Multiservice tactical brevity code

March 2023 edition cover page of the Multi-Service Brevity Codes

Multiservice tactical brevity codes are codes used by various military forces. The codes' procedure words, a type of voice procedure, are designed to convey complex information with a few words.

American/NATO codes

This is a list of American standardized brevity code words. The scope is limited to those brevity codes used in multiservice operations and does not include words unique to single service operations. While these codes are not authoritative in nature, all services agree to their meanings. Using the codes eases coordination and improves understanding during multiservice operations. The codes are intended for use by air and ground operations personnel at the tactical level. Code words that are followed by an asterisk (*) may differ in meaning from NATO usage.

A

Aborting/Abort/Aborted

Directive/informative call to cease action/attack/event/mission.

Action

Directive to initiate a briefed attack sequence or maneuver.

Active

An emitter is radiating.

Add (system/category)

Directive call to add a specific system or electronic order of battle (EOB) category to search responsibility.

Alarm

Directive/informative call indicating the termination of emission control (EMCON) procedures.

Alligator

Link-11/tactical digital information link (TADIL) A.

Alpha check

Request for/confirmation of bearing and range to described point.

Anchor/anchored

1. Orbit about a specific point; refueling track flown by tanker
2. Informative call to indicate a turning engagement about a specific location.

Angels

Height of a friendly aircraft (altitude) in thousands of feet (e.g., "Angels Five" is 5,000 ft).

Anyface

Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft.

Arizona

No anti-radiation missile (ARM) ordnance remaining.

As fragged

Unit or element will be performing exactly as stated by the air tasking order (ATO).

Ashcan

ASW depth charge.

Authenticate

To request or provide a response for a coded challenge.

Autocat

Any communications relay using automatic retransmissions.

Away

Friendly weapon release (e.g. "Missile away" or "Pig Away")

Azimuth

Two or more groups primarily separated in bearing.

B

Ball

Aircraft carrier optical landing system.

Bandit

An aircraft identified as enemy, in accordance with theater ID criteria. The term does not necessarily imply direction or authority to engage.

Banzai

Information/directive to execute launch and decide tactics.

Base (number)

Reference number used to indicate such information as headings, altitude, and fuels.

Bassett

Rocket-thrown ASW torpedo.

Bead Window

Last transmission potentially disclosed unauthorized information.

Beam/beaming

Target stabilized within 70 to 110 degree aspect; generally (direction) given with cardinal directions: east, west, north, or south.

Bent

System indicated is inoperative.

Bingo

1. Minimum fuel state needed for aircraft to return to base.
2. Proceed/am proceeding to specified base (field) or carrier.

Bird

Friendly surface-to-air missile (SAM).

Bird(s) affirm

Surface-to-air (S/A) informative call indicating unit is able and prepared to engage a specified target with SAMs (presumes target is within or will enter the SAM engagement envelope).

Bird(s) away

Friendly SAM has been fired at designated target.

Bird(s) negat

S/A informative call indicating unit is unable to engage a specified target with SAMs. Opposite of bird(s) affirm.

Bittersweet

Notification of possible blue on blue (friendly fire) situation relative to a designated track or friendly aircraft.

Blank

A suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) aircraft does not detect any emitters of interest.

Blind

No visual contact with friendly aircraft/ground position; opposite of "Visual".

Bloodhound

ASW Torpedo.

Bloomer

Disregard my last transmission.

Blow through

Directive/informative call that indicates aircraft will continue straight ahead at the merge and not turn with target/targets.

Blue on blue

Friendly fire, inadvertent hostile engagement between allies.

Bogey

A radar or visual air contact whose identity is unknown.

Bogey dope

Request for target information as briefed/available.

Box

Groups/contacts/formations in a square or offset square. FM 101-5-1 MCRP 5-2A

BRAA

Tactical control format providing target bearing, range, altitude, and aspect, relative to a friendly aircraft or bullseye.

Bracket

Indicates geometry where friendly aircraft will maneuver to a position on opposing sides, either laterally or vertically from the target.

Break (direction)

Directive to perform an immediate maximum performance turn in the direction indicated; assumes a defensive situation.

Breakaway

Tanker or receiver directive call indicating immediate vertical and nose/tail separation between tanker and receiver is required.

Brevity

Radio frequency is becoming saturated, degraded, or jammed and briefer transmissions must follow.

Broadcast

Request/directive to switch to broadcast control.

Broke lock

Loss of radar/infrared (IR) lock-on (advisory).

Bruiser

Friendly air-launched anti-ship missile (AShM) (for example, Harpoon, Exocet, or Penguin missiles).

Buddy lock

Locked to a known friendly aircraft; normally a response to a spike or buddy spike call and accompanied with position/heading/altitude.

Buddy spike

Friendly aircraft air-to-air indication on radar warning receiver (RWR); to be followed by position, heading, and altitude.

Bugout

Separation from that particular engagement/attack/operation; no intent to (direction) re-engage/return.

Bulldog

Friendly surface/submarine-launched AShM (for example, Harpoon, Exocet, Otomat).

Bullseye

An established point from which the position of an object can be referenced; made by cardinal/range or digital format.

Bump/Bump-up

Start temporary increase of flight altitude to set the aircraft to a favorable glide path to the target on the attack run.

Burn glint

Used to provide illumination.

Buster

Directive call to fly at maximum continuous speed.

Buzzer

Electronic communications jamming.

C

Candygram

Informative call to aircraft that electronic warfare (EW) targeting information is available on a briefed secure net.

Cap/capping

1. Directive call to establish an orbit at a specified location. (location)
2. An orbit at a specified location.

Captured

Aircrew has identified and is able to track a specified air-to-ground (A/G) target with an onboard sensor.

Cease

In air defense, break the engagement on the target specified. Missiles in flight engagement will continue to intercept.

Cease fire

Discontinue firing and/or Do not open fire; complete intercept if weapons are in flight; continue to track.

CERTSUB

Visual sighting of a submarine.

Champagne

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

Chattermark

Begin using briefed radio procedures to counter communications jamming.

Cheapshot

1. (USAF) Active missile supported to high pulse repetition frequency (HPRF, better against oncoming targets), but not medium pulse repetition frequency (MPRF, better against targets flying away).
2. (Naval) Active missile not supported to active range.

Check turn (deg)

degrees left or right and maintain new heading. (Left/right)

Cherubs

Height of a friendly aircraft in hundreds of feet.

Chicks

Friendly aircraft.

Christmas tree

to turn on all exterior lighting.

Clean

1. No radar contacts on aircraft of interest.
2. No visible battle damage
3. Aircraft not carrying external stores.

Cleared

Requested action is authorized (no engaged/support roles are assumed).

Cleared hot

Ordnance release is authorized.

Cloak

Directive/informative call to switch from normal external lighting to covert night vision device (NVD) only compatible lighting.

Closing

Decreasing in range.

Cobra

ASW torpedo in gyro angle snake search (GASS) mode (eg Mk46).

Cold

1. Attack geometry will result in a pass or rollout behind the target.
2. On a leg of the combat air patrol (CAP) pointed away from anticipated threats.
3. Group( s) heading away from friendly aircraft.
4. In ASW, designated unit has lost sonar contact.

Color (system)

Request for information on a given system at stated location; usually a request for (system/position) ambiguity resolution. May be used with improved data modem (IDM) data message−color, data.

Comeoff

Directive to maneuver as indicated to either regain mutual support or to (left/right/deconflict flight paths for an exchange of engaged and supporting roles; low/dry) implies both visual and tally.

Commit/committed

Fighter intent to engage/intercept; controller continues to provide information.

Confetti

Chaff lane or corridor.

Cons/conning

Threat/bogey aircraft leaving contrails.

Contact

1. Sensor contact at the stated position.
2. Acknowledges sighting of a specified reference point.

Continue

Continue present maneuver; does not imply clearance to engage or expend ordnance.

Continue dry

Ordnance release not authorized.

Cover/covering

Directive/informative call to take Surface/Air action or establish an air-to-air (A/A) posture that will allow engagement of a specified target or threat.

Cowboys

Ships of an ASW Search and Attack Unit (SAU).

Crank

To maneuver beyond the range of a missile; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal limits in a beyond visual range engagement.

Cutoff

Request for, or directive to, intercept using cutoff geometry.

Cyclops

Any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

D

Dakota

No air to ground (ATG) ordnance remaining.

Dash (#)

Aircraft position within a flight. Use if specific call sign is unknown.

Data

Standby for improved data modem (IDM) data message concerning (object) at stated location.

Datum

Last known position of a submarine contact after contact was lost.

Deadeye

Informative call by an airborne laser designator indicating the laser/IR system is inoperative.

Deadstick

No propulsive power due to loss of the engine/s. - see Deadstick landing

Declare

Inquiry as to the identification of a specified track(s), target(s), or correlated group.

Defensive/defending

Aircraft is in a defensive position and maneuvering with reference to an active threat.

De-louse

Directive to detect and identify unknown aircraft trailing friendly aircraft.

Deploy

Directive to maneuver to briefed positioning.

Divert

Proceed to alternate mission or base.

Dogbox

Area within which units may interfere with or be endangered by ASW torpedoes

Dolly

Tactical Digital Information Link C [Link-4A] (Link-4A/TADIL C). This term was removed from U.S. usage in 2023.

Drag/dragging

1. (USAF) Target stabilized at 0 to 60 degrees aspect. (direction)
2. (Naval) Target stabilized at 120 to 180 degrees aspect.

Drop/dropping

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

Duck

Tactical air-launched decoy (TALD).

Dustbin

Nuclear ASW depth charge.

E

Echelon

Groups/contacts/formation with wingman displaced approximately 45 degrees behind leader's 3/9 (o'clock) line, see Echelon formation.

Echo

Positive SEESAW/electronic warfare weapons system (EWWS)/System M/Mode X reply.

Engaged

Maneuvering with the intent to kill; this implies visual/radar acquisition of target.

Estimate

Provides estimate of the size, range, height, or other parameter of a specified contact; implies degradation.

Extend

Short-term maneuver to gain energy, distance, or separation; normally with the (direction) intent of re-engaging.

Eyeball ()

1. Fighter with primary visual identification responsibility.
2. Electro-optical (EO)/IR/NVD acquisition of an aircraft. Normally followed by ( ) number of aircraft observed.

F

Faded

Radar contact is lost. (Termination of track plotting is not warranted.)

Fast

Target speed is estimated to be at least ground speed or Mach 1.

Father

Tactical air navigation (TACAN) station.

Feather

visual sighting of a periscope wake.

Feeler

Fire control radar.

Feet wet/dry

Flying over water/land.

FENCE (in/out)

Set cockpit switches as appropriate prior to entering/exiting the combat area (mnemonic for fire-control system/ECM/navigation/communication/Emitters).

Fish

Inbound torpedo.

Flank/flanking

1. (USAF) Target with a stable aspect of 120 to 150 degrees.
2. (Naval) Target with stable aspect of 30 to 60 degrees.

Flash (system)

Temporarily turn on pre-briefed identification, friend or foe (IFF) mode or system.

Float

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

Fox (number)

Simulated/actual launch of air-to-air weapons.

ONE - semiactive radar-guided missile, such as an AIM-7 Sparrow or Skyflash.

TWO - infrared-guided missile, such as an AIM-9 Sidewinder or AIM-132 ASRAAM.

THREE - active radar-guided missile, such as an AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-54 Phoenix.

FOUR - (outdated) air-to-air or air-to-surface gunfire. Replaced by Guns.

Fox mike

Very high frequency (VHF)/frequency modulated (FM) radio.

Friendly

A positively identified friendly contact.

Furball

A turning fight involving multiple aircraft with known bandits and friendlies mixed.

Flat

Even yourself out or calibrate yourself

G

Gadget

Radar or emitter equipment.

Gate

Directive/informative call to fly as quickly as possible, using afterburner/maximum power.

Gimbal

Radar target is approaching azimuth or elevation limits. (Direction)

Gingerbread

Directive to establish/maintain tighter brevity over voice communications.

Glowworm

Flare-dropping aircraft

Go active

Go to the briefed HAVE QUICK net (UHF radio frequency hopping mode)

Goblin

Enemy diesel electric powered submarine.

Go clear

Use unencrypted voice communications.

Goggle/degoggle

Directive/informative call to put on/take off night vision devices.

Gorilla

Large force of indeterminate numbers and formation.

Go secure

Use encrypted voice communications.

Grandslam

All hostile aircraft of a designated track (or against which a mission was tasked) are shot down.

Green (direction)

Direction determined to be clearest of enemy air-to-air activity.

Greyhound

Friendly ground attack cruise missile (for example, Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) and conventional air-launched cruise missile (CALCM)).

Group

Radar targets within approximately 3 nautical miles (~3.5 miles, ~5.6 kilometers) of each other.

Guns

An air-to-air or air-to-surface gunshot.

H

Hard (direction)

High-G, energy-sustaining turn.

Head/head on

1. (USAF) Target with an aspect of 160 to 180 degrees.
2. (Naval) Target with an aspect of 0 to 20 degrees.

Heads up

Alert of an activity of interest.

Heavy

A group or package known to contain three or more entities.

High

Between above mean sea level (MSL).

Hit(s)

1. Air-to-air (A/A) Momentary radar returns search. (Indicates approximate altitude information from fighter.)
2. Air-to-ground (A/G) Weapons impact within lethal distance.

Hold down

Directive to key transmitter for direction-finding (DF) steer.

Holding hands

Aircraft in visual formation.

Hold fire

An emergency fire control order used to stop firing on a designated target, to include destruction of any missiles in flight.

Home plate

Home airfield or carrier.

Hook (left/right)

Directive to perform an in-place 180-degree turn.

Hostile

A contact identified as enemy upon which clearance to fire is authorized in accordance with theater rules of engagement.

Hot

1. Attack geometry will result in rollout in front of the target.
2. On a leg of the CAP pointing toward the anticipated threats.
3. Group heading towards friendly aircraft; opposite of COLD.
4. Ordnance employment intended or completed.
5. Anti-Aircraft weapon is operational and tracking.
6. In ASW, designated unit has a sonar contact.

Hotdog

Informative/directive call that an aircraft is approaching or at a specified standoff distance from the sovereign airspace of a nation (as defined by national boundaries or territorial sea and airspace). (Color may indicate additional standoff distance.) Follow briefed procedures.

Hotshot

Informative call that an aircraft is deploying flares for either system testing or visual acquisition purposes

Hotel fox

High frequency (HF) radio.

House party

Informative/directive call that a civilian building is booby trapped or rigged with an IED, and needs to be evacuated.

Husky

(Naval) Air intercept missile (AIM)-120 supported to HPRF active range; same meaning as USAF cheapshot.

I

ID (pronounced eye dee)

1. Directive to identify the target.
2. Identification accomplished, followed by type.

In (direction)

Informative call indicating a turn to a hot aspect relative to a threat/target.

India

Mode IV.

Indians

Ships of an ASUW Surface Attack Group (SAG).

Interrogate

Interrogate the designated contact of the IFF mode indicated.

J

Jackal

Surveillance network participating group 7 (NPG 7) of Link 16 TADIL (tactical information link).

Joker

Fuel state above BINGO at which separation/bugout/event termination should begin.

Judy

Aircrew has radar/visual contact on the correct target, has taken control of the intercept, and only requires situation awareness information. Controller will minimize radio transmissions.

K

KIA

Killed in action.

Kill

1. Clearance to fire.
2. In training, a fighter call to indicate kill criteria have been fulfilled.

Knock it off

Directive to cease air combat maneuvers/attacks/activities.

Kraken

Release of long-range anti-ship missile (LRASM)

L

Ladder

Three or more groups/contacts in range.

Laser on

Directive to start laser designation.

Lead-trail

Tactical formation of two contacts within a group separated in range or following one another.

Leaker(s)

Airborne threat has passed through a defensive layer. Call should include amplifying information.

Line abreast

Two contacts within a group side by side.

Lights on/off

Directive to turn on/off exterior lights.

Locked

Final radar lock-on; sort is not assumed. (BRAA/direction)

Lost contact

Radar contact lost. (drop track is recommended.)

Lost lock

Loss of radar/IR lock-on (advisory).

Low

Target altitude below above ground level (AGL).

M

Maddog

Launch of friendly active radar homing air-to-air missile, such as the AIM-120, without radar guidance from the launch aircraft. The missile will rely on its own radar to find a target and will generally track the first target it sees.

Magnum

Launch of friendly anti-radiation missile (such as AGM-88 HARM, ALARM).

Mapping

Multifunction radar in an Air/Ground mode.

Marking

Friendly aircraft leaving contrails.

Marmon

5" (127 mm) gun.

Marshal/Marshalling

Establish/established at a specific point.

Medium

Target altitude between Above Ground Level (AGL) and above Mean Sea Level (MSL).

Merge/merged

1. Information that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena.
2. Call indicating radar returns have come together.

Mickey

HAVE QUICK radio time-of-day (TOD) signal

Midnight

Informative call advising that command and control (C2) functions are no longer available; opposite of "Sunrise".

Monitor

Maintain radar awareness on or assume responsibility for specified group.

Mother

Parent ship.

Mud

Radar warning receiver (RWR) indication of ground threat. Add clock position/azimuth and radar type, if known.

Music

Electronic radar jamming and deception.

N

Nails

Radar warning receiver (RWR) indication of an AI radar in search mode. Add clock position/azimuth and radar type, if known.

Naked

No radar warning receiver (RWR) indications.

New picture

Used by controller or aircrew when tactical picture has changed. Supersedes all previous calls and re-establishes picture for all players.

No factor

Not a threat.

No joy

Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target, bandit or landmark; opposite of Tally.

Notch

All-aspect missile defensive maneuver to place threat radar/missile on the beam (directly perpendicular). Modern pulse-doppler radars remove ground clutter by filtering out returns from stationary objects; putting the threat on the beam permits the defending aircraft to be confused with ground returns and hence disappear from the threat radar. As missiles guide by creating a direct intercept course, this is also used to reduce the missile's speed and thus its ability to maneuver if radar lock is maintained.

O

Off (direction)

Informative call indicating attack is terminated and maneuvering to the indicated direction.

Offset

Informative call indicating maneuver in a specified direction with reference to (direction) the target.

On station

Informative call unit/aircraft has reached assigned station.

Opening

Increasing in range.

Oranges

Weather.

Out (direction)

Informative call indicating a turn to a cold aspect relative to the threat; opposite of in.

Outlaw

Informative call that a bogey has met point of origin criteria.

P

Package

Geographically isolated collection of groups/contacts/formations.

Padlocked

Informative call indicating aircrew cannot take eyes off an aircraft or a surface position without risk of losing tally/visual.

Paint(s)

Interrogated group/radar contact that is responding with any of the specified IFF modes and correct codes established for the id criteria.

Panther

Enemy nuclear powered attack submarine.

Parrot

IFF transponder.

Paveway

Release of laser-guided bomb or bombs

Pickle

Used to identify the release of a 'dumb' unguided bomb.

Picture

Provide tactical situation status pertinent to mission.

Pig

Friendly glide weapon (e.g. AGM-154 JSOW). Wordplay on JSOW.

Pigeons

Magnetic bearing and range to homeplate (or specified destination). (Location)

Pince/pincer

Threat maneuvering for a bracket attack.

Pitbull

Informative call that an active radar-guided missile (such as AIM-120, AIM-54, Meteor) is at active range and no longer requires radar input from launch aircraft.

Playmate

Cooperating aircraft.

Playtime

Amount of time aircraft can remain on station.

(freq) Pogo (freq)

Switch to communication channel number preceding POGO. If unable to establish communications, switch to channel number following POGO. If no channel number follows POGO, return to this channel.

Pop

Starting climb for air-to-surface attack.

Popeye

Flying in clouds or area of reduced visibility.

Popup

1. Informative call of a contact that has suddenly appeared inside of meld/CCR/briefed range. 2. Criteria used as a self-defense method, within the ROE, to protect friendly air defense elements from hostile aircraft.

Posit

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

Post attack

Directive transmission to indicate desired direction after completion of (Direction) intercept/engagement.

Post hole

Rapid descending spiral.

Press

Directive to continue the attack; mutual support will be maintained. Supportive role will be assumed.

Print (type)

Unambiguous Non-Cooperative Target Recognition (NCTR) reply.

Privateer

Enemy patrol boat.

PROBSUB

Contact with strong cumulative evidence of being a submarine.

Pull chocks

Depart. Get ready to depart. (Refers to pulling concrete blocks from aircraft wheels to allow take-off)

Pump

A briefed maneuver to low aspect (where aspect refers to target position—regardless of distance—relative to the friendly aircraft's nose; "high aspect" would be on an azimuth in front of the friendly, while "low aspect" would indicate position along an azimuth behind the friendly) to stop closure on the threat or geographical boundary, with the intent to re-engage.

Pure

Informative call indicating pure pursuit is being used or directive to go pure pursuit.

Push (channel)

Go to designated frequency. No acknowledgment required.

Pushing

Departing designated point.

Pushing

Informative call that said group( s) have turned cold and will continue to be (group description) monitored.

R

Range

Two or more groups separated primarily in distance along the same bearing.

Raygun

Indicates a radar lock-on to unknown aircraft; a request for a buddy spike (position/heading/altitude) reply from friendly aircraft meeting these parameters (to prevent friendly fire).

Reference

Directive to assume stated heading. (Direction)

Repeat

Used in surface-surface operations to fire again using the same method of fire (during adjustment) or to fire the same number of rounds using the same method of fire (during fire for effect). This is not used to request that the last message be retransmitted (for this, use say again).

Reported

Identification of an object or a contact by an intelligence system. (Type)

Request tasking

requesting an objective (or heading) from ground control or from AWACS towards an area of operation.

Reset

Proceed to a pre-briefed position or area of operation.

Resume

Resume last formation/station/mission ordered.

Retrograde

Directive to withdraw from present position or area of operation in response to a threat.

Rider

A bogey that is conforming with safe passage routing/airspeed/altitude procedures.

Rifle

Friendly air-to-ground missile launch.

Ringer

ASW Mortar.

Ripple

Two or more munitions released or fired in close succession.

Riser

Suddenly appearing radar contact.

River City

Implement immediate communications blackout until further notice.

Roger

Radio transmission received; does not indicate compliance or reaction.

Rolex (±time)

Time-line adjustment in minutes from planned mission execution time. (Positive is later).

Roman Candle

Nuclear tipped surface to air missile.

Rope

Illumination of an aircraft with an IR pointer.

S

Saddled

Informative call from wingman/element indicating the return to briefed formation position.

SAM (direction)

Visual acquisition of a SAM (surface-air missile) or SAM launch; should include position.

Sandwiched

A situation where an aircraft/element is positioned between opposing aircraft/elements.

Saunter

Fly at best endurance.

Scram

Emergency directive to egress for defensive or survival reasons. (Direction)

Scramble

Takeoff as quickly as possible.

Scud

Any threat tactical/theater ballistic missile (TBM).

Separate

Leave a specific engagement; may or may not re-enter.

Shackle

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

Shadow

Follow indicated target.

Shift

Directive to shift laser illumination.

Shooter

Aircraft/unit designated to employ ordnance.

Shotgun

Pre-briefed weapons state at which separation/bugout should begin.

Skate

Informative call/directive to execute launch and leave tactics.

Skip it

Veto of fighter commit, usually followed with further directions.

Skosh

Aircraft is out of or unable to employ active radar missiles.

Skunk

A radar or visual maritime surface contact whose identity is unknown.

Slapshot

Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-unknown high-speed anti-radiation (type/bearing) missile (HARM) against a specified threat at the specified bearing.

Slide

Directive call to high value airborne asset (HVAA) to continue present mission while extending range from target in response to perceived threat.

Slow

Target with a ground speed of or less.

Smash

Directive to turn on/off anti-collision lights.

Smoke

Smoke marker used to mark a position.

Snake

Directive to oscillate an IR pointer about a target.

Snap (direction)

An immediate vector to the group described.

Sniper

Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-known HARM against a specified threat at the specified location.

Snooze

Directive/informative call indicating initiation of EMCON procedures.

Sort/sorted

1. Directive to assign targeting or monitoring responsibility for multiple targets within a group; criteria can be met visually, electronically (radar), or both.
2. Sort responsibility has been met.

Sour

1. Equipment indicated is operating inefficiently.
2. Invalid response to an administrative IFF check. (Opposite of sweet.)

Spades

An integrated group/radar contact which lacks the ATO (or equivalent) IFF modes and codes required for the ID criteria.

Sparkle

Target marking by IR pointer; target marking by gunship or forward air controller (airborne) (FAC-A) using incendiary rounds.

Spike

Radar warning receiver (RWR) indication of an AI radar in track, launch, or unknown mode. Add clock position/azimuth and radar type, if known.

Spin

Directive/informative call to execute a pre-briefed timing/spacing maneuver.

Spitter

An aircraft that has departed from the engagement or is departing the engaged (direction) fighters' targeting responsibility.

Splash

A/A Target destroyed, or A/S weapons impact.

Split

An informative call that a flight member is leaving formation to engage a threat; visual may not be maintained.

Spoofing

Informative call that voice deception is being employed.

Spot

Acquisition of laser designation.

Squawk (number/code)

Operate IFF as indicated or IFF is operating as indicated.

Squawk flash

Use the flash feature on the IFF which cause the transponder signal to highlight on radar display. Hence the term means to announce your location.

Squawking

An informative call denoting a bogey is responding with an IFF mode (#).

Stack

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

Status

Request for tactical situation.

Steady

Directive to stop oscillation (wavering) of IR pointer.

Steer

Set magnetic compass heading indicated.

Stern

Request for, or directive to, intercept using stern geometry.

Stinger

Within a group, a formation of three or more aircraft with a single aircraft in trail.

Stop

Stop IR illumination of a target.

Stranger

Unidentified traffic that is not associated with the action in progress.

Strangle ()

Turn off equipment indicated.

Strip

Individual fighter/section is leaving the formation to pursue separate attacks.

Stripped

Informative call from wingman/element indicating out of briefed formation/position.

Strobe

Radar indications of noise jamming.

Sunshine

Directive or informative call indicating illumination of target is being conducted with artificial illumination.

Sunrise

Informative call that C2 functions (Command & Control) are available. (opposite of midnight).

Sweet

1. Equipment indicated is operating efficiently.
2. Valid response to an administrative IFF check. (Opposite of sour.)

Switch/switched

Indicates an attacker is changing from one aircraft to another.

T

Tactical

Request/directive to switch to tactical control.

Tag

(system Known identification of a specific (system) at the stated location; may be used w/position) with IDM data message, (for example, tag data).

Tally

Sighting of a target, bandit, bogey, or enemy position; opposite of no joy.

Target ()

Directive to assign group responsibility to aircraft in a flight.

Targeted ()

Group responsibility has been met.

Ten seconds

Directive to terminal controller to stand by for laser on call in approximately 10 seconds.

Terminate

1. Stop laser illumination of a target.
2. Cease local engagement without affecting the overall exercise.

Threat

Untargeted hostile/bandit/bogey within pre-briefed range/aspect of a (direction) friendly.

Throttles

Reduction in power to decrease IR signature.

Tied

Positive radar contact with element/aircraft.

Tiger

Enough fuel and ordnance to accept a commit.

Timber

Air control network participating group (NPG) of tactical digital information links (Link 16/TADIL J).

Track

Any detected point of contact visible on a radar or sonar display console, each identified by a unique number.

Tracking

1. Fire control system has solid lock on target (aka a "stabilized gun solution").
2. Continuous illumination of a target.
3. Contact heading.

Trailer

The last aircraft within a group(s).

Trashed

Informative call that missile has been defeated.

Trespass

The addressed flight is entering a surface/air threat ring of a specific system at the stated (position) location.

Tucker

76mm gun.

Tumbleweed

Indicates limited situational awareness; no joy, blind; a request for information.

U

Unable

Cannot comply as requested/directed.

Uniform

Ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio.

V

Vampire

Hostile anti-ship missile (ASM).

Vanished

Special case of faded wherein contact is not in a known sensor blind zone and is correlated to a shot by friendly forces.

Very high

Above MSL.

Vic

Three groups, contacts, or formations with the single closest in range and two contacts, azimuth split, in trail.

Victor

VHF/amplitude modulation (AM) radio.

Visual

Sighting of a friendly aircraft/ground position; opposite of blind.

W

Wall

Three or more groups or contacts primarily split in azimuth.

Warning (color)

Hostile attack is

RED imminent or in progress.

YELLOW probable.

WHITE improbable (all clear).

Weapons (followed by appropriate modifier below)

Fire only;

FREE at targets not identified as friendly in accordance with current rules of engagement (ROE).

TIGHT at targets positively identified as hostile in accordance with current ROE.

HOLD* (USA, USMC) in self-defense or in response to a formal order.

SAFE (USN) NOTE: USN and NATO use weapons safe to avoid confusion with the phrase hold fire.

Weeds

Indicates that fixed-wing aircraft are operating below above ground level.

What luck

Request for results of missions or tasks.

What state

Report amount of fuel and missiles remaining. Ammunition and oxygen are reported only when specifically requested or critical.

Active = number of active radar missiles remaining.

Radar = number of semi-active radar missiles remaining.

Heat = number of IR missiles remaining.

Fuel = pounds of fuel or time remaining.

Wilco

Will comply

Winchester

No ordnance remaining, can be used to refer to specific types ordnance or all ordnance.

Woodpecker

Close in weapons system (CIWS).

Words

Directive or interrogative regarding further information or directives pertinent to mission.

Working

1. A suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) aircraft is gathering electronic order of battle (EOB) (which emitter controls the operations of other emitters) on a designated emitter; generally followed by signal type, (SAM/AAA/group) bearing, and range, if able.
2. Aircraft executing electronic identification (EID) on a specific aircraft/group to obtain identification necessary for beyond visual range (BVR) employment.

Y

Yardstick

Directive to use air-to-air tactical air navigation (A/A TACAN) for ranging.

See also

• List of established military terms
• Glossary of military abbreviations
• Glossary of RAF code names

References

Footnotes

Sources

• FM 101-5-1: Operational Terms and Graphics, 30 September 1997, Department of the Army/HQ US Marine Corps (Appendix E)
• Intelligence Resource Program: TADIL, 23 April 2000, Federation of American Scientists