Glossary of military abbreviations

List of terms, acronyms, information, related to modern armour, artillery, infantry, weapons, and related military subject matter.

A

 * AA anti-aircraft
 * AAA anti-aircraft artillery "Triple A"
 * AAAV Advanced Amphibious Assault Vehicle
 * AAD Armoured Amphibious Dozer
 * AAG Anti-aircraft gun
 * AAK Appliqué Armor Kit (US)
 * AAN Army After Next
 * AAPC Advanced Armoured Personnel Carrier (Turkey)
 * AARADCOM Army Armament Research and Development Command
 * AAV Amphibious Assault Vehicle
 * 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
 * ABMS Air Bursting Munition System
 * ABRO Army Base Repair Organisation
 * ABS Aww-Busting System
 * ABS Anti-skid Braking System
 * ABSV Armoured Battlegroup Support Vehicle
 * A/C Aircraft commander
 * AC Alternating current
 * ACA Ammunition Container Assembly
 * ACAVP Advanced Composite Armoured Vehicle Platform (UK)
 * ACCE Abrams/Crusader Common Engine
 * ACCV Armored Cavalry Cannon Vehicle (US)
 * ACE Armored Combat Earthmover (US)
 * ACH Advanced Combat Helmet (MICH TC-2000 Combat Helmet)
 * ACLOS Automatic Command to Line of Sight
 * ACOG Advanced Combat Optical Gunsight
 * ACP Automatic Colt Pistol
 * ACR Advanced Combat Rifle
 * ACR Armored Cavalry Regiment
 * ACRV Armoured Command and Reconnaissance Vehicle
 * ACS Artillery Communications System
 * ACU Army Combat Uniform
 * ACV Aardvark Cleaning Vehicle (US)
 * ACV Armoured Combat Vehicle
 * ACVT Armored Combat Vehicle Technology Program (US)
 * ADA Air Defense Artillery
 * ADAM Area Denial Artillery Munition
 * ADAMS Air Defense Advanced Mobile System (US)
 * 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
 * ADI Australian Defence Industries
 * AE Action Express
 * AEF Allied Expeditionary Force
 * AEV armoured engineer vehicle
 * AF air force
 * AFA/ARA Aerial Field Artillery/Aerial Rocket Artillery (USA, Vietnam war era Attack Helicopter Batteries employing 2.75 in. FFAR)
 * AFARV Armored, Forward Area, Re-arm Vehicle (US)
 * AFAS Advanced Field Artillery System
 * AFC Australian Flying Corps
 * AFCS Automatic Fire-Control Systems
 * AFD automatic feeding device
 * 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)
 * AGV Assault Gun Vehicle
 * AGVT Advanced Ground Vehicle Technology
 * Ah ampere hour
 * AHC Attack Helicopter Company (USA)
 * 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)
 * ALAAVS Advanced Light Armored/Amphibious Vehicle System (US)
 * ALC Advanced Land Combat (US)
 * ALICE All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment
 * ALS Advanced Laying System
 * ALSV Armoured Logistics Support Vehicle
 * ALT Armoured Launching Turret
 * AMC United States Army Materiel Command
 * AMC Advanced Mortar Carrier (Turkey)
 * AMCCOM Armament Munitions and Chemical Command
 * AMDS Anti-Missile Discarding Sabot
 * AMF Amphibische Mehrzweck-Fahrzeuge (multipurpose amphibious vehicle)
 * AML Automitrailleuse Légère (light armoured car)
 * AMLCD Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display
 * AMOS Advanced Mortar System
 * 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
 * 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
 * ASAAdvanced Security Agency
 * 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
 * AVF Armoured Fighting Vehicle
 * 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
 * BAM Broad Assed Marine: i.e., female Marine (US, vulgar)
 * 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
 * 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
 * CAD computer-assisted design
 * CAL Canadian Arsenals Limited
 * CAP Civil Air Patrol (USAF Civilian Auxiliary)
 * CAP Combat Air Patrol
 * CAP Combustible Augmented Plasma
 * 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
 * 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 Homogeneous Armour
 * CHARM Challenger Chieftain Armament
 * CHIP Challenger Improvement Programme
 * CIFV Composite Infantry Fighting Vehicle
 * CILAS Compagnie Industrielle des Lasers
 * 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
 * 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
 * CRISAT Collaborative Research Into Small Arms Technology
 * 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
 * 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
 * DAS Deep Air Support
 * DAS Defensive Aid System/Suite
 * DASP Demountable Artillery Surveillance Pod
 * 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)
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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

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
 * ECM Electronic countermeasures
 * ECOS Enhanced Combat Optical Sight
 * ECS Environmental Control Subsystem
 * ECV Enhanced Capacity Vehicle
 * 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
 * ELB Extended Life Barrel
 * 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
 * EMG externally mounted gun
 * EMP electromagnetic pulse
 * ENGESA Engesa Engenheiros Especializados (Brazil)
 * 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 Elecronic 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
 * ETM Electronic Technical Manuals
 * ETS Elevated TOW System
 * ETS Engineer Tank System
 * 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 Arear 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
 * 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
 * FFSS Future Fighting Soldier System
 * 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 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
 * 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
 * FSE 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
 * 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 Combat Weight
 * GD General Dynamics
 * GDLS General Dynamics Land Systems
 * GDU Gun Display Unit
 * GFE Government Furnished Equipment
 * GH gun-howitzer
 * GIAT Groupement Industriel des Armements Terrestres
 * GL Grenade Launcher
 * 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
 * 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
 * GREM Grenade Rifle Entry Munition
 * GRU Glavnoe Razvedyvatel'noe Upravlenie, meaning Main Intelligence Directorate
 * GSR General Staff Requirement (US)
 * GSRS General Support Rocket System
 * GST General Staff Target
 * GST Gesellschaft fьr System-Technik
 * GTCS Gun Test and Control System
 * GTI German Tank Improvement
 * GVW Gross Vehicle Weight
 * GW guided weapon

H

 * h hour(s)
 * H&K Heckler and Koch
 * HAB Heavy Assault Bridge (US)
 * 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 Infra-Red 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
 * 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 Defence Forces
 * 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
 * JERRV Joint Engineer Rapid Response Vehicle
 * JGSDF Japanese Ground Self-Defence Force
 * JHP Jacketed hollow point
 * JLTA 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 Korea People's Army

L

 * LAAG light anti-aircraft gun
 * LAAM Light Anti-Aircraft Missile
 * LAAW Light Anti-Tank Assault Weapon
 * 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
 * LSS Lightweight Shotgun System
 * 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

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
 * MALOS Miniature Laser Optical Sight
 * MALS Marine Air Logistics Squadron
 * MAMBA Mobile Artillery Monitoring Battlefield Radar
 * 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
 * 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)
 * 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
 * MEPSMilitary 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
 * 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)
 * MILSTAN MILitary STANdard
 * MILSTAR MILitary Strategic and Tactical Relay (US)
 * MIPS Medium Integrated Propulsion System (US)
 * 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
 * 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)
 * 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
 * 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)
 * MSR Missile Simulation Round
 * 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
 * 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
 * NRF NATO Response Force
 * 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)

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
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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

Q

 * QCB Quick Change Barrel
 * QE Quadrant Elevation
 * QRF Quick Reaction Force

R

 * RA Royal 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 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
 * 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 homogeneous 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
 * 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
 * RRTR Reduced Range Training Round
 * RSAF Royal Small Arms Factory (UK) (now closed)
 * 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-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
 * SJFN Semi-Jacketed Flat Nose
 * SJHP Semi-Jacketed Hollow Point
 * SKOT Sredni Kolowy Opancerzny Transporter (armoured personnel carrier)
 * 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
 * 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)
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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)
 * 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
 * TACBE Tacbe
 * TACMS Army Tactical Missile System (US)
 * TACOM Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (US)
 * 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 Turet Attitude Sensor
 * TBAT TOW/Bushmaster Armored Turret (US)
 * TC Tank Commander
 * TCO Tactical Combat Operations
 * 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
 * TGS Tank Gun Sight
 * TGSM terminally guided submunition
 * TGTS tank gunnery training simulator
 * TI thermal imaging/imager
 * 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
 * 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
 * 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
 * VMR Marine Transport Squadron
 * VMAQ Marine Electonic 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)
 * 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