| AM | additive manufacturing |
| CAD | computer-aided design |
| CAE | computer-aided engineering |
| COTS | commercial off-the-shelf |
| DARPA | Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency |
| DDM | direct digital manufacturing |
| DMLS | direct metal laser sintering |
| DMMI | Standing Committee on Defense Materials, Manufacturing, and Infrastructure |
| DOD | U.S. Department of Defense |
| EMS | Electronics Manufacturing Services |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration |
| FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
| GDP | gross domestic product |
| GE | General Electric |
| HIP | hot isostatic pressing |
| ICME | integrated computational materials for engineering |
| IED | improvised explosive device |
| ITAR | International Traffic in Arms Regulations |
| LVM | low-volume manufacturing |
| MEP | Manufacturing Extension Partnership |
| NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| NMMB | National Materials and Manufacturing Board |
| NRC | National Research Council |
| NRE | nonrecurring engineering |
| OEM | original equipment manufacturer |
| PRACE | Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe |
| R&D | research and development |
| S&T | science and technology |
| V&V | validation and verification |