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NBC is an initialism used to indicate nuclear, biological and chemical weapons, warfare, or defences against them. It superseded the term ABC weapons, where the A refers to atomic. NBC is the term used by NATO armed forces, however in popular civilian parlance the term Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) is now more commonly used. In some other languages, the term ABC weapon is still retained.
The acronym ABC was deemed fit when large numbers of troops and civilians were to be educated about these new weapons, and how to protect against them, in the mid-twentieth century. The term was found to be less advantageous after the post-1968 radicalization, when the word atomic seemingly was considered negatively charged after forceful left-wing campaigns against atomic power and the atom bomb.
N(or A)BC weapons represents the nontraditional weapons of the twentieth century and are designed to kill large numbers of people, chiefly civilians but potentially also unprotected military personnel. The threat of NBC attacks forces military troops to use protection limiting their battle endurance.
- Atomic weapons (including radiological weapons)
- Biological weapons
- Chemical weapons
For more information see weapons of mass destruction
References
In Vietnam 1961/1971: http://www.stopusa.be/scripts/texte.php?section=CL&langue3&id=24471 http://www.monde-solidaire.org/spip/article.php3?id_article=2295
ABC-våben | ABC-Waffen | ABQ | Nucléaire, bactériologique et chimique | ABC (sodankäynti) | 화생방 무기 | ABC-våpen | ABC-våpen
"NBC (weapon)"