BAbbreviation used on long-term climate outlooks issued by CPC to indicate areas that are likely to be below normal for a given parameter (temperature…
Balanced Technology Initiative (BTI)DoDs program to hasten application of advanced technology to the most critical and urgent operational needs.
Ballistic CoefficientThe weight of the object divided by the product of the coefficient of drag and the projected area (W/CDA), in kilograms per square meter.
Ballistic Missile (BM)Any missile that does not rely upon aerodynamic surfaces to produce lift and consequently follows a ballistic trajectory when thrust is terminated.
Ballistic Missile Boost Intercept (BAMBI)OBSOLETE. A 1966 system concept that a Lockheed study group developed in anticipation of possible government interest in the development of an ABM…
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)All active and passive measures designed to detect, identify, track, and defeat attacking ballistic missiles (and entities), in both strategic and theater…
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) CellThis facility will be located in the USSPACECOM Consolidated Command Center (CCC) and Space Control Center (SPACC) to support the Space Force Application…
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System(1) An integrated system that employs layered defenses to intercept missiles during their boost, midcourse, and terminal flight phases.
Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO)OBSOLETE. The former name of an agency of the Department of Defense whose mission is to manage and direct the conduct of a research program examining the…
Ballistic Missile Defense ProgramAn architecture comprising three objectives: Theater Missile Defense (TMD), National Missile Defense (NMD), and Follow-on Research Programs.
Barrage JammingSimultaneous electronic jamming over a broad band of frequencies.
Base ProgramThe base program is the program described in the Future Years Defense Program base file, when updated to conform to the budget presented to Congress in…
Base YearA reference period, which determines a fixed price level for comparison in economic escalation calculations and cost estimates.
baselineAn initial measurement that is taken at an early time point to represent a beginning condition, and is used for comparison over time to look for changes.
Baseline Comparison System (BCS)A current operational system, or a composite of current operational subsystems, which most closely represents the design, operational, and support…
Baseline ConditionsThe natural and human environmental conditions, which are present prior to implementation of a program and against which impacts are assessed.
Baseline Cost Estimate (BCE)A detailed estimate of acquisition and ownership costs normally required for highlevel decisions.
BatteryA beating or wrongful physical violence. The threat to use force is an "assault;" the actual use of force is a battery, which usually includes an assault.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)The estimate of damage resulting from the application of military force against a predetermined objective.
Battle DebrisBattle Debris are the fragments produced by the hypervelocity collision of an interceptor with a ballistic missile, post-boost vehicle, or reentry…
Battle Group(1) Domains into which the battle space is partitioned. (2) A data processing approach implemented in the battle management computer, which minimizes the…
Battle IntegrationPreplanning processes and/or real-time coordination that occur to minimize resource wastage between battle tiers or battle partitions. 30
Battle Management (BM)Battle management is comprised of two parts: strategies and the collection of tasks to be performed to successfully implement chosen strategies.
Battle Management SystemThe hub of the command and control process. It consists of computer hardware and software that integrates elements of the command and control system into…
Battle Management System ConfigurationThe battle management elements currently in the system together with their locations, connectivity and currently activated modes of operation.
Battle ManagerThe automated set of hardware and software equipment that performs the battle management functions at an element.
Battle PlanOne of a set of BMD operational approaches to counter a ballistic missile attack.
Battle SpaceA characterization of the BMD area of operation generally expressed by Tier (Boost, Post-Boost, Midcourse, and Terminal). (USSPACECOM)
Battle Space PartitioningAssignment of management, sensing, control and firing responsibilities to specific platforms/facilities within the deployed constellation of…
Battlefield Coordination ElementAn Army liaison provided by the Army component commander to the Air Operations Center (AOC) and/or to the component designated by the joint force…
Battlefield Coordination Element (BCE)An Army liaison provided by the Army component commander to the Air Operations Center (AOC) and/or to the component designated by the joint force…
Beam ControlTechnologies associated with controlling the physical properties of high-energy beams and steering the energy transmitted by those beams to the target…
BEAM WIDTHAngular width of antenna pattern. Usually that width where the power density is one-half that of the axis beam. (Half-Power or 3 dB point)