TERMIUM Plus®
From: Translation Bureau
On social media
Consult the Government of Canada’s terminology data bank.
NUCLEAR WEAPON SYSTEM [11 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2024-01-03
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- CBRNE Weapons
- CBRNE Operations
- Military Organization
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- nuclear delivery unit
1, record 1, English, nuclear%20delivery%20unit
correct, NATO, standardized
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Any level of organization capable of employing a nuclear weapon system or systems when the weapon or weapons have been released by proper authority. 1, record 1, English, - nuclear%20delivery%20unit
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
nuclear delivery unit: designation and definition standardized by NATO. 2, record 1, English, - nuclear%20delivery%20unit
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Armes CBRNE
- Opérations CBRNE
- Organisation militaire
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- unité de vecteurs à capacité nucléaire
1, record 1, French, unit%C3%A9%20de%20vecteurs%20%C3%A0%20capacit%C3%A9%20nucl%C3%A9aire
correct, feminine noun, NATO, standardized
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Unité, quel que soit son niveau, capable de mettre en action un ou plusieurs systèmes d'arme nucléaires, une fois reçue l'autorisation nécessaire. 1, record 1, French, - unit%C3%A9%20de%20vecteurs%20%C3%A0%20capacit%C3%A9%20nucl%C3%A9aire
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
unité de vecteurs à capacité nucléaire : désignation et définition normalisées par l'OTAN. 2, record 1, French, - unit%C3%A9%20de%20vecteurs%20%C3%A0%20capacit%C3%A9%20nucl%C3%A9aire
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Armas QBRNE
- Operaciones QBRNE
- Organización militar
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- unidad con medios de lanzamiento nuclear
1, record 1, Spanish, unidad%20con%20medios%20de%20lanzamiento%20nuclear
correct, feminine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Organización a cualquier nivel, capaz de utilizar un sistema o sistemas de armas nucleares, cuando la autoridad competente ha autorizado el empleo del arma o de las armas nucleares. 1, record 1, Spanish, - unidad%20con%20medios%20de%20lanzamiento%20nuclear
Record 2 - internal organization data 2023-12-11
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- CBRNE Weapons
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- weapon of mass destruction
1, record 2, English, weapon%20of%20mass%20destruction
correct, NATO, standardized, officially approved
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
- WMD 2, record 2, English, WMD
correct, NATO, standardized, officially approved
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A weapon, or weapon system, employing chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear substances, that is able to cause widespread devastation and loss of life. 3, record 2, English, - weapon%20of%20mass%20destruction
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
weapon of mass destruction; WMD: designations standardized by the Canadian Capability-Based Planning Terminology Committee and the Translation Bureau. 4, record 2, English, - weapon%20of%20mass%20destruction
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
weapon of mass destruction; WMD: designations and definition standardized by NATO; designations officially approved by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces. 5, record 2, English, - weapon%20of%20mass%20destruction
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 3 OBS
weapon of mass destruction; WMD: designations extracted from the "Disarmament and Peace Keeping" glossary with the permission of the United Nations Office at Geneva. 6, record 2, English, - weapon%20of%20mass%20destruction
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Armes CBRNE
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- arme de destruction massive
1, record 2, French, arme%20de%20destruction%20massive
correct, feminine noun, NATO, standardized, officially approved
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
- ADM 2, record 2, French, ADM
correct, feminine noun, NATO, standardized, officially approved
Record 2, Synonyms, French
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Arme ou système d'arme utilisant des substances chimiques, biologiques, radiologiques ou nucléaires et pouvant provoquer des dégâts et des pertes humaines à grande échelle. 3, record 2, French, - arme%20de%20destruction%20massive
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
arme de destruction massive; ADM : désignations normalisées par le Comité de terminologie de la planification axée sur les capacités au Canada et le Bureau de la traduction. 4, record 2, French, - arme%20de%20destruction%20massive
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
arme de destruction massive; ADM : désignations et définition normalisées par l'OTAN; désignations uniformisées par le ministère de la Défense nationale et les Forces canadiennes. 5, record 2, French, - arme%20de%20destruction%20massive
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 3 OBS
arme de destruction massive : désignation tirée du lexique «Désarmement et Maintien de la Paix» avec l'autorisation de l'Office des Nations Unies à Genève. 6, record 2, French, - arme%20de%20destruction%20massive
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Armas QBRNE
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- arma de destrucción masiva
1, record 2, Spanish, arma%20de%20destrucci%C3%B3n%20masiva
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2015-01-09
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- CBRNE Weapons
- Land Forces
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- unauthorized act 1, record 3, English, unauthorized%20act
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
An act that could result in :(1) the inadvertent or unauthorized arming, firing, detonating or releasing of a nuclear weapon,(2) the unauthorized launching of a nuclear weapon delivery system, or(3) damage to a nuclear weapon or critical component. 1, record 3, English, - unauthorized%20act
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Armes CBRNE
- Forces terrestres
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- acte interdit 1, record 3, French, acte%20interdit
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Acte qui peut provoquer : (1) par inadvertance, ou sans autorisation, l'armement, la mise à feu, l'explosion ou le largage d'une arme nucléaire, (2) la mise en œuvre sans autorisation d'un système de lancement d'armes nucléaires, ou (3) un dommage à une arme nucléaire ou à un élément critique. 1, record 3, French, - acte%20interdit
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2015-01-09
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- CBRNE Weapons
- Land Forces
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- incorrect procedure 1, record 4, English, incorrect%20procedure
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A procedure that could result in :(1) the inadvertent or unauthorized arming, firing, detonating or releasing of a nuclear weapon,(2) the unauthorized launching of a nuclear weapon delivery system, or(3) damage to a nuclear weapon or critical component. 1, record 4, English, - incorrect%20procedure
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Armes CBRNE
- Forces terrestres
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- procédure irrégulière 1, record 4, French, proc%C3%A9dure%20irr%C3%A9guli%C3%A8re
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
procédure qui peut provoquer : (1) par inadvertance ou sans autorisation, l'armement, la mise à feu, l'explosion ou le largage d'une arme nucléaire, (2) la mise en œuvre sans autorisation d'un système de lancement d'armes nucléaires, ou (3) un dommage à une arme nucléaire ou à un élément critique. 1, record 4, French, - proc%C3%A9dure%20irr%C3%A9guli%C3%A8re
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2011-04-07
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- CBRNE Weapons
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- nuclear delivery vehicle
1, record 5, English, nuclear%20delivery%20vehicle
correct, NATO, standardized
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- nuclear weapon delivery vehicle 2, record 5, English, nuclear%20weapon%20delivery%20vehicle
correct
- nuclear weapon vehicle 3, record 5, English, nuclear%20weapon%20vehicle
correct
- nuclear vehicle 4, record 5, English, nuclear%20vehicle
correct
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
That portion of the weapon system which provides the means of delivery of a nuclear weapon to the target. 1, record 5, English, - nuclear%20delivery%20vehicle
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
nuclear delivery vehicle: term and definition standardized by NATO. 5, record 5, English, - nuclear%20delivery%20vehicle
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Armes CBRNE
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- vecteur à capacité nucléaire
1, record 5, French, vecteur%20%C3%A0%20capacit%C3%A9%20nucl%C3%A9aire
correct, masculine noun, NATO, standardized
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- vecteur d'arme nucléaire 2, record 5, French, vecteur%20d%27arme%20nucl%C3%A9aire
correct, masculine noun
- vecteur nucléaire 3, record 5, French, vecteur%20nucl%C3%A9aire
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Partie d'un système d'arme qui permet de véhiculer une arme nucléaire sur l'objectif. 1, record 5, French, - vecteur%20%C3%A0%20capacit%C3%A9%20nucl%C3%A9aire
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
vecteur à capacité nucléaire : terme et définition normalisés par l'OTAN. 4, record 5, French, - vecteur%20%C3%A0%20capacit%C3%A9%20nucl%C3%A9aire
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Armas QBRNE
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- vector de lanzamiento nuclear
1, record 5, Spanish, vector%20de%20lanzamiento%20nuclear
correct, masculine noun
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Parte del sistema de armas que permite el lanzamiento de un arma nuclear sobre el objetivo. 1, record 5, Spanish, - vector%20de%20lanzamiento%20nuclear
Record 6 - internal organization data 2001-08-03
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- CBRNE Weapons
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- critical component
1, record 6, English, critical%20component
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
A critical component of a nuclear weapon system is :(1) a nuclear weapon with or without its fuzing and firing system installed,(2) a combat delivery vehicle which has had all nuclear preload functions completed and is ready for nuclear weapon mate or load,(3) a combat delivery vehicle which has a nuclear weapon(s) mated or loaded, and(4) hardware, software or code components designated by the Directorate of Nuclear Weapons. The DNW determines when critical components being permanently removed from the weapon system cease to be critical. 1, record 6, English, - critical%20component
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Armes CBRNE
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- élément critique
1, record 6, French, %C3%A9l%C3%A9ment%20critique
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Dans un système d'arme nucléaire, on appelle élément critique : (1) une arme nucléaire dont les systèmes de lancement et de mise à feu sont installés ou non, (2) un moyen de lancement entièrement prêt à recevoir une arme nucléaire (fonctions de préchargement terminées), (3) un moyen de lancement porteur d'une ou de plusieurs armes nucléaires, et (4) l'ensemble d'informatique conçu par la Direction - Armement nucléaire. Cette Direction détermine le moment où un élément n'est plus critique après qu'il a été enlevé en permanence du système d'arme. 1, record 6, French, - %C3%A9l%C3%A9ment%20critique
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 2000-08-04
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Weapon Systems
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- built-in booster
1, record 7, English, built%2Din%20booster
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The ASMP is the first French air-transportable nuclear weapon using a missile-the others were just bombs.... Its propulsion system is extremely original with a ramjet and a built-in booster. 1, record 7, English, - built%2Din%20booster
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Systèmes d'armes
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- accélérateur intégré
1, record 7, French, acc%C3%A9l%C3%A9rateur%20int%C3%A9gr%C3%A9
correct, masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
L'ASMP est la première arme nucléaire aéroportée française utilisant un missile, les autres étaient de simples bombes. [...] Le système propulsif est très original avec un statoréacteur et un accélérateur intégré. 1, record 7, French, - acc%C3%A9l%C3%A9rateur%20int%C3%A9gr%C3%A9
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 1999-10-22
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- CBRNE Weapons
- Land Forces
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- safety rule
1, record 8, English, safety%20rule
correct
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Approved procedures prescribing mandatory and exclusive actions which must, without deviation, be complied with during peacetime operations involving nuclear weapons. There are separate safety rules for each specific nuclear weapon system. 1, record 8, English, - safety%20rule
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Armes CBRNE
- Forces terrestres
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- règlement de sécurité
1, record 8, French, r%C3%A8glement%20de%20s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9
masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Procédures réglementaires prescrivant les mesures obligatoires et exclusives qui doivent être prises sans exception, en temps de paix, pendant les opérations comprenant des armes nucléaires. Ce sont des règlements de sécurité indépendants pour chaque système d'arme nucléaire spécifié. 1, record 8, French, - r%C3%A8glement%20de%20s%C3%A9curit%C3%A9
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 1996-03-11
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- CBRNE Weapons
- Land Forces
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- nuclear weapon system 1, record 9, English, nuclear%20weapon%20system
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
All nuclear weapon system components including the delivery vehicle, nuclear weapon and its associated support equipment, facilities and services. 1, record 9, English, - nuclear%20weapon%20system
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Armes CBRNE
- Forces terrestres
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- système d'arme nucléaire
1, record 9, French, syst%C3%A8me%20d%27arme%20nucl%C3%A9aire
correct, masculine noun
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Tous les éléments d'un système d'arme nucléaire, y compris le moyen de lancement, l'arme nucléaire et l'équipement, les installations et les services de soutien qui y sont rattachés. 2, record 9, French, - syst%C3%A8me%20d%27arme%20nucl%C3%A9aire
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Record 10 - internal organization data 1996-03-11
Record 10, English
Record 10, Subject field(s)
- CBRNE Weapons
- Land Forces
Record 10, Main entry term, English
Record 10, Abbreviations, English
Record 10, Synonyms, English
Record 10, Textual support, English
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 OBS
The method used to protect a nuclear weapon or nuclear weapon system switch, cover, handle or other sensitive item from inadvertent activation or entry. 1, record 10, English, - safing
Record 10, French
Record 10, Domaine(s)
- Armes CBRNE
- Forces terrestres
Record 10, Main entry term, French
- mise en sûreté 1, record 10, French, mise%20en%20s%C3%BBret%C3%A9
Record 10, Abbreviations, French
Record 10, Synonyms, French
Record 10, Textual support, French
Record number: 10, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Méthode utilisée pour empêcher de déclencher par inadvertance l'interrupteur d'un système d'arme nucléaire ou d'une arme nucléaire, ou de toucher à tout autre article sensible. 1, record 10, French, - mise%20en%20s%C3%BBret%C3%A9
Record 10, Spanish
Record 10, Textual support, Spanish
Record 11 - internal organization data 1984-12-12
Record 11, English
Record 11, Subject field(s)
- Missiles and Rockets
Record 11, Main entry term, English
- active penetration aid
1, record 11, English, active%20penetration%20aid
correct
Record 11, Abbreviations, English
Record 11, Synonyms, English
Record 11, Textual support, English
Record number: 11, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A weapon that helps a nuclear delivery system breach enemy defenses. Air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles are examples. 1, record 11, English, - active%20penetration%20aid
Record 11, French
Record 11, Domaine(s)
- Missiles et roquettes
Record 11, Main entry term, French
- aide à la pénétration active
1, record 11, French, aide%20%C3%A0%20la%20p%C3%A9n%C3%A9tration%20active
proposal, feminine noun
Record 11, Abbreviations, French
Record 11, Synonyms, French
Record 11, Textual support, French
Record 11, Spanish
Record 11, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2026
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
GCtranslate (available on the Government of Canada network only)
Use this artificial intelligence prototype to translate Government of Canada content up to and including Protected B. Available to employees of selected departments and agencies only.
Writing tools
The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies
Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified:


