GIANT KILLER
Encyclopedia
GIANT KILLER is a military Air Traffic Control
(ATC) call sign
used within certain regions of the contiguous United States
(CONUS). The call sign is given to air traffic controllers responsible for flight operations within restricted military airspace reserved for combat training exercises. The call sign is commonly published in NOTAM
s that designate restricted airspace reserved for military flight operations or combat exercises where normal airspace separation rules do not apply. Previous to the use of the call sign, no standardized identification method existed for civilian or military aircraft to communicate to the managing controller.
To reduce the confusion and to ensure standardized emergency communication procedures among the various branches of the U.S. military, the call sign GIANT KILLER is used to denote the controlling authority for a specific portion of military airspace dedicated to combat training. In rare circumstances, the call sign may be used during a national emergency when a specific controller has been assigned a section of airspace. This was the case on September 11, 2001 when US Navy personnel utilized the call sign to vector F-15s
from Langley Air Force Base to the National Capital Region for air defense purposes. It is possible for a specific controller to utilize more than one call sign, with GIANT KILLER being one of them. For clarity, the name is always written in capital letters with a space between the words.
facilities that use the GIANT KILLER call sign maintain direct communications to weapons capable flight squadrons; the "killer" portion of the call sign may be more than a coincidence.
aircraft mistakenly entering restricted airspace while an active combat training exercise is underway. Added safety measures are taken when target drone
s are used during war games
. During such times, it is not uncommon for the military to release a specific safety NOTAM
via the Federal Aviation Administration
. Such NOTAMs usually indicate that any aircraft in the vicinity of restricted airspace should contact GIANT KILLER on a specified frequency if a pilot becomes involved in a situation near the specified coordinates. Certain target drones have a radar
signature that is comparable to many single engine aircraft commonly used within the General Aviation community. Use of a common call sign like GIANT KILLER reduces the time needed to clarify the origin of critical safety messages.
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
(ATC) call sign
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
used within certain regions of the contiguous United States
Contiguous United States
The contiguous United States are the 48 U.S. states on the continent of North America that are south of Canada and north of Mexico, plus the District of Columbia....
(CONUS). The call sign is given to air traffic controllers responsible for flight operations within restricted military airspace reserved for combat training exercises. The call sign is commonly published in NOTAM
NOTAM
NOTAM or NoTAM is the quasi-acronym for a "Notice To Airmen". NOTAMs are created and transmitted by government agencies and airport operators under guidelines specified by Annex 15: Aeronautical Information Services of the Convention on International Civil Aviation...
s that designate restricted airspace reserved for military flight operations or combat exercises where normal airspace separation rules do not apply. Previous to the use of the call sign, no standardized identification method existed for civilian or military aircraft to communicate to the managing controller.
To reduce the confusion and to ensure standardized emergency communication procedures among the various branches of the U.S. military, the call sign GIANT KILLER is used to denote the controlling authority for a specific portion of military airspace dedicated to combat training. In rare circumstances, the call sign may be used during a national emergency when a specific controller has been assigned a section of airspace. This was the case on September 11, 2001 when US Navy personnel utilized the call sign to vector F-15s
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
from Langley Air Force Base to the National Capital Region for air defense purposes. It is possible for a specific controller to utilize more than one call sign, with GIANT KILLER being one of them. For clarity, the name is always written in capital letters with a space between the words.
Origins
The U.S. Military commonly uses pairs of words that do not sound phonetically similar as call signs. This reduces the chance for confusion during transmission of critical messages. Most military air traffic controlAir traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
facilities that use the GIANT KILLER call sign maintain direct communications to weapons capable flight squadrons; the "killer" portion of the call sign may be more than a coincidence.
Safety Considerations for General Aviation
A significant safety concern for military combat exercise planners is the possibility of a general aviationGeneral aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
aircraft mistakenly entering restricted airspace while an active combat training exercise is underway. Added safety measures are taken when target drone
Target drone
A target drone is an unmanned, remote controlled aerial vehicle, usually used in the training of anti-aircraft crews.In their simplest form, target drones often resemble radio controlled model aircraft...
s are used during war games
Military simulation
Military simulations, also known informally as war games, are simulations in which theories of warfare can be tested and refined without the need for actual hostilities. Many professional contemporary analysts object to the term wargames as this is generally taken to be referring to the civilian...
. During such times, it is not uncommon for the military to release a specific safety NOTAM
NOTAM
NOTAM or NoTAM is the quasi-acronym for a "Notice To Airmen". NOTAMs are created and transmitted by government agencies and airport operators under guidelines specified by Annex 15: Aeronautical Information Services of the Convention on International Civil Aviation...
via the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
. Such NOTAMs usually indicate that any aircraft in the vicinity of restricted airspace should contact GIANT KILLER on a specified frequency if a pilot becomes involved in a situation near the specified coordinates. Certain target drones have a radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
signature that is comparable to many single engine aircraft commonly used within the General Aviation community. Use of a common call sign like GIANT KILLER reduces the time needed to clarify the origin of critical safety messages.