Military Equipment and Supplies Key Terms

Learn military equipment and supply terms to help you in the field
By Nikki Davis Whether you are in the military, you are an outside contractor or you are dealing with aftermarket parts and equipment, familiarizing yourself with military equipment and supply terms will help you navigate the world of military goods and weaponry. Government contracts can be lucrative, but you have to come across as professional and knowledgeable. The first step is immersing yourself in the lingo and knowing the terminology of the field.
 

Military equipment and supply terms can include different weapon types, slang terms as well as protective coverings. Whatever the term, make sure that you have done ample research, particularly in the branch of the armed forces that you are preparing to meet with or join.

Improvised vehicle armour, hillbilly armor, haji armor

Improvised vehicle armour is when military personnel add vehicle armour in the field or prior to departure that was not an original specification of the vehicle. Although not protocol, this has long happened in U.S. wars, and is still happening today in the conflict with Iraq (improvised vehicle armour is also referred to as "hillbilly armor" by the Americans sometimes "haji armor" when installed by Iraqi contractors).
Try: Learn more about one reserve's attempt at adding improvised armor at Rense.com.

Armor

Armor is the protective clothing worn by military men and women to keep them safe in combat. Modern day body armor is designed to be lightweight but still tough, and popular brands include Dyneema or Spectra, KEVLAR and Twaron.
Try: Find out more about armor from Eagle Eye Body Armor.

Artillery

Artillery weapons are larger caliber weapons that fire one projectile at a time. They are crew serviced and provide direct or indirect projectiles.
Try: Discover a wealth of information on artillery from past to current from this History Channel.

Munitions, ammunition

Munitions, also referred to ammunition, can be put under the broader category that includes such weapons as bombs, missiles, warheads, and mines. It refers to anything that can be used in combat to project force against a selected target.
Try: Find out more about cluster munitions from the Center for Defense Information.

Small arms and firearms

Small arms and firearms are weapons that use kinetic energy to launch a single or multiple projectiles at a high velocity towards a target. Small arms and firearms include pistols, submachine guns, shotguns, assault rifles, machine guns as well as grenade launchers.
Try: Learn about the variety of Browning firearms.