3(F) Sqn Operational Brevity

Aircraft: F-16C
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Sharpe

3(F) Sqn Operational Brevity

Post by Sharpe »

This information is drawn almost entirely from the F16 Flying Operations F-16 Combat Aircraft Fundamentals document and the NATO Operational Brevity wiki page. Owing to the nature of what is included within the DCS simulator and what we do in 3(F) Sqn, not all brevity codes are relevant. The ones that are used frequently will become apparent during Viper School, any infrequently used Brevity Codes will be highlighted in the SPINS of any briefing pack and/or explained during work up in further training.

ABORT Directive to cease action/attack/event/mission.
ACTION Directive to perform a prebriefed attack sequence or manoeuvre.
ALPHA CHECK Request for bearing and range to described point.
ANCHOR Orbit about a specific point; ground track flown by tanker. Information call indicates a turning engagement about a specific location.
ANGELS Height of aircraft in thousands of feet.
ARIZONA No anti-radiation missile (ARM) ordnance remaining.
AS FRAGGED Fighter, FAC, mission package, or agency will be performing exactly as stated by the air tasking order.
ASPECT Request/comment regarding target aspect information.
ATTACK/ATTACKING ( ) Indicates air-to-surface attack on a specific ground target.
AUTHENTICATE ( ) To request or provide a response for a coded challenge.
BANDIT (Radar/Heat/Striker) Known enemy aircraft and type ordnance capability, if known.
BASE (Number) Reference number used to indicate such information as headings, altitudes, fuels, etc.
BEAM/BEAMER (Direction) Aircraft manoeuvring stabilised within 70—110° aspect; generally given with cardinal directions; east, west, north, south.
BLIND No visual contact with friendly aircraft/ground position; opposite of visual.
BLOW THROUGH Directive/informative call that indicates aircraft will continue straight ahead at the merge and not turn with target/targets.
BOGEY Threat is unknown (could be friendly or hostile)
BREAK Directive call potentially from any pilot. Typically an instruction to perform a maximum performance turn in order to evade an inbound missile.
BINGO Fuel state at which you must return to base via the agreed flight path.
BRAA (Not a brevity word). Acronym for Bearing (or Bullseye location), Range, Altitude and Aspect. “Contact, 045-degrees, 40 miles, 22 thousand, hot”.
BRUISER Informative call that a friendly air-launched anti-ship missile (ASM) (for example, Harpoon, Exocet, or Penguin missile.
BUDDY SPIKE Uniform call in response to a RAYGUN call. States bullseye position & ANGELS. “Dodge 1-1, buddy spike, bulls 123/456, A15”. Never make this call unless responding to a RAYGUN call.
CHECK ( ) A directive statement made to momentarily monitor (specified items/systems). No response is required if status is normal.
CHECK ( °Left/ °Right) Turn ( ) degrees left/right and maintain new heading.
CHICKEN Fuel state at which you must immediately return to base via the most direct and efficient route.
CHICKS Friendly fighter aircraft.
CIRCLE ( ) Flight lead directed defensive manoeuvre in which the flight establishes a circular holding pattern for mutual support.
CLEAN No radar contacts.
CLEAR In context. A directive call "2, clear my six". Informative call to denote that either your aircraft or an aircraft you have been asked to check on is visually clear of contacts.
CLEARED Requested action is authorised (no engaged/support roles are assumed).
CLEARED HOT Ordnance release is authorised.
CLOSING Bandit/bogey/target is getting closer in range.
COLDIn context; attack geometry will result in a pass or roll out behind the target; or, on a leg of a CAP pointed away from the anticipated threats. Air-to-surface, dry or no ordnance attack.
COME OFF (Left/Right/High/Low) A directive to manoeuvre as indicated to either regain mutual support or to deconflict flight paths for an exchange of engaged and supporting roles. Implies both "visual" and "tally."
COMMITTED/COMMIT Fighter intent to engage/intercept; weapons director continues to provide information.
CONTACT Radar/IR contact at the stated position; should be in bearing, range, altitude (BRA), bull's eye, or geographic position format.
CONTINUE Manoeuvre for attack; does not imply clearance to engage or expend ordnance.
CRANK (Direction) F-pole manoeuvre; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal limits.
CROSS TURN/CROSS A 180° heading reversal by a flight where aircraft turn into each other.
DAKOTA Informative call that pilot has no air to ground (ATG) ordnance remaining
DEFENSIVE (Spike/Missile/SAM/Mud/AAA) Aircraft is in a defensive position and manoeuvring with reference to the stated condition. If no condition stated, manoeuvring is with respect to air-to-air threat.
DELOUSE Request for support against an air to air threat at a specific place. Eg "Viper1-3 request delouse at bulls 123/456 A20 defensive Mig29". Normally given on Uniform but could be given on Victor as required.
DIVERT Proceed to alternate mission/base.
DOLLY Data link equipment.
DRAG/DRAGGING (Direction) Aircraft manoeuvre to 60° or less aspect.
ECHELON (Cardinal Direction) Groups/contacts/formation with wingman displaced approximately 45° behind leader's wing line.
ELEMENT Formation of two aircraft.
ENGAGED Manoeuvring with the intent of achieving a kill. If no additional information is provided (bearing, range, etc.), engaged implies visual/radar acquisition of the target.
EXTEND (Direction) Directive to gain energy and distance with the possible intent of returning.
EYEBALL Fighter with primary visual identification responsibility.
FADED Previous radar contact lost.
FAST Target speed is estimated to be 600 knots ground speed, Mach 1 or greater.
FENCE CHECK Set cockpit switches as appropriate.
FEW Two to four aircraft.
FLANK/FLANKING Target with a stable aspect of 120—150°.
FOLLOW DOLLY Follow data-link commands.
FOX ONE Simulated/actual launch of semi-active radar-guided missile.
FOX TWO Simulated/actual launch of IR-guided missile.
FOX THREE Simulated/actual launch of an active radar-guided missile.
FOX MIKE VHF/FM radio.
FURBALL A turning fight involving multiple aircraft.
GADGET Fire control radar.
GIMBALS(Direction) Radar target is approaching azimuth or elevation limits.
GORILLA Large force of indeterminable numbers and formation.
GRANDSLAM Informative call on Uniform to denote all bandits in an engagement have been destroyed. E.g "Chalice 1, Dodge 1, Grandslam Mig29s bulls 123/456".
GREEN (Direction) Direction determined to be clearest of enemy air-to-air activity.
GROUP Radar target(s) within approximately 3 NM of each other.
GUNS An air-to-surface gunshot.
HARD (Direction) High G energy sustaining turn.
HEAD Target with an aspect of 160-180°.
HEADS DOWN Call to inform aircrew that leader/wingman is head down in the cockpit and leader/wingman is responsible for clearing.
HIGH Target between 25,000 MSL and 40,000 MSL.
HOME PLATE Home airfield.
HOOK (Left/Right) Directive to perform an in-place 180° turn.
HOT In context; attack geometry will result in roll out in front of the target; or on a leg of the CAP pointing toward the anticipated threats (air-to-air). Ordnance employment authorized, expected, or completed (air-to-ground).
IN PLACE (Left/Right) Perform indicated manoeuvre simultaneously.
JINK Unpredictable manoeuvres to negate a tracking solution.
JOKER Fuel state at which pilot no longer has fuel to complete mission and any station time, typically only a factor reroute to target/station.
KANSAS Informative call, indicates that you no longer have any A-A missiles on board.
KILL In training, a fighter call to indicate kill criteria have been fulfilled.
KNOCK IT OFF Directive to cease air combat maneuvers/attacks/activities.
LADDER Three or more groups/contacts/formations/aircraft side-by-side.
LEAKER Informative call to identify that at least one of a bandit group has got past a SWEEP or ESCORT. Eg "Dodge 1, mig29 leaker(s) bulls 123/456 a15 flows south east".
LINE ABREAST Two groups/contacts/formations/aircraft side-by-side.
LOCKED (BRA/Direction) Final radar lock-on; sort is not assumed.
LOW Target altitude below 5,000 feet AGL.
MAD DOG Warning of a launch of friendly active radar homing 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. -Can be dangerous-
MAGNUM Launch of AGM-88 HARM by Wild Weasel.
MANY Five or more aircraft.
MARKING Leaving contrails or otherwise marking aircraft position.
MEDIUM Target altitude between 5,000 feet AGL and 25,000 feet AGL.
MERGED Informative that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena. Call indicating radar returns have come together.
MIDNIGHT Initiate advisory control (usually a sign AWACS is off station).
MILDirective to select military power.
MILLER TIME Directive typically given by a package commander. Calls all flights in the package to knock it off and RTB. Normally infers the package objective is complete.
Monitor/Monitoring Directive for a flight lead (inter flight) or wing man (intra flight) to actively monitor a specified threat or target.
MUD(Direction) Indicates RWR ground threat displayed; followed normally by clock position.
MUSIC Electronic radar jamming. On AI radar, electronic deceptive jamming.
NAKED No RWR indications.
NAILS ( ) Used to indicate an airborne warning on the RWR. “Nails, MiG-29, West, outer ring”. NO JOY Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target/bandit; opposite of "TALLY."
NOTCH (Direction) All-aspect missile defensive manoeuvre to place threat radar/missile near the beam.
OFF (Direction) Informative that attack is being ceased and repositioning in the indicated direction.
OFFSET (Left/Right) Informative call indicating manoeuvre in a specific direction with reference to the target.
PACKAGE Geographically isolated collection of groups/contacts/formations.
PADLOCKED Informative that aircrew cannot take eyes off another aircraft/ground target without losing tally.
PARROT IFF transponder.
PICTURE Situation briefing which includes real-time information pertinent to a specific mission.
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.
PITCHBACK (Left/Right) A call for fighter/flight to execute a nose-high heading reversal to reposition as stated.
PLAYTIME Amount of time which aircraft can remain on station.
POINT Directive for an element to turn towards each other either as a defensive response or to re-establish a mutually supportive formation.
POP Starting climb for an air-to-surface attack.
POPEYE Flying in clouds or area of reduced visibility.
POSIT Request for position; response normally in terms of a geographic landmark, or off a common reference point.
POST HOLE Rapid descending spiral.
PRESS Directive to continue the attack; mutual support will be maintained. Appropriate engaged and supporting roles will be assumed.
PUMP Directive to perform a prebriefed sequential manoeuvre to stop relative forward motion while maintaining situation awareness on the threat.
PURE Call indicating pure pursuit is being used or directive call to go pure pursuit.
PUSH (Channel) Go to designated frequency.
RAYGUN ( ) Uniform used to identify a contact. Normally followed with bulls, alt and sometimes direction of travel eg "Raygun, bullseye 123/456, A24, flows west". Note the lack of self identification on Uniform in this case.
REFERENCE (Direction) Directive to assume stated heading.
RIFLE AGM-65 launch.
ROGER Indicates aircrew understands the radio transmission; does not indicate compliance or reaction.
SAM (Direction) Visual acquisition of a SAM or SAM launch. Should include position.
SADDLED Informative call on Victor to tell a flight lead they the pilot has rejoined in a visual formation (not to be used each time a pilot has move from one formation position to another).
SANDWICHED A situation where an aircraft/element find themselves between opposing elements.
SAUNTER Fly at best endurance.
SEPARATE Separation from a specific engagement.
SHACK Ground target destroyed
SHACKLE One weave; a single crossing of flight paths; manoeuvre to adjust/regain formation parameters.
SHAKY [DCS/3(F) Sqn specific]. Identifies a pilot suffering with connection issue (e.g. laggy or warpy) conditions, eg “2 is Shaky”. This may result in the pilot deciding to move away from a formation or being directed away from a formation for flight safety purposes.
SHOOTER Aircraft designated to employ ordnance.
SILENT "GO SILENT" directive to initiate briefed EMCON procedures. In DCS, typically means to turn off or snooze radar.
SKIP IT Veto of fighter commit call; usually followed with further directions.
SLICE (Left/Right) Directive to perform a high G descending turn in the stated direction; usually 180° turn.
SLOW Target with ground speed of less than 300 knots.
SNAP SHOT High angle/high LOS gun shot.
SNAP ( ) An immediate vector (bearing and range) to the group described.
SORTED Criteria have been met which ensure individual flight members have separate contacts; criteria can be met visually, electronically (radar) or both.
( )SOUR Described equipment is degraded.
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.
Sniper Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-known HARM against a specified threat at the specified location.
SPIKE RWR indication of a threat in track, launch, or unknown mode. Include bearing and clock position/azimuth and threat type if able.
SPLITTER (Direction) An aircraft that has departed from the engagement.
SPLASH Target destroyed (air-to-air); weapons impact (air-to-ground)
SPLIT Request to engage a threat; visual may not be maintained; requires flight lead acknowledgement (air-to-air). Also, directive to begin prebriefed manoeuvre/attack.
SPOT Informative that laser target designation is being received.
STACK Two or more groups/contact/formation with a high/low stack in relation to each other.
STATUS Request for an individual's tactical situation; response is normally "offensive," "defensive," or "neutral." May be suffixed by position and heading.
STINGER Formation of two or more aircraft with a single trail.
STRANGER Unidentified traffic that is not participant in the mission.
STROBER Contact emitting a jamming signal shown on FCR as jamming, shown on FCR as chevrons that seem to bounce around and cannot be locked.
SUNRISE A minimum of broadcast control is available (due to return of weapons director's radar). In DCS often a notice that AWACS has come onto station.
SUPPORTING Act of assisting the engaged fighter in killing the bandit while maintaining overall battle situation awareness.
SWITCH/SWITCHED Indicates an attacker is changing from one aircraft to another.
TALLY Sighting of a target/bandit; opposite of "NO JOY."
TARGET Specification of sort responsibility. Directive call that may not necessarily follow the sort contract.
THREAT (Direction) (GCI/AWACS) Informative that an untargeted bogey is within 10 NM of a friendly.
TIED Positive radar contact with an element/aircraft.
TRACK A series of related contacts indicating direction of travel.
TRACKING Stabilised gun solution.
TRAIL (Formation) Tactical formation of two or more aircraft following one another.
TRAILER The last aircraft in a formation.
TRESPASSThe addressed flight is entering a surface/air threat ring of a specific system at the stated (position) location.
TUMBLEWEED Informative call for limited situational awareness. Implies no tally, no visual and possibly no understanding of what way to head (a request for information).
UNABLE Cannot comply as requested/directed
UNIFORM UHF/AM radio.
VERY HIGH Target altitude above 40,000 feet MSL.
VERY LOW Target altitude is below 300 feet AGL.
VIC Three groups/contacts/formations with the single closest in range and an element in trail.
VICTOR VHF/AM radio.
VISUAL Sighting of a friendly aircraft; opposite of "BLIND."
WALL Three or more groups/contacts/formations line abreast/side by side.
WEAVE Continuous crossing of flight paths.
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.
WHAT LUCK Request for results of mission/tasks.
WHAT STATE Request for armament/fuel status; reported as follows: ( ) Radar = # radar missiles remaining. ( ) Heat = # heat missiles remaining. ( ) Fuel = pounds of fuel or time remaining.
WILCO Will comply with received instructions.
WINCHESTER No ordnance remaining.
WORDS Pertinent mission information.
YARDSTICK TACAN Equipment.
ZIPPER Acknowledge radio transmissions with two clicks of the mike button.
Last edited by Sharpe on 20 Apr 2020, 12:50, edited 1 time in total.

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