Members Only
HomeResourcesMilitary DictionaryAerospace Defense
Updated: October 2026

Aerospace Defense

Term
1. All defensive measures designed to destroy or nullify attacking enemy aircraft and missiles and also negate hostile space systems. 2. An inclusive term encompassing air defense, ballistic missile defense, and space defense. See also air defense; space defense. (JP 3-27)
Source: JP 3-27Space & MissileU.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Coast Guard

See Also (Related Terms)

Showing 1 of 1 related entries

Air Defense

Defensive measures designed to destroy attacking enemy aircraft or missiles in the atmosphere, or to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of such attack. Also called AD. See also active air defense; aerospace defense; passive air defense. (JP 3-01)

Browse Other Space & Missile Military Terms

Showing 5 of 5 total entries
Entry Type
Service Branch
Aegis
Term
A ship-based combat system that can detect, track, target, and engage air, surface, and subsurface threats, including ballistic missiles on some modified ships. (JP 3-01)
Source: JP 3-01
Air And Missile Defense
Term
Direct [active and passive] defensive actions taken to destroy, nullify, or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air and ballistic missile threats against friendly forces and assets. Also called AMD. (JP 3-01)
Source: JP 3-01
Air-breathing Missile
Term
A missile with an engine requiring the intake of air for combustion of its fuel, as in a ramjet or turbojet. (JP 3-01)
Source: JP 3-01
Antiradiation Missile
Term
A missile which homes passively on a radiation source. Also called ARM. See also guided missile. (JP 3-01)
Source: JP 3-01
Ascent Phase
Term
That portion of the flight of a ballistic missile or space vehicle that begins after powered flight and ends just prior to apogee. (JP 3-01)
Source: JP 3-01

How to Read a Military Dictionary Entry

Every entry follows the same layout, so once you have read one you can read them all.
Aerospace Defense
Term
1. All defensive measures designed to destroy or nullify attacking enemy aircraft and missiles and also negate hostile space systems. 2. An inclusive term encompassing air defense, ballistic missile defense, and space defense. See also air defense; space defense. (JP 3-27)
Source: JP 3-27•Space & Missile
Term
The word, phrase, acronym or abbreviation you searched for.
Type Badge
Shows whether the entry is an official term, an acronym or unofficial slang.
Expansion
The full spelled-out form of an acronym or initialism.
Definition
The plain English meaning, written so it makes sense without a military background.
Source
The official Department of Defense publication the definition comes from, or a contributor label for slang.
Branch and Category
The services the term applies to and the subject area it belongs to, each linked to its glossary.

More Military Reference Tools

Keep going with the rank, pay, time and base references that the dictionary links to throughout.

Military Rank Structure

Every rank in all six branches by pay grade, with insignia, so you can match the abbreviations you find here to the chain of command.

View Ranks

Military Pay Chart

Current basic pay by rank and years of service, the place to go after you have looked up BAH, BAS and the rest of your LES.

View Pay Chart

Military Time Chart

Convert between standard and twenty-four hour time, with the phonetic alphabet and Zulu time explained alongside the chart.

View Time Chart

Military Base Database

A searchable directory of installations worldwide with branch, location and mission details for your next PCS.

Browse Bases

Military Discounts

Verified military discounts from brands that support the community, with members-only offers for free My Military Lifestyle accounts.

Browse Discounts

Military Life Articles

Longer reads on the terms that need more than a definition, from what a warrant officer does to how a PCS move actually works.

Read Articles
Community Contributions
Know a term we are missing?
Service members, veterans and military families keep this dictionary honest. Submit a new term, a piece of unit slang or a correction and we will review it before it goes live.
Submit a Military Term

More For You

To Pumpkin or Not to Pumpkin: Your Fall Recipe Guide
My Military Lifestyle

My Military Lifestyle

RECIPES
To Pumpkin or Not to Pumpkin: Your Fall Recipe Guide

Fall is upon us, and that means cooler temperatures, fall foliage, a new season of The Great British Bake Off, and lots and lots of pumpkins. That also means it’s baking season! If you’re anything like me, you scour every source you can to find fun and new pumpkin recipes. Apple cider donuts? Yes, please. Cinnamon rolls? I’ll take two. Coffee cake? You had me at struesel. This is the time of year ...

RECIPES
4 min read
0
8 VA Special Claims and Benefits Veterans May Qualify For Beyond Disability Pay
My Military Lifestyle

My Military Lifestyle

BENEFITS

8 VA Special Claims and Benefits Veterans May Qualify For Beyond Disability Pay

Most veterans with a service-connected disability focus on getting their rating right. That makes sense because your rating plays a major role in determining your monthly disability compensation.But your rating doesn't necessarily cover every expense or limitation caused by your condition.Certain service-connected disabilities may also qualify you for additional monthly compensation, vehicle assis...

BENEFITS
12 min read
0
My Dog Mom Non-Negotiables
My Military Lifestyle

My Military Lifestyle

DEALS & DISCOUNTS

My Dog Mom Non-Negotiables

If you have dogs, you already know they somehow become part of literally every part of your routine. You wake up and they’re there. You’re making breakfast and they’re staring at you. You try to leave the house and suddenly everyone needs attention right now. Quite frankly I wouldn’t have it any other way.I feel like there are so many conversations around being a “good dog parent” that make it see...

DEALS & DISCOUNTS
5 min read
0