Home / Industry Terms and Acronyms
Industry Terms and Acronyms in Aerospace & Defense
Introduction
Understanding key industry terms and acronyms is crucial for navigating the complex aerospace, defense, and procurement landscape. Whether you work with government contracts, aerospace suppliers, or defense technology companies, having an apparent reference for these terms will facilitate efficient communication and ensure compliance.
Below is a comprehensive list of commonly used acronyms in the aerospace and defense sectors, along with their meanings and relevance to the industry. Please get in touch with us if you would like to add additional acronyms that can be useful to others in our space.
Aerospace & Defense Acronyms Glossary
A
AFCS - Automatic Flight Control System
A system that automatically controls the flight of an aircraft, assisting the pilot in maintaining flight stability and reducing workload.
ALR - Active Lock Radar
A radar system that detects and locks onto targets, actively tracking them to provide real-time data for military and defense purposes.
APU - Auxiliary Power Unit
A device that provides power to aircraft systems when the main engines are not running is typically used for starting engines and powering onboard equipment.
B
BAA - Broad Agency Announcement
A competitive solicitation for research and development funding, typically used by government agencies to acquire innovative solutions.
BDA - Bomb Damage Assessment
The evaluation of the extent of damage caused by a bombing strike, used to determine the effectiveness of military operations.
BLOS - Beyond Line of Sight
Communication or operations that extend beyond the direct visual range are often used in military and satellite communications.
BPA - Blanket Purchase Agreement
A long-term agreement between a buyer and seller to provide goods or services at predefined prices, with flexibility for future orders.
C
CAR - Corrective Action Request
A request is issued when non-conformance is identified, requiring corrective actions to address deficiencies in processes or products.
CED - Critical Environment Device
A device designed to operate in environments where failure could result in significant harm or impact, often used in aerospace or defense sectors.
CEM - Critical Environment Material
Materials that must meet specific standards for use in sensitive or hazardous environments, such as aerospace or defense applications.
COC - Certificate of Conformance
A document confirming that a product or service meets required specifications and quality standards.
D
DAS - Distributed Antenna System
A network of spatially separated antennas connected to a common source to improve communication coverage in large areas.
DHC - Dynamically Harmonized Control
A system that adapts control parameters in real-time to optimize system performance.
DMSMS - Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages
The problem is sourcing parts and materials that are no longer produced or are in limited supply.
DOD - Department of Defense
A U.S. government department is responsible for overseeing national security and military operations.
E
ECM - Electronic Countermeasure
A system designed to disrupt or neutralize enemy radar, communications, and targeting systems.
EIRP - Effective Isotropic Radiated Power
A measure of a radio signal's strength in a particular direction.
EPIRB - Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon
A distress beacon is used to transmit location signals for search and rescue operations.
F
FCI – Federal Contract Information
Sensitive but unclassified information related to government contracts.
FMS - Flight Management System
A system that automates the flight planning, navigation, and operational tasks of aircraft.
FMS - Foreign Military Sales
A program that allows foreign governments to purchase U.S. military equipment and services.
FN – Factory New
Refers to equipment, parts, or systems that are brand new, straight from the manufacturer.
FOD - Foreign Object Debris
Objects found in inappropriate places, such as aircraft runways or engine compartments, that can cause damage.
FPGA - Field-Programmable Gate Array
A semiconductor device that can be programmed after manufacturing to perform specific tasks.
FAR - Federal Acquisition Regulation
A set of regulations governing federal agencies' acquisition of goods and services.
G
GSE - Ground Support Equipment
Equipment used to support aircraft on the ground, such as tow trucks, power units, and luggage carts.
GNC - Guidance, Navigation, and Control
Systems that direct and stabilize a vehicle or aircraft during flight.
GSA - General Services Administration
A U.S. government agency is responsible for supporting federal agencies' basic functions, including purchasing and contracting.
H
HAZMAT - Hazardous Materials
Substances that are dangerous or pose a risk to health, safety, or the environment.
HUD - Head-Up Display
A transparent display system that presents data to the user while allowing them to maintain focus on their surroundings.
I
IADS - Integrated Air Defense System
A network of air defense systems designed to protect a country from aerial threats.
IFR - Instrument Flight Rules
Regulations for flying aircraft solely using instruments, rather than visual references, to navigate and control the aircraft.
IMU - Inertial Measurement Unit
A device that measures an aircraft's or vehicle's acceleration, velocity, and orientation using gyroscopes and accelerometers.
INS - Inertial Navigation System
A system that uses the IMU to calculate an aircraft's or vehicle's position and velocity over time.
IRIG - Inter-Range Instrumentation Group
A set of standards for communication systems used in military and aerospace test ranges.
K
- KPP - Key Performance Parameter
A critical system or equipment performance requirement is necessary for mission success.
L
LIDAR - Light Detection and Ranging
A remote sensing method that uses laser light to measure distances and create detailed maps or 3D models of the environment.
LRIP - Low Rate Initial Production
The early production phase of a new product is designed to validate manufacturing processes before full-scale production begins.
M
MAC - Multiple Award Contract
A contract where multiple vendors are selected to provide goods or services under similar terms.
MAE - Missile Attack Engineering
Engineering focused on designing and developing missile systems and defense strategies against missile threats.
MRO - Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul
The processes involved in maintaining and repairing equipment or systems to ensure operational readiness.
MSDS - Material Safety Data Sheet
A document that provides information about the safety and handling of hazardous materials.
MTBF - Mean Time Between Failures
A measure of reliability for a system, indicating the average time between system failures.
N
NAVAIR - Naval Air Systems Command
A U.S. Navy command that is responsible for developing, procuring, and maintaining naval aviation systems.
O
OEM - Original Equipment Manufacturer
A company that produces parts or products that are used in another company's end products.
P
PDR - Preliminary Design Review
A review process to evaluate the initial design of a system or product to ensure it meets requirements.
PMA - Parts Manufacturer Approval
An authorization from the FAA for a manufacturer to produce parts for aircraft
R
REACH - Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals
An EU regulation aimed to ensure safe chemical use and protect human health and the environment.
RCS - Radar Cross Section
A measure of how detectable an object is by radar, often used in stealth technology to reduce visibility.
RFI - Request for Information
A formal request is made to gather information about potential suppliers or solutions before issuing a request for a proposal.
RFP - Request for Proposal
A formal solicitation is used to request bids for a project or service.
RFP-E - Request for Proposal, Electronic
A version of the RFP submitted electronically.
RFQ - Request for Quote
A request made to obtain pricing and terms from suppliers for a product or service.
RFA - Request for Applications
A solicitation for organizations to submit applications to participate in a project or program.
RFPQ - Request for Proposal Quote
A request for a specific quote in response to a request for proposal.
RTCA - Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics
A non-profit organization that develops consensus-based standards for aviation.
S
SDS - Safety Data Sheet
A document that details the properties, handling, and safety precautions related to chemicals.
SCA - Service Contract Act
U.S. legislation governing wages and working conditions for workers under federal service contracts.
SCA - Statement of Conditions
A document outlining the conditions and requirements for a specific project or contract.
SOO - Statement of Objectives
A document that outlines the desired outcomes of a project without prescribing specific methods for achieving them.
SQAR - Supplier Quality Assurance Report
A report assessing the quality performance of a supplier.
SOW - Statement of Work
A document that outlines the work to be performed under a contract, including objectives, deliverables, and timelines.
T
T&M - Time and Materials
A contract type in which payment is based on the time spent and materials used to complete a project.
TAR - Technical Assistance Request
A request for specialized technical support or advice related to a project.
TDP - Technical Data Package
A collection of documents detailing a product or system's technical requirements and specifications.
TDR - Technical Data Requirements
Specifications that outline the necessary technical data to support a project.
TDS - Technical Data Sheet
A document containing detailed information about a product's technical properties.
T&E - Testing and Evaluation
The process of testing systems or components to verify they meet specified requirements.
TAP - Technology Assessment Program
A program that evaluates and assesses new technologies for potential implementation.
T/R – Test Reports
Documents that summarize the results and findings of tests conducted on a product or system.
TRR - Test Readiness Review
A review is conducted before a test to ensure all necessary preparations and criteria are met.
U
- UAV - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
An aircraft operating without a human pilot is commonly used for surveillance, reconnaissance, or combat.
V
- VSTOL - Vertical/Short Take-Off and Landing
Aircraft capable of taking off and landing in restricted spaces, either vertically or in short distances.
W
WBS - Work Breakdown Structure
A hierarchical structure is used to organize and define the total scope of a project into manageable sections.
WGS - Wideband Global SATCOM
A U.S. military satellite communications system providing global communication coverage for military operations.
This glossary is a quick reference for aerospace, defense, and procurement professionals. Being informed about industry terminology is essential for compliance, effective communication, and successful contract execution in military and government projects.
