Armor Terminology

Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Armor Terminology

Posted by Phil_H on Sunday, February 18, 2007 12:49 AM

Glossary of Armor Terms/Acronyms

A: Alpha

AA : Anti-Aircraft

AAA: Anti-Aircraft Artillery

AAV : Amphibious Assault Vehicle (See AMTRAC, LVT)

AAVP : Amphibious Assault Vehicle (Personnel)

ACAV : Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle

ACE : Armored Combat Earthmover

ACR : Armored Cavalry Regiment

ACU : Army Combat Uniform

AD : Armor(ed) Division

ADA : Air Defense Artillery

AFV : Armored Fighting Vehicle

ALICE : All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment

AMTRAC : Amphibian Tractor (See LVT)

AP : Armour Piercing

APC : Armored Personnel Carrier

APFSDS : Armor Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot

APFSDS-T : Armor Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot with Tracer

API : Armor Piercing Incendiary

APU : Auxilliary Power Unit

ARVN : Army of the Republic of Vietnam

Arty : Artillery

ARV : Armored Recovery Vehicle

AT : Anti-Tank

ATGW : Anti-Tank Guided Weapon (Also ATGM : Anti-Tank Guided Munition)

Ausf : Ausführung - Version

AVLB : Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge

AVLM : Armored Vehicle Launched MICLIC

B: Bravo

BAR : Browning Automatic Rifle

BDU : BattleDress Uniform

BFA : Blank Firing Adaptor/(attachment)

BFV : Bradley Fighting Vehicle

BFT : "Blue Force" Tracker

BII : Basic Issue Items (pioneer tools on a vehicle, like shovel, pick axe, axe, wrenches, etc.) Sometimes called OVM Operator Vehicle Maintenance

Bn : Battalion

BMP : Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty - Soviet/Russian built Tracked Infantry Combat Vehicle

BRDM : Boyevaya Razvedyvatelnaya Dozornaya Mashina - Soviet/Russian built Combat Reconnaissance/Patrol Vehicle

BRE : Bustle Rack Extension

BTR : Bronetransporter - Soviet/Russian built Armored Transport Vehicle (Wheeled)

C: Charlie

C-RAM : Counter Rocket, Artliiery, Mortar - Area defense system utulising a ground-based version of the naval 20mm Phalanx CIWS

C4 : Composition 4 Plastic Explosive

CARC : Chemical Agent Resistant Coating

CCP : Casualty Collection Point

CEV : Combat Engineer Vehicle

CFV : Cavalry Fighting Vehicle

CIP : Combat Identification Panel

CITV : Commanders Independent Thermal Viewer

CLAMS : Clear Lane Marking System

Co : Company

CO : Commanding Officer

CP : Command Post

CVC : Combat Vehicle Crewmen

D: Delta

DCU : Desert Camouflage Uniform

DEUCE : Deployable Universal Combat Earthmover

Deuce-and-a-half : 2 1/2 Ton Truck

DPICM : Dual Purpose Improved Conventional Munition

DU - Depleted Uranium

DWFK : Deep Water Fording Kit

DZ : Drop Zone

E: Echo

EAAK : Enhanced Applique Armor Kit

EFP : Explosively formed Penetrator (See SFF)

EOD : Explosive Ordnance Disposal

EPLRS : Enhanced Position Locating Reporting System

ERA : Explosive Reactive Armor

F: Foxtrot

FASCAM : Field Artillery SCAttered Mines

FCS : Fire Control System

FEBA : Forward Edge of Battlefield Area

FIST : Fire Support Team

FLAK : Flieger Abwehr Kanone - literally Anti-aircraft gun

FLOT : Forward Line of Own Troops

FOSD : Fly Over Shoot Down

FROG : Free Rocket Over Ground

FS 595 : (US) Federal Standard color coding system

FSV : Fire Support Vehicle

G: Golf

GDLS : General Dynamics Land Systems

GMC : General Motors Corp

GMC : Gun Motor Carriage

GPMG : General Purpose Machine Gun

GPS : Global Positioning System

GPS : Gunner's Primary sight

Grouser : Removable track shoe which may be added to track to provide additional traction in slippery conditions (eg. snow/mud)

H: Hotel

HE : High Explosive

HEAT : High Explosive Anti-Tank

HEAP : High Explosive Anti-Personnel

HEDP : High Explosive Dual Purpose

HEI : High Explosive Incendiary

HEMTT : Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck

HESH : High Explosive Squash Head

HET : Heavy Equipment Transporter

HMG : Heavy Machine Gun

HMMWV : High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle

HOT : (French: Haut subsonique Optiquement téléguidé tiré d'un Tube), or "High-subsonic, Optically teleguided, Tube-fired" Anti-tank missile

HLS : Heliopter Landing Site

HQ : Headquarters

HVSS : Horizontal Volute Suspension system

I: India

IBA : Interceptor Body Armor

ICOR : Infantry COmbat Regiment (Korean War era reference)

ICV : Infantry Combat Vehicle

ICWS : Improved Commander's Weapon Station. Commander's cupola and gun mount on the M1A2.

ID : Infantry Division

IDF : Israeli Defence Forces

IED : Improvised Explosive Device

IFOR : Implementation FORce

IFV : Infantry Fighting Vehicle

IR : Infra-Red

ITV : Improved TOW Vehicle, the M901

J: Juliet

JGSDF : Japan Ground Self-Defence Force

K: Kilo

K-Pot : Unofficial nickname for US Issue Kevlar Helmet

KE : Kinetic Energy

KFOR : Kosovo FORce

KwK : KampfwagenKanone - Fighting vehicle cannon/gun

L: Lima

LAV : Light Armored Vehicle

LAW : Light Anti-Tank Weapon

LBE : Load Bearing Equipment

LBV : Load Bearing Vest

LOS : Line Of Sight

LRV : Light Reconnaisance vehicle

LVT : Landing Vehicle, Tracked

LZ : Landing Zone

M: Mike

MARPAT : MARine PATtern camouflage (uniform)

MAW : Medium Antitank Weapon, the Dragon

MCB : Mine Clearing Blade

MCD : Missile Countermeasure Device

MCLOS : Manual Command Line Of Sight, a type of ATGM like the AT-3 Sagger

MCRS : Mine Clearing Roller System

MERDC : Mobility Equipment Research & Design Command

MEU : Marine Expeditionary Unit

MG : Machine Gun

MICLIC : Mine Clearing Line Charge

MICV : Mechanised Infantry Combat Vehicle

MILAN : (French) Missile d´infanterie léger antichar

MILES : Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System

MLRS : Multiple Launch Rocket System

MOLLE : Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment

MOPP : Mission Oriented Protective Posture

MPAT : Multi-Purpose Anti-Tank

MRAP : Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle

MRE : Meal, Ready to Eat

MRS : Muzzle Reference Sensor

MRV : Medium Reconnaisance Vehicle

N: November

NATO : North Atlantic Treaty Organization

NBC : Nuclear/Biological/Chemical

NOD(S) : Night Observation Device(S)

NTC: National Training Center

NVG : Night Vision Goggles

O: Oscar

OD : Olive Drab

ODS : Operation Desert Storm

OIF : Operation Iraqi Freedom

OP : Observation Post

OPFOR : OPposing FOrce(s)

P: Papa

PAK : Panzer Abwehr Kanone - literally, Anti-tank gun

PATRIOT : Phased Array TRacking Intercept Of Target

PLGR : Precision Lightweight GPS Receiver

Plt : Platoon

POL : Petroleum, Oils, Lubricants

Pzkpfw : Panzerkampfwagen - Armored Combat Vehicle

Q: Quebec

QCB : Quick Change Barrel

QRF: Quick Reaction Force

R: Romeo

RAAC : Royal Australian Armoured Corps

RAL : "Reichsausschuss für Lieferbedingungen" - RAL - (Committee of the German Reich for Terms and Conditions of Sale).

RAR : Royal Australian Regiment

RBA : Ranger Body Armor

REFORGER : REturn of FORces to GERmany

ROE : Rules Of Engagement

RPG : Rocket Propelled Grenade

RCL : Recoilless Rifle

S: Sierra

Sabot : Collar or boot allowing a smaller diameter projectile to be fired from a barrel with a larger bore diameter.

SACEUR : Supreme Allied Commander, EURope

SACLOS : Semi Automatic Command Line Of Sight, a type of ATGM such as TOW, Milan, or Dragon

SAM : Surface to Air Missile

SAW : Squad Automatic Weapon

Sdkfz : Sonder Kraftfahrzeug - ‘special-purpose vehicle'

SEP : System Enhancement Program (Upgrade program for the M1A2 Abrams)

SFF : Self Forging Fragment (See EFP)

SFOR : Stabilization FORce

SHAFE (SHAPE) : Supreme Headquarters Allied Forces Europe

SINCGARS : Single-Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System

SITREP : SITuation REPort

SLAP : Saboted Light Armor Piercing

SMG : Sub Machine Gun

SOP : Standard Operating Procedure

SP : Self Propelled

SPAAG : Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun

Spall : Fragments breaking away from the inner surface of an armor plate as a result of the impact/detonation/penetration of a projectile.

SPAT : Self-Propelled Anti-Tank

T: Tango

TC : Tank (also track/truck) Commander

TIS : Thermal Imaging System

TO&E : Table of Organization and Equipment

TOW : Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided antitank missile

TT : Tank Table

TUA : TOW Under Armor

TUSK : Tank Urban Survival Kit

TWMP : Track Width Mine Plow

U: Uniform

UAAPU : Under Armor Auxiliary Power Unit

UGWS : Upgunned Weapons Station

USAREUR : US ARmy, EURope

UXO : UneXploded Ordnance

V: Victor

VB-IED : Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device. Basically a car bomb.

VCSU : Vapor Compression System Unit (Part of the M1A2 SEP Thermal Management System)

VT : Variable Time (Fuse)

VVSS : Vertical Volute Suspension System

W: Whiskey

WP : "Willie Pete" or White Phosphorous

X: X-Ray

Y: Yankee

Z: Zulu

ZSU : Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka - Soviet/Russian Self Propelled Anti-Aircraft system

Updated 1 Sept. 2012

Reply

berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Sunday, February 18, 2007 9:13 AM

How about IED- Improvised Explosive Device. I have also seen SHAPE Charge. What does that stand for?

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

Reply

Gun Tech

Member since
August 2006
From: Oromocto, Canada

Posted by Gun Tech on Sunday, February 18, 2007 10:56 AM

Great work from both of you fellows

Jean-Michel "Arte et Marte"

Reply

Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Posted by Phil_H on Sunday, February 18, 2007 5:02 PM

berny13 wrote:
How about IED- Improvised Explosive Device. I have also seen SHAPE Charge. What does that stand for?

Hi Berny,

IED is already there. I am not sure, but from what I have been able to find, it looks like "shape charge" is a mis-use or contraction of the term "shaped charge". Can anyone confirm/deny?

Cheers

PS: Already have a few more to add

Reply

Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Posted by Phil_H on Sunday, February 18, 2007 11:53 PM

Main list Updated:

Additions:

BAR : Browning Automatic Rifle
C4 : Composition 4 Plastic Explosive
EFP : Explosively formed Penetrator (See SFF)
FS 595 : (US) Federal Standard color coding system
HESH : High Explosive Squash Head
IFOR : Implementation FORce
KE : Kinetic Energy
KFOR : Kosovo FORce
MERDC : Mobility Equipment Research & Design Command
NATO : North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NTC: National Training Center
RAL : "Reichsausschuss für Lieferbedingungen" - RAL - (Committee of the German Reich for Terms and Conditions of Sale).
REFORGER : REturn of FORces to GERmany
ROE : Rules Of Engagement
SFF : Self Forging Fragment (See EFP)
SFOR : Stabilization FORce
SMG : Sub Machine Gun
Spall : Fragments breaking away from the inner surface of an armor plate as a result of the impact/detonation/penetration of a projectile.
TO&E : Table of Organization and Equipment

Reply

amaineman57

Member since
March 2006

Posted by amaineman57 on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 8:17 AM

Just as the name implies, a "shaped" charge is a warhead or explosive "shaped" either by itself, or in a HEAT round, by the shell casing , or a copper jacket, into a cone which focuses the explosive forces to a small confined area, usually turning the copper cone into a molten jet of liquified metal which burns through armor plate. Classic example we have all seen is the RPG-7 projectile.

Reply

Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Posted by Phil_H on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 5:05 PM

This is truly fascinating... http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/bullets2-shaped-charge.htm

Reply

Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 8:58 PM

Phil_H wrote:

berny13 wrote:
How about IED- Improvised Explosive Device. I have also seen SHAPE Charge. What does that stand for?
Hi Berny,
IED is already there. I am not sure, but from what I have been able to find, it looks like "shape charge" is a mis-use or contraction of the term "shaped charge". Can anyone confirm/deny?
Cheers
PS: Already have a few more to add

Gotta add VB-IED or vehicle borne improvised explosive device. Basically a car bomb.

CVC combat vehicle crewmen
TT tank table
TC tank (also track/truck) commander
DPICM dual purpose improved conventional munition
MPAT multi-purpose anti-tank
SPAT self-propelled anti-tank

and Recoilless Rifle should be RCL. It is used to avoid confusion between the most common use of RR, which is railroad.

Reply

Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Posted by Phil_H on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 10:14 PM

Thanks Rob, much appreciated.

Updated as listed above, and added following:

ACAV : Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicle
ACU : Army Combat Uniform
AFV : Armored Fighting Vehicle
BDU : BattleDress Uniform
DCU : Desert Camouflage Uniform
FLOT : Forward Line of Own Troops
HQ : Headquarters
MARPAT : MARine PATtern camouflage (uniform)
OPFOR : OPposing FOrce

Reply

yoyokel

Member since
February 2010

Posted by yoyokel on Monday, March 5, 2007 3:24 PM

Wheres "FUBAR" ?

or "SNAFU"?

" All movements go too far "

Reply

Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Posted by Phil_H on Monday, March 5, 2007 11:25 PM

Auntie Matter wrote:
Wheres "FUBAR" ? or "SNAFU"?

Berny already has them in the Aircraft list

Reply

m60a3

Member since
April 2005
From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)

Posted by m60a3 on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 11:22 AM

How about MICLIC?

Mine Clearing Line Charge?

60

"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.

Reply

m60a3

Member since
April 2005
From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)

Posted by m60a3 on Saturday, March 10, 2007 1:26 PM

I see you went back and added it. Cool. Glad I could add something in there.

60

"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.

Reply

Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Posted by Phil_H on Saturday, March 10, 2007 3:29 PM

m60a3 wrote:

I see you went back and added it. Cool. Glad I could add something in there.
60

Cheers

Anything else you (or anyone) can suggest is more than welcome. Smile [:)]

Reply

kenny_conklin

Member since
May 2003
From: Staten Island, New York

Posted by kenny_conklin on Saturday, March 10, 2007 8:54 PM

didnt see these

SITREP - SITuation REPort

SOP - Standard Operating Procedure

FOSD - Fly Over Shoot Down

"Rakkasans Lead the Way!"

Reply

m60a3

Member since
April 2005
From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)

Posted by m60a3 on Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:07 PM

Well if you want to go back a few years,

Angry 39

Prick 25

And then there was the SALUTE report to describe an enemy;

Size
Activity
Location
Unit
Terrain
Equipment

"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.

Reply

kenny_conklin

Member since
May 2003
From: Staten Island, New York

Posted by kenny_conklin on Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:09 PM

remember the salute one used it as a a 11H (TOW) alot.

"Rakkasans Lead the Way!"

Reply

kenny_conklin

Member since
May 2003
From: Staten Island, New York

Posted by kenny_conklin on Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:11 PM

cant remember our own for how much ammo how many causalties and stuff like that and it is bugging me.

"Rakkasans Lead the Way!"

Reply

m60a3

Member since
April 2005
From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)

Posted by m60a3 on Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:14 PM

Would it be a "Green 10" or 12? Closing report?

60

"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.

Reply

kenny_conklin

Member since
May 2003
From: Staten Island, New York

Posted by kenny_conklin on Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:21 PM

forgot those we did use them . it was the SITREP (i am an idiot i posted that) but i only remember the rep part not the sit part.

S

I

T

Rounds

Equipment

Personel

be out long enough i am getting confused

"Rakkasans Lead the Way!"

Reply

m60a3

Member since
April 2005
From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)

Posted by m60a3 on Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:25 PM

That's me.

I don't remember either...arghhh!

60

"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.

Reply

kenny_conklin

Member since
May 2003
From: Staten Island, New York

Posted by kenny_conklin on Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:29 PM

i thought with age came wisdom but wisdom just flew out the window for me lol

"Rakkasans Lead the Way!"

Reply

m60a3

Member since
April 2005
From: I am at play in the fields of the Lord. (Texas)

Posted by m60a3 on Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:33 PM

Look on the bright side, Kenny. Would you trade what you know now for your knowledge then?
I know, I know. If we only knew now what we didn't know then. Such is life...

60

"I lay like a small idea in a vacant mind" - Wm. Least Heat Moon "I am at the center of the earth." - Black Elk My FSM friends are the best.

Reply

kenny_conklin

Member since
May 2003
From: Staten Island, New York

Posted by kenny_conklin on Saturday, March 10, 2007 9:37 PM

no not at all , maybe a few thigs i would change but who wouldnt :)

"Rakkasans Lead the Way!"

Reply

armornut

Member since
March 2007
From: Northeast WA State

Posted by armornut on Sunday, April 22, 2007 3:36 PM

SITREP,SITuation REPort maybe, for W whiskey, white phospherous (willy pete)

we're modelers it's what we do

Reply

Vassar-13

Member since
June 2007
From: Vassar, Michigan

Posted by Vassar-13 on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 8:07 AM

In M*A*S*H they talk about ICOR which stands for Infantry Combat Regiment.

Reply

usmc1371

Member since
October 2005
From: Maryland

Posted by usmc1371 on Thursday, June 21, 2007 11:10 AM

kenny_conklin wrote:
cant remember our own for how much ammo how many causalties and stuff like that and it is bugging me.

Are you talking about an "ACE" report: Ammo, Casualties, Equipment ?

-Jesse

Reply

berny13

Member since
February 2003
From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley

Posted by berny13 on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 8:01 AM

Should SHAFE, Supreme Headquarters Allied Forces Europe, be included?

Berny

Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale.

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale. F-4 Phantom Group Build.

Reply

Phil_H

Member since
August 2005
From: Sydney, Australia

Posted by Phil_H on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 9:42 AM

berny13 wrote:
Should SHAFE, Supreme Headquarters Allied Forces Europe, be included?

Not really armor specific, but added it anyway, plus SACEUR and USAREUR for good measure. Actually, it appears the the US Department of State and NATO abbreviate it as "SHAPE".

Reply

Rob Gronovius

Member since
December 2002
From: Fort Knox

Posted by Rob Gronovius on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 10:06 AM

Here's a few:

ACE Armored Combat Earthmover
DEUCE Deployable Universal Combat Earthmover
BII Basic Issue Items (pioneer tools on a vehicle, like shovel, pick axe, axe, wrenches, etc.) Sometimes called OVM Operator Vehicle Maintenance

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