US History/US History (Bureau Development Inc.)(1991).ISO/dp/0054/00545.txt

Text File | 1990-12-23 | 31KB | 610 lines

$Unique_ID{USH00545}
$Pretitle{63}
$Title{Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms
B-52 - blast wave (DOD, IADB)}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{Joint Chiefs of Staff}
$Affiliation{Department of Defense}
$Subject{dod
iadb
nato
base
beach
area
unit
operations
aircraft
intelligence}
$Volume{JCS Pub 1}
$Date{1987}
$Log{}
Book:        Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms
Author:      Joint Chiefs of Staff
Affiliation: Department of Defense
Volume:      JCS Pub 1
Date:        1987

B-52 - blast wave (DOD, IADB)

B-52:  See Stratofortress.

background count:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  The evidence or effect on a detector of
     radiation, other than that which it is desired to detect, caused by any
     agency.  In connection with health protection, the background count
     usually includes radiations produced by naturally occurring radioactivity
     and cosmic rays.

background radiation:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  Nuclear (or ionizing) radiations
     arising from within the body and from the surroundings to which
     individuals are always exposed.

back order:  (DOD)  The quantity of an item requisitioned by ordering
     activities that is not immediately available for issue but is recorded as
     a stock commitment for future issue.

back-scattering:  (DOD, NATO)  Radio wave propagation in which the direction
     of the incident and scattered waves, resolved along a reference direction
     (usually horizontal), are oppositely directed.  A signal received by
     backscattering is often referred to as "back-scatter."

back tell:  (DOD, NATO)  The transfer of information from a higher to a lower
     echelon of command.  See also track telling.

back-up:  (DOD, NATO)  In cartography, an image printed on the reverse side of
     a map sheet already printed on one side.  Also the printing of such
     images.

backup aircraft authorization:  (DOD)  Aircraft over and above the primary
     authorized aircraft to permit scheduled and unscheduled maintenance,
     modifications, and inspections and repair without reduction of aircraft
     available for the operational mission.  No operating resources are
     allocated for these aircraft in the Defense budget.  See also primary
     aircraft authorization.

backup aircraft inventory:  (DOD)  The aircraft designated to meet the backup
     authorization.  See also primary aircraft inventory.

balance:  (DOD, IADB)  A concept as applied to an arms control measure that
     connotes: a.  adjustments of armed forces and armaments in such a manner
     that one state does not obtain military advantage over other states
     agreeing to the measure; and b.  internal adjustments by one state of its
     forces in such manner as to enable it to cope with all aspects of
     remaining threats to its security in a post arms control agreement era.

balanced collective forces:  (IADB)  The requirement for "balance" in any
     military force stems from the consideration that all elements of a force
     should be complementary to each other.  A force should function as a
     combined arms team, and the term "balance" implies that the ratio of the
     various elements of this team is such that the force is best constituted
     to execute its assigned mission effectively and efficiently.  Applied
     multinationally, the term "balanced collective force" may be defined as a
     force composed of one or more Services furnished by more than one nation,
     the total strength and composition of which are such as best to fulfill
     the specific mission for which designed.  See also force(s).

balanced stock(s):  (DOD, IADB)  1.  That condition of supply when
     availability and requirements are in equilibrium for specific items.  2.
     An accumulation of supplies in quantities determined necessary to meet
     requirements for a fixed period.

balance station zero:  See reference datum.

bale cubic capacity:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  The space available for cargo
     measured in cubic feet to the inside of the cargo battens, on the frames,
     and to the underside of the beams.  In a general cargo of mixed
     commodities, the bale cubic applies.  The stowage of the mixed cargo
     comes in contact with the cargo battens and as a general rule does not
     extend to the skin of the ship.

balisage:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  The marking of a route by a system of dim beacon
     lights enabling vehicles to be driven at near day-time speed, under
     blackout conditions.

ballistic missile:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  Any missile which does not rely upon
     aerodynamic surfaces to produce lift and consequently follows a ballistic
     trajectory when thrust is terminated.  See also aerodynamic missile;
     guided missile.

ballistic missile early warning system:  (DOD IADB)  An electronic system for
     providing detection and early warning of attack by enemy intercontinental
     ballistic missiles.

ballistics:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  The science or art that deals with the motion,
     behavior, appearance, or modification of missiles or other vehicles acted
     upon by propellants, wind, gravity, temperature, or any other modifying
     substance, condition, or force.

ballistic trajectory:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  The trajectory traced after the
     propulsive force is terminated and the body is acted upon only by gravity
     and aerodynamic drag.

ballistic wind:  (DOD, IADB)  That constant wind that would have the same
     effect upon the trajectory of a bomb or projectile as the wind
     encountered in flight.

balloon barrage:  See barrage, Part 2.

balloon reflector:  (DOD, NATO)  In electronic warfare, a balloon-supported
     confusion reflector to produce fraudulent echoes.

band pass:  (DOD)  The number of cycles per second expressing the difference
     between the limiting frequencies at which the desired fraction (usually
     half power) of the maximal output is obtained.  Term applies to all types
     of amplifiers.

bank angle:  (DOD, NATO)  The angle between the aircraft's normal axis and the
     earth's vertical plane containing the aircraft's longitudinal axis.

barometric altimeter:  See altimeter.

barometric altimeter reversionary:  See altimeter.

barometric altitude:  (DOD, NATO)  The aircraft altitude given by the
     difference between the heights corresponding to the pressure at aircraft
     level and mean sea level according to the standard atmosphere.

barometric vertical speed indicator:  See vertical speed indicator.

barrage:  (DOD, IADB)  1.  A prearranged barrier of fire, except that
     delivered by small arms, designed to protect friendly troops and
     installations by impeding enemy movements across defensive lines or
     areas.  2.  A protective screen of balloons that are moored to the ground
     and kept at given heights to prevent or hinder operations by enemy
     aircraft.  This meaning also called balloon barrage.  3.  A type of
     electronic countermeasures intended for simultaneous jamming over a wide
     area of frequency spectrum. See also barrage jamming; electronic warfare;
     fire.

barrage fire:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  Fire which is designed to fill a volume of
     space or area rather than aimed specifically at a given target.  See also
     fire.

barrage jamming:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  Simultaneous electronic jamming over a
     broad band of frequencies.  See also jamming.

barrier:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  A coordinated series of obstacles designed or
     employed to canalize, direct, restrict, delay or stop the movement of an
     opposing force, and to impose additional losses in personnel, time and
     equipment on the opposing force.  See also aircraft arresting system.

barrier combat air patrol:  (DOD, IADB)  One or more divisions or elements of
     fighter aircraft employed between a force and an objective area as a
     barrier across the probable direction of enemy attack.  It is used as far
     from the force as control conditions permit, giving added protection
     against raids that use the most direct routes of approach.  See also
     combat air patrol.

barrier forces:  (DOD, IADB)  Air, surface, and submarine units and their
     supporting systems positioned across the likely courses of expected enemy
     transit for early detection and providing rapid warning, blocking, and
     destruction of the enemy.

bar scale:  See graphic scale; See also scale.

base:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  1.  A locality from which operations are projected
     or supported.  2.  An area or locality containing installations which
     provide logistic or other support.  See also emergency fleet operating
     base; establishment; island bases.  (DOD, IADB)  3.  Home airfield or
     home carrier.

base command:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  An area containing a military base or group
     of such bases organized under one commander.  See also command.

base complex:  See Air Force base; Army base; Marine base; naval base; naval
     or Marine (air) base.  See also noncontiguous facility.

base defense:  (DOD, IADB)  The local military measures, both normal and
     emergency, required to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of enemy
     attacks on, or sabotage of a base, so as to insure that the maximum
     capacity of its facilities is available to U.S. forces.

base development:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  The improvement or expansion of the
     resources and facilities of an area or a location to support military
     operations.

base development plan:  (DOD, IADB)  A plan for the facilities, installations,
     and bases required to support military operations.

base ejection shell:  (NATO, IADB)  A type of shell which ejects its load from
     its base.

base element:  See base unit.

base fuze(NATO, IADB)  Fuze located in the base of a projectile or bomb.  See
     also fuze.

base line:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  1.  (surveying)  A surveyed line established
     with more than usual care, to which surveys are referred for coordination
     and correlation.  2. (photo-grammetry)  The line between the principal
     points of two consecutive vertical air photographs.  It is usually
     measured on one photograph after the principal point of the other has
     been transferred.  3. (radio navigation systems)  The shorter arc of the
     great circle joining two radio transmitting stations of a navigation
     system.  4. (triangulation)  The side of one of a series of coordinated
     triangles the length of which is measured with prescribed accuracy and
     precision and from which lengths of the other triangle sides are obtained
     by computation.

base map:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  A map or chart showing certain fundamental
     information, used as a base upon which additional data of specialized
     nature are compiled or overprinted.  Also, a map containing all the
     information from which maps showing specialized information can be
     prepared.  See also chart base; map.

base map symbol:  (NATO)  A symbol used on a base map or chart as opposed to
     one used on an overprint to the base map or chart.

base of operations:  (DOD, IADB)  An area or facility from which a military
     force begins its offensive operations, to which it falls back in case of
     reverse, and in which supply facilities are organized.

base period:  (DOD, IADB)  That period of time for which factors were
     determined for use in current planning and programming.

base section:  (DOD, IADB)  An area within the communications zone in an area
     of operations organized to provide logistic support to forward areas.

base surge:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  A cloud which rolls out from the bottom of the
     column produced by a subsurface burst of a nuclear weapon.  For
     underwater bursts, the surge is, in effect, a cloud of liquid droplets
     which has the property of flowing almost as if it were a homogeneous
     fluid.  For subsurface land bursts the surge is made up of small solid
     particles but still behaves like a fluid.

base symbol:  See base map symbol.

base unit:  (DOD, IADB)  Unit of organization in a tactical operation around
     which a movement or maneuver is planned and performed; base element.

basic cover:  (DOD, IADB)  Coverage of any installation or area of a permanent
     nature with which later coverage can be compared to discover any changes
     that have taken place.

basic encyclopedia:  (DOD)  A compilation of identified installations and
     physical areas of potential significance as objectives for attack.

basic intelligence:  (DOD)  Fundamental intelligence concerning the general
     situation, resources, capabilities, and vulnerabilities of foreign
     countries or areas which may be used as reference material in the
     planning of operations at any level and in evaluating subsequent
     information relating to the same subject.

basic intelligence:  (NATO)  Intelligence, on any subject, which may be used
     as reference material for planning and in evaluating subsequent
     information.  See also current intelligence; information; intelligence.

basic intelligence:  (IADB)  General intelligence concerning the capabilities,
     vulnerabilities, and intentions of foreign nations; used as a base for a
     variety of intelligence products for the support of planning, policy
     making, and military operations.  See also intelligence.

basic load:  (DOD, NATO)  The quantity of supplies required to be on hand
     within, and which can be moved by, a unit or formation.  It is expressed
     according to the wartime organization of the unit or formation and
     maintained at the prescribed levels.

basic load (ammunition):  (IADB)  That quantity of non-nuclear ammunition that
     is authorized and required by each Service to be on hand within a unit or
     formation at all times.  It is expressed in rounds, units, or units of
     weight as appropriate.

basic military route network:  (DOD, NATO)  Axial, lateral, and connecting
     routes designated in peacetime by the host nation to meet the anticipated
     military movements and transport requirements, both allied and national.
     See also transport network.

basic psychological operations study:  (DOD)  A document which describes
     succinctly the characteristics of a country, geographical area, or region
     which are most pertinent to psychological operations, and which can serve
     as an immediate reference for the planning and conduct of psychological
     operations.

basic research:  (DOD, IADB)  Research directed toward the increase of
     knowledge, the primary aim being a greater knowledge or understanding of
     the subject under study.  See also applied research; research.

basic stopping power:  (DOD, NATO)  The probability, expressed as a
     percentage, of a single vehicle being stopped by mines while attempting
     to cross a minefield.

basic tactical organization:  (DOD, IADB)  The conventional organization of
     landing force units for combat, involving combinations of infantry,
     supporting ground arms, and aviation for accomplishment of missions
     ashore.  This organizational form is employed as soon as possible
     following the landing of the various assault components of the landing
     force.

basic undertakings:  (DOD, IADB)  The essential things, expressed in broad
     terms, that must be done in order to implement the commander's concept
     successfully.  These may include military, diplomatic, economic,
     psychological, and other measures.  See also strategic concept.

basis of issue:  (DOD)  Authority which prescribes the number of items to be
     issued to an individual, a unit, a military organization, or for a unit
     piece of equipment.

bathymetric contour:  See depth contour.

battalion landing team:  (DOD, IADB)  In an amphibious operation, an infantry
     battalion normally reinforced by necessary combat and service elements;
     the basic unit for planning an assault landing.  Also known as BLT: (DOD)

battery:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  1.  Tactical and administrative artillery unit or
     subunit corresponding to a company or similar unit in other branches of
     the Army.  2.  All guns, torpedo tubes, searchlights or missile launchers
     of the same size or caliber or used for the same purpose, either
     installed in one ship or otherwise operating as an entity.

battery center:  (DOD, NATO)  A point on the ground, the coordinates of which
     are used as a reference indicating the location of the battery in the
     production of firing data.  Also called chart location of the battery.

battery control central:  (NATO)  The operations center from which Hawk
     missiles are controlled at battery level.

battery left (or right):  (NATO)  A method of fire in which weapons are
     discharged from the left (or right) one after the other, at five second
     intervals, unless otherwise specified.

battery (troop) left (right):  (DOD)  A method of fire in which weapons are
     discharged from the left (right), one after the other, at five second
     intervals.

battle casualty:  (DOD)  Any casualty incurred in action.  "In action"
     characterizes the casualty status as having been the direct result of
     hostile action, sustained in combat or relating thereto, or sustained
     going to or returning from a combat mission provided that the occurrence
     was directly related to hostile action.  Included are persons killed or
     wounded mistakenly or accidentally by friendly fire directed at a hostile
     force or what is thought to be a hostile force.  However, not to be
     considered as sustained in action and thereby not to be interpreted as
     battle casualties are injuries due to the elements, self-inflicted
     wounds, and, except in unusual cases, wounds or death inflicted by a
     friendly force while the individual is in absent-without-leave or
     dropped-from-rolls status or is voluntarily absent from a place of duty.
     See also died of wounds received in action; non-battle casualty; wounded.

battle casualty:  (IADB)  Any person lost to his organization, because of
     death, wound, missing, capture, or internment provided such loss is
     incurred in action.  "In action" characterizes the casualty status as
     having been the direct result of hostile action sustained going to or
     returning from a combat mission provided that the occurrence was directly
     related to hostile action, or through misadventure, friendly action.
     However, injuries due to elements or self-inflicted wounds are not to be
     considered as sustained in action and are thereby not to be interpreted
     as battle casualties.  See also died of wounds received in action;
     non-battle casualty; wounded.

battlefield illumination:  (DOD, NATO)  The lighting of the battle area by
     artificial light either visible or invisible to the naked eye.  See also
     artificial daylight; artificial moonlight; indirect illumination.

battlefield psychological activities:  (DOD, NATO)  Planned psychological
     activities conducted as an integral part of combat operations and
     designed to bring psychological pressure to bear on enemy forces and
     civilians under enemy control in the battle area, to assist in the
     achievement of the tactical objectives.

battlefield surveillance:  (DOD, NATO)  Systematic observation of the battle
     area for the purpose of providing timely information and combat
     intelligence.  See also surveillance.

battle force:  (DOD)  A standing operational naval task force organization of
     carriers, surface combatants, and submarines assigned to numbered fleets.
     A battle force is subdivided into battle groups.

battle group:  (DOD)  A standing naval task group consisting of a carrier or
     battleship, surface combatants, and submarines as assigned in direct
     support, operating in mutual support with the task of destroying hostile
     submarine, surface, and air forces within the group's assigned area of
     responsibility and striking at targets along hostile shore lines or
     projecting fire power inland.

battle map:  (DOD, IADB)  A map showing ground features in sufficient detail
     for tactical use by all forces, usually at a scale of 1:25,000.  See also
     map.

battle reserves:  (DOD, IADB)  Reserve supplies accumulated by an army,
     detached corps, or detached division in the vicinity of the battlefield,
     in addition to unit and individual reserves.  See also reserve supplies.

beach:  (DOD, IADB)  1.  The area extending from the shoreline inland to a
     marked change in physiographic form or material, or to the line of
     permanent vegetation (coastline).  2.  In amphibious operations, that
     portion of the shoreline designated for landing of a tactical
     organization.

beach capacity:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  An estimate, expressed in terms of
     measurement tons, or weight tons, of cargo that may be unloaded over a
     designated strip of shore per day.  See also clearance capacity; port
     capacity.

beach group:  See naval beach group; shore party.

beachhead:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  A designated area on a hostile shore which,
     when seized and held, insures the continuous landing of troops and
     materiel, and provides maneuver space requisite for subsequent projected
     operations ashore.  It is the physical objective of an amphibious
     operation.  See also airhead; bridgehead.

beach marker:  (DOD, IADB)  A sign or device used to identify a beach or
     certain activities thereon, for incoming waterborne traffic.  Markers may
     be panels, lights, buoys, or electronic devices.

beachmaster:  (DOD, IADB)  The naval officer in command of the beachmaster
     unit of the naval beach group.

beachmaster unit:  (DOD, IADB)  A commissioned naval unit of the naval beach
     group designed to provide to the shore party a naval component known as a
     beach party which is capable of supporting the amphibious landing of one
     division (reinforced).  See also beach party; shore party.

beach minefield:  (DOD, NATO)  A minefield in the shallow water approaches to
     a possible amphibious landing beach.

beach organization:  (DOD, IADB)  In an amphibious operation, the planned
     arrangement of personnel and facilities to effect movement, supply, and
     evacuation across beaches and in the beach area for support of a landing
     force.

beach party:  (DOD, IADB)  The naval component of the shore party.  See also
     beachmaster unit; shore party.

beach party commander:  (DOD, IADB)  The naval officer in command of the naval
     component of the shore party.

beach photography:  (DOD)  Vertical, oblique, ground, and periscope coverage
     at varying scales to provide information of offshore, shore, and inland
     areas.  It covers terrain which provides observation of the beaches and
     is primarily concerned with the geological and tactical aspects of the
     beach.

beach reserves:  (DOD, NATO)  In an amphibious operation, an accumulation of
     supplies of all classes established in dumps in beachhead areas.  See
     also reserve supplies.

beach support area:  (DOD, IADB)  In amphibious operations, the area to the
     rear of a landing force or elements thereof, established and operated by
     shore party units, which contains the facilities for the unloading of
     troops and materiel and the support of the forces ashore; it includes
     facilities for the evacuation of wounded, prisoners of war, and captured
     materiel.

beach survey:  (DOD)  The collection of data describing the physical
     characteristics of a beach; that is, an area whose boundaries are a
     shoreline, a coastline, and two natural or arbitrary assigned flanks.

beach width:  (DOD, IADB)  The horizontal dimensions of the beach measured at
     right angles to the shoreline from the line of extreme low water inland
     to the landward limit of the beach (the coastline).

beacon:  (DOD, IADB)  A light or electronic source which emits a distinctive
     or characteristic signal used for the determination of bearings, courses,
     or location.  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  See crash locator beacon; fan marker
     beacon; localizer; meaconing; personal locator beacon; radio beacon; Z
     marker beacon.

beacon double:  (DOD)  In air intercept, a code meaning, "Pilot select double
     pulse mode on your tracking beacon."

beacon off:  (DOD)  In air intercept, a code meaning, "Turn off your tracking
     beacon."

beacon on:  (DOD)  In air intercept, a code meaning, "Turn on your tracking
     beacon."

beam attack:  (DOD)  In air intercept, an attack by an interceptor aircraft
     attack which terminates with a heading crossing angle greater than 45
     degrees but less than 135 degrees.  See also heading crossing angle.

beam rider:  (DOD, IADB)  A missile guided by an electronic beam.

beam rider:  (NATO)  A missile guided by radar or radio beam.

beam width:  (DOD)  The angle between the directions, on either side of the
     axis, at which the intensity of the radio frequency field drops to
     one-half the value it has on the axis.

bearing:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  The horizontal angle at a given point measured
     clockwise from a specific datum to a second point.  See also grid
     bearing; relative bearing.

beaten zone:  (DOD)  The area on the ground upon which the cone of fire falls.

before-flight inspection:  (NATO)  Preflight check to ensure general aircraft
     safety and that disposable loads, e.g., fuel and armament equipment,
     etc., are correctly adjusted for the particular operation or sortie. Also
     called preflight inspection.

bent:  (DOD)  In air intercept and close air support, a code meaning,
     "Equipment indicated is inoperative (temporarily or indefinitely)."
     Cancelled by "Okay."

bilateral infrastructure:  (DOD, NATO)  Infrastructure which concerns only two
     NATO members and is financed by mutual agreement between them (e.g.,
     facilities required for the use of forces of one NATO member in the
     territory of another).  See also infrastructure.

billet:  (DOD, IADB)  1.  Shelter for troops.  2.  To quarter troops.  3.  A
     personnel position or assignment that may be filled by one person.

bi-margin format:  (NATO)  The format of a map or chart on which the
     cartographic detail is extended to two edges of the sheet, normally north
     and east, thus leaving two margins only.

binding:  (DOD, NATO)  The fastening or securing of items to a movable
     platform called a pallet.  See also palletized unit load.

bingo:  (DOD)  1.  When originated by pilot, means, "I have reached minimal
     fuel for safe return to base or to designated alternate."  2.  When
     originated by controlling activity, means, "Proceed to alternate airfield
     or carrier as specified."

bingo field:  (DOD)  Alternate airfield.

bin storage:  (DOD)  Storage of items of supplies and equipment in an
     individual compartment or subdivision of a storage unit in less than bulk
     quantities.  See also bulk storage; storage.

biographical intelligence:  (DOD)  That component of intelligence which deals
     with individual foreign personalities of actual or potential importance.

biological agent:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  A micro organism which causes disease in
     man, plants, or animals or causes the deterioration of materiel.  See
     also biological operation; biological weapon; chemical agent.

biological ammunition:  (NATO)  A type of ammunition, the filler of which is
     primarily a biological agent.

biological defense:  (DOD, NATO)  The methods, plans and procedures involved
     in establishing and executing defensive measures against attack utilizing
     biological agents.  See also NBC defense.

biological half-time:  See half-life.

biological operation:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  Employment of biological agents to
     produce casualties in man or animals and damage to plants or materiel; or
     defense against such employment.

biological warfare:  See biological operation.

biological weapon:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  An item of materiel which projects,
     disperses, or disseminates a biological agent including arthropod
     vectors.

black:  (DOD, IADB)  In intelligence handling, a term used in certain phrases
     (e.g., living black, black border crossing) to indicate reliance on
     illegal concealment rather than on cover.

black forces:  (NATO)  A term used in reporting of intelligence on Warsaw Pact
     exercises, to denote those units representing Warsaw Pact forces during
     such exercises.  See also force(s); white forces.

black list:  (DOD, IADB)  An official counter-intelligence listing of actual
     or potential enemy collaborators, sympathizers, intelligence suspects,
     and other persons whose presence menaces the security of friendly forces.

black propaganda:  (DOD, I, IADB)  Propaganda which purports to emanate from a
     source other than the true one.  See also propaganda.

blast:  (DOD, NATO, IADB)  The brief and rapid movement of air, vapor or fluid
     away from a center of outward pressure, as in an explosion or in the
     combustion of rocket fuel; the pressure accompanying this movement.  This
     term is commonly used for "explosion," but the two terms may be
     distinguished.

blast effect:  (DOD, IADB)  Destruction of or damage to structures and
     personnel by the force of an explosion on or above the surface of the
     ground.  Blast effect may be contrasted with the cratering and
     ground-shock effects of a projectile or charge that goes off beneath the
     surface.

blast line:  (DOD, IADB)  A horizontal radial line on the surface of the earth
     originating at ground zero on which measurements of blast from an
     explosion are taken.

blast wave:  (DOD, IADB)  A sharply defined wave of increased pressure rapidly
     propagated through a surrounding medium from a center of detonation or
     similar disturbance.