Not to be confused with byte code

Multiservice tactical brevity codes are codes used by various military forces. The codes procedure word

Procedure word

Procedure words or prowords are words or phrases limited to radio telephone procedure used to facilitate communication by conveying information in a condensed standard form. - OUT :...

s, a type of voice procedure

Voice procedure

Voice procedure includes various techniques used to clarify, simplify and standardize spoken communications over two-way radios, in use by the military, in civil aviation, police and fire dispatching systems, citizens' band radio , etc....

, 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/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: (USAF)A pre-briefed reference altitude. Used to convey altitude to friendly personnel without providing information to others. For example, "Bandit angels plus 5" means the bandit is 5000 ft (1,524 m) above the pre-briefed angels altitude. (US Navy) Term meaning altitude in thousands of feet (i.e. Angels Five is 5,000 ft). Predominantly used in tailhook aviation around the aircraft carrier, not in the shore-based ATC environment.
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).
Authenticate: To request or provide a response for a coded challenge.
Autocat: Any communications relay using automatic retransmissions.
Azimuth: Two or more groups primarily separated in bearing.

B

Bandit: An aircraft identified as enemy, in accordance with theater ID criteria. The term does not necessarily imply direction or authority to engage.
Banzai: Informative call or directive flow communication when deciding to go to the merge from a beyond visual range (BVR) position.
Base (number): Reference number used to indicate such information as headings, altitude, and fuels.
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. Fuel state needed for recovery.
2. Proceed/am proceeding to specified base (field) or carrier

Bird: Friendly surface-to-air missile

Surface-to-air missile

A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...

 (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.
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

Friendly fire

Friendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered 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.
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 (ASM) (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(s) 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 ASM (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: Do not open fire and/or discontinue firing; complete intercept if weapons are in flight; continue to track.
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), but not medium pulse repetition frequency (MPRF).
2. (Naval) Active missile not supported to active range.

Check turn : degrees left or right and maintain new heading. (Left/right)
Cherubs: Height of a friendly aircraft in hundreds of feet.
Chicks: Friendly aircraft.
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.
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 the anticipated threats.
3. Group( s) heading away from friendly aircraft.

Color: Request for information on a (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 contrail

Contrail

Contrails or vapour trails are artificial clouds that are the visible trails of condensed water vapour made by the exhaust of aircraft engines...

s.
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.
Crank: To maneuver beyond the range of a missile; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal limits.
Cutoff: Request for, or directive to, intercept using cutoff geometry.
Cyclops : Any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV

Unmanned aerial vehicle

An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...

).

D

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.
Deadeye: Informative call by an airborne laser designator indicating the laser/IR system is inoperative.
Declare: Inquiry as to the identification of a specified track(s), target(s), or correlated group.
Defensive: Aircraft is in a defensive position and maneuvering with reference to the (spike/missile/stated condition. Surface-to-air missile (SAM)/anti-aircraft artillery (AAA)/MUD).
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.
Dolly: Tactical Digital Information Link C [Link-4A] (Link-4A/TADIL C).
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).

E

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

Echelon formation

An echelon formation is a military formation in which members are arranged diagonally. Each member is stationed behind and to the right , or behind and to the left , of the member ahead...

.
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 600 kn (1,175.9 km/h) ground speed or Mach 1.
Father: Tactical air navigation (TACAN) station.
Feet wet/dry: Flying over water/land.
FENCE (in/out): Set cockpit switches as appropriate prior to entering/exiting the combat area (mnemonic

Mnemonic

A mnemonic , or mnemonic device, is any learning technique that aids memory. To improve long term memory, mnemonic systems are used to make memorization easier. Commonly encountered mnemonics are often verbal, such as a very short poem or a special word used to help a person remember something,...

 for fire-control system

Fire-control system

A fire-control system is a number of components working together, usually a gun data computer, a director, and radar, which is designed to assist a weapon system in hitting its target. It performs the same task as a human gunner firing a weapon, but attempts to do so faster and more...

/ECM

Electronic countermeasures

An electronic countermeasure is an electrical or electronic device designed to trick or deceive radar, sonar or other detection systems, like infrared or lasers. It may be used both offensively and defensively to deny targeting information to an enemy...

/navigation

Air navigation

The basic principles of air navigation are identical to general navigation, which includes the process of planning, recording, and controlling the movement of a craft from one place to another....

/communication/Emitters).
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)

Fox (code word)

Fox is a brevity code used by NATO pilots to signal the simulated or actual release of an air-to-air munition or other combat function. Army aviation elements may use a different nomenclature, as the nature of helicopter fired weapons is almost always air-to-surface. 'Fox' is short for 'foxtrot',...

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

ONE - semiactive

Semi-active radar homing

Semi-active radar homing, or SARH, is a common type of missile guidance system, perhaps the most common type for longer-range air-to-air and surface-to-air missile systems. The name refers to the fact that the missile itself is only a passive detector of a radar signal – provided by an external ...

 radar-guided missile.

TWO - infrared-guided missile.

THREE - active radar-guided missile.

FOUR - simulated fire by a bombardier. (Also sometimes used to indicate cannon fire in place of "Guns" call.)

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.

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)
Glowworm: Flare dropping aircraft
Go active: Go to the briefed HAVE QUICK

HAVE QUICK

HAVE QUICK is a frequency-hopping system used to protect military UHF radio traffic.Since the end of World War II, U.S. and Allied military aircraft have used AM radios in the 225–400 MHz UHF band for short range air-to-air and ground-to-air communications...

 net (UHF radio frequency hopping mode)
Go clear: Use unencrypted voice communications.
Goggle/degoggle: Directive/informative call to put on/take off night vision

Night vision

Night vision is the ability to see in low light conditions. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision is made possible by a combination of two approaches: sufficient spectral range, and sufficient intensity range...

 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 25000 and 40000 ft (7,620 and 12,192 m) 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.

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.
Hotel fox: High frequency (HF) radio.
Husky: (Naval) Air intercept missile (AIM)-120 supported to HPRF active range; same meaning as USAF cheapshot.

I

Id

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.
Interrogate: Interrogate the designated contact of the IFF mode indicated.

J

Jackal: Surveillance network participating group (NPG) of tactical data information link J [Link 16] (link 16/TADIL J).
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

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.

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 10000 ft (3,048 m) above ground level (AGL).

M

Maddog: Launch of friendly AIM-120 within range of its onboard radar; guidance support is not required.
Magnum: Launch of friendly anti-radiation missile

Anti-radiation missile

An anti-radiation missile is a missile which is designed to detect and home on an enemy radio emission source. Typically these are designed for use against an enemy radar, although jammers and even radios used for communication can also be targeted in this manner.- Air-to-Ground :Most ARM designs...

.
Mapping: Multifunction radar in an Air/Ground mode.
Marking: Friendly aircraft leaving contrails.
Marshal/marshalling: Establish/established at a specific point.
Medium: Target altitude between 10,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) and 25,000 feet 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 C2 functions (Command & Control) are no longer available; opposite of sunrise.
Monitor: Maintain radar awareness on or assume responsibility for specified group.
Mother: Parent ship.
Mud: Indicates radar warning receiver

Radar warning receiver

Radar warning receiver systems detect the radio emissions of radar systems. Their primary purpose is to issue a warning when a radar signal that might be a threat is detected. The warning can then be used, manually or automatically, to evade the detected threat...

 (RWR) ground threat displayed followed by clock position and type. (type/direction)
Music: Electronic radar jamming. (On air interdiction (AI) radar, electronic deceptive jamming.)

N

Nails: Radar warning receiver (RWR) indication of AI radar in search. Add clock position/azimuth, 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/landmark; opposite of tally.
Notch: All aspect missile defensive maneuver to place threat radar/missile on the beam. 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. (Direction)

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.
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.
Parrot: IFF

IFF

IFF, Iff or iff may refer to:Technology/Science:* Identification friend or foe, an electronic radio-based identification system using transponders...

 transponder.
Picture: Provide tactical situation status pertinent to mission.
Pigeons: Magnetic bearing and range to homeplate (or specified destination). (Location)
Pince/pincer: Threat maneuvering for a bracket attack.
Pitbull

1. Informative call AIM-120 is at active range and is not bound by fighter medium PRF
   Pulse repetition frequency
   Pulse repetition frequency or Pulse repetition rate is the number of pulses per time unit . It is a measure or specification mostly used within various technical disciplines Pulse repetition frequency (PRF) or Pulse repetition rate (PRR) is the number of pulses per time unit (e.g. Seconds). It...
   
    (MPRF) radar limitations.
2. AIM-54 at active range.

Playmate: Cooperating aircraft.
Playtime: Amount of time aircraft can remain on station.
Pogo: 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: Informative call of a contact that has suddenly appeared inside of meld/CCR

CCR

-Music:* Creedence Clearwater Revival, a swamp rock band** Creedence Clearwater Revival , a 1968 debut album by Creedence Clearwater Revival** Creedence Clearwater Revisited, a rock band formed by former Creedence Clearwater Revival members...

/briefed range.
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.
Pump: A briefed maneuver to low aspect 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

Friendly fire

Friendly fire is inadvertent firing towards one's own or otherwise friendly forces while attempting to engage enemy forces, particularly where this results in injury or death. A death resulting from a negligent discharge is not considered friendly fire...

).
Reference: Directive to assume stated heading. (Direction)
Reported: Identification of an object or a contact by an intelligence system. (Type)
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: Air-to-ground missile (AGM)-65 Maverick launch.
Ripple: Two or more munitions released or fired in close succession.
River City: implement immediate communications blackout until further notice
Rolex (±time): Time-line adjustment in minutes from planned mission execution time. (Positive is later).
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

Ocean

An ocean is a major body of saline water, and a principal component of the hydrosphere. Approximately 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, a continuous body of water that is customarily divided into several principal oceans and smaller seas.More than half of this area is over 3,000...

 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 300 kn (588 km/h) 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: Directive to assign responsibility within a group; criteria can be met visually, electronically (radar), or both.
Sorted: Sort responsibility has been met.
Sour

1. Equipment indicated is operating inefficiently.
2. Invalid response to an administrative IFF
   IFF
   IFF, Iff or iff may refer to:Technology/Science:* Identification friend or foe, an electronic radio-based identification system using transponders...
   
    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: RWR indication of an AI threat in track, launch, or unknown mode; include bearing, clock position, and threat 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

1. (A/A) Target destroyed.
2. (A/G) 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 : 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
   IFF
   IFF, Iff or iff may refer to:Technology/Science:* Identification friend or foe, an electronic radio-based identification system using transponders...
   
    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 NPG of link 16/TADIL J.
Tracking

1. 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.
Tumbleweed: Indicates limited situational awareness; no joy, blind; a request for information.

V

Vampire: Hostile antiship missile (ASM).
Very high: Above 40000 ft (12,192 m) 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: Fire only;

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

TIGHT

Weapons Tight

Weapons Tight is a NATO brevity code "weapon control order" used in anti-aircraft warfare, imposing a status whereby weapons systems may only be fired at targets confirmed as hostile.Compare to Weapons Free and Weapons Hold....

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 2000 ft (609.6 m) 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.
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.