UNMANNED COMBAT AIR VEHICLE (UCAV) - UNMANNED AIR VEHICLES having combat-related roles, generally in the three following categories: (1) Long-dwell standoff intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); (2) Penetrating surveillance, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and strike; and (3) Tactical surveillance and targetting. UCAVs have been launched from ground, sea, air, and subsurface platforms. [10:3051]   Also called UNMANNED COMBAT AERIAL VEHICLES.

UNMANNED TERRAIN DOMINATION (UTD) - The use of autonomous, unmanned capability to achieve total SITUATIONAL AWARENESS (SA), evaluate data, develop courses of action and employ lethal and non-lethal SMART WEAPONS to achieve the commander's objectives. [U.S. Army Major Initiative, circa 2000]

UNMANNED UNDERSEA VEHICLE (UUV) -  See UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLE.

UNMANNED UNDERWATER VEHICLE (UUV) - An underwater vehicle launched from a torpedo tube to perform a variety of underwater scouting missions using visual imaging. [10:106]   Synonymous with UNMANNED UNDERSEA VEHICLE.  See also UNDERWATER VIEWING MODULE (UVM).

USER AGENT STRING - An alphanumeric string containing the self-identification of a BROWSER, such as Netscape or Microsoft Explorer.  []  See also MOZILLA.   EXAMPLE (1999):  Internet Explorer 4, running on Windows 98 sends the following USER AGENT STRING: User Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 4.01; Windows 98)

V

VACUSOL - A spacecraft decoy. Sprayed from the protected spacecraft, it consists of a cloud of particles which reflect light at the same wavelengths as those reflected by the spacecraft. []

VACUUM FLUORESCENT DISPLAY (VFD) - A (vacuum tube) TRIODE consisting of a thermionic CATHODE, a control GRID, and a phosphor-coated ANODE which produces the display. []

VACUUM TUBE - An electronic device in which conduction by electrons takes place in a vacuum or gaseous medium within a gas-tight envelope (tube). Vacuum tubes generally consist of a heating element (unless it is of the COLD CATHODE variety), CATHODE, zero or more control elements (or GRID), and a plate (or ANODE). Except for electronic displays, such as the CATHODE RAY TUBE, and certain high power applications, vacuum tubes have largely been replaced by solid state devices. Also called VALVE. [] NOTES: (1) One way of classifying vacuum tubes is according to the number of elements contained in the tube. Thus, a DIODE contains two elements (cathode and plate), TRIODE contains three elements (cathode, grid, and plate), TETRODE contains four elements (cathode, two grids, and plate), and PENTODE (cathode, three grids, and plate). (2) Several types of otherwise obsolete vacuum tubes are still being manufactured in Eastern Europe (1998) for use by entertainers in guitar and other instrument amplifiers, e.g., 6L6 beam power tetrode introduced by RCA in 1936, 12AT7 dual triode, and the 12AX7 dual triode.  [10:2636]

VALUE ADDED NETWORK (VAN) - A private service that securely routes data from one organization to another for a fee.  []

VALVE - See VACUUM TUBE.

VAN ECK ATTACK - See VAN ECK MONITORING.

VAN ECK DEVICE - A device which monitors RF radiation from computer monitors and connecting cables.  []

VAN ECK MONITORING - The monitoring of the activity of a computer or other electronic equipment through detection of low levels of electromagnetic emissions form the device.  Named after Dr. Wim van Eck who published on the topic in 1985.  []  Also called VAN ECK ATTACK   [10:2964]

VAPOR TRACING - Exploitation of the natural airflow phenomenon called "the human convection plume" to detect microscopic traces of nitroglycerin, TNT, cocaine, heroin and other explosives and narcotics. [10:2991]  NOTE:  Current (2003) devices used at airports, for example, are claimed to be able to detect traces of such contraband within seconds on individuals being scanned.  For example, a passenger steps inside, gets a brief blast from 16 air jets, and an overhead analyzer sucks up the human convection plume that naturally exhausts from the human body. After a few seconds, a clean passenger gets a green light to proceed; otherwise, an alarm will sound.

VARIABLE POLARIZATION - An ECCM technique for use against a main-beam on-target or STANDOFF JAMMER. It controls the POLARIZATION of the radar antenna to maximize SIGNAL-TO-JAMMING RATIO in the radar receiver. [8]

VARIABLE VELOCITY RIFLE SYSTEM (VVRS) - A rifle which vents propellant gas to vary projectile velocity for either lethal or non-lethal effects.  [10:2752]  See also NONLETHAL WEAPON.  NOTE:  Certain VVRS weapons allow the user to dial up the velocity of the bullet depending on the situation.  Using a cartridge based on the standard shotgun shell, the propellant exploits the explosive interaction between aluminum and water.

VECTORED THRUST DUCTED PROPELLOR (VTDP) COMPOUND HELICOPTER - A specialized helicopter for airborne mine countermeasures (MCM) towing missions.  It features a ducted propeller for forward thrust and small wings for added lift.

VECTORED THRUST DUCTED PROPELLOR COMPOUND HELICOPTER

Source: ONR

VEHICLE ACTIVE DEFENSE SYSTEM (VADS) - A NONLETHAL WEAPON system consisting of a vehicle equipped with mounted flash, bang, and smoke grenades to distract, allowing the vehicle to then evade ambushers.  [10:2745]

VEHICLE-DISABLING WEAPON (VDW) - A NONLETHAL WEAPON system which employs LASER beams to directly inject radio-frequency (RF) electrical current into the electronic circuits of the target vehicle.  The disabling current is transmitted through two channels of highly ionized air for a (theoretical) range of up to two kilometers.  [10:2952]  See also ANTI-PERSONNEL BEAM WEAPON (APBW).

VEHICLE MANAGER - An individual who manages the flight profile of several unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and/or unmanned reconnaissance aerial vehicles (URAVs) simultaneously, and is envisioned (1996) as part of a team consisting also of a weapons officer, and an intelligence analyst, all involved with the missions of these pilotless air vehicles.  [10:2586]

VEHICLE MOUNTED MINE DETECTOR (VMMD) - A vehicle-mounted system which is capable of detecting, within 0.25 meters, both surface and underground mines buried to a depth of 8 inches.  The VMMD is equipped with a forward-looking infrared sensor, a mission control computer, and a ground-penetrating standoff mine detection radar.  [10:2629]

VELOCITY GATE PULL OFF (VGPO) - A SELF-SCREENING ECM technique used against velocity tracking radars. It captures the victim radar's velocity gate, walks it off in velocity, then turns OFF, leaving the velocity gate with no signal, causing a break in the velocity track. The process is repetitive. [8] Synonymous with VELOCITY GATE WALK-OFF.

VELOCITY GATE WALK OFF - See VELOCITY GATE PULL OFF.

VERDIN - See VLF DIGITAL INFORMATION NETWORK

VERSATILE INTELLIGENT PORTABLE elbit ROBOT (VIPeR) - A small, lightweight battlefield robot intended to support dismounted infantry.  The robot can be configured for a variety of missions such as bomb disposal and reconnaissance.  It can be armed with a submachine gun or a grenade launcher for combat operations. [10:3099]  NOTE:  The "e" in VIPeR refers to the developer: Elbit Systems Limited, Haifa, Israel.

VERTICAL COVERAGE DIAGRAM - See FADE CHART.

VERTICAL LAUNCH ASROC (VLA) - An ASROC launched from a fixed vertical launcher.  []  ( View the VLA Program logo )

VERTICAL SITUATION DISPLAY - An electronically generated display on which information on aircraft attitude and heading, flight director commands, weapon aiming and TERRAIN FOLLOWING can be presented, choice of presentation being under control of the pilot. [1.1] See also HEAD-UP DISPLAY, HORIZONTAL SITUATION DISPLAY.

VERY HIGH FREQUENCY OMNI-DIRECT RADIO-RANGE (VOR) - A ground-based electronic navigation aid that transmits VHF omni-directional radio signals, 360 degrees in azimuth, oriented from magnetic north.  [10:2771]  NOTE:  The primary radio navigation aid in the National Airspace System, VOR is the internationally designated standard short-distance radio navigation aid for air carrier and general aviation Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) operations.  It provides a bearing from the aircraft to the VOR transmitter.  Distance to the ground station is provide by a co-located Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) or TACAN.  If the VOR is co-located with a TACAN, the configuration is called VORTAC.  [10:2770]

VERY LONG INSTRUCTION WORD (VLIW) - A computer instruction word which encodes four or more operations in a single instruction. []

VERY LOW FREQUENCY DIGITAL INFORMATION NETWORK - See VLF DIGITAL INFORMATION NETWORK

VIA - A vertical plated-thru hole, usually drilled, in a multi-layered Printed Circuit Board (PCB) used to provide electrical connection between two or more layers.  If the via connects two or more layers within the PCB, not including either outer layer, it is called a BURIED VIA.  If the via connects two or more layers to include one of the outer layers, it is called a BLIND VIA (BLIND TOP VIA or BLIND BOTTOM VIA).  If a via connects all layers it is called a THROUGH VIA; see the figure below.   [10:2714] 

Also called FEED-THRU (FEED-THROUGH) and VIA-HOLE.  See also MICROVIA.

VIBRATION SENSOR - A device used to provide vibration information.  There are three basic types of vibration sensors: displacement transducer, which is a non-contact device measuring minute distances between the observed equipment and the sensor; velocity sensor (e.g. spring-held magnet moving through a coil of wire) which measures vibration as either horizontal or vertical motion; and  accelerometer, a piezoelectric device.  []

VIBRO-ACOUSTIC DEVICE - A device for mitigating vibro-acoustic stresses.  It uses active isolation and acoustic mitigation to push against the air inside a payload shroud, thus counteracting the oncoming sound waves created at launch, preventing payload damage.  [10:3023]

VIDEO BLANKING INTERVAL - A television (TV) broadcast area reserved for data. Internet data are delivered to the PC by using the video blanking interval in a broadcast or cable TV signal. The signal is then received by a  TV tuner card, and the incoming video is displayed in a full or one-quarter screen. []

VIDEO CHALK - See TELESTRATOR.

VIDEO COMPRESSION - Techniques which allow television pictures to be transmitted over relatively narrow bands. [10:36] NOTE: Some video compression systems incorporate baseline picture frame techniques. A single frame is digitized and stored in memory. Subsequent picture frames are compared to this baseline and only the differences between the two frames are transmitted. Other techniques involve removal of alternate lines of pixels or the use of parallel processors and compression algorithms to simultaneously handle "sub-pictures".

VIRCATOR - See VIRTUAL-CATHODE OSCILLATOR.

VIRTUAL ANTENNA - A method by which a single radiating element achieves radar antenna characteristics through the use of digital processing and movement of the radiating element, target, or both. []

VIRTUAL-CATHODE OSCILLATOR (VIRCATOR) - A broadband tunable device capable of producing intense electron beams, and therefore suitable for use as a DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPON. [10:16]

VIRTUAL CIRCUIT (VC) - A PACKET SWITCHING technique in which a logical connection is established between two stations.  Communications over a virtual circuit differs from connectionless communication in that all PACKETs follow the same route, may carry less header information, and arrive in the order they were sent.  [10:2632]

VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT (VR) - A computer-generated, three-dimensional representation of a setting, which unlike VIRTUAL REALITY, need only suggest a real or imagined space, and does not have photo-realism and a sense of total immersion a primary goal.  [10:2595]  See also DISTRIBUTED VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT.

VIRTUAL HEIGHT - The apparent height of an ionized layer determined from the time interval between the transmitted signal and the ionospheric echo at vertical incidence, assuming that the velocity of propagation is the velocity of light over the entire path. [3]  See also IONOSPHERE.

VIRTUAL REALITY (VE) - A combination of technologies whose interfaces with the human user can so dominate the senses that the person intuitively interacts with the immersive and dynamic computer-generated environment.  [10:2595]  Contrast with VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT.  NOTE:   Virtual reality provides a full  immersion of the user(s) in an interactive computer-generated environment.

VIRTUAL WORLD - A loose way of describing any DISTRIBUTED VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT, whether separately or in combination.  [10:2595]   See also CYBERSPACE.

VIRUS - With respect to computers, a computer program file capable of attaching to disks or other files and replicating itself repeatedly, typically without user knowledge or permission. Some viruses attach to files so when the infected file executes, the virus also executes. Other viruses sit in a computer's memory and infect files as the computer opens, modifies or creates the files. Some viruses display symptoms, and some viruses damage files and computer systems, but neither symptoms nor damage is essential in the definition of a virus; a non-damaging virus is still a virus. [Most of the descriptions given below are from the McAfee Virus Information Library: http://vil.nai.com/vil/ ] See also MALICIOUS SOFTWARE.  NOTES: (1) Viruses have been written for several operating systems including DOS, Windows, Amiga, Macintosh, Atari, and UNIX. (2) A virus may disguise itself as a legitimate program. Viruses are often rewritten and adjusted so that they will not be detected. (3) According to McAfee ( see URL above ), more that 81,000 viruses exist today ( 2004 ). (4) Many viruses are carried as e-mail attachments.

Some categories and types of viruses are listed below:

    APPENDING VIRUS - A PARASITIC VIRUS which attaches itself to the end of the host file. Contrast with PREPENDING VIRUS.

    CAVITY VIRUS - A virus that overwrites a part of its host file without increasing the length of that file while also preserving the host's 
functionality.

    CLUSTER VIRUS - Cluster viruses modify the directory table entries so the virus starts before any other program. The virus code only exists in one location, but running any program runs the virus as well. Because they modify the directory, cluster viruses may appear to infect every program on a disk. Also called FILE SYSTEM VIRUS.

    COMPANION VIRUS - A form of FILE VIRUS which uses a feature of DOS that allows software programs with the same name but different extensions to operate with different priorities. Most companion viruses create a .COM file with the same victim .EXE filename and which has a higher priority than the .EXE file; thus the virus does not modify the original file in any way. [] NOTES: (1) For example, a companion virus in the infected system may detect the file PROGRAM.EXE and create a file called PROGRAM.COM. When the computer executes PROGRAM from the command line, the virus, i.e., PROGRAM.COM, runs before the actual PROGRAM.EXE ( whenever a program is executed without specifying a file extension, the system will always try to find and execute the .COM program first and if it cannot be located then .EXE file will be called next ). The virus may then execute the original program afterwards so the system appears to be normal.

    DIRECT ACTION VIRUS - A virus which immediately loads itself into memory, infects other files, and then unloads itself.

    DROPPER - A dropper is not itself a virus, but a carrier file that installs a virus on a computer system. CRACKERS often use droppers to shield their viruses from anti-virus software.

    ENCRYPTED VIRUS - An virus whose code begins with a decryption algorithm and continues with scrambled or encrypted code for the remainder of the virus program. Each time it infects, it automatically re-encodes itself so that its code never remains the same.

    FAST INFECTOR - A virus which, when active in memory, infects not only executed programs, but also other programs that are or may be opened. Thus running an application, such as anti-virus software, which opens many programs but does not execute them, can result in all programs becoming infected. Compare with SLOW INFECTOR and SPARSE INFECTOR.

    FILE INFECTOR - See FILE VIRUS.

    FILE-INFECTING VIRUS - See FILE VIRUS.

    FILE SYSTEM VIRUS - See CLUSTER VIRUS.

    FILE VIRUS - File viruses usually replace or attach themselves to .COM and .EXE files. They can also infect files with the extensions .SYS, .DRV, .BIN, .OVL and .OVY. File viruses may be resident or non-resident, the most common being resident or Terminate-and-Stay-Resident (TSR) viruses. Many non-resident viruses simply infect one or more files whenever an infected file runs. A file virus is a type of virus which inserts itself into, or associates itself with a file. They only infect files that can be executed, including, but is not limited to: .EXE, .COM and .DOT files. File viruses can be further divided into PARASITIC VIRUSES; OVERWRITING VIRUSES; COMPANION VIRUSES; and LINKING VIRUSES. Also called FILE INFECTOR, FILE INFECTING VIRUS, PROGRAM VIRUS.

    INJECTOR - A DROPPER that installs a virus only in memory.

    LINKING VIRUS - A form of FILE VIRUS that infects programs by changing information in the directory structure and modifying the file pointers, so that every infected program starts at the same location (usually the last cluster on the disk) which contains virus code. [Ullapool & Lochbroom Community Tourism & Business Website www.ullapool.co.uk] NOTE: Cleaning disks infected with a link virus requires a specific approach.

    MACRO VIRUS - A macro virus is a malicious macro. Macro viruses are written a macro programming language and attach to a document file (such as Word or Excel). When a document or template containing the macro virus is opened in the target application, the virus runs, does its damage and copies itself into other documents. Continual use of the program results in the spread of the virus.

    MUTATING VIRUS - A virus which changes, or mutates, as it progresses through its host files making disinfection more difficult. The term usually refers to viruses that intentionally mutate, though some experts also include non-intentionally mutating viruses. See Also: POLYMORPHIC VIRUS.

   OVERWRITE VIRUS - See OVERWRITING VIRUS

   OVERWRITING VIRUS - A form of FILE VIRUS which copies its code over its host file's data, thus destroying the original program. Disinfection is possible, although files cannot be recovered. It is usually necessary to delete the original file and replace it with a clean copy.  Also called OVERWRITE VIRUS. NOTE: Most viruses are careful not to destroy the infected file, but overwriting viruses overwrite part of the infected file, so that it will no longer operate. However, this makes these viruses extremely obvious, so they are unlikely to spread far 

     PARASITIC VIRUS - A form of FILE VIRUS that requires a host to help it spread. Parasitic viruses attach themselves to files in order to propagate. The parasitic virus generally keeps most of the file intact and either add itself to the start (prepending viruses) or end of the file (appending viruses). NOTE: .COM and .EXE files are easiest to infect, as they are simply loaded directly into memory and execution always starts at the first instruction.

    POLYMORPHIC VIRUS - A virus which creates varied (though fully functional) copies of itself as a way to avoid detection from anti-virus software. Some polymorphic virus use different encryption schemes and requires different decryption routines. Thus, the same virus may look completely different on different systems or even within different files. Other polymorphic viruses vary instruction sequences and use false commands in the attempt to thwart anti-virus software. One of the most advanced polymorphic viruses uses a mutation-engine and random-number generators to change the virus code and its decryption routine. See Also MUTATING VIRUS.

    PREPENDING VIRUS - A PARASITIC VIRUS which adds itself to the start of the host file. Contrast with APPENDING VIRUS.

    PROGRAM VIRUS - See FILE VIRUS.

    RESIDENT VIRUS - A virus which loads itself into memory and remains inactive until a trigger event. When the event occurs the virus activates, either infecting a file or disk, or causing other consequences. All boot viruses are resident viruses and so are the most common file viruses.  See also TIME BOMB PROGRAM.

    SELF-ENCRYPTING VIRUS - A virus which attempts to conceal itself from anti-virus programs. Most anti-virus programs attempt to find viruses by looking for certain patterns of code (known as virus signatures) that are unique to each virus. Self-encrypting viruses encrypt these text strings differently with each infection to avoid detection. See also SELF-GARBLING VIRUS, ENCRYPTED VIRUS.

    SELF-GARBLING VIRUS - A virus which attempts to hide from anti-virus software by garbling its own code. When these viruses spread, they change the way their code is encoded to prevent anti-virus software from finding them. A small portion of the virus code decodes the garbled code when the virus is activated. See also SELF-ENCRYPTING VIRUS, POLYMORPHIC VIRUS.

    SLOW INFECTOR - A virus that infects files only when the files are modified, so that it appears to checksum software that the modification was legitimate. Compare with FAST INFECTOR, SPARSE INFECTOR.

    SPARSE INFECTOR - A virus that infects only on specified occasions—for example, it may infect every tenth program executed, making the virus more difficult to detect.

    STEALTH VIRUS - A virus which attempts to conceal its presence from anti-virus software. Many stealth viruses intercept disk-access requests, so when an anti-virus application tries to read files or boot sectors to find the virus, the virus feeds the program a "clean" image of the requested item. Other viruses hide the actual size of an infected file and display the size of the file before infection. NOTE: Stealth viruses must be running to exhibit their stealth qualities.

    TUNNELING - A virus technique designed to prevent anti-virus applications from working correctly. Anti-virus programs work by intercepting the operating system actions before the Operating System (OS) can execute a virus. Tunneling viruses try to intercept the actions before the anti-virus software can detect the malicious code. New anti-virus programs can recognize many viruses with tunneling behavior.

VISIBLE LIGHT - ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION which can be detected by the human eye. It is commonly used to describe wavelengths which lie in the range between 0.4 and 0.7 microns. [3] See also ELECTRO-OPTIC, INFRARED, ULTRAVIOLET.

VISUALIZATION - An image- processing technique that combines the use of image processing, graphics, multi-dimensional (volume) rendering and photo-realistic rendering. [10:113]

VLF DIGITAL INFORMATION NETWORK (VERDIN) - A very low frequency (VLF)/low frequency (LF) communications system to provide secure command and control (C²) to strategic and tactical submarine forces and airborne VLF relay "Take charge and move out" (TACAMO) aircraft.  []

VOICE SYNTHESIS DEVICE - A NONLETHAL WEAPON which has the ability to clone a persons voice so that a synthesized message in that person's voice can be transmitted (e.g., by satellite) to a selected audience.  [10:2754]

VOICE TO SKULL (V2K) DEVICE -   NONLETHAL WEAPONS which include (1)   A NEURO-ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE  that employs microwave transmission of sound into the skull of persons or animals by way of pulse-modulated microwave radiation.  Depending upon the frequency and power densities used, such transmissions may be perceived by humans due to the ELECTROPHONIC EFFECT, which manifests itself as a buzzing or clicking sound in the back of the head.   (2)  A SILENT SOUND DEVICE which can transmit sound into the skull of person or animals.  []  Also called ARTIFICIAL TELEPATHY, MICROWAVE HEARING, FREY EFFECT. NOTE:  The sound modulation may be voice or audio sub-liminal messages.   One application of V2K is use as an electronic scarecrow to frighten birds in the vicinity of airports.

VOLATILE RAM - Computer Random Access Memory in which data cannot be retained without continuous power dissipation. [] Contrast with NON-VOLATILE RAM.

VOLCANO - A multiple mine delivery system which can deploy GATOR MINES from various vehicles and helicopters.  [10:2735]

VORTEX WEAPON - A NONLETHAL WEAPON that generates an explosive charge which creates a massive shock wave traveling at hundreds of miles per hour to its target.  [10:2730]   NOTE: This weapon can knock down people or even aircraft, and could be used in combination with gases or chemical agents.

VORTAL - A Web site that contains news, links and other information specific to one particular industrial sector.  []

VOYAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (VMS) - A computerized system which includes an electronic chart display and information system.   It determines the ship's position and movement by integrating input from GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) sensors, navigation radars, depth sounder, speed log, gyrocompass, and other systems.  VMS can provide a display showing surface radar contacts superimposed on an electronic nautical chart display.  The system includes an advanced steering function to drive the ship automatically, and allows the ship to follow the course of a programmed voyage plan.  [10:2663]

VULNERABILITY - (1) The characteristics of a system which cause it to suffer a definite degradation (incapability to perform the designated mission) as a result of having been subjected to a certain level of effects in an unnatural (manmade) hostile environment. [1.1] (2) An electronic system measure expressed as a composite of ACCESSIBILITY, INTERCEPTIBILITY, SUSCEPTIBILITY. [4:13] See also GRACEFUL DEGRADATION.

W

WAKE VORTEX - The air turbulence generated behind an aircraft.  []

WANDERER - See SPIDER.

WAR BREAKER - A research program initiated by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). War Breaker addresses automated surveillance, targeting, intelligence, and planning to target and destroy time-critical targets such as mobile missile systems and advanced command and control centers. [JED "Washington Report 5/93]

WARDIALER - A computer program, used by CRACKERS, which dials a specified list of telephone numbers and records those which answer with HANDSHAKE tones, distinguishing among  modem, fax, and PBX tones.  []  NOTE:   WARDIALERS have evolved from DEMON DIALERS.

WARFIGHTER PHYSIOLOGICAL STATUS MONITORING (WPSM) -- A next-generation combat uniform featuring a configurable array of miniaturized wireless sensors to monitor heart rate, metabolic energy cost of walking or marching, core skin temperatures, and activity or inactivity.  The WPSM uniform will also feature GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) geolocation data and a low-power PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (PAN). NOTE:  All WPSM data will be transmitted to a central hub device the size of a pager worn on a soldier's belt to be stored or passed on to command communications networks or even the Internet. The WPSM will provide command with information about a soldier's energy expenditure, physiological stress and alertness levels.  If a soldier is injured, the sensors will provide medics with the capability to perform accurate battlefield triage.   [10:2920] 

WARFARE SYSTEMS ARCHITECT (WSA) - (Navy) An individual responsible for designing SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE for naval forces of the future based on requirements provided by OPNAV. []

WARFIGHTER INFORMATION NETWORK-TACTICAL (WIN-T) - A tactical portion of the Army's Global Information Grid (GIG).  WIN-T will connect all of the services of the military with the National Security Agency (NSA), Central Intelligence Ageny (CIA), the State department and other cooperating organizations. This will enable battlefield commanders to exchange intelligence in real time, enhancing mission achievement and intelligence collection.  [10:3022]  NOTE:  WIN-T will employ unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), satellites, aircraft, and even airships for relaying data from one Army unit of Action (UA) to another. 

WAR GAME - A simulation, by whatever means, of a military operation involving two or more opposing forces, using rules, data, and procedures designed to depict an actual or assumed real life situation. [1.1]

WARGAMING THE ASYMMETRIC ENVIRONMENT (WAE) - A Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA) Total Information Awareness (TIA) program to develop predictive technology to better anticipate and act against terrorists.  Click to view the WAE concept.  [10:2969]  NOTE:  WAE is a revolutionary approach to identify predictive indicators of attacks by and the behavior of specific terrorists by examining their behavior in the broader context of their political, cultural and ideological environment.

WARTIME RESERVE MODE (WARM) - Characteristics and operating procedures of sensor, communications, navigation aids, threat recognition, weapons, and countermeasures systems that a) will contribute to military effectiveness if unknown to or misunderstood by opposing commanders before they are used, but b) could be exploited or neutralized if known in advance. Wartime reserve modes are deliberately held in reserve for war-time or emergency use and seldom, if ever, applied or intercepted prior to such use. [1.1]

WATER HAMMER - A weapon used for underwater combat or mine clearing.  The device employs a phase array of shock tubes to generate and focus underwater shock waves into a pressure pulse exceeding 2,000 psi.  In effect, it is an underwater attack trumpet, destroying objects hundreds of meters distant with sound.  [10:2690]   NOTE:   The explosive wave generator for the water hammer is powered by a reactant mixture of finely granulated aluminum and seawater.   A horn forms the exit vehicle for the energy waves out of the source tube.   Converging waves reinforce each other in a zone away from the front of the source.   This ability to focus shock waves differentiates the water hammer from conventional methods of dropping explosives in the water.

WATTENBERG PLOW (WP) - A strongback with vertical cutting knives at 4-inch spacings, behind a blanket of cross-linked chains.  It is towed from a distance of about 600 feet by a helicopter at speeds up to 20 knots to clear land mines.  [10:2791]  See also CLAUSEN POWER BLADE.

WAVE - A disturbance propagated through a medium or through space. [3] NOTE: Disturbance, in this definition, is used as a generic term indicating not only mechanical displacement but also voltage, current, electric field strength, temperature, etc.

WAVE CLUTTER - CLUTTER caused by waves from the sea. [3]

WAVE DETECTION - The sensing of sub-audible atmospheric waves.  An example is the detection of clandestine nuclear explosions and rocket plume products that roll across the atmosphere and produce waves and vertical undulations as well.  Such waves travel a long way, and provide potential for detection by suitable detection devices.  [10:2655]

WAVE DISTURBER - JAMMING transmitter. [10:61]

WAVE FILTER - A TRANSDUCER for separating WAVES on the basis of their frequency. [3]

WAVE PIERCING TUMBLEHOME (WPTH) - A hull design ( e.g., for the DDX ) intended to meet low RADAR CROSS SECTION (RCS) SIGNATURE while maintaining seakeeping, damage stability, maneuvering, propulsion, and resistance capabilities. [Navy’s DD(X) Web site http://peoships.crane.navy.mil/ddx/ .]

WAVEFORM - A manifestation or representation or a visualization of a WAVE, pulse, or transition. [3] EXAMPLE: The geometrical shape obtained by displaying a characteristic of the wave as a function of some variable, usually time, plotted over one primitive period (e.g., one cycle).

WAVEFORM DIVERSITY - A radar ECCM technique wherein the transmitted waveform characteristics are changed periodically or randomly to make it difficult for an ECM operator to receive, determine the lethality of, and/or effectively jam the radar. [8]

WAVELENGTH DECORRELATION - A high-resolution imaging technique for measuring target shape and estimating surface-scattering properties. [10:2504]