Reference

Communications and Brevity¶

Core UOAF radio discipline, fighter communication syntax, and the common brevity terms pilots are expected to recognize and use.

Flight Briefing Air-to-air Air-to-ground

Learning Objectives¶

Understand the correct syntax used when communicating between fighter aircraft.
Learn the important brevity code words.

Learning Files¶

Basic Principles of Brevity¶

Know when to speak, and when to stay silent. Pilots should speak up when engaged offensively or defensively, especially if they need support. In high-stress situations, unnecessary transmissions can block more important calls.
Know what to say. Get the point across with the needed information and avoid fluff.
Accuracy and clarity matter. If you do not know the perfect brevity word, stay calm and speak clearly instead of freezing or clogging the radio.

Definitions¶

Ship: Single aircraft.
Element: Two ships working in tandem. This is the basic combat unit.
Flight: Two elements working in tandem. Sometimes flights may be three ships.
Package: Two or more flights tasked with accomplishing a single mission.

Types of Radio Messages¶

There are two main kinds of messages: advisories and directives.

An advisory states what you are doing or intend to do. It is especially important for flight leads and element leads to tell other flights when they are engaging, being engaged, or disengaging.
A directive is an order to perform an action. These usually come from element, flight, or package leaders, but anyone may give a directive if the tactical situation requires it.

Examples of advisories:

A flight lead calling altitude and speed during the climb from takeoff.
An IN call when attacking a ground target.
An Engaged defensive call when the flight is under pressure from enemy fighters.

Responding to Communications¶

Within the flight (VHF)

When a flight lead gives a directive, the entire flight should respond in correct form.
Pilots respond in ascending order using their number.
Example:

Cowboy 1-1: "Flight go trail"
Cowboy 1-2: "TWO"
Cowboy 1-3: "THREE"
Cowboy 1-4: "FOUR"

If someone cannot comply, they should say unable and give a reason if needed.
Example: Viper 1-4 unable, engaged defensive.

Between flights (UHF)

Use the target flight callsign first, then identify your own flight.
Example:

"Falcon 1, Panther 2, we have entered the AO, looking for targets."
"Panther 2, Falcon 1, roger that."

When transmitting to everyone on package comms, use your full callsign.
Informative calls do not need acknowledgement unless the situation requires it.

Do's and Don'ts¶

Do¶

Speak up if you are in immediate danger.
Give an Engaged offensive call followed by target BRAA or bullseye when in a dogfight.
Remain calm and speak clearly.

Don't¶

Use ground-combat radio phrasing for fighter comms.
Give low-priority informatives during high-workload periods.
Repeat transmissions unless repetition is actually needed.
Comply with a directive that is certain to kill you.
Clog the radio with pointless information.
Use over or out.
Use break to signal a pause. BREAK is a maneuver call.

Being a Good Flight Lead¶

A good flight lead completes the mission and brings everyone home. That means using both elements and every pilot effectively without micromanaging them.

Flight leads should make sure pilots understand the package intent and the threats they are expected to face. They are the primary communicator for the flight with other flights in the package, and they should keep the rest of the package informed about the flight's status when appropriate.

In inter-flight communication, identify your own flight second.

Example:

Panther 1, Lobo 2 engaging bandits over steer 5, 20 thousand, nose hot.

If you are requesting a response first:

Panther 1, Lobo 2.
Lobo 2, Panther 1.

As flight lead, control the formation and pace of the flight. Do not fly so fast that you create fuel problems for everyone trying to keep up. If no formation call is briefed or directed, assume a Finger Four formation is in effect.

Flight leads also manage target assignments, flight resources, changes in steerpoints, ECM usage, altitude, airspeed, datalink, TACAN, and other tactical configuration details the flight must know.

Brevity Code Masterlist¶

ANGELS: Height of friendly aircraft in thousands of feet mean sea level (MSL).
ARIZONA: No ARM ordnance remaining.
AS FRAGGED: Unit or element will perform exactly as stated by the air tasking order (ATO).
BANDIT: Identified enemy aircraft. Does not necessarily imply direction or authority to engage.
BANZAI: Informative or directive call to execute launch-and-decide tactics.
BEAMING: Moving toward a target at a perpendicular angle or close to radar gimbal limits.
(system) BENT: System indicated is inoperative.
BINGO: Fuel state needed for recovery to base.
BIRD: Friendly surface-to-air missile (SAM).
BLIND: No visual contact with friendly aircraft or ground position. Opposite of VISUAL.
BLOW THROUGH: Aircraft will continue straight ahead at the merge and not become anchored with the target.
BOGEY: Radar or visual contact whose identity is unknown.
BOGEY DOPE: Request for target information as requested or closest group in BRAA.
BRAA: Bearing, range, altitude, and aspect. Aspect is only required if other than hot.
BREAK: Immediate maximum-performance turn, normally 180 degrees or as directed, in the indicated direction.
BREVITY: The radio is saturated, degraded, or jammed and transmissions must become shorter.
BROKE LOCK: Advisory call for loss of radar or IR lock.
BUDDY LOCK: Locked on to a friendly aircraft, often in response to SPIKE or BUDDY SPIKE.
BUDDY SPIKE: Friendly aircraft A-A radar track on the RWR, often a response to RAYGUN.
BUGOUT (with direction): Separation from the engagement or operation with no intent to re-engage.
BUSTER: Fly at max continuous speed, usually mil power.
CEASE FIRE: Discontinue firing or do not open fire. Complete the intercept if weapons are already in flight.
CHECK: Turn a specified number of degrees left or right and maintain the new heading.
CHERUBS: Hundreds of feet above ground level. CHERUBS 3 means 300 feet AGL. Use it only for AGL, not as a general shorthand for hundreds of feet in MSL calls.
CHICKS: Friendly aircraft.
CLEAN: No sensor information on non-friendly aircraft of interest, or no visible battle damage.
CLEARED: Flight lead response that the requested action is authorized.
CLEARED HOT: Flight lead response that weapon release is authorized.
COLD: Turned away. Can be used as a direction or description.
COMMIT: Directive call to intercept.
CONTINUE: Continue the present maneuver. Does not imply a change in clearance to engage or expend ordnance.
CONTACT: Similar to TALLY, but specifically for target acquisition by radar.
COVER: Take or hold a supporting position that allows engagement of a specified threat if required.
CRANK (left or right): Turn as far as possible while keeping the target on radar.
DEFENSIVE: The speaker is under attack, moving defensively, and unable to support others.
DELOUSE: Detect, identify, and engage, if required, unknown aircraft trailing friendly aircraft.
DOLLY: LINK-4A or TADIL-C, effectively the datalink in BMS.
DROP KICK: Intentional deviation from briefed action.
DROPPING: A fighter has discontinued targeting responsibility.
ENGAGED: Call used to establish engaged and support roles in the visual arena.
EXTEND (with direction): Short-term maneuver to gain energy, distance, or separation, normally with the intent to re-engage.
FADED: Radar contact on a non-friendly aircraft or surface contact is temporarily lost and positional information is estimated.
FAST: Target speed estimated between 600 and 900 knots ground speed, roughly Mach 1 to 1.5.
FEET WET / FEET DRY: Flying over water or land.
FENCE IN: Prepare the aircraft for battle.
FLASH (system): Temporarily activate a system for identification purposes.
FLOW (direction): Turn to and fly the designated heading.
FOX: A-A weapons employment. Fox 1 is a semi-active radar-guided missile, Fox 2 is an infrared-guided missile, and Fox 3 is an active radar-guided missile.
FURBALL: Known bandits and friendlies in close proximity.
GATE: Fly as quickly as possible using afterburner or max power.
GORILLA: Large force of indeterminate numbers and formation.
HIGH: Target is between 25,000 and 40,000 feet MSL.
HOLDING HANDS: Aircraft in visual formation.
HOOK: In-place 180-degree turn.
HOSTILE: Contact identified as enemy and cleared for engagement under the rules of engagement.
HOT: Turned toward. Opposite of COLD.
HOUND DOG: I see something I want to shoot, or I see the target you are referring to.
IN: Turn toward a known threat or begin the attack. May imply a request for information.
JINK: Unpredictable maneuver to defeat a gun tracking solution.
JOKER: Pre-briefed fuel state where you should start heading home.
JUDY: Aircrew has radar or visual contact on the correct target and only needs situational awareness information from the controller.
KILL: Fire on the designated target.
KNOCK-IT-OFF: Cease air combat maneuvers, attacks, or activities.
LEAN (with direction): Maneuver in a direction to avoid the threat.
LOCKED (with position): Radar lock-on. Correct targeting is not assumed.
LOW: Below 10,000 feet MSL.
MAGNUM: Anti-radiation weapon launch, with direction and target type.
MILLER TIME: Completion of A-G ordnance delivery. Often used by the last striker with the egress plan or by the package lead as an RTB call.
MARKING: Friendly aircraft leaving contrails.
MARSHAL(ING): Established at a specific point.
MERGED: Friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena.
MUD: RWR indication of SAM or AAA radar.
MUSIC: Electronic radar jamming.
NAILS: RWR indication of radar in search.
NAKED: No RWR indications.
NO FACTOR: Not a threat.
NO JOY: No visual contact with target or landmark. Opposite of TALLY.
NOTCH(ING): Moving on the beam away from the target, usually to support a radar-guided missile while reducing closure.
OFF (with direction): Attack is terminated and the aircraft is maneuvering in the indicated direction.
OFFSET (with direction): Maneuver in a specified direction relative to the target.
OUT: Turn to a cold aspect relative to the known threat.
OUTLAW: Similar to BOGEY, but assumed hostile due to point of origin.
PADLOCKED: Aircrew cannot take eyes off an aircraft or ground target without losing tally or visual.
PID: Positive identification. Confirming whether the target is friendly or hostile.
PINCE: Threat maneuvering for a bracket attack.
PITBULL: AIM-120 has gone active.
POP: Start climb for A/S attack, or max-performance climb out of low-altitude structure.
POSIT: Request for friendly position.
PRESS: Continue the attack while mutual support is maintained.
PUMP: Briefed maneuver to low aspect to stop closure on the threat or boundary, with intent to re-engage.
PUSH: Go to designated frequency. No acknowledgement required.
PLAYTIME: Amount of time aircraft can remain on station.
RAYGUN: Radar lock on an unknown aircraft. Request for a BUDDY SPIKE reply.
RESET: Proceed to a pre-briefed position or area of operation.
RIFLE: Friendly A-G missile launch.
ROGER: The transmission was understood. It does not mean compliance or action.
ROLEX: Time adjustment in minutes from the original planned time. Plus means later and minus means earlier.
SAM: Visual acquisition of a SAM in flight or SAM launch.
SAUNTER: Fly at best endurance.
SINGER (type with direction): RWR indication of SAM launch.
SKIP IT: Veto of a fighter commit call, normally followed by further direction.
SKOSH: Aircraft is out of, or unable to employ, active radar missiles.
SLICE / SLICEBACK (left or right): High-G descending turn in the stated direction, usually 180 degrees.
SMASH: A brand of instant mashed potato, popular in the UK.
SORT: Assign responsibility within a group, visually, electronically, or both.
SPIKE: RWR indication of an A-I threat in track or launch.
STRIPPED: Aircraft is out of briefed formation.
TALLY: Sighting of a target. Opposite of NO JOY.
TUMBLEWEED: Limited situational awareness, NO JOY, and BLIND. A request for information.
UNABLE: Cannot comply as requested or directed, ideally with a reason if possible.
UNIFORM: UHF/AM radio.
VAMPIRE: Hostile anti-ship missile launch.
VICTOR: VHF/AM radio.
VISUAL: Sighting of a friendly aircraft or ground position. Opposite of BLIND.
WEEDS: Aircraft are operating close to the surface.
WHAT LUCK: Request for mission or task results.
WHAT STATE: Report amount of fuel and missiles. Ammunition and oxygen are only reported when specifically requested or critical.
WILCO: Will comply.
WINCHESTER: No ordnance remaining.

Final Reminders¶

For a more complete list of brevity terms, see OPERATIONAL BREVITY WORDS, DEFINITIONS, AND COUNTERAIR (AFTTP 3-1.1).pdf in the /docs/Operational Manuals/ folder of your Falcon install.

ABCs¶

When communicating, especially in a combat situation, remember the ABCs of radio protocol:

Accuracy: Think about what you need to say before you transmit, and make sure it is correct.
Brevity: Be brief and use brevity terms whenever possible. In a hectic situation, only one person can talk on the radio at a time.
Clarity: Speak clearly and slowly enough that other people can understand you.