by FX Holden
QHS*: Quantum Harmonic Sensor; a sensor system for detecting stealth aircraft at long ranges by analyzing the electromagnetic disturbances they create in background radiation
RAAF: Royal Australian Air Force
RAF: Royal Air Force (UK)
ROE: Rules of Engagement; the rules laid down by military commanders under which a unit can or cannot engage in combat. For example, ‘units may only engage a hostile force if fired upon first’
RPG: Rocket-propelled grenade
RTB: Return to base
SAFINEH CLASS: Also known as Mowj/Wave class. An Iranian trimaran hulled high-speed missile vessel equivalent to the US LCS class, or the Russia Karakurt-class corvette
SAM: Surface-to-Air Missile; an anti-air missile (often shortened to SA) for engaging aircraft
SAR: See SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR
SCREW: The propeller used to drive a boat or ship is referred to as a screw (helical blade) propeller. Submarine propellers typically comprise five to seven blades. See also PUMP-JET PROPULSION
SEAD: Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses; an air attack intended to take down enemy anti-air defense systems; see also WILD WEASEL
SIDEWINDER: Heat-seeking short-range air-to-air missile
SITREP: Situation Report
SLR: Single lens reflex camera, favored by photojournalists
SMERCH: Russian-made 300mm rocket launcher capable of firing high-explosive, submunition or chemical weapons warheads
SPACECOM: United States Space Command (USSPACECOM or SPACECOM) is a unified combatant command of the United States Department of Defense, responsible for military operations in outer space, specifically all operations above 100 km above mean sea level
SPEAR/SPEAR-EW*: UK/Europe Select Precision at Range air-to-ground standoff attack missile, with LAUNCH AND LOITER capabilities. Will utilize a modular ‘swappable’ warhead system featuring high-explosive, anti-armor, fragmentation or electronic warfare (EW) warheads
SPETSNAZ: Russian Special Operations Forces
SPLASH: Radio brevity code indicating a target has been destroyed
SSBN: Strategic-level nuclear-powered (N) submarine platform for firing ballistic (B) missiles. Examples: UK Vanguard class, US Ohio class, Russia Typhoon class
SSC or Subsurface Contact Supervisor: Supervises operations against subsurface contacts from within a ship’s Combat Information Center
SSGN: A guided missile (G) nuclear (N) submarine that carries and launches guided cruise missiles as its primary weapon. Examples: US Ohio class, Russia Yasen class
SSK: A diesel electric-powered submarine, quieter when submerged than a nuclear-powered submarine, but must rise to snorkel depth to run its diesel and recharge its batteries. Examples: Iranian Fateh class, Russian Kilo class, Israeli Dolphin I class
SSN: A general purpose attack submarine (SS) powered by a nuclear reactor (N). Examples: HMS Agincourt, Russian Akula class
SSP: A diesel electric submarine with air-independent propulsion system able to recharge batteries without using atmospheric oxygen. Allows the submarine to stay submerged longer than a traditional SSK. Examples: Israeli Dolphin II class, Iranian Besat* class
STANDOFF: Launched at long range
STINGER: US-made man-portable, low-level anti-air missile
STINGRAY*: The MQ-25 Stingray is a Boeing-designed prototype unmanned US airborne refueling aircraft
STORMBREAKER*: US air-launched, precision-guided glide bomb that can use millimeter radar, laser or infrared imaging to match and then prioritize targets when operating in semi-autonomous AI mode
SUBSONIC: Below the speed of sound (under 767 mph, 1,234 kph)
SUNBURN: Russian-made 220mm multiple rocket launcher capable of firing high-explosive, THERMOBARIC or penetrating warheads
SUPERSONIC: Faster than the speed of sound (over 767 mph, 1,234 kph); see also HYPERSONIC
SWARM: Drones, missiles or smart bombs with onboard AI and the ability to coordinate their actions with other drones while in flight, either autonomously or using preselected protocols. ‘Swarm’ tactics differ from ‘horde’ tactics in that swarms place more emphasis on coordinated action to defeat enemy defenses. See also HORDE
SYNTHETIC APERTURE RADAR (SAR): A form of radar that is used to create two-dimensional images or three-dimensional reconstructions of objects, such as landscapes. SAR uses the motion of the radar antenna over a target region to provide finer spatial resolution than conventional beam-scanning radars
SYSOP: The systems operator inside the control station for a HELLADS battery, responsible for electronic and communications systems operation
T-14 ARMATA: Russian next-generation main battle tank or MBT. Designed as a ‘universal combat platform’ which can be adapted to infantry support, anti-armor or anti-armor configurations. First Russian MBT to be fitted with active electronically scanned array radar capable of identifying and engaging multiple air and ground targets simultaneously. Also the first Russian MBT to be fitted with a crew toilet. Used in combat in Syria from 2020
T-90: Russian-made main battle tank
TAC(P): Tactical air controller, a specialist trained to direct close air support attacks. See also CAS; FAC; JTAC
TCA: Tactical control assistant, non-commissioned officer (NCO) in charge of identifying targets and directing fire for a single HELLADS or PATRIOT battery
Tactical Action Officer, or TAO: Officer in command of a ship’s Combat Information Center
TCO: Tactical control officer, officer in charge of a single HELLADS or PATRIOT missile battery
TD: Tactical Director; the officer directing multiple PATRIOT or HELLADS batteries
TEMPEST*: British/European 6th-generation stealth aircraft under development as a replacement for the RAF Tornado multirole fighter. It is planned to incorporate advanced combat AI to reduce pilot data overload, laser anti-missile defenses, and will team with swarming drones such as BATS. It may be developed in both manned and unmanned versions
TERMINATOR: A Russian-made infantry fighting vehicle (see IFV) based on the chassis of the T-90 main battle tank, with 2x 30mm autocannons and 2x grenade or anti-tank missile launchers. Developed initially to support main battle tank operations, it has become popular for use in urban combat environments
THERMOBARIC: Weapons, otherwise known as thermal or vacuum weapons, that use oxygen from the surrounding air to generate a high-temperature explosion and long-duration blast wave
THUNDER: Radio brevity code indicating one minute to weapons impact
TOW: US wire-guide anti-tank missile, fired either from a tripod launcher by ground troops or mounted on armored cavalry vehicles
TROPHY: Israeli-made anti-projectile defense system using explosively formed penetrators to defeat attacks on vehicles, high-value assets and aircraft. It is currently fitted to several Israeli and US armored vehicle types
TUNGUSKA: A mobile Russian-made anti-aircraft vehicle incorporating both cannon and ground-to-air missiles
UAV: Unmanned aerial vehicle or drone, usually used for transport, refueling or reconnaissance
UCAS: Unmanned combat aerial support vehicle or drone
UCAV: Unmanned combat aerial vehicle; a fighter or attack aircraft
UDAR* UGV: Russian-made unmanned ground vehicle which integrates remotely operated turrets (30mm autocannon, Kornet anti-tank missile or anti-air missile) onto the chassis of a BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle. The vehicle can be controlled at a range of up to six miles (10 km) by an operator with good line of sight, or via a tethered drone relay
UGV: Unmanned ground vehicle, also UGCV: Unmanned ground combat vehicle
UI: Un-Identified, as in ‘UI contact’. See also BOGEY
UNIT 8200: Israel Defense Force cyber intelligence, cyber warfare and defense unit, aka the Israeli Signals Intelligence National Unit
URAGAN: Russian 220mm 16-tube rocket launcher, first fielded in the 1970s
U/S: Un-serviceable, out of commission, broken
USO: Unite
d Services Organizations; US military entertainment and personnel welfare services
VERBA: A Russian-made man-portable low-level anti-air missile with data networking capabilities, meaning it can use data from friendly ground or air radar systems to fly itself to a target
VYMPEL: Russian air-to-air missile manufacturer/type
WILD WEASEL: An air attack intended to take down enemy anti-air defense systems; see also SEAD
WINCHESTER: Radio brevity code for ‘out of ordnance’
X-95: Israeli bullpup-style assault rifle. Bullpup-style rifles have their action behind the trigger, allowing for a more compact and maneuverable weapon. Commonly chambered for NATO 5.56mm ammunition
YAKHONT: Also known as P-800 Onyx. Russian-made two-stage ramjet-propelled, terrain-following cruise missile. Travels at subsonic speeds until close to its target where it is boosted to up to Mach 3. Can be fired from warships, submarines, aircraft or coastal batteries at sea or ground targets
YPG: Kurdish People’s Protection Unit militia (male)
YPJ: Kurdish Women’s Protection Unit militia (female)