Glossary
Navigating the complex world of aerospace can be daunting, especially when it comes to deciphering the industry's extensive list of abbreviations and technical terms. But fear not, we've compiled a comprehensive guide to help you make sense of it all.
From A to Z, this list of aerospace abbreviations and terms is your one-stop-shop for understanding the lingo used in this dynamic field. Whether you're an industry professional, a student, or simply curious about the aerospace industry, this resource will equip you with the knowledge you need to communicate effectively and stay ahead of the curve.
Explore this alphabetized guide and unlock the secrets of the aerospace world. With clear explanations and real-world examples, you'll be speaking the language of the skies in no time. Bookmark this page and refer to it whenever you encounter an unfamiliar acronym or technical jargon – your aerospace journey just got a whole lot smoother.
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| S/L or s/l | Sea level |
| s/n | Serial number |
| also: | Since new |
| s/o | Since overhaul |
| SAAHS | Stability augmentation and altitude hold system |
| SAC | Strategic Air Command (USAF) |
| SACEUR | Supreme Allied Commander Europe (NATO) |
| SACLOS | Semi-automatic command to line-of-sight (GW guidance method) |
| safe life | Time, after which a part should be replaced, even if not apparently defective |
| SAHRS | Standard attitude & heading reference system |
| SALT | Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty |
| SAM | Surface-to-air missile |
| SAR | Search and rescue |
| also: | Synthetic aperture radar |
| also: | Semi-active radar |
| SARH | Semi-active radar homing |
| SAS | Stability augmentation system |
| also: | Special Air Service (UK) |
| SAT | Satellite |
| satcom | Satellite communications |
| satnav | Satellite navigation |
| saw-tooth | re: dog-tooth |
| SB | Service Bulletin |
| SBAC | Society of British Aerospace Companies |
| SCAS | Stability and control augmentation system |
| SDI | Strategic Defence Initiative (US); aka 'Star Wars' |
| SE | Single Engine |
| SEAD | Suppression of enemy air defenses |
| seat pitch | Distance between back of one seat and the same point on back of seat in front |
| semi-active | Missile guidance system; missiles homes on radiation reflected by the target but emitted from the launch aircraft |
| semi-monocoque | Construction in which most of the structural strength is in the skin and directly underlying stringers and frames |
| senso | Sensor operator |
| SEP | Specific excess power |
| also: | Single engine piston |
| service ceiling | Altitude at which maximum rate of climb is 100 ft/min |
| servo | Device augmenting pilot input, usually to move a control surface |
| SFAR | Special federal aviation regulations (FAA) |
| SFC | Specific fuel consumption; amount of fuel used per unit of power per unit of time |
| also: | Surface |
| SFW | Sensor fused weapon |
| SHAPE | Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (NATO) |
| SHF | Super high frequency |
| Shorad | Short range air defence |
| shp | Shaft horsepower; power at engine output shaft |
| SI | Specific impulse (rocket performance parameter) |
| side-arm controller | re: sidestick |
| sidestick | Primary aircraft control; replacing traditional control stick or control column with a short handgrip beside the pilot(s) |
| sigint | Signals intelligence |
| single shaft | Gas-turbine powerplant in which all compressor and turbine stages are mounted on a single shaft |
| SIP | Systems Improvement Programme |
| SITA | Société Internationale de Télécommunications Aéronautiques; airlines worldwide telecommunications and information services |
| SLAR | Side looking airborne radar |
| slat | Auxiliary aerofoil device; prevents airflow breakaway on wing or tail |
| SLEP | Service life extension programme (US) |
| also: | Service life enhancement programme |
| slew wing | re: oblique wing |
| SLR | Side-looking radar |
| SLRR | Side-looking reconnaissance radar |
| SMOH | Since major overhaul |
| SMS | Stores management system |
| SMTI | Selective moving target indicator |
| SMTS | Space and Missile Training Squadron (USAF) |
| snap-down | Ability to intercept a low flying target from a significantly higher altitude |
| SOF | Special Operations Forces (US) |
| soft target | Target which is not hardened or armoured |
| SOG | Special Operations Group (US) |
| SOM | Stand-off missile |
| sonar | Sound navigation and ranging |
| SOP | Standard operating procedure |
| SOR | Specific operational requirement |
| SOS | Stabilised optical sight |
| also: | Special Operations Squadron (USAF) |
| SOW | Stand-off weapon |
| also: | Special Operations Wing (USAF) |
| SPICUS | Single pilot-in-command under supervision |
| SPKR | Speaker |
| splitter | Plate dividing airflow (usually engine inlet) |
| spoiler | Moveable surface on wing; when open reduces lift and increases drag |
| SPTW | Support Wing (USAF) |
| SR | Short range |
| also: | Strategic reconnaissance (US) |
| SR(A) | Staff requirement (Air) (UK) |
| SRA | Surveillance radar approach |
| SRAAM | Short range air-to-air missile |
| SRW | Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (USAF) |
| SRZ | Special Rules Zone |
| SSB | Single sideband |
| SSR | Secundary surveillance radar |
| SST | Supersonic transport |
| st | Static thrust; thrust of jet or rocket engine when stationary |
| STA | Supplementary Type Approval |
| stabiliser | Any fixed tail surface |
| stalling speed | Airspeed at which lift of wing suddenly decreases |
| stall strips | Strips on wing leading edge to induce stall at that specific point |
| starboard | Right side, while looking forward |
| START | Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty |
| also: | Strategic Arms Reduction Talks |
| STC | Supplemental Type Certificate |
| STD or std | Standard |
| STE | Special test equipment |
| stick-pusher | Stall-prevention device; forces the control stick forward when stalling Angle of Attack is approached, reducing the Angle of Attack |
| stick-shaker | Stall-warning device; shakes the control stick quickly fore&aft through small angle when stalling Angle of Attack is approached, as a warning to the pilot |
| STOL | Short take-off and landing |
| store | Any weapon or equipment not permanently attached to aircraft |
| STOVL | Short take-off and vertical landing |
| strake | Long narrow surface, aligned with airflow and perpendicular to fuselage skin |
| strobe | Flashing anti-collision beacon |
| STS | Status |
| supercritical | A wing which has an unusually high critical Mach No. for its sweep angle and t/c; special highly advanced aerofoil |
| SUU | Suspension Unit Underwing (USAF) |
| SW | Strategic Wing (USAF) |
| sweep back | Backward inclination of wing relative to fuselage; usually measured at quarter chord |
| swing wing | Variable geometry wing |
| SWIP | Systems weapons integration programme |