| ACAT | Acquisition Category |
| AFATDS | Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System |
| AFS/ELR | Anti-Fratricide System/Explosive Load Reduction |
| AOA | Assessment of Alternatives |
| ASJPO | Arsenal Ship Joint Program Office |
| ASN | Assistant Secretary of the Navy |
| ASOS | Arsenal Ship Off-board Systems |
| ATWCS | Advanced Tomahawk Weapon Control System |
| CAD | Computer Aided Design |
| CAIV | Cost As an Independent Variable |
| CCAT | Combat System C4I Assessment Team |
| CCL | Concentric Canister Launcher |
| CD | Carderock Division |
| CEC | Cooperative Engagement Capability |
| CER | Cost Estimating Relationship |
| COEA | Cost and Operational Effectiveness Analysis |
| COMM | Communications |
| CONOPS | Concept of Operations |
| COTS | Commercial Off the Shelf |
| C4I | Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence |
| CS | Combat System |
| CSS | Coastal Systems Station |
| DARPA | Defense Advanced Projects Agency |
| DBOF | Defense Based Operating Fund |
| DD | Dahlgren Division |
| EHF | Extra High Frequency |
| FFRDC | Federally Funded Research and Development Center |
| FOUO | For Official Use Only |
| FSC | Full Service Contractor |
| GFE | Government Furnished Equipment |
| GFI | Government Furnished Information |
| GOTS | Government Off-the-Shelf |
| GSE | Government Specified Equipment |
| HM&E | Hull, Mechanical & Electrical |
| HY Series | High strength milspec steels |
| IMPS | Integrated Magazine Protection System |
| INFOSEC | Information Security |
| INSURV | Inspection and Survey |
| IPDE | Integrated Product Development Environment |
| IPT | Integrated Product Team |
| IRAD | Independent Research & Development |
| JHU/APL | Johns Hopkins University/Applied Physics Lab |
| JROC | Joint Requirements Oversight Council |
| JSTARS | Joint Surveillance, Target Attack Radar System |
| JTIDS | Joint Tactical Information Data System |
| LAWS | Land Attack Weapons System |
| MFS | Maritme Fire Support |
| MNS | Mission Needs Statement |
| NAVAIR | Naval Air Systems Command |
| NAVSEA | Naval Sea Systems Command |
| NAWC | Naval Air Weapons Center |
| NRL | Naval Research Laboratory |
| NSWC | Naval Surface Warfare Center |
| NSWC/PHD/ECO | Naval Surface Warfare Center/Port Division/East Coast Operations |
| OPTEVFOR | Operational Test and Evaluation Forces |
| O&S | Operating and Support |
| OSD | Office of the Secretary of Defense |
| PAE | Price As Established |
| PARM | PARticipating Manager |
| PEO | Program Executive Office |
| PERSTEMPO | Personnel Tempo of Operations |
| PGM | Precision Guided Munitions |
| POM | Program Objectives and Milestones |
| RD&A | Research Development and Acquisition |
| RMA | Revolution in Military Affairs |
| SBD | Simulation Based Design |
| SCD | Ships Capabilities Document |
| SEI | Software Engineering Institute |
| SETA | Scientific and Engineering Technical Assistance |
| SPAWAR | Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command |
| SPO | Special Projects Office |
| SSA | Source Selection Authority |
| SSEB | Source Selection Evaluation Board |
| SSAC | Source Selection Advisory Council |
| SWBS | Ship Work Breakdown Structure |
| TAD/SD | PEO TAD program office for Ship Self Defense |
| TADIL | Tactical Digital Information Link |
| TCP/IP | Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol |
| T&E | Test and Evaluation |
| TOA | Total Obligational Authority (in the budget) |
| TOC | Total Ownership Cost |
| TTO | Tractical Technology Office |
| UARC | University Affiliated Research Center |
| USA | United States Army |
| USD (A&T) | Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology) |
| USMC | United States Marine Corps |
| USP | Unit Sailaway Price |
| VGAS | Vertical Gun Advanced Ships |
| VLS | Vertical Launch System |
| WD | Weapons Division |
| WSESRB | Weapon Systems Explosive Safety Review Board |
