GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The exact definitions of some abbreviations have been amended slightly to make their meanings clearer.

AA	anti-aircraft
AAA	anti-aircraft artillery
AAW	anti-air warfare
ABM	anti-ballistic missile
ACNS (P)	Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy)
ACR	Admiral Commanding Reserves
AD	(1) Air Defence; (2) aircraft-direction, describing ships fitted with highly developed electronic equipment for the direction of carrier-borne and shore-based aircraft
ADEX	air defence exercise
AEGIS	sophisticated naval air defence system developed by the US Navy. The automatic fire control system coordinates missile defences against incoming missiles from surface, subsurface and air threats
AEW	airborne early warning
AFO	Admiralty Fleet Order (administrative instructions)
AFPRB	Armed Forces Pay Review Body (independent body which recommends levels of service pay in the armed forces)
AFS (H)	auxiliary forward support ship operating helicopters
AIM-9	Sidewinder air-to-air missile (carried by SHAR and A-4Q)
AMP	Assisted Maintenance Period (routine period of ship maintenance with assistance from external engineering staff)
AMRAAM	advanced medium-range air-to-air missile
ANZUK	Australia New Zealand United Kingdom (FPDA)
APLIS	Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station (submarine ops evaluation)
ARG	Amphibious Ready Group (UK amphibious force)
AS.12	air-to-surface missile (carried by Wasp helicopter)
ASW	anti-submarine warfare
ATG	Amphibious Task Group
AUTEC	Atlantic Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre in the Bahamas
AWRE	Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston, in the Thames Valley
A-4Q	Skyhawk attack aircraft
BFL	British Fishery Limit
BOST	basic operational sea training
BRITFOLEB	British Force Lebanon
BRNC	Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, Devon, for the education and general naval training of junior officers
CACS	Computer Assisted Command System (ship’s computerised operations command and control system)
CAG	Carrier Air Group
CAP	Combat Air Patrol
CASEVAC	casualty evacuation (frequently by helicopter)
CBFFI	Commander British Forces Falkland Islands
CBG	Carrier Battle Group (US selfcontained naval squadron based on a major aircraft carrier with escorts and full support)
CCIS	command and control information systems
Cdo	Royal Marine Commando (‘battalion’ size unit)
CDS	Chief of the Defence Staff
CENTO	Central Treaty Organisation, set up in 1955 between UK, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Pakistan
CINCHAN	NATO Commander in Chief Channel (normally held by the UK CINCFLEET)
CINCEASTLANT	NATO Commander in Chief Eastern Atlantic Area (normally held by the UK CINCFLEET)
CINCFLEET	Commander in Chief Fleet
CIWS	close-in weapon system (inner layer of defence against incoming anti-ship missiles, normally a rapid firing gun)
CJO	Chief of Joint Operations
Cmnd	Government Command Document (SDE etc)
CMS	coastal minesweeper
CODLAG	combined diesel, electric and gas turbine propulsion system
COMATG	Commander Amphibious Task Group
COMAW	Commodore Amphibious Warfare
COMDJTF	NATO Commander Deployable Joint Task Force
COMPHIBRON	Commander Amphibious Squadron (USN/USMC squadron)
COMUKMARFOR	Commander UK Maritime Force
COMUKTG	Commander UK Task Group
COSAG	combined steam and gas (dualpropulsion system for ships)
COST	Committee on Officer Structure and Training
CTCRM	Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, at Lympstone in Devon
CTF	(1) Commander Task Force; (2) Coalition Task Force (followed by the Task Force number)
CTG	Commander Task Group
CTU	Commander Task Unit
CVF	Carrier Vessel Future (the Future Aircraft Carrier)
CVS	small carrier operating STOVL aircraft (the Invincible class antisubmarine warfare carriers, built as command ships of ASW forces)
DC	Defence Council Document (NATO)
DCI	Defence Council Instructions (replaced AFOs)
DD	Destroyer (large escort ship, usually air-defence)
DED	docking and essential defect repair
DEFCON	Defence Readiness State (US forces)
DESO	Defence Export Sales Organisation
DF	direction finding
DLG	destroyer leader guided missile (the County class guided missile destroyers)
DTS	Dartmouth Training Squadron/Ship (dedicated to training junior officers)
ECM	electronic counter measures (radar jamming)
EEC	European Economic Community
Elint	electronic intelligence gathering (usually by Soviet spy ships)
EOD	explosive ordnance disposal (team)
EOKA	Ethniki Organosis Kuprion Agoniston (a right-wing Greek Cypriot terrorist group)
ESM	electronic support/surveillance measures (passive electronic interception of radio and radar, tactics)
EW	electronic warfare
EXOCET	air-to-surface (AM.39) and surface-to-surface (MM.39) missiles
FAA	Fleet Air Arm
FF	frigate (medium-size escort ship)
FFO	furnace fuel oil (fuel used by older ships)
FLS	forward logistic site (NATO naval logistic base)
FMU	fleet maintenance unit (available to deploy to ships)
FOB	forward operating base
FOCAS	Flag Officer Carriers and Amphibious Ships
FOF1	Flag Officer 1st Flotilla
FONA	Flag Officer Naval Aviation
FOP	fleet operational programme (ship deployment plans)
FOS	fleet operational schedule
FOSF	Flag Officer Surface Flotilla
FOSM	Flag Officer Submarines
FOST	Flag Officer Sea Training
FPB	fast patrol boat
FPC	fast pursuit craft (operated by Royal Marines)
FPDA	Five-Power Defence Arrangement (defensive treaty signed by the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia in 1971)
FPS	Fishery Protection Squadron (the ‘Fish’ Squadron)
FRADU	Fleet Requirements and Aircraft Direction Unit, at RNAS Culdrose (a squadron ofjet aircraft, usually Hawks, for fleet training and exercises)
GMD	guided missile destroyer (usually the County class)
GPMG	general purpose machine gun
GR3	Ground Attack Harrier
GRIUK	Greenland-Iceland-Faeroes-UK
HDML	harbour defence motor launch
ICBM	intercontinental ballistic missile
IED	improvised explosive device (usually home-made terrorist bomb)
IFOR	Implementation Force (UN enforcement operations)
IS	internal security
ISAF	International Security and Assistance Force
JFH	Joint Force Harrier
JHC	Joint Helicopter Command
JHQ	Joint Headquarters (for conduct of combined operations)
JIC	Joint Intelligence Committee
JMC	Joint Maritime Course (advanced naval and maritime air training exercises held annually off the coast of Scotland)
JRRF	Joint Rapid Reaction Force (concept established by SDR)
JSF	Joint Strike Fighter (the F-35 strike jet for the new-generation aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy)
JTF	Joint Task Force
LCT	landing craft (tanks)
LPD	landing platform (dock) (a large amphibious ship with an open stern which floods down to enable it to operate landing craft)
LPH	landing platform helicopter
LSL	landing ship (logistic)
LST	landing ship (tanks)
LTC	long-term costing (MoD budget planning)
MARS	Military Afloat Research and Sustainability
MC	military committee (NATO)
MCJO	Maritime Contribution to Joint Operations
MCM	mine counter-measures
MCMFORMED	Mine Counter-Measures Force Mediterranean
MCMFORNORTH	Mine Counter-Measures Force North-West
MCMV	mine counter-measures vessel
MEZ	Maritime Exclusion Zone
MGRM	Major General Royal Marines
MHC	mine hunting craft
MIDLINK	Middle East maritime exercise
MIOPS	maritime interdiction operations
MLF	multilateral force
MLU	mid-life update (major ship refit to modernise equipment fit)
MNC	Major NATO Commander (one of the three top NATO military commanders)
MoD	Ministry of Defence
MPA	maritime patrol aircraft
MRLS	multiple rocket launcher system
MSC	coastal minesweeper
MSS	minesweeping squadron
MV	Motor Vessel
MY	Motor Yacht
NAS	Naval Air Squadron
NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
NaTT	Naval Assistance and Training Team (naval team training the Iraqi Navy)
NAVOCFORCHAN	NATO Naval On Call Force Channel (MCMV under CINCHAN)
NAVOCFORMED	NATO Naval On Call Force Mediterranean (multi-national)
NBCD	defensive measures against the threat of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons
NGS	naval gunfire support (shore bombardment by naval guns)
NHB	Naval Historical Branch
NLF	National Liberation Front (Aden)
NP	Naval Party (small group ofnaval personnel on detached duty)
NRF	NATO Response Force
NTG	Naval Task Group
OM	operator-mechanic
OPV	offshore patrol vessel
OTC	Officer in Tactical Command
PAAMS	principal anti-air missile system
PC	patrol craft
PDRY	People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen
PJHQ	Permanent Joint Headquarters (for the planning and directing of joint operations)
PWO	Principal Warfare Officer
RA	Royal Artillery
RAF	Royal Air Force
RAS	replenishment at sea (refuelling or receiving stores whilst steaming alongside or close to a tanker or supply ship)
RFA	Royal Fleet Auxiliary (logistic support ships, tankers, replenishment and specialist ships operated in support of the RN)
RIB	rigid inflatable boat
RIMPAC	Naval exercise for Pacific Rim countries
RM	Royal Marines
RMAS	Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service (craft, tugs, salvage and mooring vessels, and small coastal and harbour craft operated in support of the RN)
RNAS	Royal Naval Air Station
RNEC	Royal Naval Engineering College (HMS Thunderer) at Manadon, Plymouth
RNLN	Royal Netherlands Navy
RNPT	Royal Naval Presentation Team
RNR	Royal Naval Reserve
RNZN	Royal New Zealand Navy
ROE	rules ofengagement
RoP	Report of Proceedings (Commanding Officer’s official report)
RPG	rocket propelled grenade
RRF	Rapid Reaction Force (established by SDR)
RSRM	Raiding Squadron Royal Marines (using RIBs or FPCs)
SACEUR	Supreme Allied Commander Europe (one of the top three NATO military commanders)
SACLANT	Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (one of the top three military commanders of NATO)
SAF	Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces
SAG	Surface Action Group
SALT	Strategic Arms Limitations Talks
SAM	surface-to-air missile
SAS	Special Air Service (army)
SBA	Sovereign Base Area (Cyprus)
SBS	Special Boat Squadron (Royal Marines), similar to army ‘SAS’
SD	Special Duties List (denotes officers promoted from the ranks for specialised duties)
SDE	Statement of Defence Estimates
SDR	Strategic Defence Review (fundamental review in 1998)
SEATO	South-East Asia Treaty Organisation
SF	Special Forces (includes SAS and SBS)
SHAR	Sea Harrier (naval VSTOL aircraft)
SINS	Ship Inertial Navigation System
SL	Supplementary List (denotes officers selected to supplement the mainstream officer corps)
SLOCs	sea lines of communication
SMOPS	School of Maritime Operations
SMP	self maintenance period (maintenance using ship’s resources)
SNMCMG1	Standing NATO Mine Counter-Measures Group 1
SNMG2	Standing NATO Maritime Group 2
SNOFI	Senior Naval Officer Falkland Islands
SNOME	Senior Naval Officer Middle East
SNONI	Senior Naval Officer Northern Ireland
SNOWI	Senior Naval Officer West Indies
SON	Sultan of Oman’s Navy
SOSUS	sound surveillance system (linked network of listening devices on the sea bed to detect submarines in the area)
SPF	Special Forces (elite troops trained for special operations)
SSBN	ballistic missile-carrying nuclear submarine
SSK	hunter-killer (diesel electric submarine)
SSKN	hunter-killer (nuclear submarine)
SSM	surface-to-surface missile
SSN	nuclear fleet submarine
SSGN	cruise or guided missile armed nuclear submarine
STANAVFORCHAN	Standing Naval Force Channel (MCMV)
STANAVFORLANT	Standing Naval Force Atlantic
STANAVFORMED	Standing Naval Force Mediterranean
START	Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (1980s)
STOVL	short take offand vertical landing
STUFT	ships taken up from trade (chartered merchant ships)
SWAPS	South-Western Approaches (west of the end of the English Channel)
TA	towed array (series of sonar transducers towed astern of a submarine or ship)
TacTom	latest variant of the Tomahawk land attack missile
TAG	Tailored Air Group (air group for CVS mission)
TAS	torpedo and anti-submarine warfare (specialisation for officers and ratings)
TEZ	Total Exclusion Zone
TF	Task Force (force formed for specific task)
TG	Task Group (group formed for specific deployment or operation)
TLAM	Tomahawk land attack cruise missile
TMA	target motion analysis (the study of submarine sonar and acoustic information)
TopMast	Total Personnel Management System (flexible manning of ships)
TOW	tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missiles
UDI	Unilateral Declaration of Independence
UKMCC	UK Maritime Component Commander
UKTG	United Kingdom On Call Task Group
UN	United Nations
UNFICYP	United Nations Force in Cyprus
UNSCOM	United Nations Special Commission (set up to cover Iraq)
UNSCR	United Nations Security Council Resolution
UNSFOR	United Nations Stabilisation Force (in the former Republic of Yugoslavia)
USS	United States Ship
UVF	Ulster Volunteer Force
VCDS	Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
VCNS	Vice Chief of the Naval Staff
VDS	variable depth sonar
VERTREPS	vertical transfers by helicopter, known as vertical replenishment
VSTOL	vertical short take off and landing
VTOL	vertical take off and landing
WESTLANT	Westlant Deployment, generally used to describe major annual spring deployments for exercises with the US Navy 2nd Fleet in the north-west Atlantic, including the US Navy’s fleet weapon ranges off Puerto Rico
WEU	Western European Union
WEUCONMARFOR	Western European Maritime Contingency Force
WIGS	West Indies Guardship
WRNS	Women’s Royal Naval Service