Operational Brevity Words

Operational Brevity Words

By: Author Unknown
Date: Unknown

JINKOUT MANEUVER: Unpredictable maneuvers to negate a gun tracking solution. A series of changes in roll, pitch, and G performed to prevent an attacker from achieving a gun tracking solution. This maneuver will not be effective against missiles.
JOKER: Prebriefed 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; weapons director (WD) will minimize radio transmissions.
JUDY ANGLE: Call made by the fighter stating the fighter will position himself in azimuth and GCI will provide range info to the target from the fighter.

KILL: Directive to commit on target with clearance to fire in visual or beyond visual range; implies hostile and ROE compliance; in training, fighter call to indicate KILL ROE has been fulfilled.
KNOCK-IT-OFF: Terminate any intercept/ engagement in progress.

LADDER: Three or more groups/contacts/formations in trail.
LAG CORNER: A maneuver, executed from an offensive position, where excess energy is used to drive to defender's blind cone, then a high G turn is used to solve angle off. This maneuver is only effective if the attacker has an obvious turn performance advantage.
LAG PURSUIT ATTACK: An attack geometry that will cause the attacker to fly behind the target. The nose of the attacking aircraft remains pointed behind the defender. (At some point a successful attack will usually have to transition to pure / lead pursuit.)
LAG ROLL: A rolling maneuver, executed from an offensive position, performed opposite the direction of target turn in an attempt to reduce aspect angle and/ or control closure. Used to achieve rear aspect heat missile parameters.
LEAD PURSUIT ATTACK: An attack geometry that will cause the attacker to fly in front of the target. The nose of the attacker's aircraft remains pointed ahead of the defender's aircraft.
LEAD TURN: A turn which is initiated prior to passing the opponents 3/9 line.
LINE ABREAST: Two groups/contacts/formations/aircraft side-by-side.
LINE-OF-SIGHT (LOS): An imaginary straight line from an observer's eye to a target.
LOCKED (BRA/Direction): Final radar lock-on; sort is not assumed
LOW: Target altitude below 10,000 feet AGL
LOW YO-YO: A maneuver, executed from an offensive position, used to close on the target aircraft by the effective use of cutoff and acceleration.
LUFBERRY: A circular stagnated fight with no participant having an advantage.

MAGNUM: launch of AGM-88 HARM.
MARKING: leaving contrails or otherwise marking aircraft position.
MAXIMUM TURNING PERFORMANCE: Turn performance during which the maximum obtainable turn rate is achieved.
MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE: Performance near the limits of the maneuvering envelope, includes minimum speed, maximum speed, low G, and placard G.
MEDIUM: Target altitude between 10,000 feet AGL and 30,000 feet MSL.
MERGE(D): Informative that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena.Call indicating radar returns have come together.
MICKEY: Have Quick time-of-day (TOD) signal.
MIDNIGHT: Informative call advising that command and control functions (GCI/AWACS) are no longer available.
MIL ( Milliradian ): An angular measurement which subtends one foot at 1.000å (17.45 mils equal 1 degree ). Also, military power.
MINIMUM ATTACK PERIMETER (MAP): An imaginary circle centered on the target which depicts the distance from the target at which rollout occurs and tracking begins. The radius of this circle varies with planned delivery parameters.
MISS DISTANCE (MD): The distance and direction of bomb impact from the target due to imperfect release conditions.
MEL: Directive to select military power.
MORT: Simulated kill on a friendly aircraft in ACBT.
MUD (Direction-Type): Indicates unknown RWR ground threat displayed; followed normally by clock position.
MUSIC: Electronic radar jamming. On AI radar, electronic deceptive jamming.
MUTUAL SUPPORT: The coordinated maneuvering of two or more aircraft to provide combined firepower and survivability. This coordination can be achieved via position, radio, fire control system or a combination of these factors.

NAKED: No RWR indications. Opposite of term "spike".
NEGATIVE CONTACT: Lack of radar and/ or SIF contact.
NO JOY: Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target/bandit; opposite of term "TALLY."
NOTCH (Direction): All-aspect missile defensive maneuver to place threat radar/missile near the beam.

OFF (Direction): Informative call indicating attack is terminated and maneuvering to the indicated direction.
OFFSET (Direction): Informative call indicating maneuver in a specified direction with reference to the target.
OPTIMUM TURN: A turn during which energy remains constant and turn rate is maximized.
OVERSHOOT ( Flight path overshoot ): Attacking aircraft is forced to the outside of his intended victim's flight path while attempting to achieve a shot. In a severe overshoot, the attacker's flight path carries him forward of the defender's 3-9 line and roles can be reversed.

PACKAGE: Geographically isolated collection of groups/contacts/formations.
PADLOCKED: Informative call indicating aircrew hqs "tally" and cannot take eyes off an aircraft/ground target without risk of losing tally/visual.
PAINT: Friendly AAI/APX interrogation retum.
PARROT: A military IFF transponder.
PERCH: Position from which an attack can be launched.
PICTURE: Situation briefing which includes real-time information pertinent to a specific mission.
PIGEONS (Location): Magnetic bearing and range to a specified point.
PINCER: A tactic designed to maneuver an enemy into a defensive position by simultaneous attack from both sides of bogey.
PIPPER: A HUD symbol representing an aiming line of sight. The pipper is in the center of the reticle.
PIRQUETTING: Rolling an aircraft about its longitudinal axis while pointed up or down at low G thus effecting a rapid change in heading when higher G is again applied.
PITCH/PITCHBACK (Left/Right): Directive call for fighter/flight to execute a nose-high heading reversal.
PLACARD G LIMIT: The limiting cockpit G for the particular configuration.
PLANE OF TURN: Plane defined by the flight path of an aircraft and its turn radius.
PLAYTIME: Amount of time aircraft can remain on station.
POINT: Directive for an element to turn towards each other either as a defensive response or to reestablish a mutually supportive formation.
POP: Starting climb for 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 ATTACK (Direction): WD transmission to indicate desired direction after completion of intercept/engagement.
POST-ATTACK (DIRECTION): Cardinal direction weapons controller assigns a fighter for the purpose of leaving the target area.
POST-ATTACK (HEADING): Specific heading passed by the weapons controller after aircrew has completed the attack.
POST HOLE: Rapid descending spiral.
POWER: Reminder to set the throttles appropriately considering the IR threat and desired energy state.
PRESS: Directive / informative call to continue the attack. Normally given by supporting fighter in response to engaged fighter's statement of intentions and means he is in a position to attack should the engaged fighter's position deteriorate.
PRESSING: Term describing a delay resulting in releasing ordnance closer and/or lower to a target than planned.
PULLING: Descriptive of the situation where the bandit is behind the one stating "I'm pulling."
PUMP: A briefed maneuver to stop closure on the threat or geographical boundry while maintaining situation awareness.
PURE: Call indicating pure pursuit is being used or directive call to go pure pursuit.
PURE PURSUIT ATTACK: An attack geometry that will cause the attacker to fly directly at the target. The nose of the attacker's aircraft remains pointed at the defender's aircraft.
PUSH (Channel): Go to designated frequency.
PUSHING: Descriptive of the situation where the bandit is in front of the one stating "I'm pushing".
QUARTER PLANE MANEUVER: A maneuver, executed from an offensive position, used to preserve nose-tail separation and a positional advantage for future maneuvering when presented with an impending flight path overshoot or to counter a reversal attempt by the defender. An aggressive, exaggerated rolling pull out of the bandit's plane of motion at close range to reposition the attacker's lift vector at least 90 degrees away from the bandit's plane of motion. This maneuver is often performed instead of a high yo-yo when the attacker realizes too late how quickly the aspect is increasing.

RADIAL G: The vectored sum of cockpit G and gravity.
RANCH HOUSE (Altitude): Directive or informative indicating subject fighters will return to CAP.
RANGE WIND: That component of a wind that is parallel to the attack axisi.e., headwind or tailwind.
RAYGUN (Position/Azimuth/Altitude): Radar lock-on to unknown aircraft. Request Buddy Spike/Naked reply.
REFERENCE (Direction): Directive to assume stated heading.
REFERENCE (HEADING): Heading to fly as directed by the flight lead. Reference 270.
RENO: Indicates that more than one radar contact is observed and aircrew is able to distinguish the assigned target from chicks. Does not imply sorted.
REVERSAL: A counter-offensive rolling maneuver designed to reverse roles on an attacker after he overshoots.
RIFLE: AGM-65 launch.
ROGER: Indicates aircrew understands the radio transmission; does not indicate compliance or reaction.
ROLLING SCISSORS: A series of rolling maneuvers in which each of two opposing aircraft is attempting to roll to his opponent's 6 o'clock. An energy depleting, maximum performance situation which frequently ends up in a slow speed, high AOA descent.
RUMBA: Ownship maneuvering and ranging (OMAR), F-15 angle on ranging (AOR), F-16.
RUN/RUNNING (Direction): Directive/Informative; Perform a defensive maneuver to place the threat radar/missile on the tail.

SAM (Direction): Visual acquisition of a SAM or SAM launch. Should include position.
SANDWICH: A situation where an aircraft / element finds themselves in between opposing aircraft / element(s).
SANDWICHED: A situation where an aircraft/element finds themselves between opposing aircraft/elements.
SAUNTER: Fly at best endurance. Loiter.
SCISSORS: A series of turn reversals designed to cause an attacking aircraft to overshoot and lose nose-tail separation.
SEARCH LEFT / RIGHT / HIGH / LOW: Search area indicated as briefed and report all contacts.
SEPARATE: Leave the fight/engagement due to loss of advantage, change of odds or situation. Similar to bugout, except bugout is usually permanent separation. May or may not reenter.
SEQUENTIAL ATTACK: Swapping of roles of engaged and supportive fighters as one or the other comes into a more favorable position to achieve a kill.
SHACKLE: One weave; a single crossing of flight paths; maneuver to adjust/ regain formation parameters.
SHADOW: Follow indicated target.
SHIFT: Directive to illuminate second target with laser designator.
SHOOTER: Aircraft designated to employ ordnance.
SHOTGUN: Launch of antiradiation (SHRIKE) missile by Wild Weasel.
SICK: Described equipment is degraded.
SIGHT PICTURE: Term used to describe the position of the pipper at release.
SIGNAL CHARLIE: Landing area is clear; commence approach. (NAVY air operations in control of airborne jets)
SIGNAL DELTA: Landing area is foul (not clear); commence standard holding pattern. (NAVY air operations in control of airborne jets)
SIGNAL BUSTER: Use maximum speed (burner for those so equipped). (NAVY air operations in control of airborne jets)
SILENT: "GO SILENT" directive to initiate briefed EMCON procedures.
SKIP IT: Veto of fighter commit call; used by radar facility when higher priority target is present, usually followed with further directions.
SLICE: An informative call for fighter to execute a nose-low heading reversal to reposition as stated . Often used to obtain a change in flight path direction while maximizing radial G and sustaining airspeed or accelerating.
SLICE/SLICEBACK (Left/Right): Directive to perform a high-G descending turn in the stated direction; usually 180 deg. turn.
SLOW: Target with ground speed of less than 300 kts.
SNAP SHOT: High angle off Attack or passing gun shot. Attacker's turn rate does not equal defender's LOS rate, whether intentional or unintentional.
SNAP ( ): An immediate vector (bearing and range) to the group described.
SNAP VECTOR: A quick vector to the requested position.
SORTED: Criteria have been met which ensure individual flight members have separate contacts; criteria can be met visually, electronically (radar) or both. Final radar lock taken.
SPARKLE: Target marking by a gunship or FAC using incendiary rounds.
SPIKE: RWR indication of AT threat is displayed. Add clock position, and type threat (radar/heat) if able.
SPITTER (Direction): An aircraft that has departed from the engagement.
SPLASH: Missile time of flight is expired or missile destroyed; target or bomb impact.
SPLIT: Request to engage a threat; visual may not be maintained, requires flight lead acknowledgement (air-to-air). Also, directive to begin briefed maneuver/attack.
SPLIT PLANE MANEUVERING: Two or more aircraft maneuvering in different planes of motion.
SPOOFING: Informative that voice deception is being employed.
SPOT: Informative that laser target designation is being received.
SQUAWK ( ): Operate IFF as indicated or IFF is operating as indicated.
STACK: Two or more groups/contacts/formations with a high/low altitude separation in relation to each other.
STATUS: Request for an individual's tactical situation; response is normally "offensive," "defensive," or "neutral" with number of targets. May be suffixed by position and heading.
STERN: Request for, or directive to, intercept using stern geometry.
STERN ONLY: Intercept will be completed using stern geometry. A conversion to a "CUTOFF" will not be attempted.
STINGER: Formation of two or more aircraft with a single in trail.
STRANGER: Unidentified traffic that is not a participant in the mission.
STRANGLE ( ): Turn off equipment indicated.
STROBE: AI radar indications of noise radar jamming.
SUNRISE: Informative call that command and control functions are available from GCI/AWACS (opposite of MIDNIGHT).
SUPPORTING: The 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.
THREAT (Direction): (GCI/AWACS) Informative that an untargeted bandit/bogey is within 10 NM of a friendly.
TIED: Positive radar contact with element/aircraft.
TRACK: A series of related contacts indicating direction of travel.
TRACKING: Stabilized gun solution.
TRAIL: Tactical formation of two or more aircraft following one another.
TRAILER: The last aircraft in a formation.
TRASHED: Informative call; missile in flight has been defeated.
TUMBLEWEED: Describes one who is "NO JOY, " åBLINDå and rapidly losing situation awareness, in a request for directive commentary and orientation. Colloquially NO TALLY; NO VISUAL, NO CLUE!

UNIFORM: UHF/AM radio.
UPWIND AIM POINT (UAP): A point on the ground whose distance and direction from a target represents an adjusted aim point, usually for wind compensation in manual bombing.

VECTOR: Aircrew request / WC directive for a cutoff heading to the entity described.
VIC: Three groups/contacts/formations with the single closest in range and an element in trail.
VICTOR: VHF/AM radio.
VISUAL: Visual contact with friendly aircraft. Opposite of "BLIND".

WALL: Three or more groups/contacts/formations line abreast/side-side.
WEAPONS ENVELOPE: The area around a target aircraft from which the attacker can launch one of his weapons and expect a high probability of achieving a kill.
WEAVE: Continuous crossing of flight paths by members of a formation.
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.
() WELL: Described equipment is functioning properly.
WHAT LUCK: Request for results of mission/tasks.
WHAT STATE: Report amount of fuel and/or armament remaining as requested; for training, repeat ordnance as follows:
# Radar = number of radar missiles shots remaining.
# Heat = number of IR missiles shots remaining.
# Gun = Gun on-board and bullets remaining.
# Fuel = pounds of fuel or time remaining.
WILCO: Will comply with received instructions.
WINCHESTER: Term used to report expenditure of all ordnance of a particular type.
WORDS: Mission-pertinent information.
WORDS: Mission-pertinent information.
WORKING: Wild Weasel is gathering EOB on a designated emitter.

ZIPPER: Acknowledge radio transmissions with two clicks of the mike button.

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