Multiservice tactical brevity code
Multiservice tactical brevity codes are codes used by various military forces. The codes' procedure words, a type of voice procedure, 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/Abort/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 : Directive call to add a specific or to search responsibility.
;Alarm: Directive/informative call indicating the termination of emission control procedures.
;Alligator: Link-11/tactical digital information link A.
;Alpha check: Request for/confirmation of bearing and range to described point.
;Anchor/anchored:
;Angels: Term meaning altitude in thousands of feet.
;Arizona: No anti-radiation missile ordnance remaining.
;As fragged: Unit or element will be performing exactly as stated by the air tasking order.
;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
;Ball: AFLOLS carrier landing glideslope system;Bandit: An aircraft identified as enemy, in accordance with theater ID criteria. The term does not necessarily imply direction or authority to engage.
;Banzai: Information/directive to execute launch and decide tactics.
;Base : Reference number used to indicate such information as headings, altitude, and fuels.
;BeadWindow: Last transmission potentially disclosed unauthorized information.
;Beam/beaming: Target stabilized within 70 to 110 degree aspect; generally given with cardinal directions: east, west, north, or south.
;Bent: System indicated is inoperative.
;Bingo:
;Bird: Friendly surface-to-air missile.
;Bird affirm: Surface-to-air informative call indicating unit is able and prepared to engage a specified target with SAMs.
;Bird away: Friendly SAM has been fired at designated target.
;Bird negat: S/A informative call indicating unit is unable to engage a specified target with SAMs. Opposite of bird affirm.
;Bittersweet: Notification of possible blue on blue situation relative to a designated track or friendly aircraft.
;Blank: A suppression of enemy air defenses 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, 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 : 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 lock-on.
;Bruiser: Friendly air-launched anti-ship missile .
;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 air-to-air indication on radar warning receiver ; to be followed by position, heading, and altitude.
;Bugout: Separation from that particular engagement/attack/operation; no intent to re-engage/return.
;Bulldog: Friendly surface/submarine-launched ASM.
;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 targeting information is available on a briefed secure net.;Cap/capping:
;Captured: Aircrew has identified and is able to track a specified air-to-ground 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:
;Check turn : degrees left or right and maintain new heading.
;Cherubs: Height of a friendly aircraft in hundreds of feet.
;Chicks: Friendly aircraft.
; Christmas tree: to turn on all exterior lighting.
;Clean:
;Cleared: Requested action is authorized.
;Cleared hot: Ordnance release is authorized.
;Cloak: Directive/informative call to switch from normal external lighting to covert night vision device only compatible lighting.
;Closing: Decreasing in range.
;Cold:
;Color: Request for information on a at stated location; usually a request for ambiguity resolution. May be used with improved data modem data message−color, data.
;Comeoff: Directive to maneuver as indicated to either regain mutual support or to 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 contrails.
;Contact:
;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 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 in a beyond visual range engagement.
;Cutoff: Request for, or directive to, intercept using cutoff geometry.
;Cyclops : Any unmanned aerial vehicle.
D
;Dakota: No air to ground ordnance remaining.;Dash : Aircraft position within a flight. Use if specific call sign is unknown.
;Data : Standby for improved data modem data message concerning at stated location.
;Deadeye: Informative call by an airborne laser designator indicating the laser/IR system is inoperative.
;Deadstick: No propulsive power due to loss of the engine/s. - see Deadstick landing
;Declare: Inquiry as to the identification of a specified track, target, or correlated group.
;Defensive/defending: Aircraft is in a defensive position and maneuvering with reference to an active threat.
;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.
;Dogbox: Area within which units may interfere with or be endangered by ASW torpedoes
;Dolly: Tactical Digital Information Link C .
;Drag/dragging:
;Drop/dropping:
;Duck: Tactical air-launched decoy.
E
;Echelon: Groups/contacts/formation with wingman displaced approximately 45 degrees behind leader's 3/9 line, see Echelon formation.;Echo: Positive SEESAW/electronic warfare weapons system /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 intent of re-engaging.
;Eyeball :
- Fighter with primary visual identification responsibility.
- Electro-optical /IR/NVD acquisition of an aircraft. Normally followed by number of aircraft observed.
F
;Fast: Target speed is estimated to be at least ground speed or Mach 1.
;Father: Tactical air navigation station.
;Feet wet/dry: Flying over water/land.
;FENCE : Set cockpit switches as appropriate prior to entering/exiting the combat area.
;Fish:
Inbound torpedo.
;Flank/flanking:
- Target with a stable aspect of 120 to 150 degrees.
- Target with stable aspect of 30 to 60 degrees.
;Float: Directive/informative call to expand the formation laterally within visual limits to maintain a radar contact or prepare for a defensive response.
; Fox : Simulated/actual launch of air-to-air weapons.
;Fox mike : Very high frequency /frequency modulated 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.
;Glowworm: Flare-dropping aircraft
;Go active: Go to the briefed HAVE QUICK net
;Go clear: Use unencrypted voice communications.
;Goggle/degoggle: Directive/informative call to put on/take off night vision devices.
;Gorilla: Large force of indeterminate numbers and formation.
;Go secure: Use encrypted voice communications.
;Grandslam: All hostile aircraft of a designated track are shot down.
;Green : Direction determined to be clearest of enemy air-to-air activity.
;Greyhound: Friendly ground attack cruise missile and conventional air-launched cruise missile ).
;Group: Radar targets within approximately 3 nautical miles of each other.
;Guns: An air-to-air or air-to-surface gunshot.
H
;Hard : High-G, energy-sustaining turn.;Head/head on
;Heads up: Alert of an activity of interest.
;Heavy: A group or package known to contain three or more entities.
;High: Between above mean sea level.
;Hit
;Hold down: Directive to key transmitter for direction-finding 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 : 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
;Hotdog: Informative/directive call that an aircraft is approaching or at a specified standoff distance from the sovereign airspace of a nation. Follow briefed procedures.
;Hotshot: Informative call that an aircraft is deploying flares for either system testing or visual acquisition purposes
;Hotel fox: High frequency radio.
;Husky: Air intercept missile -120 supported to HPRF active range; same meaning as USAF cheapshot.
I
;ID;In : 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 of tactical data information link J Link 16.;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;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: 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.
;Lost contact: Radar contact lost.
;Lost lock: Loss of radar/IR lock-on.
;Low: Target altitude below above ground level.
M
;Maddog: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.;Magnum: Launch of friendly anti-radiation missile.
;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 and 25,000 feet above Mean Sea Level.
;Merge/merged
;Mickey: Have quick radio time-of-day signal
;Midnight: Informative call advising that C2 functions 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 ground threat displayed followed by clock position and type.
;Music: Electronic radar jamming.
N
;Nails: Radar warning receiver indication of AI radar in search. Add clock position/azimuth and radar type, if known.;Naked: No radar warning receiver 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. As missiles guide by creating a direct intercept course, this is also used to reduce the missile's speed and thus its ability to maneuver if radar lock is maintained.
O
;Off : Informative call indicating attack is terminated and maneuvering to the indicated direction.;Offset: Informative call indicating maneuver in a specified direction with reference to the target.
;On station: Informative call unit/aircraft has reached assigned station.
;Opening: Increasing in range.
;Oranges: Weather.
;Out : 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: Interrogated group/radar contact that is responding with any of the specified IFF modes and correct codes established for the id criteria.
;Parrot: IFF transponder.
;Paveway: Release of laser-guided bomb or bombs
;Picture: Provide tactical situation status pertinent to mission.
;Pigeons: Magnetic bearing and range to homeplate.
;Pince/pincer: Threat maneuvering for a bracket attack.
;Pitbull: Informative call that an active radar-guided missile is at active range and no longer requires radar input from launch aircraft.
;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: 1. Informative call of a contact that has suddenly appeared inside of meld/CCR/briefed range. 2. Criteria used as a self-defense method, within the ROE, to protect friendly air defense elements from hostile aircraft.
;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 intercept/engagement.
;Post hole: Rapid descending spiral.
;Press: Directive to continue the attack; mutual support will be maintained. Supportive role will be assumed.
;Print : Unambiguous Non-Cooperative Target Recognition reply.
;Pull chocks: Depart. Get ready to depart.
;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 : Go to designated frequency. No acknowledgment required.
;Pushing: Departing designated point.
;Pushing: Informative call that said group have turned cold and will continue to be 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 reply from friendly aircraft meeting these parameters.
;Reference: Directive to assume stated heading.
;Repeat: Used in surface-surface operations to fire again using the same method of fire or to fire the same number of rounds using the same method of fire. This is not used to request that the last message be retransmitted.
;Reported: Identification of an object or a contact by an intelligence system.
;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: Friendly air-to-ground missile launch.
;Ripple: Two or more munitions released or fired in close succession.
;River City: Implement immediate communications blackout until further notice.
;Roger: Radio transmission received; does not indicate compliance or reaction.
;Rolex : Time-line adjustment in minutes from planned mission execution time..
;Rope: Illumination of an aircraft with an IR pointer.
S
;Saddled: Informative call from wingman/element indicating the return to briefed formation position.;SAM : Visual acquisition of a SAM 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.
;Scramble: Takeoff as quickly as possible.
;Scud: Any threat tactical/theater ballistic missile.
;Separate: Leave a specific engagement; may or may not re-enter.
;Shack: Ground target hit with A/G munition.
;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 surface contact whose identity is unknown.
;Slapshot: Directive for an aircraft to employ a range-unknown high-speed anti-radiation missile against a specified threat at the specified bearing.
;Slide: Directive call to high value airborne asset to continue present mission while extending range from target in response to perceived threat.
;Slow: Target with a ground speed of 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 : 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/sorted:
;Sour
;Spades: An integrated group/radar contact which lacks the ATO IFF modes and codes required for the ID criteria.
;Sparkle: Target marking by IR pointer; target marking by gunship or forward air controller 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 fighters' targeting responsibility.
;Splash: A/A Target hit with expended munition.
;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 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 are available..
;Sweet
;Switch/switched: Indicates an attacker is changing from one aircraft to another.
T
;Tactical: Request/directive to switch to tactical control.;Tag: with IDM data message,.
;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
;Threat: Untargeted hostile/bandit/bogey within pre-briefed range/aspect of a 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 network participating group of tactical digital information links.
;Track: Any detected point of contact visible on a radar or sonar display console, each identified by a unique number.
;Tracking
;Trailer: The last aircraft within a group.
;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 location.
;Tumbleweed: Indicates limited situational awareness; no joy, blind; a request for information.
U
;Unable: Cannot comply as requested/directed.;Uniform: Ultra-high frequency radio.
V
;Vampire: Hostile antiship missile.;Very high: Above MSL.
;Vic: Three groups, contacts, or formations with the single closest in range and two contacts, azimuth split, in trail.
;Victor: VHF/amplitude modulation 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 : Hostile attack is
;Weapons : Fire only;
;Weeds: Indicates that fixed-wing aircraft are operating below 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.
;Wilco: Will comply
;Winchester: No ordnance remaining, can be used to refer to specific types ordnance or all ordnance.
;Words: Directive or interrogative regarding further information or directives pertinent to mission.
;Working