| Abbreviations | Terms | Definitions |
| A&D | Aerospace & Defense | An industry sector encompassing the development, production, and maintenance of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and defense systems. |
| DO-178C | Software Considerations in Airborne Systems | A certification standard for software development in airborne systems, ensuring functional safety and compliance. |
| ARP4754A | Systems Development Guidelines | A guideline for the development of aircraft and systems, used in conjunction with DO-178C and DO-254 for certification. |
| DO-254 | Hardware Certification Standard | A safety standard for airborne electronic hardware is essential in avionics certification. |
| MIL-STD | Military Standard | A U.S. Department of Defense standardization document that ensures quality, interoperability, and reliability in defense equipment. |
| ITAR | International Traffic in Arms Regulations | A U.S. regulation that controls the export and import of defense-related articles and services. |
| EAR | Export Administration Regulations | Regulations governing dual-use items with both commercial and military applications. |
| STANAG | Standardization Agreement | NATO standardization agreements govern the procedures and equipment among NATO forces. |
| MBSE | Model-Based Systems Engineering | An engineering methodology using models to support system requirements, design, and validation in aerospace development. |
| ALM | Application Lifecycle Management | The process of managing a system’s lifecycle from requirements to retirement is crucial for traceability and compliance. |
| RM | Requirements Management | The discipline of capturing, analyzing, and tracking system requirements throughout the lifecycle. |
| T&E | Test and Evaluation | A process for assessing system performance, reliability, and compliance with requirements. |
| FMEA | Failure Modes and Effects Analysis | A systematic approach for identifying potential failure modes and their impact on system performance. |
| FDIR | Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery | A method used in aerospace systems to enhance reliability by detecting and mitigating faults. |
| EASA | European Union Aviation Safety Agency | The EU authority for civil aviation safety regulates aircraft certification and airworthiness. |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration | U.S. agency responsible for regulating civil aviation and ensuring flight safety. |
| COTS | Commercial Off-The-Shelf | Pre-built software or hardware products are used in defense systems to reduce cost and development time. |
| UAV | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle | An aircraft operated without a human pilot on board is widely used in defense and reconnaissance missions. |
| ISR | Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance | The integration of data gathering and analysis for situational awareness in defense operations. |
| EW | Electronic Warfare | The strategic use of the electromagnetic spectrum to disrupt, deceive, or neutralize enemy systems. |
| ILS | Integrated Logistics Support | A management approach that ensures system readiness and cost-effective support throughout its lifecycle. |
| PDR | Preliminary Design Review | A technical assessment of system design readiness in early development phases. |
| CDR | Critical Design Review | A milestone that evaluates whether the detailed design meets all system requirements before proceeding to production. |
| TRL | Technology Readiness Level | A method to assess the maturity level of a technology before deployment in operational systems. |
| SIL | Safety Integrity Level | A measure of risk-reduction provided by a safety function in aerospace and defense systems. |
| RTCA | Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics | A standards development organization providing guidance on aviation systems certification. |
| NATO | North Atlantic Treaty Organization | A military alliance with standardized defense policies and collaborative aerospace operations. |
| AS9100 | Aerospace Quality Management System | A widely adopted QMS standard for the aerospace industry to ensure quality and safety. |
| Configuration Management | — | A process to maintain system consistency across design, documentation, and implementation throughout its lifecycle. |
| Digital Thread | — | A digital framework that connects data flows and system models across the aerospace product lifecycle for traceability and real-time insights. |
