose
HEAT-MP(P) – high-explosive anti-tank multipurpose (practice)
HEAT-T – high-explosive anti-tank – tracer
HEAT-T-HVY – high-explosive anti-tank – tracer – heavy
HEAT-T-MP – high-explosive anti-tank – tracer – multipurpose
HEAT-TP-T – high-explosive anti-tank – target practice – tracer
HED-D – Hybrid Electric Drive – Demonstrator
HEDP – high-explosive dual-purpose
HEER – High-Explosive Extended Range (US)
HEF – High-Explosive Fragmentation
HEFT – High-Explosive Follow Through
HEI – high-explosive incendiary
HEIT – high-explosive incendiary tracer
HEL – High-Energy Laser (US)
HEL – Human Engineering Laboratory (US)
HELP – Howitzer Extended Life Program (US)
HEMAT – Heavy Expanded Mobility Ammunition Trailer (US)
HEMP – High-Explosive Multi-Purpose
HEMTT – Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (US)
HEP – high-explosive plastic
HEP-T – high-explosive practice – tracer
HEPD – high-explosive point detonating
HERA – high-explosive rocket-assisted
HESH – high-explosive squash head
HESH-T – high-explosive squash head – tracer
HET-PF – high-explosive tracer – percussion fuze
HETF – High Explosive Time Fuzed
HETS – Heavy Equipment Transport System
HFCC – Howitzer Fire-Control Computer (US)
HFHTB – Human Factors Howitzer TestBed (US)
HFM – Heavy Force Modernisation (US)
HIFV – Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle
HIMAG – High-Mobility Agility Test Vehicle (US)
HIMARS – High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (US)
HIP – Howitzer Improvement Program (US)
HIRE – Hughes Infrared Equipment
HITP – High-Ignition Temperature Propellant
HIU – Heading Indicator Unit
HMC – Howitzer Motor Carriage
HMD – Helmet-Mounted Display
HMG – Heavy Machine Gun
HMH – Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron
HMLC – High-Mobility Load Carrier
HML/A – Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron
HMM – Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron
HMMWV – High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle
HMX – Marine Special Mission Helicopter Squadron
HOE – Holographic Optical Element
HOT – Haute subsonique Optiquement Téléguidé
How – Howitzer
HP – High Power; Hollow Point
hp – Horsepower
HPFP – High-Performance Fragmentation Projectile
HPS – Helmet Pointing System (or Sight)
HPT – high-pressure test
HRU – Heading Reference Unit
HS – Headquarters Squadron – Marine Wing Support Group (USMC)
HSS – Hunter Sensor Suite
HSTV(L) – High-Survivability Test Vehicle (Lightweight) (US)
HTTB – High-Technology TestBed (US)
HVAP – high-velocity armour-piercing
HVAP-T – high-velocity armour-piercing tracer
HVAPDS-T – high-velocity armour-piercing discarding sabot – tracer
HVAPFSDS – high-velocity armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot
HVCC – High Velocity Canister Cartridge
HVM – Hypervelocity Missile
HVSS – horizontal volute spring suspension
HVSW – Hypervelocity Support Weapon
HVTP-T – high-velocity target practice – tracer
HWSTD – High Water Speed Technology Demonstrator
HYPAK – Hydraulic Power Assist Kit
I
I – Incendiary
IAF - Indian Air Force
IAFV – infantry armoured fighting vehicle
IAI – Israel Aircraft Industries
IAL – Infra-red Aiming Light
IASD – Instant Ammunition Selection Device
IBAS – Improved Bradley Acquisition System
ICC – information co-ordination centre
ICM – improved conventional munition
ICM – BB improved conventional munition base bleed
ICV – Infantry Combat Vehicle
IDF – Israel Defense Forces
IDF – Indirect fire
IDW – Individual Defence Weapon
IED – Improvised Explosive Device
IEPG – Independent European Program Group
IFCS – Improved/Integrated Fire-Control System
IFF – Identification Friend or Foe
IFV – infantry fighting vehicle
IFVwCM – Infantry Fighting Vehicle with Integrated Countermeasures (US)
IGLS – Individual Grenade Launcher System
II – image intensification/intensifier
IIR – Imaging Infra-Red
ILL – illuminating
ILMS – Improved Launcher Mechanical System
ILS – Integrated Logistic Support
IM – Insensitive Munition(s)
IMMLC – Improved Medium Mobility Load Carrier
IMU – Inertial Measurement Unit
INSAS – Indian Small Arms System
InSb – Indium-antimonide
IOC – initial operational capability
IOF – Indian Ordnance Factory
IPB – Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield
IPF – Initial Production Facility
IPO – International Programme Office
IPPD – Integrated Product Process Development
IR – Infra-Red
IRBM – Intermediate-range ballistic missile
IRU – Inertial Reference Unit
IS – internal security
ISD – In Service Date
ISGU – Integrated Sight and Guidance Unit
ISR – Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance
ISU – Integrated Sight Unit
ISV – Internal Security Vehicle
ITAS – Improved Target Acquisition System
ITOW – Improved TOW
ITPIAL – Infra-red Target Pointer/Illuminator/Aiming Laser
ITT – Invitation To Tender
ITV – Improved TOW Vehicle (US)
IVPDL – Inter-Vehicle Positioning and Data Link (US)
IW – Individual Weapon
IWS – Improved Weapon System
J
JBMoU – Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding
JDAM – Joint Direct Attack Munition
JERRV – Joint Engineer Rapid Response Vehicle
JGSDF – Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force
JHP – Jacketed hollow point
Shiniqwa – Javelin Composite Launch Tube
JMAC – Joint Medium-calibre Automatic Cannon
JPO – Joint Project Office
JSC – Joint Steering Committee
JSCS – Joint Service Combat Shotgun
JSDFA – Japanese Self-Defence Force Agency
JSP – Jacketed Soft Point
JSSAMP – Joint Services Small Arms Master Plan
JSSAP – Joint Services Small Arms Programme
K
KAAV – Korean Armoured Amphibious Vehicle
KAC – Knight's Armament Company
KE – Kinetic energy
KEC – Kaman Electromagnetics Corporation
KEM – Kinetic Energy Missile (US)
kg – kilogramme(s)
KIA – Killed in Action
KIFV – Korean Infantry Fighting Vehicle
KPA – Korean People's Army
L
LAAG – light anti-aircraft gun
LAAM – Light Anti-Aircraft Missile
LAAW – Light Anti-Tank Assault Weapon
LCAC – Landing Craft Air Cushion
LAD – light aid detachment
LADS – light air defense system (US)
LAG – Light Artillery Gun
LALO – Low Altitude Low Opening
LAM – Laser Aiming Module
LAPES – Low-Altitude Parachute Extraction System
LAR – Light Automatic Rifle
LASER – Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
LASIP – Light Artillery System Improvement Plan
LATS – Light Armoured Turret System
LAU – Light Armoured Unit
LAV – Light Armored Vehicle (US)
LAV – Light Assault Vehicle (US)
LAV-AD – Light Armored Vehicle – Air Defense
LAW – light anti-tank weapon
LB – Long Barrel
LC – Laser Collimator
LCD – Liquid crystal display
LCS – Loader Control System
LCU – Landing Craft Utility
LCV – Light Contingency Vehicle (LCV) (US)
LD – Low drag, Line of Departure
LE – Law Enforcement
LED – light emitting diode
LEP – Life Extension Programme
LEU – Launcher Erector Unit
LF – ATGW Light Forces' Anti-Tank Guided Weapon
LF – Linked Feed
LFHG – Lightweight Fragmentation Hand Grenade
LFL – Light Fighter Lethality
LIA – Linear Induction Accelerator
LIMAWS – Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System
LION – Lightweight Infra-red Observation Night sight
LIW – Lyttleton Engineering Works
LKP – Loader Keyboard Panel
LLAD – low-level air defence
LLLTV – low light level television
LLM – Launcher Loader Module
LMAW – Light Multi-purpose Assault Weapon
LMG – light machine gun
LNS – Land Navigation System
LNS – Laying and Navigation System
L/O – Liaison Officer
LOAL – Lock-On After Launch
LOBL – Lock-On Before Launch
LOC – Line Of Communication
LOS – Line Of Sight
LOSAT – Line Of Sight Anti-Tank
LP – Liquid Propellant
LP – Listening Post
LPC – Launch Pod Container
LPC – Launcher Pod Carrier
LPG – Liquid Propellant Gun
LPO – Leading Petty Officer
LPT – Low-Profile Turret
LPTS – Lightweight Protected Turret System
LR – Long Rifle
LR – Long-Range
LRAR – Long Range Artillery Rocket
LRASS – Long-Range Advanced Scout System
LRAT – long-range anti-tank
LRBB – long-range base bleed
LRD – Long Range Deflagrator
LRF – laser rangefinder
LRF – Low Recoil Force
LRHB – long-range hollow base
LRIP – Low-Rate Initial Production
LRM – Laser Rangefinder Module
LRN – Lead Round Nose
LRN – Low Recoil NORICUM
LRRP – Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol
LRSA – Long Range Sniper Ammunition
LRSU – Long Range Surveillance Unit
LRU – Launcher Replenishment Unit
LRU – Line Replacement Unit
LRU – Line-Replaceable Unit
LSAT- Lightweight Small Arms Technologies
LSB – Landing Support Battalion
LSS – Lightweight Shotgun System
LSVW – Light Support Vehicle, Wheeled (Canada)
LSW – Light Support Weapon
LTA – Launch Tube Assembly
LTD – Laser Target Designator
LTFCS – Laser Tank Fire-Control System
LTP – Laser Target Pointer, Luminesant Training Projectile
LUTE – Lightweight Uncooled Thermal Imager Equipment
LVA – landing vehicle assault (US)
LVS – Lightweight Video Sight
LVT – Landing Vehicle Tracked (US)
LVTC – Landing Vehicle Tracked Command (US)
LVTE – Landing Vehicle Tracked Engineer (US)
LVTH – Landing Vehicle Tracked Howitzer (US)
LVTP – Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel (US)
LVTR – Landing Vehicle Tracked Recovery (US)
LWC – Lead Wad Cutter
LWIR – Long Wave Infrared
LWL – LightWeight Launcher
LWML – LightWeight Multiple Launcher
LWMS – LightWeight Modular Sight
LWS – laser warning system
LWT – light weapon turret
LZ – landing zone
LRW – Light Repair Works (Indian Army)
M
m – metre(s)
m/s – metres per second
MAB – Marine Amphibious Brigade
MABS – Marine Air Base Squadron
MAC – Medium Armored Car (US)
MAC – Military Airlift Command
MACS – Modular Artillery Charge System
MACS – Marine Air Control Squadron
MADLS – Mobile Air Defence Launching System
MAF – Marine Amphibious Force
MAG – Marine Aircraft Group
MAGTEC – Marine Air/Ground Training & Education Command
MAGTF – Marine Air/Ground Task Force
MAHEM – Magnetohydrodynamic Explosive Munition
MALOS – Miniature Laser Optical Sight
MALS – Marine Air Logistics Squadron
MAMBA – Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar
MANPADS – Man Portable Air Defense System
MAOV – Mobile Artillery Observation Vehicle
MAP – Military Aid Programme
MAPS – Modular Azimuth Position System
MAR – Micro Assault Rifle
MARDI – Mobile Advanced Robotics Defence Initiative (UK)
MARDIV – Marine Division (US)
MARS – Military Amateur Radio Station
MARS – Mini Assault Rifle System
MARS – Multi-purpose Aiming Reflex Sight
MARS – Multiple Artillery Rocket System
MASS – Marine Air Support Squadron
MATCS – Marine Air Traffic Control Squadron
MATSG – Marine Air Training Support Group
MAU(SOC) – Marine Amphibious Unit (Special Operations Capable)
MAV – maintenance assist vehicle
MAVD – MLRS Aim Verification Device
MAW – Marine Air Wing (US)
MBA – main battle area
MBB – Messerschmitt-Bцlkow-Blohm
MBC – Mortar Ballistic Computer
MBT – main battle tank
MCISRE – Marine Corps Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Enterprise
MCLOS – Manual Command to Line Of Sight
MCRV – Mechanised Combat Repair Vehicle
MCS – Microclimate Conditioning System
MCS – modular charge system
MCSK – Mine Clearance System Kit (US)
MCT – Medium Combat Tractor (US)
MCT – Mercury Cadmium Telluride
MCV – Mechanised Combat Vehicle
MCWL – Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory
MCWS – Minor Calibre Weapons Station (US)
MDB – Multi Domain Battle
MDMP – Military Decision Making Process
MDU – Map Display Unit
MEB – Marine Expeditionary Brigade
MEDEVAC – Medical Evacuation
MEF – Marine Expeditionary Force
MENS – Mission Element Need Statement (US)
MEP – Modular Explosive Penetrator
MEPS – Military Entrance Processing Station
METO – Middle East Treaty Organisation; CENTO or Baghdad Pact
METL – Mission Essential Task List
METT-TC – Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and support available—Time available, Civilians
METT-TSL – Mission, Enemy, Terrain and weather, Troops and fire support available - Time available, Space, Logistics
MEU(SOC) – Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable)
MEV – medical evacuation vehicle (US)
MEWS – Mobile Electronic Warfare System
MEWSS – Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System
MF – multifunction
MFC – Mortar Fire Control(ler)
MFCS – Multi-Fire Control System/Mortar Fore Control System
MFCV – Missile Fire-Control Vehicle
MFF – munition filling factory
MG – machine gun
MGB – Medium Girder Bridge
MGL – Multiple Grenade Launcher
MGS – Mobile Gun System
MGTS – MultiGun Turret System
MGU – Mid-course Guidance Unit
MI – Military Intelligence
MIA – Missing In Action
MICOM – Missile Command (US)
MICV – mechanised infantry combat vehicle
MILAN – Missile d'Infantrie Léger Antichar (light infantry anti-tank missile)
MILES – Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (US)
MILSPEC – Military Specification
MILSTAN – MILitary STANdard
MILSTAR – MILitary Strategic and Tactical Relay (US)
MIPS – Medium Integrated Propulsion System (US)
MIR - Mechanized Infantry Regiment (Sri Lanka)
MIRV - Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle
MLA – Manufacturing Licence Agreement
MLC – Military Load Class
MLC – Modular Load Carrier
MLF – Marine Logistics Force
MLR – Marine Logistics Regiment
MLI – Mid-Life Improvement
MLO – Muzzle Loaded Ordnance
MLRS – Multiple Launch Rocket System (US)
mm – millimetre(s)
MMBF – mean miles between failures
MMG – Medium Machine Gun
MMS – mast-mounted sight
MMS – Modular Mounting System
MNVD – Monocular Night Vision Device
MoA – Memorandum of Agreement
MOA – Minute Of Angle
MoD – Ministry of Defence
MODA – Ministry of Defence and Aviation
MOLF – Modular Laser Fire Control (Germany)
MOLLE – MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment
MOPP – Mission Oriented Protective Posture (US)
MOS – Military Occupational Specialty (US)
MoU – Memorandum of Understanding
MOUT – Military Operations in Urban Terrain (urban warfare) (US)
MP – Machine Pistol
MPBAV – MultiPurpose Base Armoured Vehicle
MPC – MultiPurpose Carrier (Netherlands)
MPDS – Missile Piercing Discarding Sabot
MPGS – Mobile Protected Gun System (US)
MPI – Mean Point of Impact
MPIM – MultiPurpose Individual Munition
MPM – MultiPurpose Munition
MPS – Maritime Prepositioning Ships (US)
MPV – Multi-Purpose Vehicle
MPWS – Mobile Protected Weapon System (US)
MR – Medium Range
MRAP – Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (Vehicle)
MRAR – MultiRole Assault Round
MRAV – MultiRole Armoured Vehicle
MRBF – mean rounds before failure
MRBS – mean rounds between stoppages
MRE – Meal Ready to Eat
MRS – multiple rocket system
MRS – muzzle reference system
MRSI – Multiple Round Simultaneous Impact
MRV(R) – Mechanised Recovery Vehicle (Repair)
MRVR – Mechanised Repair and Recovery Vehicle (US)
MSSG – MAU/MEU Service Support Group (USMC)
MSL – Missile
MSR – Missile Simulation Round
MSR – Main Supply Route
MSTAR – Man-portable Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar
MSV – Modular Support Vehicle
MT – mechanical time
MTB – Mobility TestBed
MTBF – Mean Time Between Failure
MTI – moving target indication
MTL – Materials Technology Laboratory (US)
MTR – Mobile Test Rig (US)
MTSQ – mechanical time and super-quick
MTSQ – Mechanical Time Semi-Quick
MTU – Motoren- und Turbinen-Union
MTVL – mobile tactical vehicle light
MUGS – Multipurpose Universal Gunner Sight
MULE – Modular Universal Laser Equipment (US)
MUSS – Multifunctional Selfprotection System
MV – muzzle velocity
MVEE – Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment (UK)
MVRS – Muzzle Velocity Radar System
MWCS – Marine Wing Communications Squadron
MWHS – Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron
MWS – Manned Weapon Station (US)
MWS – Modular Weapon System
MWSG – Marine Wing Support Group
MWSS – Marine Wing Support Squadron
N
NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NAVSEA – Naval Sea Systems Command
NBC – Nuclear, Biological, Chemical
NBMR – NATO Basic Military Requirement
NCIS – Naval Criminal Investigative Service (US)
NCO – Non-Commissioned Officer (US, E-4 – E-9)
NCOIC – Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge
NDI – Non-Developmental Item
NDU – Navigation Display Unit
NFOV – Narrow Field Of View
NG – New/Next Generation
Ni/Cd – Nickel Cadmium
NLAW – Next Light (weight) Anti-armour Weapon
NLOS-C – Non-Line Of Sight-Cannon
NLOS-M – Non-Line Of Sight-Mortar
NOD(s) – Night Optical Device(s)
NRF – NATO Response Force
NS – Network Services
NTC – National Training Center (USA)
NUGP – nominal unit ground pressure
NV – Night Vision
NVD – Night Vision Device
NVE – Night Vision Equipment
NVESD – Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate
NVG – Night Vision Goggle
NVS – Night Vision System
NZDF – New Zealand Defence Force
NZEF – New Zealand Expeditionary Force (in WWI & WWII)
NZSAS - New Zealand Special Air Service
O
OBR – Optical Beam-Riding
OCC – Obus à Charge Creusé (shaped-charge shell)
OCOKA – Observation and fields of fire, Cover and concealment, Obstacles, Key terrain, and Avenues of Approach.
OCSW – Objective Crew-Served Weapon
OCU – Operational Centre Unit
ODE – Ordnance Development and Engineering (Singapore)
OEG – Occluded Eye Gunsight (a type of Collimator sight)
OEO – optical and electro-optical
OFSA – Objective Family of Small Arms
OFSA – One Size Fits All
OFW – Objective Force Warrior
OHWS – Offensive Hand Weapon System
OIC – Officer In Charge
OICW – Objective Individual Combat Weapon
OOTW – Operations Other Than War
OP – Observation post
OP – Operators Panel
OPCON – OPerational CONtrol
OPDW – Objective Personal Defense Weapon
OPORD – OPerations Order
OPSEC – OPerational SECurity
OPV – Observation Post Vehicle
OSW – Objective Sniper Weapon
OSC – Operation Strategy Command
OSS (USAF) – Operational Support Squadron
OSW (USAF) – Operational Support, Weather
OT – operational test
OTA – overflight top attack
OTEA – Operational Test and Evaluation Agency (US)
P
P – How - pack howitzer
P-38 — P-38 can opener (US)
P3I – Pre-Planned Product Improvements
PAR – pulse acquisition radar
PAT – power-assisted traverse
PC – Personal Computer
PCB – printed circuit board
PCC – Police Compact Carbine
PCI – Pre-combat inspection
PD – Point Defense
PD – point detonating
PD – Point of Departure
PDNA – Positioning Determining/Navigation Unit
PDRR – Program Definition and Risk Reduction
PDW – Personal Defence Weapon
PE – MoD Procurement Executive (UK)
PE – Peace Enforcement (US DoD)
PEC – Printed Electronic Circuits
PFD – proximity fuze disconnector
PFHE – prefragmented high-explosive
PLF – protective line of fire
PFPX – prefragmented proximity fuzed
PGMM – Precision Guided Mortar Munition
PH – Probability of Hit
Pi – Probability of incapacitation
PIAT – Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank
PIBD – Point Initiating Base Detonated
PID – Positive Identification
PIE – pyrotechnically initiated explosive
PIP – Product Improvement Programme
PL – Phase Line
PLA – People's Liberation Army
PLARS – Position Location And Reporting System (US)
PLC – Programmable Logic Control
PLO – Palestinian Liberation Army
PLOS – Predicted Line Of Sight
PLS – Palletised Load System (US)
PM – porte mortier (mortar carrier)
PM – Product Manager
PMCS – Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services
PMEE – U.S. Air Force abbreviation for Prime Mission Electronic Equipment
PMO – Program Management Office (US)
PMO – Provost Marshall's Office
PMOD – Platform Modifications
PMS – Pedestal-Mounted Stinger
PNU – Position Navigation Unit
POA&M – Plan Of Action & Milestones
POF – Pakistan Ordnance Factory
POS – Postes Optiques de Surveillance
POW – Prisoner(s) of War
PPG – PT Parade Games (Bangladesh Cadet Colleges)
PPI – plan position indicator
PPS – Precise Positioning Service
PRAC – practice
PRAC-T – practice tracer
PRI – projector reticle image
PRP – Personnel Reliability Program (screening and monitoring of individuals with access to "special" weapons)
PSD – Propulsion System Demonstrator
PSO – Peace Support Operations
PSS – Primary Sight System
PTO – power take-off
PVP – Petit Véhicule Protégé
PW – Prisoner of War
PWI-SR(GR) – Panser Wagen Infanterie-Standaard (Groep)
PWP – Plasticised White Phosphorus
PWR – Power
Q
QCB – Quick Change Barrel
QE – Quadrant Elevation
QRF – Quick Reaction Force
R
RA – Royal Artillery
RAA – Royal Australian Artillery
RAAM – Rifle-launched Anti-Armour Munition
RAAMS – Remote Anti-Armor Mine System (US)
PABD – Pay Entry Base Date
RAC – Royal Armoured Corps
RADIRS – Rapid Deployment Multiple Rocket System (US)
RAAF – Royal Australian Air Force
RAE – Royal Aircraft Establishment, Royal Aircraft Establishment (Farnborough)
RAE – Royal Australian Engineers, Australian Combat Engineers
RAF – Royal Air Force
RAM-D – reliability, availability, maintainability and durability
RAN – Royal Australian Navy
RAO – Rear Area Operations
RAP – Regimental Aid Post [1]
RAP – rocket-assisted projectile
RAPI – Reactive Armour Protection
RARDE – Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (UK)
RATAC – Radar de Tir pour L'Artillerie de Campagne (radar for field artillery fire)
RATELO – Radio Telephone Operator
RAW – Rifleman's Assault Weapon
RBL – Range and Bearing Launch
RC/MAS – Reserve Component/Modified Armament System
RCAAS – Remote-Controlled Anti-Armor System (US)
RCAF – Royal Canadian Air Force
RCC – ROLAND Coordination Center (US)
RCDU – Remote-Controlled Defence Unit
RCL – Recoilless rifle
RCN – Royal Canadian Navy
RCS – Radar Cross Section
RCT – Regimental Combat Team
RCT – Royal Corps of Transport
RCV – Robotic Command Vehicle
RDF – Rapid Deployment Forces
RDF/LT – Rapid Deployment Force Light Tank (US)
RDJTF – Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (US)
RDT&E – Research Development Test and Evaluation
REME – Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
REMF – Rear Echelon Mother F*cker
RF – Rimfire
RFA – Royal Field Artillery
RFAS – Russian Federation and Associated States
RFC – Royal Flying Corps
RFI – request for information
RFP – request for proposals
RFPI – Rapid Force Projection Initiative
RFQ – Request For Quotations
RGGS – Rifle Grenade General Service
RHA – rolled geneous armour
RHA – Royal Horse Artillery
RIN – the former Royal Indian Navy
RIS – Rail Interface System
RISE – Reliability Improved Selected Equipment
RLC – Royal Logistic Corps
RLEM – Rifle-Launched Entry Munition
RLG – Ring Laser Gyro
RLT – Regimental Landing Team
RMG – ranging machine gun
RN – Royal Navy
RNZAF – Royal New Zealand Air Force
RNZN – Royal New Zealand Navy
RO – Royal Ordnance
ROBAT – Robotic Counter-Obstacle Vehicle (US)
RoC – Republic of China
ROC – required operational characteristics
ROE – Rules Of Engagement
ROF – Royal Ordnance Factory (UK)
ROF – Rate of fire
RoK – Republic of Korea
RoKMC – Republic of Korea Marine Corps
RoKIT – Republic of Korea Indigenous Tank
ROR – range only radar
ROTA – Royal Ordnance Training Ammunition
RP – Red phosphorus
RP – rocket-propelled
RPC – Rocket Pod Container
RPG – Rocket-propelled grenade
RPG – Ruchnoy Protivotankovy Granatomyot
RPV – Remotely piloted vehicle
RR – Recoilless rifle
RRPR – Reduced Range Practice Rocket
RRT – Radio Recon Team
RRTR – Reduced Range Training Round
RSAF – Royal Small Arms Factory (UK) (now closed)
RSN – Role Specialist Nation (US & NATO)
RSS – Rosette Scanning Seeker
RTE – Rifle Team Equipment
RTT – Roues Transporteur de Troupes
RUC – Royal Ulster Constabulary
RWS – Remote weapon system (or station)
S
s – second(s)
S&W – Smith & Wesson
SABCA – Société Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques
SABR – Selectable Assault Battle Rifle
SABS – Stabilizing Automatic Bomb Sight
SAC – Small Arms Collimator
SACLOS – Semi-Automatic Command to Line Of Sight
SADA – Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly
SADARM – Sense And Destroy Armor (US)
SADF – South African Defence Force
SAE – Society of Automotive Engineers
SAF – Small Arms Fire
SAFCS – Small Arms Fire Control System
SAFIRE – Surface-to-Air Fire
SAL – semi-active laser
SAM – surface-to-air missile
SAMM – Société d'Applications des Machines Motrices
SANDF – South African National Defence Force
SANG – Saudi Arabian National Guard
SAP – Semi-Armour-Piercing
SAPHEI – Semi-Armour-Piercing High Explosive Incendiary
SAPI – semi-armour-piercing incendiary
SAS – Special Air Service
SASR – Special Air Service Regiment
SAS-EAS – Sealed Authenticator System – Emergency Action Procedures (Nuclear Weapons Release Control)
SASR – Special Application Sniper Rifle
SAT – Small Arms Trainer
SATCP – Systиme Anti-aérien à Trиs Courte Portée (very short-range anti-aircraft system)
SAVA – Standard Army Vectronics Architecture
SAW – Squad Automatic Weapon
SAWS – Squad Automatic Weapon System
SB – Short Barrel
SCORE – Stratified Charge Omnivorous Rotary Engine
SD – self-destruct(ion)
SEAL – Sea/Air/Land
SEALOCK – Search, Locate, and Communicate or Kill
SEATO – Southeast Asia Treaty Organisation
SEME – School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
SEN – shell extended range NORICUM
SEP – Soldier Enhancement Programme
SFCS – Simplified Fire-Control System
SFIM – Société de Fabrication d'Instrument de Mesure
SFIRR – solid fuel integral rocket/ramjet
SFM – Sensor Fuzed Munitions
SFMG – Sustained Fire Machine Gun
SFSW – Special Forces Support Weapon
SFW – Special Forces Weapon
SGTS – Second-Generation Tank Sight
SH/PRAC – squash head practice
SHORAD – Short-Range Air Defence System
shp – shaft horsepower
SIC – Second in Command
SICPS – Standard Integrated Command Post Systems
SINCGARS – Single Channel Ground/Air Radio System
SIP – System Improvement Plan/Programme
SIPS – Small Integrated Propulsion System
SITREP – Situation Report
SJFN – Semi-Jacketed Flat Nose
SJHP – Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point
SKOT – Sredni Kolowy Opancerzny Transporter (armoured personnel carrier)
SLA - Sri Lanka Army
SLAC - Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
SLAF - Sri Lanka Air Force
SLAGSE - Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps
SLAOC - Sri Lanka Army Ordnance Corps
SLAPC - Sri Lanka Army Pioneer Corps
SLASC - Sri Lanka Army Service Corps
SLAWC - Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps
SLCG - Sri Lanka Coast Guard
SLCMP - Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police
SLE - Sri Lanka Engineers
SLEME - Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
SLLI - Sri Lanka Light Infantry
SLMC - Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps
SLNG - Sri Lanka National Guard
SLN - Sri Lanka Navy
SLRC - Sri Lanka Rifle Corps
SLSR - Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
SLAP – saboted light armor penetrator
SLAW – Shoulder-Launched Assault Weapon
SLEP – Service Life Extension Program (US)
SLR – Self-Loading Rifle
SLR – Super Low Recoil
SLWAGL – Super Light Weight Automatic Grenade Launcher
SM – smoke
SMAW – Shoulder-launched Multi-purpose Assault Weapon
SMG – sub-machine gun
SMK – Smoke
Smoke – BE smoke base ejection
Smoke – WP smoke white phosphorus
SMP – Surface Mine Plough
SMU – Special Mission Unit
SNAFU – Situation Normal, All Fouled Up
SNCO – Staff Non-Commissioned Officer (USMC, E-6 – E-9)
SNCOIC – Staff Non-Commissioned Officer In Charge (USMC)
SOCOM – Special Operations Command
SOF – Special Operations Force(s)
SOG – Speed Over Ground
SOP – Standing/Standard Operational Procedure(s)
SOS – Struck Off Strength
SP – Shore Patrol
SP – self-propelled
SP – Soft Point
SPAAG – self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
SPAAM – self-propelled anti-aircraft missile
SPAG – self-propelled assault gun
SPARK – solid propellant advanced ramjet kinetic energy missile
SPAS – Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun
SPATG – self-propelled anti-tank gun
SPAW – self-propelled artillery weapon
SPG – self-propelled gun
SPH – self-propelled howitzer
SPL – self-propelled launcher
SPLL – Self-propelled Loader Launcher
SPLY – Supply
SPM – self-propelled mortar
SPP – Special Purpose Pistol
SPR – Special Purpose Rifle
SPS – Standard Positioning Service
SPSM – Sensorgezundete Panzerabwehr SubMunition
SPW – Special Purpose Weapon
SR – Short Rifle
SR – Staff Requirement
SRAW – Short Range Assault Weapon
SRC – Space Research Corporation
SRG – shell replenishment gear
SRI – Short Range Insert
SRTS – Short Range Thermal Sight
SRU – Shop Replaceable Unit
SRU – Slip Ring Unit
SRV – Surrogate Research Vehicle (US)
SSA – Special Spaced Armour
SSG – Single Shot Gun
SSK – Single Shot Kill
SSW – Squad Support Weapon
ST6 - seal team six
ST – Staff Target
STA – shell transfer arm
STAB – Steered Agile Beams
STAFF – Small Target Activated Fire-and-Forget (US)
STANAG – STANdardisation Agreement
STARTLE – Surveillance and Target Acquisition Radar for Tank Location and Engagement (US)
STE/ICE – Simplified Test Equipment/Internal Combustion Engine (US)
STOVL – Short Take Off and Vertical Landing
STUP – spinning tubular projectile
SUB – SUBstitute
SUC – Square Ultra Compact
SUIT – Sight Unit Infantry Trilux
SUSAT – Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux
SWARM – Stabilised Weapon and Reconnaissance Mount
SWAT – Special Weapons And Tactics
SWC – Semi WadCutter
SWS – Sniper Weapon System
T
T – Tracer
TAAR – Tactical Air to Air Refueling
TACBE – Tacbe
TACMS – Army Tactical Missile System (US)
TACOM – Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (US)
TACP - Tactical Air Control Party
TAD – Temporary Additional Duty (Naval Services term)Temporary Duty
TADDS – Target Alert Display Data Set (US)
TADS – Target Acquisition and Designation System (US)
TAM – Tanque Argentino Mediano
TAS – Target Acquisition Subsystem
TAS – tracking adjunct system
TAS – Turret Attitude Sensor
TBAT – TOW/Bushmaster Armored Turret (US)
TC – Tank Commander, also Truck Commander (US Army)
TCO – Tactical Combat Operations
TCTO – Time-Compliance Technical Order
TCU – tactical control unit
TD – Tank Destroyer
TDCS – Tank Driver Command System
TDD – Target Detection Device
TDR – Target Data Receiver
TDY – Temporary Duty
TE – Tangent Elevation
TEL – Transporter-Erector-Launcher
TELAR – Transporter-Erector-Launcher And Radar
TES – Tactical Environment Simulation
TES – target engagement system
TGMTS – Tank Gunnery Missile Tracking System
TGP – Terminally Guided Projectile
TGP – Targeting pod
TGS – Tank Gun Sight
TGSM – terminally guided submunition
TGTS – tank gunnery training simulator
TI – thermal imaging/imager
TIC – Troops In Contact
TICM – thermal imaging common modules
TIIPS – Thermal Imaging and Integrated Position System
TIM – Thermal Imaging Module
TIPU – Thermal Image Processing Units
TIRE – Tank Infra-Red Elbow
TIS – thermal imaging system
TLC – Transport Launching Container
TLD – Top Level Demonstrations
TLE – Treaty Limited Equipment
TLP – Troop Leading Procedures (US)
TLR – Tank Laser Rangefinder
TLS – Tank Laser Sight
TM&LS – Textron Marine & Land Systems
TMBC – Turret Management Ballistic Computer
TMP – Tactical Machine Pistol
TMS – Turret Modernisation System
TMUAS – Turreted Mortar Under Armor System (US)
TNT – Trinitrotoluene
TO – Technical Order
TOE – table of organisation and equipment
TOGS – Thermal Observation and Gunnery System (UK)
TOP – Total Obscuring Power
TOPAS – Transporter Obrneny Pasovy
TOTE – Tracker, Optical Thermally Enhanced
TOW – Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire command link guided (US)
TP – Target Practice
TP-FL – target practice flash
TP-S – or TPS Target Practice-Spotting/Signature
TP-SM – target practice – smoke
TP-SP – target practice – spotting
TP-T – target practice – tracer
TPCM – Target Practice Colour-Marking
TPDS – Target Practice Discarding Sabot
TPFSDS-T – target practice fin-stabilised discarding sabot – tracer
TPTF – Target Practice Time Fuzed
TR – Triple Rail
TRACER – Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (UK)
TRACKSTAR – Tracked Search and Target Acquisition Radar System (US)
TRADOC – Training and Doctrine Command (US)
TSFCS – Tank Simplified Fire-Control System
TSQ – time and super-quick
TSR – Tavor Sporting Rifle
TT – transport de troupes (troop transporter)
TTB – Tank TestBed (US)
TTD – Transformation Technology Demonstrator
TTG – Time To Go
TTS – Tank Thermal Sight
TU – Terminal Unit
TU – Traversing Unit
TUA – TOW Under Armor (US)
TUR – Tiefflieger-Ьberwachungs-Radar (low-level surveillance radar)
TV – Television
TWD – Thermal Warning Device
TWMP – Track Width Mine Plough
TWS – Thermal Weapon Sight
TYDP – Ten Year Defence Programme (Australia)
U
UAV – Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
UBLE – Universal Bridge Launching Equipment
UCVP – Universal Combat Vehicle Platform
UDR – Ulster Defence Regiment
UET – Universal Engineer Tractor (US)
UGV – Unmanned Ground Vehicle
ULC – Unit Load Container
UMA – Universal Mounting Adapter
UMP – Universal Machine Pistol
USA – United States of America/United States Army
USAADS – U.S. Army Air Defense School
USAARMS – U.S. Army Armor School
USAAVNS – U.S. Army Aviation School
USAAF – United States Army Air Forces
USAF – United States Air Force
USCG – United States Coast Guard
USMC – United States Marine Corps
USN – United States Navy
USP – Universal Self-loading Pistol
UTL – Universal Tactical Light
UTM – Universal Transverse Mercator
UTS – Universal Turret System
UV – Ultraviolet
UW – Urban warfare
V
V – Volt(s)
VAB – Véhicule de l'Avant Blindé (front armoured car)
VAB – Vickers Armoured Bridgelayer
VADS – Vulcan Air Defense System (US)
VAE – Vehiculo Armado Exploracion
VAK – Vehicle Adaptor Kit
VAPE – Vehiculo Apoyo y Exploracion
VARRV – Vickers Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle
VARV – Vickers Armoured Recovery Vehicle
VBC – Véhicule Blindé de Combat (armoured combat vehicle)
VBCI – Véhicule Blindé de Combat d'Infanterie
VBL – Véhicule Blindé Léger (light armoured vehicle)
VBM – Véhicules Blindés Modulaires
VC – Vehicle Commander
VCA – Véhicule Chenillé d'Accompagnement (tracked support vehicle)
VCC – Veicolo Corazzato de Combattimento
VCG – Véhicule de Combat du Genie (armoured engineer vehicle)
VCI – Véhicule de Combat d'Infanterie; Vehiculo combate infanteria (infantry combat vehicle)
VCP – Vehicle Check Point
VCR – variable compression ratio
VCR – Véhicule de Combat à Roues (wheeled combat vehicle)
VCR/AT – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Atelier Technique (salvage)
VCR/IS – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Intervention Sanitaire (stretchers)
VCR/PC – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Poste de Commandement (HQ)
VCR/TH – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Tourelle HOT (turret with four HOT ATGW)
VCR/TT – Véhicule de Combat à Roues/Transport de Troupes (troop carrier)
VCTIS – Vehicle Command and Tactical Information System
VCTM – Vehiculo de Combate Transporte de Mortero (armoured mortar carrier)
VCTP – Vehiculo de Combate Transporte de Personal (armoured personnel carrier)
VDA – Véhicule de Défense Anti-aérienne (anti-aircraft defence vehicle)
VDAA – Véhicule d'Auto-Défense Anti-aérienne
VDC – Voltage Direct Current
VDM – viscous damped mount
VDSL – Vickers Defence Systems Ltd
VDU – visual display unit
VEC – Vehiculo de Exploraciòn de Caballerie
VEDES – Vehicle Exhaust Dust Ejection System (US)
VERDI – Vehicle Electronics Research Defence Initiative (UK)
VHIS – visual hit indicator system
VIB – Véhicule d'Intervention du Base
VIDS – Vehicle Integrated Defence System
VINACS – Vehicle Integrated Navigation and Command System
VIRSS – Visual and InfraRed Smoke Screening System
VITS – Video Image Tracking Systems
VLAP – Velocity-enhanced Long-range Artillery Projectile
VLC – Véhicule Léger de Combat (light armoured car)
VLI – Visible Light Illuminator
VLSMS – Vehicle-Launched Scatterable Mine System
VMA – Marine Light Attack Squadron
VMA(AW) – Marine All-Weather Attack Squadron
VMBT – Vickers Main Battle Tank
VMF – Marine Fighter Squadron
VMFA – Marine Fighter Attack Squadron
VMFA(AW) – Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron
VMGR – Marine Aerial Refueler/Transport Squadron
VMFP – Marine Aerial Reconnaissance Squadron
VMM – Marine Tilt-rotor (MV-22B) Squadron
VMU – Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron
VMR – Marine Transport Squadron
VMAQ – Marine Electronic Warfare Attack Squadron
VMS – Vehicle Motion Sensor
VNAS – Vehicle Navigation Air System
VRL – Véhicule Reconnaissance Léger (light reconnaissance vehicle)
VSEL – Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd
VT – variable time (fuse)
VTOL – Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft
VTP – véhicule transport de personnel (personnel carrier)
VTT – véhicule transport de troupe (troop transporter)
VVSS – vertical volute spring suspension
VXB – Véhicule Blindé à Vocations Multiples (multipurpose armoured car)
W
WAAC – Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and individual members of; obsolete
WAC – Women's Army Corps and individual members of; obsolete
WAF – Women (in the) Air Force and individual members of; obsolete
WAM – Wide Area Mines (US)
WAMI – Wide Area Motion Imagery (US)
WAPC – Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier (Canada)
WASAD – Wide Angle Surveillance and Automatic Detection Device
WAV – Wide Angle Viewing
WAVES – Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (USN); obsolete
WES – Wing Engineer Squadron (USMC)
WFOV – Wide Field Of View
WFSV – Wheeled Fire Support Vehicle (Canada)
WHA – Weapons Head Assembly
WHSA – Weapons Head Support Assembly
WLR – Weapon Locating Radar
WM – Woman/Women Marine(s)
WMD – Weapon(s) of Mass Destruction
WMRV – Wheeled Maintenance and Recovery Vehicle (Canada)
WP – white phosphorus
WP-T – white phosphorus – tracer
WSM – Winchester Short Magnum
WTS – Wing Transportation Squadron (USMC)
X
XO – Executive Officer
Y
YMRS – Yugoslav multiple rocket system
Z
ZULU – GMT/UTC