Terms & Acronyms

A

Abrams Main Battle Tank (Abrams) - Provides mobile firepower for armored formations of sufficient capability to successfully close with and destroy any opposing armored fighting vehicle in the world, while providing protection for its crew in any conceivable combat environment.

Advanced Anti- Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) - A Phase III Small Business Innovative Research program to develop and demonstrate a dual- mode guidance section on a High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile airframe.

Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) -

Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) -

AH-1 (Cobra) - The primary mission of the Cobra has been helicopter Close Air Support (CAS), escort of transport helicopters and ground convoys, armed reconnaissance, helicopter air-to-air attack, anti-shipping operations, and coordination and terminal control of fixed wing CAS, artillery, mortars, and naval gunfire.

AH-1W (Super Cobra) - A two-place, twin-engine, day/night marginal weather Marine Corps attack helicopter that provides en route escort for assault helicopters and their embarked forces.

AH-1W/Z (Super Cobra) -

AH-1Z (Super Cobra) -

AH-64D -

AIM-9X (Sidewinder Missile program) - A heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft.

Air Force Base (AFB) -

Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) - A scientific research organization operated by the U.S. Air Force Materiel Command dedicated to leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable aerospace warfighting technologies; planning and executing the Air Force science and technology program.

Air Traffic Management (ATM) -

Aircraft Weaponeering and Stores Planning (WASP) - The primary mission planning application for F/A-18 Interdiction and other missions involving air-to-surface weapons employment.

ARC-210 - A radio that provides two-way, multi-mode voice and data communications over a 30 to 512 MHz frequency range.

Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV) - Armoured fighting vehicle used to repair battle or mine damaged as well as broken-down armoured vehicles during combat, or to tow them in out of danger for more extensive repairs.

Army Technology Objective (ATO) - These programs address a wide array of areas critical to ground vehicle systems including system integration, situational awareness, robotics control, and power management through analysis, simulation, prototyping, and testing.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) - The intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it.

Autonomous Target Recognition (ATR) -

AV-8 (Harrier) - A single-seat, light attack aircraft that provides offensive air support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

AV-8B (Harrier) - A single-seat, light attack aircraft that provides offensive air support to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) - Responsibilities are in missilery and aviation in joint efforts to develop certain airborne missile systems to support the soldier in the field.

Aviation Logistics Support Ship (T-AVB) - Provides rapid and dedicated sealift for employment of a tailored aviation Intermediate Maintenance Activity to support deployment of US Marine Corps fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) - A simplified acquisition method that government agencies use to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies or services.

Bonus Incentive Program (BIP) -

Bradley Fighting Vehicle (Bradley) - Designed to transport infantry with armor protection while providing covering fire to suppress enemy troops and armored vehicles.

Business Process Modeling (BPM) -

C-2A Greyhound - A twin-engine cargo aircraft designed to land on aircraft carriers, provides critical logistics support to aircraft carriers.

Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) - A process improvement technique for evaluating how efficiently a company is able to deliver technology products to its customers.

Cargo Offload and Transfer System (COTS) -

CH/MH-53E Super Sea Stallion - Transports equipment, supplies and personnel during the assault phase of an amphibious operation and subsequent operations ashore.

CH-53 -

CH-53E -

CH-53K -

Coast Guard Command and Control (CGC2) -

Command and Control Engineering Center (C2CEN) -

Command and Control, Communications, Computer and Intelligence (C4I) -

Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) - The vision for C4ISR is to provide capabilities that enable forces to generate, use, and share the information necessary to survive and succeed on every mission.

Commercial Enterprise Omnibus support service (CEOss) -

Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) -

Common Systems Integration Lab (CSIL) -

Communication Navigation Surveillance/ Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) -

Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) -

Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC) - Develops and integrates C4ISR technologies that enable the warfighter to sense the battle space; deny and disrupt enemy efforts; and remain connected to achieve and sustain information superiority, strike with decisive lethality and survive.

Computer Based Trainers (CBT) - A type of education in which the student learns by executing special training programs on a computer.

Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) -

Contract Line Item Number/Sub-Line Item Number (CLIN/SLIN) -

Contract Management System (CMS) - Facilitates coordination, reporting, and monitoring of multiple business processes and partners throughout the supply chain.

Corporate Technology Office (CTO) - Charged with growing our corporate reputation for technical excellence, and expanding our role as leaders in the Science and Technology community.

Database Management Systems (DBMS) -

DDG-51 -

DDQ-1000 (Zumwalt-class destroyer) - A planned class of U.S. Navy destroyers, designed as multi-mission ships with a focus on land attack.

Decision Support Division -

Defense Acquisition University (DAU) - Provides a global learning environment to support a mission-ready Defense Acquisition Workforce that develops, delivers, and sustains effective and affordable warfighting capabilities.

Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) - Enacted to improve the effectiveness of the personnel who manage and implement Defense acquisition programs.

Department of Defense (DoD) - U.S. federal department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government relating directly to national security and the U.S. armed forces.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - A Cabinet department of the U.S. federal government with the primary responsibilities of protecting the territory of the U.S. from terrorist attacks and responding to natural diasters.

Digital Flight Planning System (DFPS) -

Directional Infrared Counter Measures (DIRCM) - A lightweight, compact system designed to provide mission vulnerable aircraft with increased protection from common battlefield threats such as as infrared homing man-portable missiles.

DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process (DIACAP) -

Dolphin Helicopter (HH-65) - A twin-engine, short range recovery helicopter.

Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE) - A video display device used to enhance a driver's view during degraded visual conditions, such as darkness, fog, smoke or dust.

Dual Mode Laser Guided Bomb (DMLGB)

E-2C Hawkeye 2000 - The fifth generation production of the U.S. Navy's all-weather, carrier-based tactical airborne warning and control system platform.

EA-18G - Navy's replacement for the EA-6B Airborne Electronic Attack aircraft and represents an entirely new way of looking at legacy aircraft replacement.

Early Warning (EW) - Early notification of the launch or approach of unknown weapons or weapons carriers.

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO) -

Embedded GPS/INS (Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System) (EGI) - A navigation system which combines a GPS receiver card with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) in an integrated single until of modest size and weight.

Employee Advisory Committee (EAC) - Is led by a group of employee-owners representing each DCS location to provide an additional communication channel between employees and management.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Provides 24-hour counseling assistance to employees and their immediate family members for work, financial, legal, or personal issues.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - A company-funded deferred compensation plan that provides stock ownership to its employees.

EP-3 - A land-based Multi-Intelligence reconnaissance aircraft based on the P-3 Orion airframe.

EP-3E Aries - A land-based Multi-Intelligence reconnaissance aircraft based on the P-3 Orion airframe.

Executive Action Team (EAT) - Are composed of employees at various levels within the organization. The employee-led programs address continual improvement initiatives that support our strategic plan and our objective to consistently exceed customer expectations.

Expedited Professional and Engineering Support Services EXPRESS -

F/A-18 (Hornet) - A supersonic, single seat (A and C models) or tandem seat (B and D models), twin engine, all weather, night, combined fighter and attack aircraft and can be refueled in flight.

F/A-18 A/B/C/D (Hornet) - A supersonic, single seat (A and C models) or tandem seat (B and D models), twin engine, all weather, night, combined fighter and attack aircraft and can be refueled in flight.

F/A-18 E/F (Super Hornet) - A twin-engine 4.5 generation carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft. The F/A-18E single-seat variant and F/A-18F tandem-seat variant.

F-22 (Raptor) - Designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances and defeat threats attempting to deny access to our nation's Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

Flexible Medicial Spending Accounts (FSA)

Flight Management System (FMS) - A computerized avionics component found on most commercial and business aircraft to assist pilots in navigation, flight planning, and aircraft control functions.

Foreign Military Sales (FMS) - A program which uses a government-to-government method for selling U.S. defense equipment, services, and training.

Global Positioning System (GPS) - A navigational system involving satellites and computers that can determine the latitude and longitude of a receiver on Earth by computing the time difference for signals from different satellites to reach the receiver.

GPS Position, Navigation and Timing System (GPNTS) - Established to develop, acquire, and manage modernized pervasive, robust, secure, integrated and interoperable network-centric GPS-based PNT capabilities to the fleet.

Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) - A system designed to alert pilots if their aircraft is in immediate danger of flying into the ground or an obstacle.

Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility (GWEF) -

Hardware (HW) - Collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions telling a computer what to do.

Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) - A technique that is used in the development and test of complex real-time embedded systems.

Hardware-in-the-Loop/Human-in-the-Loop (HWIL) - A technique that is used in the development and test of complex real-time embedded systems.

Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) -

Hercules (C-130) - Mainly a tactical airlifter that primarily performs the intratheater portion of the airlift mission.

Hunter

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) - A type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system.

Improvised Explosive Device (IED) - Can be almost anything with any type of material and initiator. It is a “homemade” device that is designed to cause death or injury by using explosives alone or in combination with toxic chemicals, biological toxins, or radiological material.

Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) -

Infantry Weapons System (IWS) -

Infrared (IR) - The part of the invisible spectrum that is contiguous to the red end of the visible spectrum and that comprises electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths from 800 nm to 1 mm.

Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) - Devices designed to protect aircraft from infrared homing missiles by confusing the missiles' infrared guidance system so that they will miss their target.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) - The world’s largest professional association dedicated to advancing technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.

Institutional Research & Development (IR&D) - Focused activities to help employees develop concepts, techniques, processes and prototypes responsive to anticipated customer challenges.

Integrated Mechanical Diagnostic Health and Usage Monitoring System (IMD-HUMS) -

Integration Verification & Validation (IV&V) -

Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) - Encompasses multiple activities related to the planning and operation of systems that collect, process, and disseminate data in support of current and future military operations.

Internal Research and Development (IR&D) - Focused activities to help employees develop concepts, techniques, processes and prototypes responsive to anticipated customer challenges.

International Program Office (IPO) -

International Standards Organization (ISO) - A voluntary, non-treaty federation of standards. It promotes development of standardization and related activities to facilitate international trade in goods and services, and cooperation on economic, intellectual, scientific, and technological aspects.

Jayhawk (HH-60J) - A medium-range recovery helicopter used to perform search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness, and marine environmental protection missions.

Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) - A U.S. military program to develop an air-to-surface missile to replace the current BGM-71 TOW, AGM-114 Hellfire and AGM-65 Maverick missiles.

Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) - A guidance kit that converts unguided gravity bombs into all-weather "smart" munitions.

Joint Program Office (JPO) -

Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) - Designed to destroy soft and hardened targets, including armored vehicles and fixed structures.

Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) - The Department of Defense's focal point for defining affordable next generation strike aircraft weapon systems for the Navy, Air Force, Marines, and our allies.

Joint Test & Evaluation (JT&E) -

Kinetic Kill Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation (KHILS) -

Kinetic Kill Vehicle Hardware in the Loop Simulator (KHILS) -

Knowledge Management (KM) - Knowledge Management systems collect and synthesize data to provide training, situational awareness and/or decision support to end users.

Learning Management System (LMS) -

Life Cycle Management Centers (LCMC) -

Local Area Network (LAN) - A computer network covering a small physical area, like a home, office, or small groups of buildings, such as a school, or an airport.

Logistics Planning Tool (LPT) -

Long Range Advanced Surveillance System (LRAS3) - Is a long-range multi-sensor system for the U.S. Army scout, providing the real-time ability to detect, recognize, identify and geo-locate distant targets.

Longbow Apache (AH-64D) - Remanufactured and upgraded version of the AH-64A Apache attack helicopter.

MAGTF C2 -

Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) - Mission is to serve as the Commandant's principal agent for acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment used by the operating forces to accomplish their warfighting mission.

Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) - Mission is to serve as the Commandant's principal agent for acquisition and sustainment of systems and equipment used by the operating forces to accomplish their warfighting mission.

MH-60 - A special operations airlift that conducts overt or covert infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces across a wide range of environmental conditions.

Millimeter Wave (MMW) -

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) - An American armored fighting vehicle.

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle (MRAP) - An American armored fighting vehicle.

Missile Defense Agency (MDA) - A research, development, and acquisition agency within the Department of Defense.

Missile Defense Agency/ (MDA/BC) -

Missile Defense Agency/ Test Directorate (MDA/DT) -

Nationwide Differential Global Positioning Systems (NDGPS) -

Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) - NAVAIR's mission is to provide full life-cycle support of naval aviation aircraft, weapons and systems operated by Sailors and Marines.

Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) - An organization within the Naval Air Systems Command, dedicated to maintaining a center of excellence in weapons development for the Department of the Navy.

Naval Air Warfare Centers (NAWC) -

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) - Is comprised of command staff, headquarters directorates, affiliated Program Executive Offices and numerous field activities. Together they engineer, build, buy and maintain ships, submarines and combat systems that meet the Fleet’s current and future operational requirements.

Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA 05) - Coordinates efforts for surface and carrier platforms.

Navigation Sensor System Interface (NAVSSI) - Makes systems that provide warfighters with the navigation data they need.

Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) - The mission of the NVESD is to conduct research and development to provide US land forces with advanced sensor technology to dominate the 21st Century digital battlefield; land forces include ground and aviation troops.

Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) -

Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) - In the private sector that provides services to the Government, a corporation provides two types of services to the Government that have conflicting interest or appear objectionable.

P-3C - A land-based maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

P-3C Orion - A land-based maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft.

P-8A Poseidon - A maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft.

Paid Time Off (PTO) - A feature in some employee agreements that provides a "resource" of hours that an employee can draw from to take time off from work, without having to specify a reason.

PMW 170 - Responsible for the acquisitions, integration, delivery and support of interoperable communications systems enabling seamless operations for the fleet, joint and coalition war fighter.

PMW 750 -

Process Action Team (PAT) - Are composed of employees at various levels within the organization. The employee-led programs address continual improvement initiatives that support our strategic plan and our objective to consistently exceed customer expectations.

Product Manager Infantry Weapons Systems (PM IWS) -

Program Executive Office (PEO) - One of the few key individuals in the U.S. military acquisition process. A PEO may be responsible for a specific program, or for an entire portfolio of similar programs.

Program Manager (PM) -

Program Manager Optics and Non-Lethal Systems (PM ONS) -

Project Manager Night Vision (PMNV) -

Quality Management System (QMS) - Collective policies, plans, practices, and the supporting infrastructure by which an organization aims to reduce and eventually eliminate non-conformance to specifications, standards, and customer expectations in the most cost effective and efficient manner.

Radio Transmitter (RT) - An electronic device which propagates an electromagnetic signal such as radio.

Raven -

Reasonable Further Progress (RFP) -

Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) - A type of unit in the U.S. Army; the units are small reconnaissance units based on cavalry squadrons, and act at the Squadron (Battalion) level as a Brigade Reconnaissance Team for the Regiment (Brigade).

Remedial Field Investigation (RFI)

Research & Development (R&D) - Creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications.

Research, Development and Engineering Centers (RDEC) -

S-70 - SH-60 commercial variant.

Sea Dragon (MH-53E) - Reconfigurized version of the CH-53. It's used primarily for Airborne Mine Countermeasures, with a secondary mission of shipboard delivery.

Seahawk Helicopter (carrying Forward Looking Infra-Red) (SH-60-B FLIR) - Maritime twin-turbine helicopter with folding single main rotor and tail rotor dynamic system with expanded night capabilities provided by the Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) system.

SH-60

Shadow

Shipboard Command and Control and Seawatch (SCCS) -

Six Sigma - A business management strategy which seeks to improve the quality of provess outputs by identifying and removing the causes of defects and minimizing variability in manufacturing and business processes.

SkyWarrior

Software (SW) - Collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions telling a computer what to do.

Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) - The Navy's designated technical authority and acquisition command for C4ISR, business information technology and space systems.

SPAWAR - One of three Department of Navy major acquisition commands. The SPAWAR Command specifically procures higher-end U.S. Navy information technology products and services, to the U. S. Navy fleet and other armed forces.

Stryker - Family of eight-wheeled armored personnel carriers.

Super Cobra (AH-1W) - A two-place, twin-engine, day/night marginal weather Marine Corps attack helicopter that provides en route escort for assault helicopters and their embarked forces.

Super Stallion (CH-53E) - A much more modified version of the CH-53 helicopter; it lifts both equipment and personnel in training and combat.

Super Stallion (CH-53K) - A large, heavy-lift cargo helicopter.

Systems Engineering (SE) - An interdisciplinary field of engineering that focuses on how complex engineering projects should be designd and managed.

Systems Engineering Institute (SEI) -

Table Talks - Provides a forum where employees have direct access to senior leadership to ask questions and discuss the company's strategic plans and performance.

Tank and Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) - Develops, integrates and sustains the right technology solutions for all manned and unmanned Department of Defense ground systems and combat support. systems to improve Current Force effectiveness and provide superior capabilities for the Future Force.

Target Recognition Attack Multisensor (TRAM) - A small, gyroscopically stabilized turret under the nose containing Forward Looking Infrared boresighted with a laser spot-tracker/designator.

Terrain Awareness Warning System (TAWS) - Aims to prevent controlled flight into terrain.

Thin Active Layers on a Passive Substrate (TALPS) -

TRICARE - Health care program serving active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, their families, survivors and certain former spouses worldwide.

Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wire data link (TOW) -

UH-1N/Y - A light-lift utility helicopter used to support Air Force Space Command missile wings and groups.

UH-1Y -

United States Marine Corps (USMC) - A branch of the U. S. armed forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea using the mobility of the U. S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces.

United States Air Force (USAF) - The mission of the U.S. Air Force is to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace.

United States Coast Guard (USCG) - A military, multimission, maritime service within the Department of Homeland Security and one of the nation's five armed services.

United States Navy (USN) - The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.

VH-3

VH-60

VH-60N - A helicopter transport for the President of the U.S. , Vice President, and other visiting heads of state.

VH-71

Viper (AH-1Z) - A twin-engine attack helicopter based on the AH-1W, that was developed for the U.S. Marine Corps.

Weaponeering and Stores Planning (WASP) - The primary mission planning application for F/A-18 Interdiction and other missions involving air-to-surface weapons employment.

Weapons Systems Integration Support Services (WSISS) -

Wide Area Network (WAN) - A computer network that covers a broad area.

INS -

QA -

LEAN -

S&T -

N88 -

APW -

AH-1Z -

Hellfire -

DOT&E -

SYSCOMS -

TAWS -

M&S -

F/A-18 ATFLIR -

PPO -

STD -

LTD -

GSA -