Terminology

for
Army
 Ac-ci-den-tal At-tack
[ak-si-den-tl] [uh-tak]
An accidental attack occurs without deliberate
national design as a result of a human error,
mechanical fault or because of the actions of a third
party.
 A-cute Ra-di-a-tion Dose
[uh-kyoot]  [rey-dee-ey-shuh n] [dohs]
Acute radiation dose results from exposure to a large
amount of radiation (over 10 rad) within a short
period of time. Depending on the exposure, an acute
radiation dose can result in radiation sickness and
even death.
 Am-phib-i-ous Ve-hi-cle  
[am-fib-ee-uh s] [vee-i-kuh l or,
sometimes, vee-hi-]
A amphibious vehicle is capable of traversing bodies of water
as well as land. Amphibious vehicles include both wheeled
and tracked armored vehicles, as well as army hovercraft,
designed to be able to cross rivers or perform beach landings.
 Ar-mored Fight-ing Ve-hi-cle  
[ahr-merd] [fahy-ting] [vee-i-kuh l or,
sometimes, vee-hi-] 
An armored fighting vehicle protects crew and
passengers from shrapnel and small arms fire, whilst
carrying machine guns, cannon or guided missiles to
attack enemy vehicles and infantry.
 Ar-til-ler-y
[ahr-til-uh-ree]
refers to large-caliber weapons, such as mortars,
cannons, howitzers, missile and rocket launchers,
that are designed to fire indirectly at targets, such as
armored vehicles, infantry and buildings, spotted by
other forces.
 At-tack Hel-i-cop-ter
[uh-tak] [hel-i-kop-ter, hee-li-]
An attack helicopter is an armored helicopter with
sensors and weapons to seek attack and destroy
enemy targets, including armored vehicles,
installations and infantry.
 Back-scat-ter
[bak-skat-er]
refers to the amount of laser energy scattered back in
the direction of the seeker by an obscuring agent.
 Bar-rage Fire
[buh-rahzh; especially Brit. bar-ahzh for
1, 2, 4, 5;bahr-ij for 3] [fahyuh r]
Barrage fire is weapon fire designed to attack an area
and destroy targets within it, rather than aimed at a
specific target.
 Bat-tle-field Il-lu-mi-na-tion
[bat-l-feeld][ih-loo-muh-ney-shuh n]
Battlefield illumination illuminates the combat area
by artificial visible and non-visible (to the human
eye) light. Battlefield illumination examples include
flares or infrared vision systems.
 Beam Rid-er
[beem] [rahy-der]
A beam rider missile follows a beam of energy (laser,
radar or otherwise) as a means of guidance.
 Bi-o-chem-i-cal War-fare
[bahy-oh-kem-i-kuhl][wawr-fair] 
Biochemical warfare is the collective term for both
chemical warfare and biological warfare weapons.
 Bi-o-log-i-cal Am-mu-ni-tion
[bahy-uh-loj-i-kuh l] [am-yuh-nish-uh n]
Biological munitions are designed to release a biological
agent, used as the warhead for biological weapons.
Biological ammunition can take many forms, such as a
missile warhead or bomb.
 Bi-o-log-i-cal War-fare
[bahy-uh-loj-i-kuh l] [wawr-fair] 
Biological warfare is warfare involving usage of
biological weapons.
 Bi-o-log-i-cal Weap-on
[bahy-uh-loj-i-kuh l] [wep-uh n]
Biological weapons are weapons designed to release a
biological agent. Biological weapons can take many
forms, such as a missile warhead or bomb.
 Blast Ef-fect
[blast, blahst] [ih-fekt] 
Blast effect refers to the damage from the force of an
explosive blast.
 Blis-ter A-gent
[blis-ter] [ey-juh nt]
A blister agent is a chemical agent that burns and
blisters skin, eyes and lungs to varying degrees on
contact.
 Bomb Dis-pos-al U-nit
[bom] [dih-spoh-zuh l] [yoo-nit]
A bomb disposal unit consists of a group of
specialists trained to detect, identify and safely
dispose of explosive devices.
 Burn-Through Range
[burn]-[throo] [reynj]
The burn-through range is the range at which a radar
can detect targets through external interference
(usually jamming).
 Cas-u-al-ty E-vac-u-a-tion
[kazh-oo-uh l-tee][ih-vak-yoo-ey-shuh n]
Casualty evacuation is the removal of casualties from the
battlefield and transport to medical facilities. Known as
CASEVAC, a range of vehicles are used in modern armies
to fulfill casualty evacuation, such as the APC and
helicopter.
 Chem-i-cal A-gent
[kem-i-kuh l] [ey-juh nt]
Chemical agents are toxic chemicals used to
immobilize, incapacitate or kill military or civilian
personnel.
 Chem-i-cal Am-mu-ni-tion
[kem-i-kuh l] [am-yuh-nish-uh n]
Chemical ammunition delivers a chemical agent.
Chemical ammunitions include missiles, rockets,
artillery shells and bombs.
 Chem-i-cal Mon-i-tor-ing
[kem-i-kuh l] [mon-i-ter-ing]
Chemical monitoring detects whether a chemical
agent is present as the result of a chemical attack.
 Chem-i-cal War-fare
[kem-i-kuh l] [wawr-fair]
Chemical warfare is warfare involving the usage of
chemical weapons.
 Chron-ic Ra-di-a-tion Dose
[kron-ik] [rey-dee-ey-shuh n] [dohs]
A chronic radiation dose is a low dose of radiation
received over a long period. A chronic radiation dose
is more easily managed by the body than an acute
radiation dose but can still result in cancer, sickness
and, if untreated, death.
 Clus-ter Bomb
[kluhs-ter] [bom]
Cluster bombs are bombs which release miniature
bomblets or mines. Mine dispensing cluster bombs
are often used for 'area denial', preventing enemy
personnel from re-entering the target area. Cluster
bombs using bomblets are used to spread damage
over a wide area.
 Col-lat-er-al Dam-age
[kuh-lat-er-uh l] [dam-ij]
Collateral damage is the damage and destruction of
targets or personnel not considered as lawful military
targets.
 Com-bat Search and Res-cue
[v. kuh m-bat, kom-bat, kuhm-; n. kom-
bat,kuhm- [surch][and; unstressed uh nd, uh n,]
[res-kyoo] 
Combat search and rescue refers to search and rescue
operations carried out during war within or near combat
zones.
 Com-bat Sur-veil-lance
[v. kuh m-bat, kom-bat, kuhm-; n. kom-
bat,kuhm-] [ser-vey-luh ns, -veyl-yuh ns]
Combat surveillance is surveillance performed over /
in the combat area for an operation to provide
information on the current situation.
 Com-bat Ve-hi-cle
[v. kuh m-bat, kom-bat, kuhm-; n. kom-
bat,kuhm-] [ve·hi·cle ]
Combat vehicles are armored or unarmored vehicles
designed to perform roles within combat, such as a
main battle tank or infantry fighting vehicles.
 Con-tact Burst Pre-clu-sion
[kon-takt] [burst] [pri-kloo-shun]
Contact burst preclusion is a fuse system used in air
burst shells (such as fragmentation shells) that
prevents a surface burst if the air burst fuse fails.
 Con-tam-i-na-tion
[kuh n-tam-uh-ney-shuh n]
is the absorption of potentially dangerous substances
such as biological or chemical agents, possibly as a
result of biochemical warfare, or radioactive
material, by personnel or objects.
 De-con-tam-i-na-tion
[dee-kuh n-tam-uh-neyt]
procedures eliminate radioactive, poisonous or other
harmful substances. In military terms
decontamination is often required following
chemical or biological warfare attacks, or exposure to
radiation caused by a nuclear explosion or devices
such as a dirty bomb.
 Dirt-y Bomb
[dur-tee] [bom]
A dirty bomb is an improvised nuclear device,
created from radioactive nuclear waste material and
conventional explosives. When a dirty bomb is
detonated the explosion carries the nuclear waste
material into the atmosphere where it is subject to
dispersal by wind and rain.
 E-lec-tro-mag-net-ic Pulse
[ih-lek-troh-mag-net-ik] [puhls]
An electromagnetic pulse is a strong emission of
electromagnetic radiation that can be caused by a
nuclear explosion. An electromagnetic pulse may
cause damaging surges of electrical energy within
electronic and electrical equipment and systems.
 E-lec-tron-ic War-fare  
[ih-lek-tron-ik, ee-lek-] [wawr-fair] 
Electronic warfare is the use of the electromagnetic
spectrum by devices to attack enemy personnel and
equipment. Electromagnetic warfare also refers to
defense against these procedures and techniques.
 Ex-plo-sive Ord-nance Dis-pos-al
[ik-sploh-siv]  [awrd-nuh ns]
[dih-spoh-zuh l]
Known as EOD, explosive
ordnance disposal involves
the detection and de-arming
of unexploded explosive
ordnance, whether this
takes the form of old
weapons, weapons that
failed to detonate upon
firing or weapons planted by
enemy forces, such as land
mines.
 First Strike
[furst] [strahyk]
First strike is the initial attack against an opposing
force in a war. Often a surprise attack and associated
with nuclear weapons since their development.
 Flash Sup-pres-sor
[flash] [suh-pres-er]
A flash suppressor is an attachment for a weapon's
muzzle designed to hide the flash from burning
gases caused by firing.
 Friend-ly Fire
[frend-lee] [fahyuh r]
Friendly fire refers to weapons fire mistakenly fired
upon friendly units. The danger of friendly fire is
greatly increased when the firing unit is outside of
visible range of the target, such as field artillery or air
support.
 Glob-al Po-si-tion-ing Sys-tem
[gloh-buh l][puh-zish-uh n-ing][sis-tuh m] 
A global positioning system is a handheld or vehicle
mounted system that uses satellite communications to
determine the geographical position and other
navigational information.
 Ground Ze-ro
[ground] [zeer-oh]
Ground zero is the central point of a nuclear
detonation (or other large blast). Ground zero refers
to the point on the ground below or above a
detonation.
 Guer-ril-la War-fare
[guh-ril-uh]  [wawr-fair]
Guerilla warfare uses unconventional modes of
warfare, where operations take place in hostile or
enemy territory by irregular forces.
 Guid-ed Mis-sile
[gahy-did][mis-uh l or,especially Brit. ahyl] 
A guided missile is a rocket propelled weapon, consisting
of a motor, warhead and guidance system, designed to be
flown to a target under control of an onboard computer or
remote operator.
 Ha-rass-ing Fire
[huh-ras, har-uh s] [fahyuh r]
Harassing fire is weapons fire designed to lower
morale of the troops under fire through denial of
sleep, noise, and constant danger.
 Head-Up Dis-play
[hed]- [uhp] [dih-spley]
Head-up display is a display used in aircraft and
combat helicopters that projects flight and targeting
information onto a screen in the pilots view, allowing
them to monitor the aircrafts instruments without
having to look at the physical displays in the cockpit.
 Heav-y An-ti-Tank Weap-on
[hev-ee] [an-tahy, an-tee] [tangk]
[wep-uh n]
A heavy anti-tank weapon is a missile, rocket or gun
designed to destroy or disable enemy armored
vehicles.
 High-Val-ue Tar-get
[hahy]-[val-yoo] [tahr-git]
A high-value target is a target of high importance in
the ability to wage war, and therefore a primary
objective of offensive and defensive operations.
 Im-pro-vised Nu-cle-ar De-vice
[im-pruh-vahyzd] [noo-klee-er, nyoo- or, by
metathesis, -kyuh-ler] [dih-vahys]
An improvised nuclear device is a nuclear weapon,
designed to scatter radioactive material that is made
from available materials, and not manufactured
normally.
 In-di-rect Fire
[in-duh-rekt, -dahy-] [fahyuh r]
Indirect fire is weapons fire targeted from beyond
line-of-sight distance or from a position where line-
of-sight to the target is not possible.
 In-er-tial Guid-ance
[in-ur-shuhl, ih-nur-] [gahyd-ns] 
Inertial guidance is a missile guidance system used
by a fire-and-forget weapon to determine its position
relative to the earth.
 In-fra-red Pho-tog-ra-phy
[in-fruh-red] [fuh-tog-ruh-fee]
Infrared photography utilizes infrared imaging
technology allowing images to be taken in darkness.
 In-fra-red Ra-di-a-tion
[in-fruh-red]  [rey-dee-ey-shuh n]
Infrared radiation is emitted in the infrared part of
the electromagnetic spectrum, used in infrared
imaging.
 In-sur-gen-cy
[in-sur-juh n-see] 
is an operation that aims to overthrow an existing
regime, often using guerilla tactics.
 Kill-ing Zone
[kil-ing] [zohn]
The killing zone is the area in which the enemy is to
be lured or forced to occupy so as to concentrate fire
upon them, often through ambush.
 La-ser Guid-ed Weap-on
[ley-zer] [gahy-did] [wep-uh n]
A laser guided weapon is a bomb or missile guided by
detecting and following reflected laser energy from
the target. The laser energy may originate from a
beam either on the laser guided weapon itself or
from another source.
 La-ser Il-lu-mi-na-tor
[ley-zer] [ih-loo-muh-ney-ter]
A laser illuminator is a device which illuminates a
target, group of targets or area with laser radiation,
normally to guide laser guided weapons.
 La-ser Range find-er
[ley-zer] [reynj] [fahyn-der]
laser rangefinder is a laser device used to accurately
measure the range to a target. Some rangefinders
may also be used to guide laser guided weapons.
 Lo-gis-tics
[loh-jis-tiks, luh-]
are the area of military operations dealing with the
procurement, distribution, maintenance, and
replacement of materiel and personnel.
 Man Port-a-ble
[man] [pawr-tuh-buh l, pohr-]
Man portable refers to a weapon or other item of
equipment that can be carried by a single soldier
without preventing them from functioning
effectively.
 Max-i-mum Ef-fec-tive Range
[mak-suh-muh m] [ih-fek-tiv] [reynj]
Maximum effective range is the maximum range
within which a weapon is effective against its
intended target.
 Mine
[mahyn]
A mine is an explosive weapon which is hidden
underground or underwater and triggers when an
individual or vehicle moves over it or it is remotely
detonated. Mines are often placed in groups, forming
a minefield.
 Mine Dis-pos-al
[mahyn] [dih-spoh-zuh l]
Mine disposal is the removal of mines planted either
by friendly or enemy forces in order to render a
minefield safe. Mine disposal techniques are part of
many nations’ military training programs.
 Mine-field[mahyn-feeld] 
A minefield is an area planted with mines by hand,
or delivered by mechanical means such as cluster
bomb. Minefields are designed to deny enemy forces
freedom of movement through the area, or at least
slow progress due to the need for mine disposal
teams to clear a path through them.
 Mis-sile Guid-ance Sys-tem
[mis-uh l or, especially Brit., -ahyl]
[gahyd-ns]  [sis-tuh m]
A missile guidance system is fitted either wholly or in
part inside a missile to guide the missile to a
specified target.
 Muz-zle Ve-loc-i-ty
[muhz-uh l] [vuh-los-i-tee]
Muzzle velocity is the speed of a projectile as it leaves
the muzzle of a weapon. Unless the projectile
operates under its own power the muzzle velocity is
its highest speed.
 Night Vi-sion Gog-gles
[nahyt] [vizh-uh n] [gog-uh l]
Night vision goggles are image intensifying optical
devices that use a variety of technologies to provide
enhanced vision at night.
 Non-Com-bat-ant
[non-kuh m-bat-nt, non-kom-buh-tnt]
A non-combatant is an individual not involved in a
military force. The term is usually used in the context
of a warzone to identify non-military personnel.
 Non-Le-thal Weap-on
[non-lee-thuh l] [wep-uh n] 
Non-lethal weapons are designed to incapacitate the
target rather than to kill or seriously injure. Examples
of non-lethal weapons include gas, such as tear gas,
and stun grenades.
 Nu-cle-ar Air-burst
[noo-klee-er, nyoo- or, by metathesis, -
kyuh-ler] [air-burst] 
A nuclear airburst is a nuclear weapon that is
detonated above its target.
 Nu-cle-ar De-ter-rence
[noo-klee-er, nyoo- or, by metathesis, -kyuh-
ler] [dih-tur-uh ns, -tuhr-, -ter-]
Nuclear deterrence is the theory that possessing
nuclear weapons sufficient to destroy or severely
decimate an enemy nation's military and civilian
population will deter that enemy from attacking.
 Nu-cle-ar Ra-di-a-tion
[noo-klee-er, nyoo- or, by metathesis, -
kyuh-ler] [rey-dee-ey-shuh n]
Nuclear radiation is ionizing radiation caused by a
nuclear weapon being detonated.
 Nu-cle-ar War-fare
[noo-klee-er, nyoo- or, by metathesis, -
kyuh-ler]  [wawr-fair]
Nuclear warfare is warfare where one or more sides
has used nuclear weapons.
 Nu-cle-ar Weap-on
[noo-klee-er, nyoo- or, by metathesis, -
kyuh-ler] ] [wep-uh n] 
A nuclear weapon consists of a missile, rocket, bomb
or artillery shell armed with a nuclear warhead.
 Ob-ser-va-tion
[ob-zur-vey-shuh n]
[hel-i-kop-ter, hee-li-] 
An observation helicopter is a helicopter designed
for reconnaissance missions, as well as directing
artillery fire and guiding airstrikes.
 Op-er-a-tion
[op-uh-rey-shuh n]
An operation is a military mission with a clearly
defined objective or objectives.
 Or-di-nance
[awr-dn-uh ns]
refers to ammunition for weapons as well as
explosives and other similar items.
 Par-a-drop
[pah-rah, pahr-ah-[drop] 
refers to troops, weapons and supplies that are
dropped by parachute from aircraft.
 Par-a-mil-i-tar-y Forces
[par-uh-mil-i-ter-ee] [fawrs, fohrs]
A paramilitary force is a military force that has no
allegiance to the military of a particular country but
is organized and run in the same manner.
 Pas-sive Air De-fense
[pas-iv] [air] [dih-fens or, especially for
7, 9, dee-fens]
Passive air defense is used to combat the danger of
enemy airpower without actively attacking aircraft.
Examples include the camouflaging of targets to
prevent them from being seen and dispersal of
forces.
 Peace-keep-ing
[pees-kee-ping]
is the action of a third party between warring forces,
enforcing a cease fire or other truce, usually in
support of political moves towards a lasting peace
settlement.
 Pre-emp-tive At-tack
[pree-emp-tiv] [uh-tak]
A pre-emptive attack is an attack carried out in
advance of an expected enemy attack.
 Pre-ci-sion Bomb-ing
[pri-sizh-uh n] [bom-ing]
is the use of guided weapons such as bombs and
missiles to attack important enemy targets. Precision
bombing is also used in an attempt to avoid civilian
casualties when attacking targets in urban areas.