Acronyms

[Obviousman]

Can people check me on this, and add any comments / corrections?

 

SPH - Sound Protection Helmet

APH - Aircrew Protective Helmet

HGU - Head Gear Unit

SV - Survival Vest

LPU - Life Preserver Unit (underarm?)

 

Any others that I am missing?

[72psb]

Nice to know what PCU stands for in the use for Torso harness, and other flight gear. CSU for anti-G pants. GS/FRP fire resistant gloves.

SRU  survival vest. CWU flight suit.

I'm sure there are more.

[Vark_07]

That's an interesting topic !

Learning the exact nomenclature for each piece of equipment is one thing, but knowing exactly whant the acronyms stand for is another.

To my knowledge, you're right about the ones you've submitted 😉.

 

Your post made me think there's also -when searching the web to identify a named helmet for instance- a ton of acronyms used in the military documents / records that are often puzzling or confusing when you're not familiar with them (double tap when you're a foreigner 😁...).
Here are USAF acronyms I've found in an online AF register of the 60's, that I hope could be of help, although they're not related to the flight gear nomenclatures this thread was initially about.

 

[Bebel]

PCU = Parachute Components Unit

MBU = Mask Breathing Unit

LPU = Life Preserver Underarm

FWU = Foot Wear Unit

 

HGU/HGK - Headgear

HGU-1/PSound Protection Helmet

HGU-2/PFlight Helmet; improved HGU-2A/P did also exist

-3(No information)

HGU-4/PAviator's Sunglasses

(5...6)(No information)

HGU-7/PFlight Helmet

HGU-8/PFlight Helmet; used with CSU-4/P

HGU-9/PFlight Helmet for B-58 Aircrew

-10(No information)

HGU-11/PRocket Fuel Handler's Hood

-12(No information)

HGK-13/P22S-2High Altitude Flight Helmet

HGU-14/PCloth Helmet; mainly used for training purposes in altitude chambers

HGU-15/PFlight Helmet; clam-shell design, precursor of HGU-20/P

HGU-16/PFlight Helmet

HGU-17/PFlight Helmet Foam Liner

HGU-18/PHat and Insect Net

-19(No information)

HGU-20/P"Clam-Shell" Integrated Oxygen Flight Helmet

HGU-21/PChemical Protection Helmet

HGU-22/PFlight Helmet Shell; used in HGU-2A/P, HGU-26/P

HGU-23/PFlight Helmet (HGU-22/P with custom liner)

HGU-24/PHAARP (Helmet Assembly, Rearming & Refueling Personnel) Ground Crew Helmet

HGU-25/PHAARP (Helmet Assembly, Rearming & Refueling Personnel) Ground Crew Helmet (without communications equipment)

HGU-26/PFlight Helmet (based on HGU-22/P shell, initially with PRU-36/P visor)

-27(No information)

HGU-28/PHelmet

-29(No information)

HGU-30/PVTAS I (Visual Target Acquisition System) Flight Helmet (PRU-41/P shell, PRU-39/P liner, R-1739/AVG-8 IR optic receiver)

-31(No information)

HGU-32/PInflatable Anti-Exposure Flyer's Hood; part of A/P22P-7

HGU-33/PFlight Helmet (PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P visor, PRU-39/P liner)

HGU-34/PFlight Helmet (PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P visor, PRK-40/P liner)

HGU-35/PHelmet (with integrated oxygen system)

HGU-36/PFlight Helmet; used by AC-130 aircrew

HGU-37/PVTAS (Visual Target Acquisition System) II Flight Helmet (PRU-42/P shell, PRU-39/P liner, R-1825/AVG-8 or R-1826/AVG-8 IR optic receiver)

HGU-38/PExtreme Cold Weather Cap

HGU-39/PFlight Helmet

HGU-40/PLeather Flight Helmet (with form fit liner); tested in B-52?

HGU-41/PHood

HGU-42/PFlight Helmet; modified APH-6 for use by S-3A aircrew

HGU-43/PFlight Helmet (PRK-37/P shell, EEK-3/P visor, PRU-39/P liner); used by A-6 aircrew

HGU-44/PFlight Helmet (PRK-37/P shell, PRU-36/P visor, PRU-39/P liner)

HGU-45/PFlight Helmet (HGU-44/P with modified microphone); used by OV-10 aircrew

HGU-46/PFlight Helmet (PRK-37/P shell, VTAS (Visual Target Acquisition System) visor, PRU-39/P liner); used by F-4 aircrew

HGU-47/PFlight Helmet (PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P visor, PRK-40/P liner); used by aircrew in A-3, C-1, C-2, E-2, S-2, T-28B/C, T-34

HGU-48/PFlight Helmet

HGU-49/PFlight Helmet (PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P visor, PRU-39/P liner); used by S-3 aircrew

HGU-50/PFlight Helmet (PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P visor, PRU-39/P liner); used by EA-3B aircrew

HGU-51/PChemical/Biological Protection Flight Helmet

HGU-52/PFlight Helmet (PRK-37/P shell, EEK-4A/P visor, PRU-39/P liner); used by aircrew in A-3, E-2

HGU-53/PTactical Fighter Flight Helmet

HGU-54/PFlight Helmet (SPH-3C with form fit liner and Helmet Sight Assembly)

HGU-55/PFlight Helmet; widely used standard helmet

HGU-56/PAIHS (Aircrew Integrated Helmet System) Helicopter Flying Helmet

(57...58)(No information)

HGU-59/PFlight Helmet (SPH-3C modified with a single visor housing with NVG mount and form fit liner)

(60...63)(No information)

HGU-64/PHelicopter Flight Helmet (late version of US Navy's SPH-3C with form fit liner)

HGU-65/PHood

HGU-66/PNight Attack Flight Helmet

HGU-67/P"Advanced Cobra" Helicopter Flight Helmet

HGU-68/PFlight Helmet (PRU-55/P shell, EEU-7/P visor); used by aircrew in US Navy fighter, attack and training aircraft

HGU-69/PFlight Helmet (PRU-51/P shell, PRU-36/P or EEK-3/P visor); alternative to HGU-68/P

HGU-70/PFlight Helmet (PRU-55/P shell, EEU-7/P visor); used by S-3 aircrew

HGU-71/PFlight Helmet (PRU-51/P shell, PRU-36/P or EEK-3/P visor); alternative to HGU-70/P

HGU-72/PFlight Helmet (PRU-55/P shell, EEU-7/P visor); used by OV-10 aircrew

HGU-73/PFlight Helmet (PRU-51/P shell, PRU-36/P or EEK-3/P visor); alternative to HGU-72/P

HGU-74/PFlight Helmet (PRU-55/P shell, EEU-7/P visor); used by E-2 aircrew

HGU-75/PFlight Helmet (PRU-51/P shell, PRU-36/P or EEK-3/P visor); alternative to HGU-74/P

(76...77)(No information)

HGU-78/PFlight Helmet (PRU-55/P shell, EEU-7/P visor); used by P-3 aircrew

HGU-79/PFlight Helmet (PRU-55/P shell, EEU-7/P visor); used by C-2A aircrew

HGU-80/PFlight Helmet (PRU-51/P shell, PRU-36/P or EEK-3/P visor); alternative to HGU-79/P

HGU-81/PFlight Helmet (PRU-55/P shell, EEU-7/P visor); used by T-34B/C aircrew

HGU-82/PFlight Helmet (PRU-51/P shell, PRU-36/P or EEK-3/P visor); alternative to HGU-81/P

-83(No information)

HGU-84/PHelicopter Flight Helmet

HGU-85/PNight Attack Flight Helmet

HGU-86/PFlight Helmet; manufactured by Flight Helmets Ltd.; used in F-22

HGU-87/P22P-16Flight Helmet (HGU-68/P with "Combat Edge" bladder)

-88(No information)

HGU-89/PFlight Helmet (HGU-85/P with "Combat Edge" bladder)

 

MBU - Breathing Oxygen Masks

MBU-2/POxygen Mask

MBU-3/POxygen Mask; used with HGU-9/P; replaced by MBU-5/P

MBU-4/POxygen Mask

MBU-5/POxygen Mask; manufactured by Gentex

-6(No information)

MBU-7/POxygen Mask

MBU-8/POxygen Mask

-9(No information)

MBU-10/POxygen/Smoke Mask

-11(No information)

MBU-12/PPressure Demand Oxygen Mask; manufactured by Gentex

MBU-13/PChemical/Biological Protective Oxygen Mask

MBU-14/PPressure Demand Oxygen Mask (based on MBU-12/P); used with HGU-68/P

MBU-15/PPressure Demand Oxygen Mask (based on MBU-12/P)

MBU-16/PPressure Demand Oxygen Mask (based on MBU-12/P)

MBU-17/PPressure Demand Oxygen Mask (based on MBU-12/P); used with HGU-68/P

MBU-18/PTAERS (Tactical Aircrew Eye Respiratory System) Mask

MBU-19/PProtective Integrated Hood/Mask; manufactured by ILC Dover; part of AERP (Aircrew Eye/Respiratory Protection) System

MBU-20/P"Combat Edge" Jet Pilot Oxygen Mask; manufactured by Gentex; used with HGU-87/P as part of A/P22P-16

-21(No information)

MBU-22/P"Combat Edge" Jet Pilot Oxygen Mask (improved MBU-20/P); manufactured by Gentex; used with HGU-86/P

MBU-23/PEnhanced Pressure-Demand Oxygen Mask; manufactured by Gentex; used with HGU-68/P; replaced MBU-5/P

MBU-24/P"Combat Edge" Jet Pilot Oxygen Mask (sometimes referred to as MBU-24/P22P-16); manufactured by Gentex; used with HGU-87/P

 

PCU - Parachute Components

PCU-1/B 

-2(No information)

PCU-3/PParachute Torso Harness

PCU-4/PParachute Canopy Release

(5...9)(No information)

PCU-10/PPersonnel Lowering Device

(11...12)(No information)

PCU-13/P 

-14(No information)

PCU-15/PStandard USAF Parachute Torso Harness

PCU-16/PParachute Harness (smaller version of PCU-15/P)

PCU-17/PAircrew Restraint Harness; used with HBU-6/P

PCU-18/P 

PCU-19/P 

(20...22)(No information)

PCU-23/PAutomatic Parachute Ripcord Release

(24...25)(No information)

PCU-26/PPersonnel Parachute Torso Suit Harness; used with HBU-18/A

(27...28)(No information)

PCU-29/PDrogue Parachute; used with PCU-33/P, PCU-56/P

(30...32)(No information)

PCU-33/PParachute Restraint Harness; used by aircrew in AV-8, C-2, E-2, EA-6B, S-3, T-2, TA-4, T-45, F-14, F/A-18; replaced by PCU-56/P

(34...47)(No information)

PCU-48/PParachure Release

(49...55)(No information)

PCU-56/PParachute Restraint Harness; used by aircrew in AV-8, C-2, E-2, EA-6B, S-3, T-2, TA-4, T-45, F-14, F/A-18; replaced PCU-33/P

 

CRU/CRK - Oxygen Items

CRU-7/PIn-Line Diluter-Reducer Adapter

CRU-8/POxygen Mask to Regulator Connector

-9(No information)

CRU-10/PEmergency Bailout Oxygen Cylinder

(11...17)(No information)

CRU-18/AOn-Off Oxygen Valve

(19...20)(No information)

CRU-21/AAutomatic Pressure Breathing Oxygen Regulator

-22(No information)

CRU-23/A10-Liter Liquid Oxygen Indicator System Dummy Converter

CRU-24/A25-Liter Liquid Oxygen Indicator System Dummy Converter

-25(No information)

CRU-26/PPartial Pressure Coveralls and Helmet Oxygen Regulator

CRK-27/P29S-1 

CRU-28/PPartial Pressure Helmet to Regulator Connector

(29...33)(No information)

CRU-34/AAutomatic Pressure Breathing Oxygen Regulator

(35...42)(No information)

CRU-43/AOxygen Leads Connector; used with MBU-5/P

CRU-44/A 

CRK-45/P22S-2Full Pressure Helmet Oxygen Regulator

CRK-46/P22S-2Full Pressure Coverall Pressure Controller

CRU-47/A 

CRU-48/A 

CRU-49/A 

CRU-50/ALiquid Oxygen Conveter Fill/Buildup/Vent Valve

-51(No information)

CRU-52/AAircraft Panel-Mounted Low-Pressure Oxygen Regulator

CRK-53/P22P-1Rocket Fuel Handler's Clothing Outfit Environmental Control Unit

CRU-54/AAircraft Panel-Mounted Oxygen Regulator

CRU-55/AAircraft Panel-Mounted Oxygen Regulator

-56(No information)

CRU-57/AAircraft Panel-Mounted Low-Pressure Oxygen Regulator

-58(No information)

CRU-59/ELiquid Oxygen Filler Valve

CRU-60/POxygen Mask to Regulator Connector; manufactured by Gentex

(61...67)(No information)

CRU-68/APanel-Mounted Automatic Pressure Demand Oxygen Regulator

CRU-69/APanel-Mounted Automatic Pressure Demand Oxygen Regulator

(70...71)(No information)

CRU-72/AAircraft Panel-Mounted High-Pressure Oxygen Regulator

CRU-73/AAutomatic Pressure Breathing Oxygen Regulator; manufactured by Litton; used in A-10, B-52, C-130, C-141, E-8, F-5, F-16, T-38

CRU-74/PChlorate-Candle Emergency Oxygen Supply

-75(No information)

CRK-76/P22S-6High-Altitude Flying Helmet Pressure Controller

CRK-77/P22S-6High-Altitude Flying Helmet Oxygen Regulator

-78(No information)

CRU-79/PChest-Mounted Miniature Oxygen Breathing Regulator; manufactured by Litton; used with MBU-14/P

CRU-80/PAir Filter Pack; manufactured by Gentex

-81(No information)

CRU-82/PChest-Mounted Positive Pressure Oxygen Regulator; part of OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generating System); manufactured by Litton; used with MBU-14/P; used in AV-8B, F-14D, F/A-18C/D/E/F, T-45; replaced by CRU-103/P

CRU-83/APolarographic Alarm Oxygen Monitor; part of OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generating System); used in AV-8B

(84...86)(No information)

CRU-87/U10-Liter Patient Therapeutic Liquid Oxygen Converter

CRU-88/PChest-Mounted Positive Pressure Oxygen Regulator; part of OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generating System); replaced by CRU-103/P

(89...90)(No information)

CRU-91/APolarographic Alarm Oxygen Monitor; part of OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generating System); used in AV-8B, F/A-18

CRU-92/AOxygen Regulator (night-vision version of CRU-73/A); manufactured by Litton

CRU-93/AOxygen Regulator "Combat Edge"; manufactured by Litton; used in F-16

CRU-94/PIntegrated Terminal Block; manufactured by Gentex; part of "Combat Edge" system

CRU-95/POxygen Regulator (hardened version of CRU-82/P); manufactured by Litton

(96...97)(No information)

CRU-98/AOxygen Regulator "Combat Edge"; manufactured by Litton; used in F-15

CRU-99/ASSOM (Solid State Oxygen Monitor); manufactured by Litton; part of OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generating System); used in AV-8B, F-14D, F/A-18C/D/E/F, T-45

(100...102)(No information)

CRU-103/PG-Compensated Oxygen Regulator; manufactured by Carleton Technologies; part of OBOGS (On-Board Oxygen Generating System) and A/P22P-16; used with MBU-24/P; replacement for CRU-79/P, CRU-82/P, CRU-88/P

 

CSU/CSK - Special Clothing

CSU-2/PPartial Pressure Suit

CSU-3/PAnit-G Garment

CSU-4/PPartial Pressure Suit

CSU-5/PPartial Pressure Suit (modified CSU-4/P)

CSK-6/P22S-2High Altitude Coverall

CSU-7/PHigh Altitude Coverall

(8...11)(No information)

CSU-12/PAnti-G Garment

CSU-13/PAnti-G Garment

CSU-14/PAnti-G Garment

CSU-15/PAnti-G Garment

-16(No information)

CSU-17/PCounter Pressure Vest; part of A/P22P-16

(18...19)(No information)

CSU-20/P22P-16Anti-G Garment

CSU-21/PCounter Pressure Vest

CSU-22/P 

 

FWU/FWK - Footwear

FWU-2/PAnti-Exposure Flying Coverall Overshoes

FWU-3/PFlyer's Boots

-4(No information)

FWU-5/PQuick-Donning, Insulated Flight Boots

FWK-6/P22P-1Rocket Fuel Handler's Boots

-7(No information)

FWU-8/PFlyer's Boots

 

SRU - Survival Items

SRU-1/P4 Man Pyramidal Survival Tent

(2...5)(No information)

SRU-6/PExtreme Cold Weather Survival Overcoat

(7...9)(No information)

SRU-10/PExtreme Cold Weather Survival Mittens

-11(No information)

SRU-12/PExtreme Cold Weather Survival Foot Sack

SRU-13/PExtreme Cold Weather Survival Footwear

-14(No information)

SRU-15/PParachute Bailout Sleeping Bag

SRU-16/PParachute Pack Survival Kit

-17(No information)

SRU-18/PSurvival Kit

SRU-19/PSurvival Kit/Chaps

SRU-20/PSurvival Vest

SRU-21/PSurvival Vest

SRU-22/PSignal Marker; manufactured by ACR Electronics Div.

SRU-23/PParachute Bailout Sleeping Bag

SRU-24/PParachute Bailout Sleeping Bag

SRU-25/PAnti-Exposure Rubber Socks

(26...30)(No information)

SRU-31/PMedical & General Survival Kit; used with SRU-21/P

SRU-32/PSurvival Vest

-33(No information)

SRU-34/PSurvival Vest

-35(No information)

SRU-36/PHEED (Helicopter Emergency Egress Device)

SRU-37/PLife Raft and Container Assembly

(38...39)(No information)

SRU-40/PHABD (Helicopter Aircrew Breathing Device) 

 

 

[Obviousman]

Wow! Outstanding - many thanks! BZ!

[RWW]

To fill in a few gaps:

 

SRU-7 Extreme Cold Weather Survival Wool Pile Socks

SRU-8 Extreme Cold Weather Survival Wind Parka

SRU-9 Extreme Cold Weather Survival Wind Pants

SRU-11 Extreme Cold Weather Survival Poncho

SRU-14 Extreme Cold Weather Survival Plastic Overboot

 

The Extreme Cold Weather clothing, SRU-6 thru SRU-14 were part of the dedicated survival gear for the B-58 Hustler.  Several of the components were also used in the F-111 Arctic Clothing kits.

 

There is also a slight error in the above list. The SRU-31 was not used with the SRU-21/P vest. It was/is used in the OV-1 vest and Navy vests.

[amateuraero]

--LPA  Life Preserver Assembly.

--APH  might be Aviator's Protective Helmet.

--GS/FRP-1  Gloves Summer/Fire Resistant Polyamide.

--CS/FRP-1, -4  Coveralls Summer/Fire Resistant Polyamide.

--DH  might be Developmental Helmet.

--BuAer  Bureau of Aeronautics.

--BuWeps  Bureau of Weapons.

--Mk  Mark

--MBEU  Martin-Baker Engineering Unit

--NATOPS  Naval Aviation Training Operations Procedures Standardization

--NACES  Naval  Aircrew Common Ejection Seat

--ACES  Advanced Concept Ejection Seat

--MXU  as in kneeboards.

 

[adda91]

REDAR (for the ms22001 mask): R. E. Darling, Co, Inc. ( name of the firm which created it)