US Army Dictionary of Military Terms

purchase description — A statement outlining the essential characteristics and functions of an item, service, or materiel required to meet the minimum needs of the Government. It is used when a specification is not available or when specific procurement specifications are not required by the individual Military Departments or the Department of Defense.

purchase notice agreements — Agreements concerning the purchase of brand-name items for resale purposes established by each Military Service under the control of the Defense Logistics Agency.

purchasing office — Any installation or activity, or any division, office, branch, section, unit, or other organizational

element of an installation or activity charged with the functions of procuring supplies or services.

pursuit — (*) An offensive operation designed to catch or cut off a hostile force attempting to escape, with the aim of destroying it.

pyrotechnic — A mixture of chemicals which, when ignited, is capable of reacting exothermically to produce light, heat, smoke, sound or gas.

pyrotechnic delay — (*) A pyrotechnic device added to a firing system which transmits the ignition flame after a predetermined delay.

q-message — (*) A classified message relating to navigational dangers, navigational aids, mined areas, and searched or swept channels.

Q-route — A system of preplanned shipping lanes in mined or potentially mined waters used to minimize the area the mine countermeasures commander has to keep clear of mines in order to provide safe passage for friendly shipping. (JP 3-15)

quadrant elevation — (*) The angle between the horizontal plane and the axis of the bore when the weapon is laid. (DOD only) It is the algebraic sum of the elevation, angle of site, and complementary angle of site.

quadruple container — A quadruple container box 57.5” x 96” x 96” with a metal frame, pallet base, and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) corner fittings. Four of these boxes can be lashed together to form a 20foot American National Standards Institute and/or ISO intermodal container. Also called

QUADCON.

quay — A structure of solid construction along a shore or bank that provides berthing and generally provides cargo-handling facilities. A similar facility of open construction is called a wharf. See also wharf. (JP 4-01.5)

radar — A radio detection device that provides information on range, azimuth, and/or elevation of objects.

radar advisory — The term used to indicate that the provision of advice and information is based on radar observation.

radar altimetry area — (*) A large and comparatively level terrain area with a defined elevation which can be used in determining the altitude of airborne equipment by the use of radar.

radar beacon — A receiver-transmitter combination that sends out a coded signal when triggered by the proper type of pulse, enabling determination of range and bearing information by the interrogating station or aircraft. Also called RB.

radar camouflage — (*) The use of radar absorbent or reflecting materials to change the radar echoing properties of a surface of an object.

radar clutter — (*) Unwanted signals, echoes, or images on the face of the display tube which interfere with observation of desired signals.

radar countermeasures — See electronic warfare; chaff.

radar coverage — (*) The limits within which objects can be detected by one or more radar stations.

radar danning — (*) In naval mine warfare, a method of navigating by using radar to keep the required distance from a line of dan buoys.

radar deception — See electromagnetic deception.

radar exploitation report — A formatted statement of the results of a tactical radar imagery reconnaissance mission. The report includes the interpretation of t h e sensor imagery. Also called

RADAREXREP.

radar fire — (*) Gunfire aimed at a target which is tracked by radar. See also fire.

radar guardship — (*) Any ship which has been assigned the task by the officer in tactical command of maintaining the radar watch.

radar horizon — (*) The locus of points at which the rays from a radar antenna become tangential to the Earth’s surface. On the open sea this locus is horizontal, but on land it varies according to the topographical features of the terrain.

radar imagery — Imagery produced by recording radar waves reflected from a given target surface.

radar intelligence — Intelligence derived from data collected by radar. Also called

RADINT. See also intelligence. (JP 2-0)

radar netting — (*) The linking of several radars to a single center to provide integrated target information.

radar netting station — (*) A center which can receive data from radar tracking stations and exchange this data among other radar tracking stations, thus forming a radar netting system. See also radar netting unit; radar tracking station.

radar netting unit — Optional electronic equipment that converts the operations central of certain air defense fire distribution systems to a radar netting station. See also radar netting station.

radar picket — (*) Any ship, aircraft, or vehicle, stationed at a distance from the force protected, for the purpose of increasing the radar detection range.

radar reconnaissance — Reconnaissance by means of radar to obtain information on enemy activity and to determine the nature of terrain.

radarscope overlay — (*) A transparent overlay for placing on the radarscope for comparison and identification of radar returns.

radarscope photography — (*) A film record of the returns shown by a radar screen.

radar signal film — The film on which is recorded all the reflected signals acquired by a coherent radar, and that must be viewed or processed through an optical correlator to permit interpretation.

radar silence — (*) An imposed discipline prohibiting the transmission by radar of electromagnetic signals on some or all frequencies.

radar spoking — Periodic flashes of the rotating time base on a radial display. Sometimes caused by mutual interference.

radar tracking station — A radar facility that has the capability of tracking moving targets.

radial — A magnetic bearing extending from a very high frequency omni-range and/or tactical air navigation station.

radial displacement — (*) On vertical photographs, the apparent “leaning out,” or the apparent displacement of the top of any object having height in relation to its base. The direction of displacement is radial from the principal point on a true vertical, or from

the isocentre on a vertical photograph distorted by tip or tilt.

radiant exposure — See thermal exposure.

radiation dose — (*) The total amount of ionizing radiation absorbed by material or tissues, expressed in centigrays. (DOD only) The term radiation dose is often used in the sense of the exposure dose expressed in roentgens, which is a measure of the total amount of ionization that the quantity of radiation could produce in air. This could be distinguished from the absorbed dose, also given in rads, which represents the energy absorbed from the radiation per gram of specified body tissue. Further, the biological dose, in rems, is a measure of the biological effectiveness of the radiation exposure. See also absorbed dose; exposure dose.

radiation dose rate — (*) The radiation dose (dosage) absorbed per unit of time. (DOD only) A radiation dose rate can be set at some particular unit of time (e.g., H + 1 hour) and would be called H + 1 radiation dose rate.

radiation exposure state — (*) The condition of a unit, or exceptionally an individual, deduced from the cumulative whole body radiation dose(s) received. It is expressed as a symbol which indicates the potential for future operations and the degree of risk if exposed to additional nuclear radiation.

radiation exposure status — Criteria to assist the commander in measuring unit exposure to radiation based on total past cumulative dose in centigray (cGy). Categories are as follows: (a) radiation exposure status-0

— No previous exposure history. Also called RES-0; (b) radiation exposure status-1 — Negligible radiation exposure history (greater than 0, but less than 70 cGy). Also called RES-1; (c) radiation

exposure status-2 — Significant but not a dangerous dose of radiation (greater than 70, but less than 150 cGy). Also called

RES-2; (d) radiation exposure status-3

— Unit has already received a dose of radiation which makes further exposure dangerous (greater then 150 cGy). Also called RES-3.

radiation intelligence — Intelligence derived from the collection and analysis of non-information-bearing elements extracted from the electromagnetic energy unintentionally emanated by foreign devices, equipments, and systems, excluding those generated by the detonation of atomic or nuclear weapons.

radiation intensity — (*) The radiation dose rate at a given time and place. It may be used, coupled with a figure, to denote the radiation intensity at a given number of hours after a nuclear burst, e.g., RI-3 is the radiation intensity 3 hours after the time of burst. Also called RI.

radiation scattering — (*) The diversion of radiation (thermal, electromagnetic, or nuclear) from its original path as a result of interaction or collisions with atoms, molecules, or larger particles in the atmosphere or other media between the source of the radiation (e.g., a nuclear explosion) and a point at some distance away. As a result of scattering, radiation (especially gamma rays and neutrons) will be received at such a point from many directions instead of only from the direction of the source.

radiation sickness — (*) An illness resulting from excessive exposure to ionizing radiation. The earliest symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which may be followed by loss of hair, hemorrhage, inflammation of the mouth and throat, and general loss of energy.

radioactive decay — (*) The decrease in the radiation intensity of any radioactive material with respect to time.

radioactive decay curve — (*) A graph line representing the decrease of radioactivity with the passage of time.

radioactive decay rate — The time rate of the disintegration of radioactive material generally accompanied by the emission of particles and/or gamma radiation.

radioactivity — The spontaneous emission of radiation, generally alpha or beta particles, often accompanied by gamma rays, from the nuclei of an unstable isotope.

radioactivity concentration guide — (*)

The amount of any specified radioisotope that is acceptable in air and water for continuous consumption.

radio and wire integration — The combining of wire circuits with radio facilities. Also called RWI.

radio approach aids — (*) Equipment making use of radio to determine the position of an aircraft with considerable accuracy from the time it is in the vicinity of an airfield or carrier until it reaches a position from which landing can be carried out.

radio beacon — (*) A radio transmitter which emits a distinctive or characteristic signal used for the determination of bearings, courses, or location.

radio countermeasures — See electronic warfare.

radio deception — The employment of radio to deceive the enemy. Radio deception includes sending false dispatches, using deceptive headings, employing enemy call signs, etc. See also electronic warfare.

radio detection — (*) The detection of the presence of an object by radio-location without precise determination of its position.

radio direction finding — (*)

Radio-location in which only the direction of a station is determined by means of its emissions.

radio direction finding database — The aggregate of information, acquired by both airborne and surface means, necessary to provide support to radio direction-finding operations to produce fixes on target transmitters and/or emitters. The resultant bearings and fixes serve as a basis for tactical decisions concerning military operations, including exercises, planned or underway.

radio fix — The location of a ship or aircraft by determining the direction of radio signals coming to the ship or aircraft from two or more sending stations, the locations of which are known.

radio guard — A ship, aircraft, or radio station designated to listen for and record transmissions and to handle traffic on a designated frequency for a certain unit or units.

radiological defense — (*) Defensive measures taken against the radiation hazards resulting from the employment of nuclear and radiological weapons.

radiological environment — (*) Conditions found in an area resulting from the presence of a radiological hazard.

radiological monitoring — See monitoring.

radiological operation — (*) The employment of radioactive materials or radiation producing devices to cause casualties or restrict the use of terrain. It

includes the intentional employment of fallout from nuclear weapons.

radiological survey — (*) The directed effort to determine the distribution and dose rates of radiation in an area.

radiological survey flight altitude — The altitude at which an aircraft is flown during an aerial radiological survey.

radio magnetic indicator — (*) An instrument which displays aircraft heading and bearing to selected radio navigation aids.

radio navigation — (*) Radio-location intended for the determination of position or direction or for obstruction warning in navigation.

radio range finding — (*) Radio-location in which the distance of an object is determined by means of its radio emissions, whether independent, reflected, or retransmitted on the same or other wavelength.

radio range station — (*) A radio navigation land station in the aeronautical radio navigation service providing radio equi-signal zones. (In certain instances a radio range station may be placed on board a ship.)

radio silence — (*) A condition in which all or certain radio equipment capable of radiation is kept inoperative. (DOD only) (Note: In combined or United States Joint or intra-Service communications the frequency bands and/or types of equipment affected will be specified.)

radio telegraphy — The transmission of telegraphic codes by means of radio.

radio telephony — (*) The transmission of speech by means of modulated radio waves.

radius of action — (*) The maximum distance a ship, aircraft, or vehicle can travel away from its base along a given course with normal combat load and return without refueling, allowing for all safety and operating factors.

radius of damage — The distance from ground zero at which there is a 0.50 probability of achieving the desired damage.

radius of integration — The distance from ground zero that indicates the area within which the effects of both the nuclear detonation and conventional weapons are to be integrated.

radius of safety — (*) The horizontal distance from ground zero beyond which the weapon effects on friendly troops are acceptable.

raid — (*) An operation, usually small scale, involving a swift penetration of hostile territory to secure information, confuse the enemy, or to destroy installations. It ends with a planned withdrawal upon completion of the assigned mission.

railhead — (*) A point on a railway where loads are transferred between trains and other means of transport. See also navigation head.

railway line capacity — (*) The maximum number of trains which can be moved in each direction over a specified section of track in a 24 hour period. See also route capacity.

railway loading ramp — (*) A sloping platform situated at the end or beside a track and rising to the level of the floor of the rail cars or wagons.

rainfall (nuclear) — The water that is precipitated from the base surge clouds after

an underwater burst of a nuclear weapon. This rain is radioactive and presents an important secondary effect of such a burst.

rainout — (*) Radioactive material in the atmosphere brought down by precipitation.

ramjet — (*) A jet-propulsion engine containing neither compressor nor turbine which depends for its operation on the air compression accomplished by the forward motion of the engine. See also pulsejet.

random minelaying — (*) In land mine warfare, the laying of mines without regard to pattern.

range — 1. The distance between any given point and an object or target. 2. Extent or distance limiting the operation or action of something, such as the range of an aircraft, ship, or gun. 3. The distance that can be covered over a hard surface by a ground vehicle, with its rated payload, using the fuel in its tank and its cans normally carried as part of the ground vehicle equipment. 4. Area equipped for practice in shooting at targets. In this meaning, also called target range.

range marker — (*) A single calibration blip fed onto the time base of a radial display. The rotation of the time base shows the single blips as a circle on the plan position indicator scope. It may be used to measure range.

range markers — Two upright markers that may be lighted at night and placed so that, when aligned, the direction indicated assists in piloting. They may be used in amphibious operations to aid in beaching landing ships or craft.

Rangers — Rapidly deployable airborne light infantry organized and trained to conduct highly complex joint direct action operations in coordination with or in

support of other special operations units of all Services. Rangers also can execute direct action operations in support of conventional nonspecial operations missions conducted by a combatant commander and can operate as conventional light infantry when properly augmented with other elements of combined arms.

range spread — The technique used to place the mean point of impact of two or more units 100 meters apart on the gun-target line.

ranging — (*) The process of establishing target distance. Types of ranging include echo, intermittent, manual, navigational, explosive echo, optical, radar, etc. See also spot.

rated load — (*) The designed safe operating load for the equipment under prescribed conditions.

rate of fire — (*) The number of rounds fired per weapon per minute.

rate of march — (*) The average number of miles or kilometers to be traveled in a given period of time, including all ordered halts. It is expressed in miles or kilometers in the hour. See also pace.

ratification — The declaration by which a nation formally accepts, with or without reservation, the content of a standardization agreement. See also implementation; reservation; subscription.

rationalization — Any action that increases the effectiveness of allied forces through more efficient or effective use of defense resources committed to the alliance. Rationalization includes consolidation, reassignment of national priorities to higher alliance needs, standardization, specialization, mutual support or improved interoperability, and greater cooperation.

Rationalization applies to both weapons and/or materiel resources and non-weapons military matters.

ration dense — Foods that, through processing, have been reduced in volume and quantity to a small compact package without appreciable loss of food value, quality, or acceptance, with a high yield in relation to space occupied, such as dehydrates and concentrates.

ratio print — A print the scale of which has been changed from that of the negative by photographic enlargement or reduction.

ratline — An organized effort for moving personnel and/or material by clandestine means across a denied area or border.

R-day — See times.

reaction time — 1. The elapsed time between the initiation of an action and the required response. 2. The time required between the receipt of an order directing an operation and the arrival of the initial element of the force concerned in the designated area.

readiness — The ability of US military forces to fight and meet the demands of the national military strategy. Readiness is the synthesis of two distinct but interrelated levels. a. unit readiness — The ability to provide capabilities required by the combatant commanders to execute their assigned missions. This is derived from the ability of each unit to deliver the outputs for which it was designed. b. joint readiness — The combatant commander’s ability to integrate and synchronize ready combat and support forces to execute his or her assigned missions. See also military capability; national military strategy.

readiness condition — See operational readiness.

readiness planning — Operation planning required for peacetime operations. Its objective is the maintenance of high states of readiness and the deterrence of potential enemies. It includes planning activities that influence day-to-day operations and the peacetime posture of forces. As such, its focus is on general capabilities and readiness rather than the specifics of a particular crisis, either actual or potential. The assignment of geographic responsibilities to combatant commanders, establishment of readiness standards and levels, development of peacetime deployment patterns, coordination of reconnaissance and surveillance assets and capabilities, and planning of joint exercises are examples of readiness planning. No formal joint planning system exists for readiness planning such as exists for joint operation and execution planning.

ready position — (*) In helicopter operations, a designated place where a helicopter load of troops and/or equipment waits for pick-up.

Ready Reserve — The Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve, and Inactive National Guard liable for active duty as prescribed by law (US Code, title 10 (DOD), sections 10142, 12301, and 12302). See also active duty; Inactive National

Guard; Individual Ready Reserve; Selected Reserve. (JP 4-05)

Ready Reserve Force — A force composed of ships acquired by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) with Navy funding and newer ships acquired by the MARAD for the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF). Although part of the NDRF, ships of the Ready Reserve Force are maintained in a higher state of readiness and can be made available without mobilization or congressionally declared state of emergency. Also called RRF. See

also National Defense Reserve Fleet.

(JP 3-02.2)

ready-to-load date — The date when a unit will be ready to move from the origin, i.e., mobilization station. Also called RLD.

reallocation authority — (*) The authority given to NATO commanders and normally negotiated in peacetime, to reallocate in an “emergency in war” national logistic resources controlled by the combat forces under their command, and made available by nations, in order to influence the battle logistically.

real property — Lands, buildings, structures, utilities systems, improvements, and appurtenances thereto. Includes equipment attached to and made part of buildings and structures (such as heating systems) but not movable equipment (such as plant equipment).

real time — Pertaining to the timeliness of data or information which has been delayed only by the time required for electronic communication. This implies that there are no noticeable delays. See also near real time.

rear area — For any particular command, the area extending forward from its rear boundary to the rear of the area assigned to the next lower level of command. This area is provided primarily for the performance of support functions. See also Army service area. (JP 3-10)

rear area operations center/rear tactical operations center — A command and control facility that serves as an area and/ or subarea commander’s planning, coordinating, monitoring, advising, and directing agency for area security operations. (JP 3-10.1)