7-Tectical Brevity Words

Vertical distance (height) of aircraft in feet above mean sea level (AMSL).

Orbit about a specific point; ground track flown by tanker. Information call indicates a turning engagement about a specific location.

Request/comment regarding target aspect information.

HEAD aspect 160° TO 180°
FLANK aspect 120° TO 150°
BEAM aspect 70° TO 110°
DRAG aspect less than 60°

The angle between the longitudinal axis of the target (projected rearward) and the line-of-sight to the fighter, measured from the tail of the target. The attackers heading is not a consideration. (Whenever the attacker is pointed at the bogey, angle-off and aspect are the same.)

A challenge and response (in code) to confirm the validity of command instructions or information.

Aspect of an attack or approach with a Heading Crossing Angle of between 60 and 120 degrees.

Direction of an object from another object or point (measured in degrees).

Fuel state which prohibits safe continuation of present Mission and needed for recovery

A request for bearing/angle and range to Bogey XXX, and as available, heading, altitude and speed.

A request for bearing/angle and range to the closest target and as available altitude and aspect.

Form or format of tactical control providing bearing, range, altitude and aspect from fighter to target. Aspect is only required if other than HEAD

Simultaneous attack on enemy from opposite sides/altitudes.

Directive call to maneuver fighters on opposite sides laterally or vertically from the targets.

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

1. Call indicating chaff has been detected.
2. Radar confusion reflectors which consist of thin, narrow metallic strips of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect echoes for confusion purposes.

Start communications jamming countermeasures (use briefed radio procedures to counter comjam).

Change to indicated heading or alter heading by degrees) a specified number of degrees left or right for prebriefed time period, then resume heading

Assure that all arrangement switches are in the Off/Safe/Cold/Training positions.(See also; ARM SAFE/HOT.)

1- A descriptive/directive call to initiate a turn in the CAP away from the threat.

2- Groups heading away from friendly aircraft.
3- Defined area is not expected to receive fire (enemy or friendly).

COMbined Air Operation. A large number of aircraft of different types and roles working together to perform a mission.

Directive from flight leader to nominated flight member to intercept a specific target. (Air Combat, Sweep, Escort Mission) with no intent to kill.

Condensation trail(s). Crystallized vapor trails left by an aircraft. Aircraft indicated is leaving contrails.

1. An error has been made in this transmission. Transmission will continue with last word correctly transmitted.
2. An error has been made in this transmission (or message indicated). The correct version is __________.
3. That which follows is a correct version in answer to your request for verification.

Directive / descriptive call indicating an F/A -POLE maneuver in a specific direction (applies to friendly fighters).

Request for identification of a correlated target . Responses include: " FRIENDLY / BANDIT / BOGEY / HOSTILE or UNABLE " .

Any one of a number of tactics using a single fighter or flight to lure the opposition into a situation where they can be attacked by previously undetected fighters.

Directive call to detect, identify, and engage (if required) unknown aircraft trailing friendly aircraft

Description of the BOGEY/BANDIT maneuvering to position the fighters within + 60° of the Bogey/bandit’s tail

1. Directive/informative to stop monitoring a specified emitter/target and resume search responsibilities.
2. Remove the emitter/target from tactical picture/track stores.

Picture label/fill-in describing two GROUPs with one group displaced behind and to the side of the other group.

Distress. Serious aircraft/aircrew problems. Also, a setting of IFF/SIF or VHF/UHF frequency.

Aircraft or element is occupied in combat for kill with the enemy. (Controller will provide threat or safety information.)

Fly at safe distance from designated aircraft and provide honour guard and/or protective cover.

Description of the bogey/bandit maneuvering to an aspect of 120 to 150 degrees angle from tail or 30 to 60 degrees angle from nose of aspect.

Temporarily activate specified system for identification purposes IFF/afterburner/flare/chaff/etc.).

The fragment or portion of an Air Task Order (ATO) which holds the tasking details for a squadron or base.

An attack or approach with a Heading Crossing Angle (HCA) of between 120 and 180 degrees.

Descriptive/informative call indicating known non-friendly aircraft and FRIENDLY aircraft are in close proximity to each other. Can be a response to a DECLARE request.

Fire Control System/Radar/Emitter equipment.

Gadget 1 = Pulse Radar

Gadget 2 = Pulse Doppler Radar

Gadget 3 = Air Data Computer

e.g. "Gadget 2 Bent".

Descriptive call of several radar targets/contacts within 3nm and 20,000 feet., depending on the general picture.

Approaching target or aircraft opposite directions with a stable aspect of approximately 180 degrees. (See also: FRONT.)

Do not open fire, or cease fire on raid/track designated. Missiles in flight must not be permitted to continue.

A contact or an intercepted mission determined to be enemy. Aircraft that has committed an hostile act. Clearance to fire is authorised IAW theatre ROE

1-High aspect target. (160-180 degrees angle from tail or 0-20 degrees angle from nose.

2-A call by a fighter on CAP that he is turning onto a heading towards the threat where he can search for targets. e.g “Tiger22, turning hot”.

3-Defined area is expected to receive fire (enemy or friendly).

Not visible on my scope and any position information is estimated.

Perform unpredictable maneuvers to escape/ elude enemy radar lock-on, air-to-air or surface-to-air weapon.

1. Pilot has radar lock on and assumes responsibility for intercept. The controller will acknowledge and will cease giving information except threat calls or flight safety awareness. Controller will closely monitor the intercept and be ready to pass information/commands if the fighter calls "Bogey Dope" or "More Help".

2. Used by a fighter to indicate a radar lock on when rejoining with a friendly fighter. No further assistance is required from GCI (but see above).

1. Directive to destroy a specific airborne target.

2. Confirmation of act of destruction or disablement of airborne target.

Training directive used to terminate the intercept/engagement in progress. Repeated 3 times. Used for an emergency termination of an ACT engagement.

Relative position within a group of the leader and wingman following each other and less than 3nm

Aircraft, part of an engaged raid, which flew through the defensive layer and continues toward its target. Leakers become higher priority of engagement.

Relative position within a group of the leader and wingman on the wing line and less than 3nm.

Aircraft in turn, aspect is impossible to define. When aircraft is steady, then aspect must be broadcast.

Target altitude estimated between 5,000 to 25,000 ft. DO NOT USE FOR SPEED!

Radar responses have come together, individual aircraft cannot be identified.

Directive or request indicating that are intentionally disregarding a bogey / group while attention is focused on another.

Task you / wingmen to watch that bogey / group and advise if it is about to become a factor of threat.

Do not use instead of "shadow"

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

I could make no contact on the designated frequency. E.g “NATO51, back with you, no joy channel 5”.

Description of an aircraft maneuvering defensively to position the bandit on the aircraft’s wing line.

I have reached my assigned station and I am operational. Opposite of OFF STATION

An interrogated group/contact that is responding with any of the specified IFF modes-codes established for the ID criteria.

Situation briefing which includes real time information pertinent to a specific mission (general air situation, Order of Battle...). 

Call from fighter to indicate he requires an update on the tactical air situation. E.g. “Nahyan, Shaheen Blue, picture” - “Shaheen Blue, picture, 2 CAPs manned, Shaheen Green on CAP 1, Shaheen Blue CAP 2,. Tanker on Towline Alpha, Clara”.

A tactic where two aircraft or flights separate in an attempt to bracket the enemy and attack from opposite sides simultaneously. (See also: RUMS, Bracket,Hooking)

Return to this frequency if you have no contact on the designated frequency or channel.

E.g “NATO51, channel 5, pogo”.

A radar contact which has suddenly appeared at close range. In Picture Building, Popup threat must be broadcast in tactical when appearing within 20nm.

Request for position; response normally in terms of a geographic landmark, or off a common reference point.

Posit is the preferred term for positioning friendly fighters between each other.
(e.g. “Red 2 posit?” – “Red 2, posit bulls 240/45”)

A maneuver where a fighter puts himself into a position against a target where the target is forced to make a hard turn, thereby using up speed and energy.

E.g. “2, press”. “Roger, 2 in hot”. “Roger, 1 out, extending”.

Directive/descriptive call indicating the fighters are maneuvering up to 180° away from the threat with the intention of recommitting, depending on the tactical situation.

Call by a formation leader that the formation should depart their present frequency for the next frequency.

E.g. “Puma 21, push channel 2”

Two or more groups primarily separated in distance along the same bearing. Do not use the term “split” any more.

Rescue Combat Air Patrol, provides protection to vehicles from hostile forces during all

phases of SAR.

Informative/directive call indicating a time change in minutes from a given datum. (the term “plus” will indicate later time and the term :minus” will indicate an earlier time.)

Informative reply indicating that the aircrew/controller has the identical radar contact/status as was just stated.

Informative call indicating that a fighter is radar locked on to the Bogey. Further details of heading, bull’s eye position or angels may be necessary.

The aircrew/controller's ability to comprehend all facets of AWARENESS (S.A) an intercept/ engagement to include present and projected spatial relationships between his aircraft and all opposing aircraft.

Disregard the indicated contact or target. E.g “MAGIC, Tiger Blue, contact 080/60”, “Roger Tiger, skip it, your target 110/75”.

Estimated aircraft speed less than M 0,6 or 30 SNAP (vector). A quick vector to the engagement or nearest bogey. Normally used when a pilot momentarily loses visual contact with the fight and needs directions to get back to it.

A high angle off gun shot with little chance of success because the target is in gunsight only momentarily.

Informative call of a RWR indication of a Hostile AI radar lock-on.

My RWR shows that I am being tracked by an aircraft AI radar CW illuminator. E.g “Tiger Blue, spiked, 080/10.

Two or more contacts, or formations with a high or low altitude separation in relation to each

other within group criteria.

1. Wait, wait for instructions

2. State of IFF equipment. (See Squawk Standby)

1. Request for an individual’s tactical situation.

2. (Group) Request for a full positional update in digital Bullseye format on the specified group.

Air traffic in close proximity which is not a threat, nor a participant in a mission, but which might represent a flight safety hazard.

Range and bearing centred on the position of the designated fighter.

E.g. “Chivas Bravo, target, tactical, 245/65NM”.

Visual contact with target/bandit. Controller to continue to pass target information.

Visual contact with Bandit/Target. Pilot taking over the interception. Controller stops passing target information.

Repeated three times. A routine termination of an ACT engagement. E.g. “Terminate, terminate, terminate”.

Informative broadcast call to remind crews to change rotating IFF mode in accordance with COMPLAN/SPINS.

Tactical formation of 3 or more aircraft, within a group, with the single in front and the other aircraft laterally displayed on either side behind the leaders wing-line.