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.

A

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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
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)
ACLOS	Automatic 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 Clearing Vehicle
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)
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	Armoured fighting vehicle	Could also mean Armored Family of Vehicles
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)	Could also mean Advanced Gun System
AGV	assault gun vehicle
AGVT	Advanced Ground Vehicle Technology
AHC	Attack Helicopter Company (USA)
AHE	Aircraft Handling Equipment
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
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
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	ArmaLite 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)
ASA	Advanced 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
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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
BCT	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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
C3I	Command, control, communications, and intelligence
CAB	Combat aviation battalion
CAB- 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 homogeneous 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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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
EOW	End Of Watch
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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/###### 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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
JBMoU	Joint Ballistic Memorandum of Understanding
JDAM	Joint Defense Air 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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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
MCRD	Marine Corps Recruit Depot
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
QCB	Quick Change Barrel
QE	Quadrant Elevation
QRF	Quick reaction force

R

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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
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 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
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
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
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-Z

Term\Abbreviation	Definition	Notes\references
XO	Executive officer
X-RAY	X	NATO phonetic alphabet code for the letter X
YANKEE	Y	NATO phonetic alphabet code for the letter Y
YMRS	Yugoslav multiple rocket system
ZULU	Z	NATO phonetic alphabet code for the letter Z

See also

• List of established military terms
• List of military tactics
• Glossary of firearms terminology
• List of U.S. Navy acronyms
• List of U.S. Air Force acronyms and expressions
• List of U.S. government and military acronyms
• List of United States Marine Corps acronyms and expressions
• Brevity codes used by aviators

References

• Armor and Artillery Glossary
• Infantry Weapons Glossary
• FM 17-97 Cavalry Troop (October 1995)
• FM 5-19 (formerly FM 100-14) Composite Risk Management (21 Aug 2006)
• Military abbreviations and Dictionaries
• Military acronyms and military abbreviations

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