Brevity Words

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U N C L A S S I F I E D

"OPERATIONAL BREVITY WORDS AND TERMINOLOGY"

The following are two lists of operational brevity words and terms to provide common understanding and

minimize radio transmissions while executing tactics described in this manual. This common understanding,

however, is dependent on the following rules of engagement:

- These lists are not all inclusive.

- When a flight lead makes directive calls, the wingman must respond with the directed action to the best

of his ability.

- If the wingman uses a "directive" term/word, it is a request and the flight lead reserves the right to

approve/deny the wingman's requested action.

Allied nations may have different meanings for some of the terms/words listed here (reference ACP 165). They are indicated by an asterisk (*) behind the term/word.

SECTION A: OPERATIONAL BREVITY WORDS

SECTION B: TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

SECTION A: OPERATIONAL BREVITY WORDS

ACTION (Direction)

Directive to initiate a pre-briefed attack sequence or maneuver, i.e. "Pesci, action left".

BEAM/BEAMER (Direction)

Aircraft maneuvering stabilized within 70 -110 deg aspect; generally given with cardinal directions: east, west, north, south. (Tennie, this is a descriptive for Bandits only in the beam, which is 70-110 deg aspect)

BENT

Identified system inoperative.

BINGO

Prebriefed fuel state which is needed for recovery using prebriefed parameters. (MUST RTB now)

BLIND

No visual contact with friendly aircraft; opposite of term "VISUAL."

BLOWTHROUGH

Directive/informational call that indicates aircraft will continue straight ahead at the merge and not turn

with target/targets.

BOGEY

A radar/visual contact whose identity is unknown.

BOGEY DOPE

A request for bearing and range to bogey and as available, heading, speed, and altitude.

BOX

Groups/contacts/formations in a square or offset square.

BRACKET

Indicates geometry where aircraft will maneuver to a position on opposing sides either laterally or

vertically from the target.

BREAK (Up/Down/Right/Left)

Directive to perform an immediate maximum performance turn in the indicated direction. Assumes a

defensive situation.

BUDDY SPIKE (Position/Azimuth/Altitude)

Receiving friendly Radar Warning Receiver (RAW gear) hits.

BUGOUT (Direction)

Combat separation for low fuel, loss of tactical advantages or accomplishments of mission objectives;

intent is to permanently separate from that particular engagement/attack.

BULLSEYE

An established reference point from which the position of an aircraft can be determined.

BULLSEYE

An established reference point from which the position of an aircraft can be transmitted. Sometimes referred to as "broadcast control" if more than one bullseye is used, designate by Alpha, Bravo etc.

BUSTER

Throttle set to 100% military power

CAP/CAP(Location)

An orbit at a specified location. Establish a combat air patrol at (location).

CHAMPAGNE

An attack of three distinct groups with two in front and one behind. The leading two groups are

attempting to bracket with the trailing third group flying up the middle.

CHECK LEFT/RIGHT

By Flight Lead: Alter course to new heading, 30 degrees if not specified.

CLEAN

No radar contacts

CLEAR

No visual enemy aircraft are a threat to your rear quadrant that is, your six is clear. CLEARED HOT

Ordnance release is authorized.

COLD

In context; attack geometry will result in a pass or roll out behind the target; or, on a leg of the CAP

pointed away from the anticipated threats.

CONTACT

Radar/IR contact at the stated position; should be in bearing, range, altitude (BRA), Bullseye, or

geographic position format.

CRANK (Direction)

F-Pole maneuver; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal limits. (This call is only for us, Bandits "Flank")

CROSS TURN/CROSS

A 180 heading reversal by a flight where aircraft turn into each other.

DIVERT

Proceed to alternate mission/base.

DRAG/DRAGGING (Direction)

Bogey/Bandit maneuvering to 60 degrees or less aspect. (One guy runs to put attacking fighter at his 6 so wingman can shoot him)

ECHELON (Cardinal direction, i.e. N, S, E, W)

Groups/contacts/formation with wingman displaced approximately 45 deg behind leader's wing line.

ELEMENT

Formation of two aircraft. (Same as a "Section")

EXTEND (LEFT/RIGHT)

Gain energy and distance with the possible objective of reentering the fight.

FADED

Previous radar contact is lost

FAST

Target speed is estimated to be 600 knots ground mach 1 or greater.

FEET WET/DRY

Flying over water/land.

FENCE

Boundary separating hostile and friendly area.

FENCE CHECK

Set cockpit switches as appropriate.

FLANK/FLANKING

Target with a stable aspect of 120 deg. to 150 deg. (Bandit is "Cranking" and supporting a weapon)

FLOAT

Directive/informative to expand the formation laterally within visual limits to maintain a radar contact or prepare for a defensive response.

FOX ONE

Simulated/actual launch of semi-active radar-guided missile.

FOX TWO

Simulated/actual launch of infrared-guided missile.

FOX THREE

Simulated/actual launch of active radar missile, i.e. AMRAAM/Phoenix missile.

FOX FOUR

Bomber gunner has simulated firing on a target.

GATOR

Engage Afterburners

GIMBAL (Direction)

Radar target is approaching azimuth or elevation limits.

GORILLA

Large force of indeterminable numbers and formation.

GREEN (Direction)

Direction determined to be clearest of enemy air-to-air activity. (This is a call to tell friendlies which heading is best when its time to disengage and run, ie winchester I'm outta here)

GROUP

Radar target(s) within approximately 3 NM of each other.

HARD (Direction)

High-G, energy sustaining turn.

HARD TURN

Maximum G turn sustaining energy. Whether to use AB or not is a briefing item.

HEAD

Target with an aspect of 160 deg. to 180 deg. ( a nose hot aor head on tgt is 180 deg, 0 deg is running directly away from you)

HEADS UP (Direction/Altitude)

Enemy/bogey got through; no kill. (Also is "Leakers" means bandits got through a CAP and are going for tgt)

HIGH

Target above 30,000 feet MSL.

HIT

Radar return in search (A/A). HOLDING HANDS

Aircraft are joined in formation, implies visual contact by all flight members.

HOME PLATE

Home airfield.

HOOK (LEFT OR RIGHT)

Directive to perform an in-place 180 deg. turn. Same as "In Place L or R"

HOT

In context; attack geometry will result in rollout in front of the target; or on a leg of the CAP pointing

toward the anticipated threats (A/A). Ordnance employment authorized, expected, or completed (A/G).

HOUND DOG

Call made by supporting fighter or a wingman indicating he has visual, tally, and a clear path to the

bandit and is in an advantageous position to engage. Clock position and distance are normally added to

indicate bandit position relative to the flight, or wingman position relative to the leader.

ID

Directive to intercept and identify the target; also aircrew ID accomplished, followed by type aircraft.

IN PLACE (Left, Right)

Perform indicated maneuver simultaneously. We use it as a 180 deg turn.

IN TRAIL

Perform suggested maneuver maintaining relative position in formation.

JOKER

Prebriefed fuel state above Bingo at which separation/bugout/event termination should begin.

JUDY

Aircrew has radar/visual contact on the correct target

LADDER

Three or more groups/contacts/formations in trail.

LEAD TURN

A turn which is initiated prior to passing the opponents 3/9 line.

LINE ABREAST

Two groups/contacts/formations/aircraft side-by-side.

LOW

Target altitude below 10,000 feet AGL

MAGNUM

launch of AGM-88 HARM.

MEDIUM

Target altitude between 10,000 feet AGL and 30,000 feet MSL.

MERGE(D)

Informative that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena.Call indicating radar returns

have come together.

MUD (Direction-Type)

Indicates unknown RWR ground threat displayed; followed normally by clock position.

MUSIC

Electronic radar jamming. On AI radar, electronic deceptive jamming.

NAKED

No RWR indications. Opposite of term "spike".

NEGATIVE CONTACT

Lack of radar and/ or SIF contact.

NO JOY

Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target/bandit; opposite of term "TALLY."

NOTCH (Direction)

All-aspect missile defensive maneuver to place threat radar/missile near the beam. (Tennie, this is us going defensive to put bandit at 3-9 line so he'll drop lock, i.e. doppler notch. Any weapons in air are no longer supported)

PAINT

Friendly AAI/APX interrogation return. (Tennie, is IFF only, is not a Radar "hit" or a Visual "tally")

PIGEONS (Location)

Magnetic bearing and range to a specified point.

PINCER

A tactic designed to maneuver an enemy into a defensive position by simultaneous attack from both

sides of bogey.

POPEYE

Flying in clouds or area of reduced visibility.

POST HOLE

Rapid descending spiral. (Tennie, this is a defensive maneuver to rapidly lose alt, and get out of radar scan coverage)

RAYGUN (Position/Azimuth/Altitude)

Radar lock-on to unknown aircraft. Request Buddy Spike/Naked reply.

RIFLE

AGM-65 launch. (Maverick)

SHACKLE

One weave; a single crossing of flight paths; maneuver to adjust/ regain formation parameters.

SIGNAL BUSTER

Use maximum speed (burner for those so equipped). (NAVY air operations in control of airborne jets)

SLOW

Target with ground speed of less than 300 kts.

SORTED

Criteria have been met which ensure individual flight members have separate contacts; criteria can be

met visually, electronically (radar) or both. Final radar lock taken.

SPIKE

RWR indication of AT threat is displayed. Add clock position, and type threat (radar/heat) if able.

SPITTER (Direction)

An aircraft that has departed from the engagement.

SPLASH

Missile time of flight is expired or missile destroyed; target or bomb impact.

STACK

Two or more groups/contacts/formations with a high/low altitude separation in relation to each other.

STATUS

Request for an individual's tactical situation; response is normally "offensive," "defensive," or "neutral"

with number of targets. May be suffixed by position and heading.

STRANGLE ( )

Turn off equipment indicated. (often Radar to go Emcon or IFF)

SWITCH/SWITCHED

Indicates an attacker is changing from one aircraft to another.

TALLY

Sighting of a target/bandit; opposite of "NO JOY".

TRAIL

Tactical formation of two or more aircraft following one another.

TRASHED

Informative call; missile in flight has been defeated. (Tennie, if you didn't support your missile it will Trash)

TUMBLEWEED

Describes one who is "NO JOY, " 3BLIND3 and rapidly losing situation awareness, in a request for

directive commentary and orientation. Colloquially NO TALLY; NO VISUAL, NO CLUE!

VIC

Three groups/contacts/formations with the single closest in range and an element in trail.

VISUAL

Visual contact with friendly aircraft. Opposite of "BLIND".

WALL

Three or more groups/contacts/formations line abreast/side-side.

WEDGE

Tactical formation of two or more aircraft with the single in front and the other aircraft laterally displaced

on either side behind the leader's wing line.

WEEDS

Indicates that aircraft are operating close to the surface.

WINCHESTER

Term used to report expenditure of all ordnance of a particular type.

SECTION B: TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

A-POLE

The distance from the launching aircraft to the target when the missile begins active terminal guidance.

ARCING

Flying a circular flight path which allows another aircraft the use of cutoff to gain closure.

ASPECT ANGLE

Angle between defender's longitudinal axis and the line of sight to the attacker.The angle is measured

from defendees 6 o'clock. Attacker heading is irrelevant.

BRA

Bearing, range, and altitude of target

E-Pole

The range from a threat aircraft that a drag must be accomplished to kinematically defeat any missile the

bandit could have launched or is launching. (The Range at which you can reverse, go to full burner and run, and missile doesn't have the energy to catch you. Weapon may already be in the air but is defeated by range)

ETA

Estimated Time of arrival.

F-POLE

The distance from the launching aircraft to the target at missile impact. (This is one of the most important. Dist from you to tgt when your missile hits him, more is better, increased by Cranking and slowing down. Helps your weapon hit first, so his will be trashed)

GCI

Ground Controlled Intercept. (Fighters, often on strip alert, but may be airborne, controlled by Ground radar controllers)

LUFBERRY

A circular, stagnated fight with no participant having an advantage.

OCA

Offensive counterair. (A fighter mission, like offensive CAP or Fighter Sweep, Much Fun)

Pk

Probability of kill. (Can increase Our missile Pk by getting closer which allows the missile to have more Energy to maneuver at intercept point and be more lethal. A very high off-boresight shot is not High Pk, but may be worth it. Must weigh the advantages/disadvantages)

Rmax

Maximum weapons range.

Rmin

Minimum weapons range.

ROE

Rules of Engagement.

RTB

Return To Base

RWR

Radar Warning Receiver.

SA

Situation Awareness/Surface Attack.

SANITIZE

Area clear of threats.

SCRAMBLE

Takeoff as quickly as possible.

SEAD

Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses.

SEMIACTIVE

A system wherein the receiver uses radiations or reflections from the target which has been illuminated

by an outside source.

SORTING

Using any available information such as radar presentation, GCI information, etc., to determine which

bandit to attack.

TOT

Usually time of Weapons impact (air-gnd). Used to coordinate strikes.

TOF

Time of flight.

VID

Visual identification.

WILD WEASEL

Dedicated radar defense suppression aircraft.