SSB: Single sideband (an operatingmode for CB and amateur radio gear).
SSPARS: Solid-state phased-arrayradar system.
Steyr AUG: The Austrian army’s5.56-mm “bullpup” infantry carbine. Also issued by the Australian Army as theirreplacement for the L1A1.
S amp;W: Smith and Wesson.
SWAT: Special weapons and tactics.(SWAT originally stood for “special weapons assault team” until that was deemedpolitically incorrect.)
TA-1 and TA-312: U.S. militaryhardwire field telephones.
TAD: Temporary assigned duty.
TARPS: Tactical aerialreconnaissance pod system.
TDY: Temporary duty.
Thermite: A mixture of aluminumpowder and iron rust powder that, when ignited, causes a vigorous exothermicreaction. Used primarily for welding. Also used by military units as anincendiary for destroying equipment.
TK: Tom Kennedy.
TNX: Ham radio shorthand for“Thanks.”
TS: Top secret.
TU: Ham radio shorthand for “ThankYou.”
UAV: Unmanned aerial vehicle.
UR: Ham radio shorthand for “your”or “you’re,” depending on context.
USAEUR: U.S. Army, Europe. Spoken“Use-ah-Urr.”
USAFE: U.S. Air Force, Europe.Spoken “You-Safe-ee.”
VAC: Volts, alternatingcurrent.
Valmet: The Finnish conglomeratethat formerly made several types of firearms.
VDC: Volts, direct current.
Viper: The popular nickname forthe F-16 fighter. (Its official moniker is the “Fighting Falcon,” which mostF-16 pilots detest.)
VW: Volkswagen.
VY: Ham radio shorthand for“very.”
WD-1: U.S. military-issuetwo-conductor insulated field telephone wire.
YL: Ham radio shorthand for “younglady.” All females regardless of age are designated YLs in the ham world.
