Glossary
hack down [V-T-U 13] (a ship) t
AAW (anti-aircra ft warfare) IN·
UNC-U4] the act of rl frnrl in~
against or stopping an at t.:i k fr nrn
ai rcra ft .
Aegis combat systern IN· -U3] .~
system of cornput0r., rarlar, ,md
guided vveapons that rs built into a
naval sh ip for the destruction of
enemy targets
afterbody [N-C-U9] pa1t of a
torpedo directly in front of the tail,
containing the torpedo's
propu lsion system .
AGM (Air-to-Ground Missile) [N-C·
US] missile fired from an aircraft at
a target on the ground .
AGS (advanced gun system) [N-C-
U4] a 155mm gun that is vertically
mounted. It can fire guided and
unguided munitions.
AIM (Air-Intercept Missile) [N-C-
U8] missile fired at enemy aircraft
from an aircraft and detects
targets through heat detection .
aircraft [N-C-U2] An aircraft is any
manmade vehicle that can fly.
aircraft carrier [N-C-U2] a very
large naval ship used to launch
aircraft.
airframe [N-C-U8] the cylindrical
body or structure of a rocket or
missile.
air-launched [ADJ-U9] (torpedo)
fired or dropped from a helicopter
or airplane.
ammunition [N-UNC-U1 OJ one or
more projectiles packaged with an
explosive propellant in a shell
designed to be fired by a gun.
Amphibious Command Ship
(LCC) [N-C-U6] ship serving as an
operational base, offering control
and communication facilities for
air, land, and sea commanders.
34 Glossary
t Dock (LP D)
. . Tr;1n spor
Arnrh1b10LIS I r to ;J Doc .
<.1n'll ,-1 t ,1n ,n rr(',l', ('( j
IN· .lJ6]<,I<. h1r) b11t wit ,
1,111d1n<1 ' \ ld1nq troop
l,1p,1c1tyfnr 10 - rW hr•r; as I:t travels and then fr~e
11 0 11cnp trr · . lrJ-r _
arfar shrp
amphibious w . OLI t (()rl') r )I
U6] a ship that ca rrr e~udrng r1r,sa ul t
operations, often ,nc . c;rrs
landings by Navy-Manne
personnel.
N-C-U 13] a hook that drgs
anchor [ . rd er to
into the sea bottom ,n o
keep a ship from moving .
-U l 3] an area used
anchorage [N · C .
by ships when anchoring.
anchoring [N-UNC-Ul 31th e
process by which ships can stop at
a distance away from la nd by
dropping a hook and chain into
the water.
armament [N-UNC-U 1] the
weaponry found on a ship or
aircraft.
ASROC [N-C-U9] a rocket
designed to destroy enemy
submarines.
assault landing [N-C-U6] a
combat operation in which troops
land on a coast from an
amphibious warfare ship.
ASW (anti-submarine warfare) [N-
U_NC-U4] the use of ships,
a,rp!anes or submarines to defend
against enemy submarines.
attack submarine (SSN) [N-C-US]
a submersible navy vessel used to
seek and destroy other submarines
and surface vessels, as well as t
0 missile launchers designed to .
launch missiles ashore.
AW (air _warfare) [N-UNC-U3] th
use of aircraft in military
engagements.
aweigh [ADJ-U 131 (
has been lifted f anchor) that
the sea floor. rom the bottom of
0
v rn()ve it backwards .
ba lli stic missile [N-C-U8] a
nr•d r on that initially is guided
1r,1 :,, rJn to ,ts target .
iJ,1r rAI dia meter [N-UNC-Ul Q] tr,p ,
,1 nrJth
of the inside of the b-:irrel ~f
a ~un .
ba rre l length [N-UtK-U 1OJ thP
distance a projectile t ravels fro~n
the firing point to the end of tr,P
gun barrel. ·
battle force [N-C-U3] a gro1Jp of
active warships, including aircr~ft
carriers, surface combat ships,
submarines, and other vessels.
belay [V-T-U 12] (a line) to secure t
to a pier or object.
bend [N-C-U 11] a shape that is
formed when a line is tied to
another line.
bight [N-C-U 11] a loop in a line or
a wire.
bitter end [N-C-U 11] the end that
is not attached to anything else.
bitts [N-C-U 12] pairs of cast iron
cylinders that are arranged on a
pier or a deck. Mooring lines are
secured around them .
block [N-C-U 1S] a casing for a
pulley, which is a wheel that turns
and delivers force to a machine in
order to move objects.
BMD (ballistic missile defense) [N·
UNC-U3] a system of missiles and
destroy incoming ballistic missiles.
e bollard [N-C-U 12) a cylinder-
shaped object with a bulb and
horn, found on the pier;moonnQ
lines are wrapped around it.
 -,- .
·,.~
.
I

,) to poom [N-C-U15] a maneuverable,
. f
retra ct able pole or piece o meta l
used to handle cargo.
d, oottom mine (N-C-U9] a mine
Tee that is planted on t he bottom of a
ater body; the vvater must be
:fficiently sha llow for a bottom
]the 5 ff .
mine to bee ect,ve.
rel of
oull-nose fN-C-L/14] an opening at
the tip of a ship's bow through
le
which lines can be strung.
>m
:he Burton rig fN-C-U 15] a
combination of equipment, usually
consisting of two winches and two
of
steel whips (one on each ship),
aft
that is used to transfer cargo from
one ship to another.
ire it camel [N-C-U 12] a type of shock
absorber that floats in the water
between a ship and a pier.
cargo-handling [N-UNC-U 1SJ the
process of moving cargo from one
I
I
I
I
I
Glossary I
I
;n
~~i,so~c:o~e weapon system) [N- I
. e ensive gun system detect [V-T-U4J to discover sth . I
used against nearby weapons or displacement [N-UNC-U2 Jthe I
targets.
amount of water that the hull of a I
ship takes the place of; used to
class [N-C-U2] a group of persons
or obiects that share common describe the weight of the ship.
I
I
characteristics.
Dock-Landing Ship (LSD) [N-C-U6]
I
cleat [N-C-U 12] a pair of metal a ship carrying troops and
I
horns that hold lines in mooring. equipment to engage in coastal
landing operations. I
closed chock [N-C-U12] a fitting I
double up [V-T-U 12] (a line) to add
through which mooring lines are
fed . three more lines to a mooring line. I
endurance [N-UNC-U 1] the I
coastal interdiction [N-UNC-U7] a
naval operation conducted on a
maximum amount of time a ship I
can power itself at a certain speed.
coast in order to stop or prevent I
an activity such as drug smuggling engage [V-T-U4] (an enemy ship) I
or espionage from occurring. to go into battle with it. I
coil [N-C-U 1 1] a long length of line evade [V-T-U 1] to avoid or get I
that is gathered up and secured away from someone or something. I
for storage. I
fake down [V-T-U11] (a line) to lay
coil down fV-T-U11] (a line) to lay the line flat with long, oblong I

or
ship to another.
! bight in a circle on top of the one
carrier task group [N-C-U4] a
group consisting of an aircraft
lat
carrier and the escort ships that
protect it.
l
cast off [V-PHRASE-U 12] to release
aline from a pier.
catenary [N-C-U14] a deep curve a
towline forms undervvater to
reduce tension on the line.
15
n CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take
Off But Arrested Recovery) [N-
UNC-U2] a system used when an
aircraft takes off from an aircraft
carrier using a catapult and lands
using wires.
chafing chain [N-C-U 14] a chain
used to protect towing lines from
excessive wear.
chain stopper [N-C-U 13] a shackle
and a pelican hook used to keep
the line flat and set down each
before.
combat [N-UNC-U 1] the act of
taking hostile, armed action
against an enemy.
contact mine [N-C-U9] a mine
designed to detonate when it is
physically touched by an enemy
vessel.
cruiser [N-C-U3) a large to
medium-sized warship with
multiple target response
capabilities.
deck seamanship [N-UNC-U 1SJ
the process of handling and
loading cargo using basic
techniques and equipment.
deck-launched (ADJ-U9) (torpedo)
fired from the deck of a ship.
destroyer [N-C -U4) a fleet vessel
bights that lie next to each other, I
instead of circles on top of each
other.
fender [N-C-U 12) a cushion made
of rubber or line that acts as a
shock absorber between a ship
and a pier.
fiber rope [N-C-U 11) a rope made
out of natural or synthetic
materials such as nylon, hemp or
manila.
fleet ballistic-missile submarine
(SSBN) [N-C-US) a submersible
Navy vessel designed to launch
intercontinental missiles without
being detected .
flemish down [V-T-U 11] (a line) is
to form a circular mat by tightly
winding the bights around each
other.
I •
flight deck [N-C-U2) the surface
on an aircraft carrier from which

-
that protects carriers and de_
tects aircraft take off and land.
an anchor in place. enemy ships, submarines, missiles
and aircraft.

Glossary 35
 --------. I
1SR (intelligence, surveillance, and
((le1
reconnaissance) [N-UNC-US] the 1ar9 I
gun (N-C-U 1OJ a projectile-firing
forward presence [N-UNC-U2) the acquisition and analysis of ((lid •
act of maintaining military power weapon . information that is needed for tor~ I
at the front lines of a conflict zone, guy [N-C-U15) a rope or cable matters of national security. afte j
far from the base of operations. used to lift or steady an obJect.
kingpost [N-C-U 15] a rotating or corT I
frigate [N-C-U4) a small, easily hangar deck [N-C-U2] th e level of stationary column that supports a (11in1
maneuverable ship that protects an aircraft carrier where ,ts aircraft boom when lifting cargo. wea
against enemy submarines. are stored . und·I
knot [N-C -U 11] a shape that is
gas turbine engine [N-C -U3) an hawsepipe [N-C -U 13) a tube on a formed w hen a line is tied to itself. expl•j
engine used to power ships and ship used to store an anchor. con1 1
aircraft that converts the flow of th land attack [N-C-U5] a navy
head (N-C-U9] (of a torpedo) e (11iSSI
combustion products into added operation in w hich enemy forces
front end, which contains the that
mechanical energy. on la nd are assaulted by
torpedo's explosive charge, fuse, explcl
submarines or surface ships.
GCS (gun computer system) [N-C- and sensing devices.
12 launch [V-T-U2] to release sth or r,.t1od l
U10) a computer system designed heave around [V-PHRASAL-U 1
to analyze target detection data send it fo rth .
acco rj
to pull a line using a capstan .
and compute accurate firing ident l
hitch [N-C -U 11] a shape that is lay [N-U NC -U 11] (of a line) the weap
solutions. direction and number of its
formed when a line is tied to desig j
General-Purpose Assault Ship strands. the rvj
another object.
{LHA) [N-C-U6] a large amphibious
homing torpedo [N-C-U9] a line [N-C-U 11] a piece of rope that marli ~
warfare ship capable of launching
simultaneous helicopter and guided torpedo that seeks its has been cut for a specific UNC- j
landing-craft operations. target by listening for its acoustic purpose. with rl
emissions or the reflection of sonar
GFCS (gunfire control system) [N- littoral [ADJ-U7] (operation)
signals. mooriJ
C-U 1OJ a system of guns, target conducted on or near a coast.
attach!
detection devices, and firing Housefall rig [N-C-U 15] a
machine gun [N-C-U7] a gun that
solutions devices designed to combination of equipment used to mooril
can continuously and quickly shoot
accurately hit targets at long transfer cargo consisting of two rope ul
winches and two steel whips, bullets as long as the trigger is pier.
distances and under varying
conditions. where both winches are on one pressed .
mul_ti_)I
gooseneck [N-C-U15) a curved
ship only. make fast [V-T-U 14) to tighten or equ,pp
piece of equipment at the bottom humanitarian operation [N-C-U6] secure an object. types d
of a boom that allows the boom a mission conducted to help non- maneuverability [N-UNC-U1] the battles!
to move in different directions. combatants in need of aid . ability of a ship to effectively move, Expedi1
ground tackle [N-UNC-U13] in step [ADJ-U14] (two ships) change direction, and avoid enemy and uni
equipment used by ships when reaching the top of a wave at the attacks. Multipl
anchoring . same time.
maritime security [N-UNC-U2] the [N-C-U6
guidance system [N-C-U8] a influence mine [N-C-Ug) a mine Purpos I
act of preventing intentional
system that directs and guides a that is equipped with sensors and can opJ
damage to a country's resources at
missile on its flight towards its
detonates when a target is within sea, such as through sabotage or craft anl
target. its blast range.
terrorism . helicop~
guided-missile submarine (SSGN)
[N-C-US] a submersible Navy vessel
insert ~-T-US] to put sth into Mark [N-C-U10] a term, usually NSFs (nl
capable of launching guided
something else.
accompanied by a number, for_ fN,uNc j
missiles.
51
identifying a new weapons sy err artillery I
using the Mark, Mod system (e.g,
I
the Mark 45).
I
I
36 Glossary
I
I
I

' rnedium-sized [ADJ-U3) neither
nee, and iarge nor small.
JSJ the
,,,;dsection [N-C-U 9]_(of a
f o a particular task
:J for torpedo) the par1 1n fro nt of the
ty. ~fterbody, conta1111 ng batteries,
compressed a,r 01 l1qu1d fuel.
,ting or
Jports a n,ine [N-C-U9) n explosive
weapon that 1s plan ted
underwater and designed to
at is
explode up n the approach of or
to itself.
contact wit h enemy vessels.
y open chock [N-C-U 12] a fitting
rnissi/e [N-C-U8) a guided weapon
orces
that is self-propelled and carries
explosives.
:h or Mod [N-C-U 1OJ a term, usually
accompan ied by a number, for
identifying modifications of a
he weapons system already
designated by a Mark number (e.g,
the Mark 45 Mod 1).
e that marlinespike seamanship [N-
UNC-U 11] the process of working
with rope or with a line.
mooring [N-UNC-U 12] the act of
attaching or tying a ship to a pier.
that
mooring line [N-C-U12] a heavy
;hoot
rope used to secure a ship to a
pier.
multi-mission [ADJ-U3] (vessel)
1or
equipped to perform in various
types of missions, including
he battlespace characterization,
ove, Expeditionary Warfare, air warfare,
:my and undersea warfare.
Multipurpose Assault Ship (LHD)
the
IN-C-U6] ship similar to a General-
Purpose Assault Ship, but which
; at can operate air-cushion landing
,r craft and antisubmarine
helicopters.
NSFS (naval surface fire support)
IN-UNC-U3] the use of naval
m vessels from operating in a sea
artillery in amphibious assaults.
l'M1-r-...... - .
nuclear p
d . . owered [ADJ-US]
eriving energy fro
fission to d m nuclear
nuclear m· .1 ·
US a - . iss, e exchange [N-C-
hl serious military conflict in
w ich nuclear missiles are
launched and detonated at
opposing forces .
offensive [ADJ-U 1] (weapon) used
primarily to attack enemies.
through which mooring lines are
fed .
ordnance [N-UNC-U8] the
different types of weapons and
ammunition used in warfare.
outboard swivel shot [N-C-U13] a
length of chain and a shackle that
attaches an anchor to an anchor
chain.
overtake [V-T-U 1] to catch up with
a ship and move past it.
part [V-T-U 11) (a line) to break or
cut the line.
patrol [N-C-U7) an operation
conducted in a certain area for the
purposes of observation and
maintaining order.
Patrol Coastal Ship (PC) [N-C-U7)
another name for a patrol
combatant naval ship.
patrol combatant [N-C-U7] a
small naval ship used for coastal
observance and protection.
pelican hook [N-C-U 14] a large
hook used in towing ships.
pier [N-C-U 12] a structure to
which ships are moored.
plant [V-T-U9] to place sth in a
location where it cannot be
detected and then leave the area.
port [N-C-U7] a facility on_
navigable water where ships can
be loaded and unloaded.
t \,
Glossary
I I;\
ii
\
POS (protection of shipping) (N-
lJNC-U4 I the protection of non-
cornh.:it support ships.
power projection [N-UNC-U2] the
act and cap,:1b1ht:y of d1,pl,:1ying ·I
military force b~yond a co•;ntry's
own borders.
powerplant [N-C-U8] the section
of a rocket or missile that propels it
into the air.
projectile [N-C-U 1OJ an obJect that
is thrown, fired, or launched
through the air, sometimes with
the intent of hitting a target.
rifling [N-UNC-U 10-] the spiral
grooves inside a gun barrel that
causes projectiles fired from it to
spin and fly faster.
rig [N-C-U 15] a piece of
equipment used for a specific
purpose.
rigging [N-UNC-U15] a term used
for all the different parts that are
used in cargo loading, such as
wires, cables, guys, topping lifts
and goosenecks.
RIM (Rocket Intercept Missile) [N-
C-U8) a missile that detects, tracks
and destroys enemy rockets or
missiles.
rocket [N-C-U8] a cylindrical
weapon containing explosives that
is propelled into the air towards a
target.
roller chock [N-C-U 12] a fitting
with moving rollers through which
mooring lines are fed.
screen unit [N-C-U4] a group of
ships that protect and defend a
carrier.
sea control [N-UNC-U2] the act of
a naval force preventing enemy
zone.
Glossary 37

GlossarY
th
seaworthiness [N-UNC ~Ul) e
ability of a ship to function in
severe weather, such as high
winds, while at sea.
shackle [N-C-U 13 l a ring used to
attach an anchor chain to another
object, such as an anchor.
shallow water environment [N-C-
U7] an area of water where the
water level is not deep, preventing
the operation of some ships.
sheave [N-C -U 15] a wheel inside a
block.
short stay [ADJ-U13] (anchor)
when the anchor chain has been
lifted, just before the point of the
anchor coming out of the ground.
short-range (ADJ-U 14] (weapon or
ship) covering a limited distance.
shot [N-C-U13] a measurement of
the length of an anchor chain,
equal to 15 fathoms, or 30 meters.
sortie deterrence [N-UNC -U2) the
I, military strategy of preventing
enemy units from launching
I aircraft.
special operations forces (SOF) [N-
C-US] military forces specially
trained to complete missions in an
enemy controlled area.
special_warfare [N-UNC-Ul] high-
nsk military actions conducted b
..;,Jr I 1
'
. lift [N-c-U15] a line ri1ouc:
an d
gro'I
toPP 1ng ·
frorn fiber or wire that raises
flOO
T ke off sut supports the boorn -
sTOBAR (Short a N-UNc-U2l a do [N-c-U9] an explosive us'J
,Arrested Recovery) [ n aircraft takes L.)3 ;1
torpect le weapon launched trom a
used when a ·t rr,il i I
system . ft carrier under I s proJe i . If
off from an a1rcra s wires to land . s ·p
I
or subrnanne and se d- t .
h
propelled underWater to es ray rts vee
own power but use
sroVL (Short Take off vertical itS (I
t arget. v,1e I
Landing) [N-UNC-U2] a systernff ,owing [N-UNC-U14] t he act of
used when an aircraft takes o_
from an aircraft carrier under ,ts
pulling a ship or other vehicle \/L:I
own pawer and can land vert,callY
beh ind anot her one .
towing haw ser [N-C-U14l a heavy
c-LI
jr,St
5
strategic mission [N-C-U l a ..
military effort to destroy speof1~
cable used to toW a ship. corl
uP\,
targets that support the enernY s towing rig [N-C -U 14] a structure
will and ability to rnake war. on a sh ip that is used to tow wa
roe
J
STREAM (Standard Tensioned another ship.
Replenishment Alongside Method) towing-pad eye [N-C-U14] an exr:: 1
rig [N-C-Ul 5) a combination of object used to attach a towing wa1
equipment used to transfer cargo chain to the towing rig of a ship.
from sh ip to ship on the open sea,
vva ~
towline [N-C-U14] the total length is uj
using a wire highline and a special
ram-tensioner that allows the ships of the hawser and chafing chain weJ
to remain side by side and transfer used to tow a ship . vari1
cargo with the use of trolleys.
transport [N-C-U6] a ship chal
survivability [N-UNC-U1] the designed to carry troops from one rain
ability of a ship to withstand place to another. we j
damage taken in combat.
tsunami [N-C-U6] a large wave anc1
SUW (surface warfare) [N-UNC-U3]
that floods a coastline after an shi 9
the use of surface combat ships in
event at sea, such as an h.
military engagement.
tackle [N-C-U15] a combination of
a block and lines coming together
earthquake .
ube-launched [ADJ-U9] (torpedo)
t_
:pi
t1e 9
to gain a mechanical advantage.
tail [N-C-U9) (of a torpedo) the
back end, including fins, screws
:~I
fired from a launching cylinder on
d~ck 0 ~ a ship, or built into the
0 a ship or submarine.
keel

wi~
small, elite units against specific y use!
and control surfaces. ' tug_[N-C-U 14] a ship that is
high-value targets.
take a strain on [V-PH de_s1gned to tow or pull other wirj
speed [N-UNC-U 1J the ability of a ma
(a line) to tighten. RASE-U 12] ships.
ship to travel quickly.
steam [V-1-U 1) to move on or take a turn [V-1-U 11] ~~~J~~de~ater Guided Missile)
W'.r1
around an object. to loop a line W1r1
through water. la h a guided missile that is
Stinger [N-C-U7) a su rface- s ubnc ~d underwater from a co "]
to a" missile
. take in [V-PHRASAL
to bring back t -U12] (a line) tra n
- ir proJectile weapon that can o a ship. u marine.
?e mo_unted on ships to attack
terrorist attack UNREP [N-UNC
trol ll
incoming aircraft. act carried out b[N-C-U7] a violent replenishment. -U 15] underway one
governm Y a non- of al
ental actor f .
purposes and t or political
o create fear.
I
38 Glossary

., I

I
 and down [ADJ-U13] (anchor)
15] a line made uP. h has been pulled out of the
1at raises and whic d but is still lying on the sea
groun
noor.
1 explosive W(undersea warfare) [N-UNC-
unched from a LJ S f b . .
LJ}the use o su marines 1n
1d self- 3
r,1ilitary engagement.
•r to destroy its
eer [V-1-U13] to let an anchor or
V .
itS chain run out using its own
J the act of
~r vehicle weight.
VLS (vertic_al _
launching system) [N-
-U14] a heavy c-U3] a missile firing system
hip. installed on a submarine or surface
combat shi p that launches missiles
I a structure upwards from the vessel's deck.
to tow
warhead [N-C-U8] the part of a
rocket or missile that contains
-U14]a n
explosives.
a towing
g of a sh ip. waterway [N-C-U7] any body of
water, such as a river or canal, that
~ total length
is used for transportation.
1fing chain
weather conditions [N-PL-U 1]
various types of weather that can
;hip
change quickly, such as wind or
JS from one
rain.
weigh [V-T-U13) (anchor) to lift the
·ge wave
anchor from the ground so that a
after an
ship may depart.
1
whipping [N-C-U11] a piece of
9) (torpedo) tape or some other material that is
cylinder on tied around the end of a line to
uilt into the keep it from unraveling.
nne. Windlass [N-C-U13) a machine
1at is used to hoist the anchor of a ship.
: other Wire [N-C-U 11] a rope that is
rnade of wire or of both fiber and
:ied Missile) Wire.
ile that is Wire high line rig [N-C-U 15) a
·om a combination of equipment used to
transfer cargo consisting of a
1derway trolley moving on a wire line from
0 ne ship to another, with the use
of a winch.