|
α
|
Glossary
|
|
A
|
|
|
Airburst
|
Nuclear weapon explosion at such a
height that the expanding fireball does
not touch the earth's surface when the
luminosity is a maximum.
|
|
Aramco
|
Saudi Arabian-American Oil Company.
|
|
AI
|
Area of interest: Geographical area
from which information and intelligence
are required to permit planning or
successful conduct of the command's
operation. The AI is usually larger
than the command's AO and battlespace;
it includes any threat forces or
characteristics of the battlefield
environment that will significantly
influence accomplishment of the
command's mission.
|
|
AO
|
Area of operations: Portion of a
conflict area necessary for military
operations. AOs are geographical areas
assigned to commanders for which they
have responsibility and in which they
have the authority to conduct military
operations.
|
|
B
|
TOP
|
|
Battlespace
|
Components determined by the maximum
capabilities of a unit to acquire and
dominate the enemy, includes areas
beyond the area of operations and
varies over time according to how the
commander positions his assets.
|
|
Beta particle
|
Charged particle of very small mass
emitted spontaneously from the nuclei
of certain radioactive elements. Most
of the direct fission products emit
(negative) beta particles. Physically,
the beta particle is identical with an
electron moving at high velocity.
|
|
BIDS
|
Biological integrated detection system
.
|
|
Biological agent
|
Microorganisms and toxins that cause
disease in man, plants, or animals or
cause the deterioration of materials.
|
|
Biological defense
|
Methods, plans, and procedures involved
in establishing and executing defensive
measures against attacks using
biological agents.
|
|
Biological weapons
|
Any item of material that projects,
disperses, or disseminates a biological
agent, including anthropoid vectors.
|
|
Blast wave
|
A pulse of air in which the pressure
increases sharply at the front,
accompanied by winds, and propagated
from an explosion.
|
|
Blister agent
|
Chemical compound that injures the eyes
and lungs and burns or blisters the
skin.
|
|
Blood agent
|
Chemical compound that affects bodily
function by preventing the normal
transfer of oxygen from the blood to
the body tissues. Also called cyanogen
agent.
|
|
BW
|
Biological warfare.
|
|
C
|
TOP
|
|
C
|
Celsius
|
|
CB
|
Chemical/biological.
|
|
Centigray
|
Unit of measurement for radioactivity.
|
|
cGy
|
Centigray. cGyph: Centigray per hour.
|
|
Chemical agent
|
Chemical substance intended for use in
military operations to kill, seriously
injure, or incapacitate through its
physiological actions. Excludes riot
control agents, herbicides, smoke, and
flame.
|
|
CINC
|
Commander-in-chief.
|
|
CMA
|
Chemical Manufacturers Association.
|
|
COA
|
Course of action: A possible plan open
to an individual or commander that
would accomplish or is related to
mission accomplishment. A COA is
initially stated in broad terms with
the details determined during staff
wargaming.
|
|
Collective protection
|
Use of shelters to provide a
contamination-free environment for
personnel and equipment.
Collective-protection shelter: A
shelter, with filtered air, that
provides a contamination-free
environment for personnel/equipment and
allows relief from increased protective
postures.
|
|
Contamination
|
Deposit and/or absorption of
radioactive, biological, or chemical
agents on and by structures, areas,
personnel, or objects; food and/or
water made unfit for human consumption
by the presence of environmental
chemicals, chemical agents, radioactive
elements, bacteria, or organisms.
Contamination avoidance: Individual
and/or unit measures taken to avoid or
minimize NBC attacks and reduce NBC
hazard effects.
|
|
CPE
|
Collective-protection equipment.
|
|
D
|
TOP
|
|
Decontaminate
|
To break down, neutralize, or remove a
chemical, biological or radioactive
material.
|
|
Depleted uranium
|
DU: Uranium with a concentration of
Uranium-235 smaller than that found in
nature (0.711 percent). It is largely
obtained as by-product "tails" of the
uranium enrichment process.
|
|
E
|
TOP
|
|
EDM
|
Effective downwind message.
|
|
EMP
|
Electromagnetic pulse: A sharp pulse of
radio frequency (long wavelength)
electromagnetic radiation produced when
an explosion occurs in an unsymmetrical
environment, especially at or near the
earth's surface or at high altitudes.
The intense electric and magnetic
fields can damage unprotected
electrical and electronic equipment
over a large area.
|
|
F
|
TOP
|
|
F
|
Fahrenheit.
|
|
Fallout
|
Process or phenomenon of the descent to
the earth's surface of particles
contaminated with radioactive material
from the radioactive cloud. Term is
also applied in a collective sense to
the contaminated particulate matter
itself. The early or local fallout is
defined as those particles that reach
the earth within 24 hours after a
nuclear explosion. The delayed fallout
consists of the smaller particles that
ascend into the upper troposphere and
into the stratosphere and are carried
by winds to all parts of the earth. The
delayed fallout is brought to earth
mainly by rain or snow over extended
periods ranging from months to years.
|
|
Fission
|
The splitting of the nucleus of a heavy
atom into two lighter nuclei. It is
accompanied by the release of neutrons,
gamma rays, and kinetic energy of the
fission products. It is usually
triggered by collision with a neutron,
but in some cases can be induced by
protons and other particles or gamma
rays.
|
|
Fizzle
|
The initiation of the fission chain
reaction in the fissile material of a
nuclear weapon at any time before the
designed criticality or the maximum
compression or degree of assembly is
attained. Also called "pre-initiation."
|
|
FRAGO
|
Fragmentary order.
|
|
FROG
|
Free rocket over ground.
|
|
Fuel processing plant
|
A plant where irradiated fuel elements
are dissolved, waste materials removed,
and reusable materials recovered.
|
|
Fusion
|
Process by which two light nuclei
atoms, deuterium and/or tritium,
combine to form a heavier nucleus with
the release of a substantial amount of
energy. Extremely high temperatures,
resulting in highly energetic,
fast-moving nuclei, are required to
initiate fusion reactions.
|
|
G
|
TOP
|
|
Gamma radiation
|
Electromagnetic radiations of high
photon energy originating in atomic
nuclei and accompanying many nuclear
reactions such as fission. Physically,
gamma rays are identical with X-rays of
high energy.
|
|
GB
|
A nerve agent (Sarin); an
organophosphate ester derivative of
phosphoric acid.
|
|
Ground zero
|
GZ: The point of detonation for an
explosive device, usually used with
regard to nuclear devices.
|
|
Gun-type weapon
|
A gun-barrel-shaped device in which two
or more pieces of fissionable material,
each less than a critical mass, are
brought together very rapidly so as to
form a supercritical mass that can
explode as the result of a rapidly
expanding fission chain reaction.
|
|
H
|
TOP
|
|
Ha
|
Hectare; 10,000 square meters.
|
|
HD
|
Distilled mustard; a sulfur mustard
agent.
|
|
Height of burst
|
Height above the earth's surface at
which a bomb is detonated in the air.
|
|
High-altitude burst
|
A detonation at an altitude over
100,000 feet. High-payoff target.
Target whose loss to the threat will
contribute to the success of the
friendly COA.
|
|
Hydrogen bomb
|
A nuclear weapon that derives its
energy largely from fusion, also known
as a thermonuclear weapon.
|
|
I
|
TOP
|
|
ICE
|
Individual chemical equipment.
|
|
Immunize
|
To increase resistance and/or
protection from disease.
|
|
IND
|
Improvised nuclear device: Term used to
refer to any type of explosive device
designed to cause a nuclear yield.
|
|
Indicators
|
Positive or negative evidence of threat
activity or any characteristic of the
AO which points toward threat
vulnerabilities or the adoption or
rejection by the threat of a particular
capability, or which may influence the
commander's COA selection. Indicators
may result from previous actions or
from threat failure to take action.
|
|
IPB
|
Intelligence preparation of the
battlefield: Systematic, continuous
process of analyzing the threat and
environment in a specific geographic
area. It is designed to support staff
estimates and military decision making.
|
|
IR
|
Intelligence requirement: A requirement
for intelligence to fill a gap in the
command's knowledge and understanding
of the battlefield or threat forces.
They are designed to reduce the
uncertainties associated with
successful completion of a specific
friendly COA.
|
|
Ionization
|
Separation of a normally electrically
neutral atom or molecule into
electrically charged components.
|
|
IPE
|
Individual protective equipment.
|
|
Ionization
|
Separation of a normally electrically
neutral atom or molecule into
electrically charged components.
|
|
J
|
TOP
|
|
JCS
|
Joint Chief of Staff.
|
|
K
|
TOP
|
|
Kilometer
|
Km: Unit of linear measure equal to
1,000 meters or .62137 miles.
Kmph: Kilometers per hour.
|
|
KG
|
Kilogram.
|
|
L
|
TOP
|
|
LLR
|
Low-level radiation.
|
|
Loading
|
The force on an object or structure or
element of a structure. The loading due
to blast is equal to the net pressure
in excess of the ambient value
multiplied by the area of the loaded
object.
|
|
Low-level radiation
|
Exposure from radioactive sources that
is higher than those routinely received
by health physics workers and the
general public and are in the range
from background radiation to 70 cGy.
The primary consequence of exposure may
be induction of cancer in the
longer-term post exposure. The hazard
from LLR may result from alpha, beta,
or gamma radiation.
|
|
LRBSDS
|
Long-range biological standoff
detection system.
|
|
M
|
TOP
|
|
Mach stem (front)
|
Shock front formed by the merging of
the incident and reflected shock fronts
from an explosion. Term is generally
used with reference to a blast wave,
propagated in the air, reflected at the
earth's surface.
|
|
MOPP
|
Mission-oriented protective posture: A
flexible system that provides the
maximum NBC protection for the
individual with the lowest risk
possible and still maintains mission
accomplishment.
|
|
MSDS
|
Material safety data sheets.
|
|
N
|
TOP
|
|
NAI
|
Named area of interest: Geographical
area where information that will
satisfy a specific information
requirement can be collected. NAIs are
usually selected to capture indications
of threat COAs but also may be related
to conditions of the battlefield.
|
|
NBC
|
Nuclear, biological, and chemical .
|
|
NBCWRS
|
NBC warning and reporting system.
|
|
NEO
|
Noncombatant evacuation operations.
|
|
Neutron
|
A neutral particle (no electrical
charge) of approximately unit mass
present in all atomic nuclei except
those of ordinary hydrogen. Neutrons
are required to initiate the fission
process, and large numbers of neutrons
are produced by both fission and fusion
reactions in nuclear (or atomic)
explosions.
|
|
NIGA
|
Neutron-induced gamma activity.
|
|
NIOSH
|
National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health.
|
|
NRC
|
National Response Center.
|
|
NTIS
|
National Technical Information Service.
|
|
Nuclear radiation
|
Particulate and electromagnetic
radiation emitted from atomic nuclei in
various nuclear processes. Of
importance are alpha and beta
particles, gamma rays, and neutrons.
Nuclear reactor. A device in which a
controlled, self-sustaining nuclear
chain reaction can be maintained with
the use of cooling to remove generated
heat. Types include power reactors,
research and test reactors, and
production reactors.
|
|
Nuclear reactor
|
A device in which a controlled,
self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction
can be maintained with the use of
cooling to remove generated heat. Types
include power reactors, research and
test reactors, and production reactors.
|
|
Nuclear weapon
|
A device that releases nuclear energy
in an explosive manner as the result of
nuclear chain reactions involving the
fission or fusion, or both, of atomic
nuclei.
|
|
Nuclear yield
|
The energy released in the detonation
of a nuclear weapon expressed in
kilotons or megatons of trinitrotoluene
(TNT) required to produce the same
energy release. Yields are categorized
as:
-
Very low: less than one kiloton.
-
Low: 1 kiloton to 10 kilotons.
-
Medium: over 10 kilotons to 50
kilotons.
-
High: over 50 kilotons to 500
kilotons.
-
Very high: over 500 kilotons.
|
|
Nucleus
|
Small, central, positively charged
region of an atom which carries
essentially all the mass. Except for
hydrogen (which is a single proton),
all atomic nuclei contain both protons
and neutrons.
|
|
O
|
TOP
|
|
OPLAN
|
Operations plan.
|
|
OPORD
|
Operations order.
|
|
P
|
TOP
|
|
PMM
|
Parts per million: Measure of
proportion by weight; equivalent to a
unit weight of solute per million unit
weights of solution.
|
|
PG
|
Performance degraded.
|
|
Proton
|
A particle of mass carrying a unit
positive charge; it is identical
physically with the nucleus of the
ordinary hydrogen atom.
|
|
PIR
|
Priority intelligence requirement: An
intelligence requirement associated
with a decision that will affect the
overall success of the command's
mission. PIRs are a subset of
intelligence requirements of a higher
priority than information requirements.
PIRs are prioritized among themselves
and may change in priority over the
course of the operation's conduct. Only
the commander designates PIRs.
|
|
PSYOPS
|
Psychological operations: A planned
psychological activity in peace and war
directed towards enemy, friendly, and
neutral audiences, in order to create
attitudes and behavior favorable to the
achievement of political and military
objectives.
|
|
R
|
TOP
|
|
RV
|
Radii of vulnerability: The radius of
the circle within which friendly troops
will be exposed to a risk equal to, or
greater than, the emergency risk
criterion (5 percent combat
ineffectiveness) and/or within which
material will be subjected to a 5
percent probability of the specified
degree of damage.
|
|
Radioactivity
|
The spontaneous emission of radiation,
generally alpha or beta particles,
often accompanied by gamma rays from
the nuclei of an unstable isotope. As a
result of this emission the radioactive
isotope decays into the isotope of a
different (called a daughter) element
which may also be radioactive.
Ultimately, a stable (nonradioactive)
end product is formed.
|
|
Radiological dispersal device
|
Any device that is intended to spread
radioactive material. An improvised
nuclear device can be a radiological
dispersal device if the explosion does
not cause a nuclear yield, but
"fizzles," spreading radioactive
materials.
|
|
Rainout
|
Removal of radioactive particles from a
nuclear cloud by precipitation when the
cloud is within a rain cloud.
|
|
Reconnaissance
|
A mission undertaken to obtain
information by visual observation, or
other detection methods, about the
activities and resources of an enemy or
potential enemy, or about the
meteorologic, hydrographic, or
geographic characteristics of a
particular area. Reconnaissance differs
from surveillance primarily in duration
of the mission.
|
|
Residual nuclear radiation
|
Nuclear radiation, mainly beta
particles and gamma rays, which
persists for some time following a
nuclear (or atomic) explosion. The
radiation is emitted mainly by the
fission products and other bomb
residues in the fallout, and to some
extent by earth and water constituents,
and other materials, in which
radioactivity has been induced by the
capture of neutrons.
|
|
ROTA
|
Release other than attack.
|
|
S
|
TOP
|
|
Shielding
|
Any material or obstruction that
absorbs or attenuates radiation and
thus tends to protect personnel or
materials from explosion effects.
|
|
Shock front
|
The fairly sharp boundary between the
pressure disturbance created by an
explosion and the ambient atmosphere,
water, or earth. It constitutes the
front of the shock or blast wave.
|
|
Situation template
|
Depictions of assumed threat
dispositions, based on threat doctrine
and the effects of the battlefield, if
the threat should adopt a particular
COA. In effect, they are the doctrinal
templates depicting a particular
operation modified to account for the
effects of the battlefield environment
and the threat's current situation.
|
|
surface burst
|
The explosion of a nuclear (or atomic)
weapon at the surface of the land or
water at a height above the surface
less than the radius of the fireball at
maximum luminosity. An explosion in
which the weapon is detonated actually
on the surface (or within 5W .3 , where
W is the explosion yield in kilotons,
above or below the surface) is called a
contact surface burst or true surface
burst.
|
|
Surveillance
|
The systematic observation of airspace
or surface areas by visual, aural,
photographic, or other means.
Surveillance differs from
reconnaissance primarily in duration of
the mission.
|
|
T
|
TOP
|
|
TGD
|
Thickened Soman. Pinacolyl methyl
phosphonefluoridate. Colourless liquid,
which gives off an odour of rotting
fruit when vaporizing. The vapour is
colourless. The lethal dose for soman
through inhalation is about half that
of sarin. It is also a far more
persistent agent than sarin so that it
can easily remain in a particular area
for a day or longer, depending on the
atmospheric conditions.
|
|
Thermal energy
|
The energy emitted from the fireball
(or other heated region) as thermal
radiation.
|
|
Thermal radiation
|
Electromagnetic radiation emitted (in
two pulses from an airburst) from the
fireball as a consequence of its very
high temperature. It consists
essentially of ultraviolet, visible,
and infrared radiations.
|
|
TIC
|
Toxic industrial chemicals. Any
chemical hazard that is toxic and/or
lethal and that is not designed
specifically for military purposes,
however, may be employed as a chemical
warfare agent.
|
|
Time phase line
|
A line used to represent the movement
of forces or the flow of an operation
over time. It usually represents the
location of forces at various
increments of time, such as lines that
show unit locations at 2-hour
intervals.
|
|
U
|
TOP
|
|
Underwater burst
|
Explosion of a nuclear (or atomic)
weapon with its center beneath the
water's surface.
|
|
V
|
TOP
|
|
VX
|
A nerve agent; very persistent and
similar to GB in mechanism and effects.
|
|
W
|
TOP
|
|
Washout
|
The removal of radioactive particles
from a nuclear cloud by precipitation
when this cloud is below a rain (or
snow) cloud. See rainout.
|
|
WMD
|
Weapons of mass destruction: In arms
control usage, weapons that are capable
of a high order of destruction and/or
of being used to destroy large numbers
of people. Can be nuclear, chemical,
biological, and radiological weapons,
but the means of transporting or
propelling the weapons is excluded
where such means are separable and
divisible parts of the weapons.
|
|
X
|
TOP
|
|
X-rays
|
Electromagnetic radiations of high
energy having wavelengths shorter than
those in the ultraviolet region, that
is, less than 10 -6 cm.
|
|
Y
|
TOP
|
|
Yield
|
The total effective energy released in
a nuclear (or atomic) explosion. It is
usually expressed in terms of the
equivalent tonnage of TNT required to
produce the same energy release in an
explosion. The total energy yield is
manifested as nuclear radiation,
thermal radiation, and shock (blast)
energy, the actual distribution being
dependent upon the medium in which the
explosion occurs and also upon the type
of weapon and the time after
detonation.
|
