Part 16 (1/2)

FADEC Full Authority Digital Engine Control, a computer that monitors jet-engine performance and pilot-throttle inputs and regulates fuel supply for maximum efficiency. Full Authority Digital Engine Control, a computer that monitors jet-engine performance and pilot-throttle inputs and regulates fuel supply for maximum efficiency.

Flameout Unintended loss of combustion inside a jet engine, due to a disruption of airflow. This can be extremely serious if the flight crew is unable to restart the affected engine. Unintended loss of combustion inside a jet engine, due to a disruption of airflow. This can be extremely serious if the flight crew is unable to restart the affected engine.

Flap A hinged control surface, usually on the trailing edge of a wing, commonly used to increase lift during takeoff and drag during landing. A hinged control surface, usually on the trailing edge of a wing, commonly used to increase lift during takeoff and drag during landing.

Flare (1). A pyrotechnic device ejected by an aircraft as a countermeasure to heat-seeking missiles. (2). A pitch-up maneuver to bleed off energy performed during landing, just before touching down. (1). A pyrotechnic device ejected by an aircraft as a countermeasure to heat-seeking missiles. (2). A pitch-up maneuver to bleed off energy performed during landing, just before touching down.

FLIR Forward Looking Infrared: an electro-optical device similar to a television camera that ”sees” in the infrared spectrum rather than visible light. FLIRs display an image based on minute temperature variations, so that hot engine exhaust ducts, for example, appear as bright spots. Forward Looking Infrared: an electro-optical device similar to a television camera that ”sees” in the infrared spectrum rather than visible light. FLIRs display an image based on minute temperature variations, so that hot engine exhaust ducts, for example, appear as bright spots.

G-Force One G is the force exerted by Earth's gravity on stationary objects at sea level. High-energy maneuvers can subject the aircraft and pilot to as much as 9 Gs. Some advanced missiles can pull as much as 60 Gs in a turn. One G is the force exerted by Earth's gravity on stationary objects at sea level. High-energy maneuvers can subject the aircraft and pilot to as much as 9 Gs. Some advanced missiles can pull as much as 60 Gs in a turn.

GBU Guided Bomb Unit. General U.S. term for precision-guided munitions. Guided Bomb Unit. General U.S. term for precision-guided munitions.

GBU-29/30/31/32 JDAM Joint Direct Attack Munition. A general-purpose bomb or penetration warhead, with inertial/GPS guidance package in the tail cone. Initial operational capability planned for 1999. Navy requirement is 12,000 bombs; Air Force requirement is for 62,000. Joint Direct Attack Munition. A general-purpose bomb or penetration warhead, with inertial/GPS guidance package in the tail cone. Initial operational capability planned for 1999. Navy requirement is 12,000 bombs; Air Force requirement is for 62,000.

Geosynchronous Also called ”geostationary.” A satellite in equatorial orbit at an alt.i.tude of 35,786 km (about 22,230 miles) will take 24 hours to circle the Earth. In 24 hours the Earth rotates once on its axis, so the satellite will appear to be ”fixed” over the same point on the earth. Also called ”geostationary.” A satellite in equatorial orbit at an alt.i.tude of 35,786 km (about 22,230 miles) will take 24 hours to circle the Earth. In 24 hours the Earth rotates once on its axis, so the satellite will appear to be ”fixed” over the same point on the earth.

”Gla.s.s” c.o.c.kpit Design that replaces individual flight gauges and instruments with multi-function electronic display screens. A few mechanical gauges are usually retained for emergency backup. Design that replaces individual flight gauges and instruments with multi-function electronic display screens. A few mechanical gauges are usually retained for emergency backup.

Goldwater-Nichols Common name for the Military Reform Act of 1986, which created a series of Unified Commands cutting across traditional service boundaries and strengthened the power of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Common name for the Military Reform Act of 1986, which created a series of Unified Commands cutting across traditional service boundaries and strengthened the power of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

GPS Global Positioning System. A constellation of 24 satellites in inclined earth orbits, which continuously broadcast navigational signals synchronized by ultra-precise atomic clocks. At least four satellites are usually in transit across the sky visible from any point on Earth outside the Polar Regions. A specialized computer built into a portable receiver can derive highly accurate position and velocity information by correlating data from three or more satellites. An encoded part of the signal is reserved for military use. A similar, incomplete, Russian system is called GLONa.s.s. Global Positioning System. A constellation of 24 satellites in inclined earth orbits, which continuously broadcast navigational signals synchronized by ultra-precise atomic clocks. At least four satellites are usually in transit across the sky visible from any point on Earth outside the Polar Regions. A specialized computer built into a portable receiver can derive highly accurate position and velocity information by correlating data from three or more satellites. An encoded part of the signal is reserved for military use. A similar, incomplete, Russian system is called GLONa.s.s.

HARM AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile, produced by Texas Instruments. Mach 2+. 146-1b blast-fragmentation warhead. Typically fired 35 to 55 miles from target, but maximum range is greater. First used in combat in April 1986 raid on Libya; 40 missiles fired. AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile, produced by Texas Instruments. Mach 2+. 146-1b blast-fragmentation warhead. Typically fired 35 to 55 miles from target, but maximum range is greater. First used in combat in April 1986 raid on Libya; 40 missiles fired.

Have Blue Original Lockheed ”Skunk Works” prototype for the F-117 Stealth fighter. Considerably smaller than the production aircraft, and still highly cla.s.sified. Original Lockheed ”Skunk Works” prototype for the F-117 Stealth fighter. Considerably smaller than the production aircraft, and still highly cla.s.sified.

HEI High Explosive Incendiary, a type of ammunition commonly used with air-to-air guns. High Explosive Incendiary, a type of ammunition commonly used with air-to-air guns.

HOTAS Hands on Throttle and Stick. A c.o.c.kpit flight control unit that allows the pilot to regulate engine power settings and steering commands with one hand. Hands on Throttle and Stick. A c.o.c.kpit flight control unit that allows the pilot to regulate engine power settings and steering commands with one hand.

HS Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron. Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron.

HSL Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron, Light. Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron, Light.

HUD Heads-Up Display: a transparent screen above the c.o.c.kpit instruments on which critical flight, target, and weapons information is projected, so that the pilot need not look down to read gauges and displays during an engagement. Current HUD technology provides wide-angle display of radar and sensor data. Heads-Up Display: a transparent screen above the c.o.c.kpit instruments on which critical flight, target, and weapons information is projected, so that the pilot need not look down to read gauges and displays during an engagement. Current HUD technology provides wide-angle display of radar and sensor data.

IIR Imaging Infrared. An electro-optical device similar to a video camera that ”sees” small differences in temperature and displays them as levels of contrast or false colors on a operator's display screen. Imaging Infrared. An electro-optical device similar to a video camera that ”sees” small differences in temperature and displays them as levels of contrast or false colors on a operator's display screen.

ILS Instrument Landing System. A radio-frequency device installed at some airfields that a.s.sists the pilot of a suitably equipped aircraft in landing during conditions of poor visibility. Instrument Landing System. A radio-frequency device installed at some airfields that a.s.sists the pilot of a suitably equipped aircraft in landing during conditions of poor visibility.

INS Inertial Navigation System. A device that determines location and velocity by sensing the acceleration and direction of every movement since the system was initialized or updated at a known point. Conventional INS systems using mechanical gyroscopes are subject to ”drift” after hours of continuous operation. Ring-laser gyros sense motion by measuring the frequency s.h.i.+ft of laser pulses in two counter-rotating rings, and are much more accurate. The advantage of an INS is that it requires no external transmission to determine location. Inertial Navigation System. A device that determines location and velocity by sensing the acceleration and direction of every movement since the system was initialized or updated at a known point. Conventional INS systems using mechanical gyroscopes are subject to ”drift” after hours of continuous operation. Ring-laser gyros sense motion by measuring the frequency s.h.i.+ft of laser pulses in two counter-rotating rings, and are much more accurate. The advantage of an INS is that it requires no external transmission to determine location.

Interdiction Use of airpower to disrupt or prevent the movement of enemy military units and supplies by attacking transportation routes, vehicles, and bridges deep in the enemy rear. Use of airpower to disrupt or prevent the movement of enemy military units and supplies by attacking transportation routes, vehicles, and bridges deep in the enemy rear.

IOC Initial Operational Capability. The point in the life cycle of a weapon system when it officially enters service and is considered ready for combat, with all training, spare parts, technical manuals, and software complete. The more complex the system, the greater the chance that the originally scheduled IOC will slip. Initial Operational Capability. The point in the life cycle of a weapon system when it officially enters service and is considered ready for combat, with all training, spare parts, technical manuals, and software complete. The more complex the system, the greater the chance that the originally scheduled IOC will slip.

IRBM Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile. A rocket (typically two-stage) designed to deliver a warhead over regional rather than intercontinental distances. This cla.s.s of weapons was eliminated by treaty and obsolescence from U.S. and Russian strategic forces, but is rapidly proliferating in various world trouble spots, despite international efforts to limit the export of ballistic missile technologies. Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile. A rocket (typically two-stage) designed to deliver a warhead over regional rather than intercontinental distances. This cla.s.s of weapons was eliminated by treaty and obsolescence from U.S. and Russian strategic forces, but is rapidly proliferating in various world trouble spots, despite international efforts to limit the export of ballistic missile technologies.

JCS Joint Chiefs of Staff. The senior U.S. military command level, responsible for advising the President on matters of national defense. The JCS consists of a Chairman, who may be drawn from any service, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. Joint Chiefs of Staff. The senior U.S. military command level, responsible for advising the President on matters of national defense. The JCS consists of a Chairman, who may be drawn from any service, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. JFACC JFACC Joint Forces Air Component Commander. The officer who has operational control over all air units and air a.s.sets a.s.signed to a theater of operations. The JFACC is typically drawn from the service that has the greatest amount of airpower in the area of operations, and reports directly to the theater Commander in Chief. Joint Forces Air Component Commander. The officer who has operational control over all air units and air a.s.sets a.s.signed to a theater of operations. The JFACC is typically drawn from the service that has the greatest amount of airpower in the area of operations, and reports directly to the theater Commander in Chief.

JP-5 Standard U.S. jet fuel. A petroleum distillate similar to kerosene. Standard U.S. jet fuel. A petroleum distillate similar to kerosene.

JTF Joint Task Force: a military unit composed of elements of two or more services, commanded by a relatively senior officer. JTFs may be organized for a specific mission, or maintained as semi-permanent organizations, such as the anti-drug JTF-4 based in Florida. Joint Task Force: a military unit composed of elements of two or more services, commanded by a relatively senior officer. JTFs may be organized for a specific mission, or maintained as semi-permanent organizations, such as the anti-drug JTF-4 based in Florida.

KC-10 Extender Heavy tanker/transport based on Boeing DC-10 wide-body commercial airliner. 59 aircraft in service, some modified with drogue refueling hose reel as well as tail boom. Three CF6 turbofan engines. Maximum takeoff weight is 590,000 lbs. Heavy tanker/transport based on Boeing DC-10 wide-body commercial airliner. 59 aircraft in service, some modified with drogue refueling hose reel as well as tail boom. Three CF6 turbofan engines. Maximum takeoff weight is 590,000 lbs.

KC-130 Lockheed ”Hercules” four-engine turboprop, used as a transport and aerial tanker by Marine air units. Lockheed ”Hercules” four-engine turboprop, used as a transport and aerial tanker by Marine air units.

Knot Nautical miles (6,076 feet) per hour. Often used by U.S. Air Force and Navy to measure aircraft speeds, particular in the subsonic range. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour. Nautical miles (6,076 feet) per hour. Often used by U.S. Air Force and Navy to measure aircraft speeds, particular in the subsonic range. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour.

LGB Laser-guided bomb, such as the Paveway-series LGBs produced by Raytheon. Laser-guided bomb, such as the Paveway-series LGBs produced by Raytheon.

LHA Large amphibious a.s.sault s.h.i.+p designed to operate helicopters and STOVL aircraft, with a well deck for landing craft.

LHD Amphibious a.s.sault s.h.i.+p with flight deck and well deck. Amphibious a.s.sault s.h.i.+p with flight deck and well deck.

LPD Amphibious s.h.i.+p with well deck. Amphibious s.h.i.+p with well deck.

LPH Amphibious a.s.sault s.h.i.+p designed to operate helicopters. Amphibious a.s.sault s.h.i.+p designed to operate helicopters.

LRIP Low Rate Initial Production. A phase in the development of a new weapon system in which the ”bugs” are worked out of manufacturing techniques, tooling, and doc.u.mentation before s.h.i.+fting to full-rate production. Low Rate Initial Production. A phase in the development of a new weapon system in which the ”bugs” are worked out of manufacturing techniques, tooling, and doc.u.mentation before s.h.i.+fting to full-rate production.

LSD Amphibious landing docks.h.i.+p. Amphibious landing docks.h.i.+p.

M-61 Vulcan Six-barreled rotary (”Gatling”) 20mm cannon used as standard weapon on U.S. aircraft. Very high rate of fire. Also mounted on Army vehicles and Navy s.h.i.+ps for short-range antiaircraft defense. Six-barreled rotary (”Gatling”) 20mm cannon used as standard weapon on U.S. aircraft. Very high rate of fire. Also mounted on Army vehicles and Navy s.h.i.+ps for short-range antiaircraft defense.

Mach The speed of sound at sea level (760 feet per second). An aircraft's Mach number is dependent on alt.i.tude, since sound travels faster in a denser medium. Named for Ernst Mach (1838-1916), Austrian physicist.

MAG Marine Aircraft Group. Marine Aircraft Group.

MAGTF Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

MAW Marine Aircraft Wing. Marine Aircraft Wing.

MCAS Marine Corps Air Station. Marine Corps Air Station.

MEB Marine Expeditionary Brigade. Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

MEF Marine Expeditionary Force. Marine Expeditionary Force.

MEU Marine Expeditionary Unit. Marine Expeditionary Unit.

MEU (SOC) Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).

MFD Multi-function Display. A small video monitor or flat panel display on an aircraft control panel that allows the operator to display and manipulate different kinds of sensor information, status indications, warnings, and system diagnostic data. Multi-function Display. A small video monitor or flat panel display on an aircraft control panel that allows the operator to display and manipulate different kinds of sensor information, status indications, warnings, and system diagnostic data.

MiG Russian acronym for the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau, developers of some of the greatest fighter aircraft in history. Survived the breakup of the Soviet Union, and is actively competing in the global arms market. Russian acronym for the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau, developers of some of the greatest fighter aircraft in history. Survived the breakup of the Soviet Union, and is actively competing in the global arms market.