Glossary - Virtual Military - FSX

Glossary Document: Reference > Glossary

Phrase	Description
ABORT	Directive or descriptive call to cease the attack, or intercept, and maneuver defensively up to 180º away from the threat with no immediate intention of recommitting
ALPHA CHECK	Informative or directive call indicating to advise/confirm/verify position of bull's-eye relative to the fighter's current position. Eg: "Red, Alpha Check, 040/20", meaning formation is 20 Nm south-west of bull's-eye.
ALTERNATE	Informative or directive call indicating the attacker will attack the alternate target.
ANCHORED (+ position)	Informative call indicating the fighter/element/group is orbiting at the indicated position. Eg: "Red, anchored bull's-eye 230/15", or "Red, anchored present position."
ANGELS	Friendly aircraft altitude (in thousands of feet).
ARCING (+ direction)	Informative call made by supporting fighter to indicate a maneuver in support of engaging a fighter. Eg. "Black 2, 3 Nm East. Arcing counter flow."
BALLISTIC	Informative call indicating that the fighter is not in control of the aircraft and cannot separate from other aircraft.
BANDIT	Confirmed Enemy Aircraft.
BENT	Informative call indicating particular equipment is inoperative. Eg. "Gold 2, gadget bent."
BEAMING (+ direction)	Description of the bogey/bandit maneuvering to position within ±30° of the bogey/bandits wing line. Eg: "Red 2, contact, beaming south."
BEAD WINDOW	Informative call indicating that the last transmission disclosed an essential element of friendly forces information.
BINGO	Informative call indicating the pre-briefed fuel state at which engagement or separation maneuver immediately terminated and the RTB (return to base) initiated.
BLIND	Informative call indicating that an aircraft cannot see his/her wingman.
BLOCKS	An altitude block given to each formation to provide separation. Most commonly, 1-4s for one formation and 6-9s for the other.
BOGEY	Unidentified aircraft but assumed to be a bandit.
BOGEY DOPE	A directive call requesting target bearing and range, and if available, heading speed, and altitude.
BIFF (Bomb in Face)	Informative or directive call to indicate dropping of a bomb.
BRACKET	Directive call to maneuver fighters opposite sides laterally and/or vertically from the targets.
BREAK (+ direction)	Directive call to execute a maximum performance defensive turn in the called direction.
BRUISER	Informative call advising air to surface missile launch.
BUDDY LOCK	Informative call indicating that the reported target is a friendly fighter.
BUDDY SPIKE	Informative call indicating that the reported spike is from a friendly fighter.
BUG or BUG OUT	Directive call indicating to disengage and extend on the called heading.
BULLDOG	Surface to surface missile launch.
BULL's-EYE	An established point from which positions are referenced.
BUSTER	Directive call to fly at maximum power. Normally used during an abort, or when chasing down a dragging target. Rescinded by the term CRUISE.
BUZZER	Electronic Jamming.
CHATTER MARK	Directive call to start communications jamming frequency countermeasures. Normally involves chopping to a pre-briefed frequency.
CHECK (+ degrees of heading change and direction)	Equivalent to the term KICK.
CHICKS	Friendly fighter aircraft.
CHOP	Directive call to change the briefed or called radio frequency. Eg: "Red, chop TADC/Stud #"
CHOPPER	Maneuver where bandit is locked with intention of pushing bandit in a set direction. Usually performed whilst maintaining lock near gimbals.
CLARA	Informative call indicating the radar scope is clear of enemy contacts. Sometimes known as CLEAN
CLEAN	Informative call indicating the radar scope is clear of enemy contacts. Sometimes known as CLARA
CLEAR	Informative call indicating the six o'clock position is clear of enemy contacts.
CO-FLOW	Informative call indicating the supporting fighter is maneuvering in the same direction as the turning engagement.
COLD	1. Lagging the CATA
	2. The Contact is turning away
	3. Start of the CAP leg away from the threat
COLD NOSE	Directive call to select radar to stand by.
COMBAT	Tactical formation with the wingman swept back, sometimes given with a direction left/right.
COME BACK	Directive call requesting wingman to turn back to the fight. Usually given with a direction.
COME OFF	Directive call to discontinue attack. Usually given with a direction.
COMMIT(TING)	Directive or informative call indicating to the commence(ing) an intercept/engagement on the target(s) held or called.
CONTINUE	Directive call indicating that a fighter may continue an intercept in a 1 v 1 situation used when one aircraft calls blind, and the other aircraft is still tally. The aircraft with tally will continue the fight taking responsibility for the separation.
COUNTER FLOW	Informative call indicating the supporting fighter is maneuvering in the opposite direction to the turning engagement.
CONFETTI	Chaff lane or corridor.
CONTACT	Informative call indicating initial radar detection of a target.
CRANK (+ direction)	Directive call indicating an F-Pole maneuver in a specific direction. Eg: "Red, crank south"
CROSS-LOCKED	Informative call indicating two fighters have locked to targets opposite to the sort plan.
CRUISE	Informative or directive to return to cruise speed after buster.
DECLARE	Request for information to aid in positive identification. Typically used in the BVR environment and referenced to Bull's-eye. May be answered by the GCI or other friendly fighters. Eg: "Red 1, declare bull's-eye 230/35, 21,00 feet." Reply by GCI, "Triad, bandit/bogey/friendly/black."
DEPLOY	A directive call indicating to deploy to the briefed formation.
DIRTY	Equivalent of MUD
DISENGAGE	Directive call to terminate the engagement and separate from the fight.
DRAG(GING) (+ direction)	Description of the bogey/bandit maneuvering to position the fighter within ±60° of the bogey/bandits tail. Eg: "Red 2, contact bull's-eye 290/20, dragging south"
DROPPED	Descriptive call that a fighter has broken lock on a target. Referenced to either bull's eye or tactical. Eg: "Red 2, dropped 240/15"
ENGAGED	Descriptive/informative call advising formation a fighter is attacking/being attacked and is using offensive/defensive maneuvering.
EXPEDITE	As quick as possible.
EXTEND	Directive call to gain energy and distance with the objective of re-entering the fight.
FADED	Descriptive/informative call indicating a fighter has lost the contact that was previously called.
FAKER	A friendly track acting as a hostile for exercise purposes.
FAMISHED	A request for instructions.
FAST	Descriptive call indicating target ground speed of between 400 knots and Mach 1.
FATHER	Tacan equipment.
FEET DRY	Operating over land.
FEET WET	Operating over water.
FERRET	An airborne EW aircraft.
FLANKING (+ direction)	Description of the bogey/bandit maneuvering to position the fighter within 30° to 60° of the bogey/bandits nose. Eg: "Red 2, contact bull's-eye 290/20, flanking south west"
FLOAT	Directive/informative call indicating a deviation from the briefed formation to keep a Radar contact within the radar gimbal limits while remaining within visual range.
FOX 1	Launch of a semi-active radar guided air to air missile.
FOX 2	Launch of a passive (infra-red) air to air missile.
FOX 3	Launch of an active radar air to air missile
FOX 4	Ground Kill, ie. below the hard deck.
FREEZER	Directive call to execute the IRCM plan.
FRICK	Intercept directive issued by the controlling agency to identify bogey and if hostile, carry out an attack as the engaged fighter. Usually followed by a heading to fly for an intercept. Eg: "Red, frisk 230. Contact, tactical 230/30"
GADABOUT	Informative call indicating the upper limit of the height sanctuary for the fighters in the MEZ. Eg, "Gadabout 25" means the upper limit of the height sanctuary is 25,000 feet. "Gadabout 16 to 24" means height sanctuary between 16,000 and 24,00 feet
GADGET	Radar equipment
GIMBALS (+ direction)	Informative call that the contact is approaching the gimbal limits of the radar. Normally given with a direction left or right.
GOODWILL	Descriptive indicating the boundary of the MEZ.
GORILLA	Generic description of a large hostile attack package.
GREEN (+ direction or heading)	Descriptive call of an area of no known enemy threats
GROUP	Descriptive call to define contacts that may or may not contain more than one bandit.
GUNS KILL	Denotes an air to air kill using the gun.
HANDOFF	Directive call indicating for GCI, or another formation to take responsibility for the nominated fighter/element/group. Must be acknowledged.
HARD DECK	Briefed minimum altitude for air combat.
HARD (+ direction)	A turn towards the position of the bandit at a briefed G/AOA.
HAYRAKE	Squawk A/A TACAN as called/briefed. May be used with a qualifier to state the channel to be used, or to indicate changing between alternate plans. Eg "Red 2, Hayrake 17 Yankee, go"
HEAVY	Descriptive call of a group composed of greater than 2 aircraft.
HIGH	Descriptive call indicating that the targets altitude is between 25,000 and 50,000 feet AMSL
HITS	Informative call indicating that information is a possible contact only, not yet confirmed.
HOLD	Directive call to remain on the currently locked contact.
HOLDING HANDS	Descriptive call indicating aircraft in formation, or within visual contact.
HOME PLATE	Destination for landing or operating base.
HOOK	Offset laterally and vertically from the unknown aircraft so that the final attack profile simulates a hook.
HOSTILE	Descriptive call indicating the contact is identified as an enemy aircraft
HOT	1. Leading the CATA
	2. The Contact is turning towards
	3. Start of the CAP leg in direction of threat
ID	Equivalent of VID
IN THE DARK	Informative call indicating the fighter/element/group are not visible on radar and any position information is estimated. Usually used by GCI.
INPLACE (+ direction)	Directive call to perform indicated turn simultaneously.
JINK	Directive to wingman to carry out jink maneuver as a bandit is maneuvering for a shot using air to air gun.
JOKER	Informative call indicating a pre briefed fuel state above BINGO.
JUDY	Informative call indicating a defensive check turn in a specified direction, or in the case of a large package a specific heading.
KICK (+ left/right, or specified heading)	Informative/directive call indicating a defensive check turn in the specified direction, or in the case of a large package a specific heading.
KILL	Intercept directive issued by controlling agency to engage and kill hostile fighter/element/group as indicated. Usually followed by a heading to fly the intercept. Eg: "Red, kill 18. Hostile, bull's-eye 180/45"
KOBOLD	Informative call to indicate that the MEZ is not in operation.
KNOCK IT OFF	Diective call for all participants to cease all intercepts, engagements or exercises.
LAME DUCK	Informative call indicating a minor state of emergency.
LAZY	Informative call that indicated equipment is in stand by.
LOCKED	Informative call indicating the contact has been locked STT, but not yet sorted.
LOW	Descriptive call indicating the targets altitiude is between 500 feet and 5,000 feet AGL
LUFTBERRY	A circular tail chase
MAGNUM	Descriptive call indicating any friendly air to surface missile launch
MARRY	Directive given for one formation to join another. The first formation will join the second and use a combined call sign. Eg. "Blue Marry Red" means Blue join Red, Red has the lead, and the new callsign is "Red/Blue"
MEDIUM	Descriptive call indicating the targets altitude it between 5,000 fett AGL and 25,000 AMSL
MERGED	Informative call used by GCI to indicate that two or more contacts are close enough to be indistinguishable. May also be used within an element, when the supporting fighter is VISUAL, but NO JOY, to assit in gaing TALLY on the bandit.
MUD (+ direction and range, if known)	Informative call of a RWR indication of a SAM/AA radar lock on. Eg, "Red 2, mud, right 3 o'clock, close"
MUSIC	Term used to desribe RF jamming normally conducted by FERRET
NAKED	Informative call indicating no RWR indications on the RWR scope
NEW GROUP	Descriptive call indicating an additional group to the picture that has been built.
NEW PICTURE	Descriptive call used for significant change in the bandit group presentation. May be called by an aircraft or GCI. An example of a required NEW PICTURE call would be a single group that subsequently breaks into a two group presentation.
NO JOY	Informative call indicating a fighter does not have visual contact with the bandits
NOTCH (+ direction)	Directive call to perform missile defence in the appropriate direction. Eg, "Red, notch West"
OFFSET (+ direction)	Directive call to amnoeuvre the fighters in a specific direction. Eg, "Red, notch West"
OIL-FIELD	Informative call indicating an MEZ is active.
ON TOP	Informative call indicating fighter/element/group is abover weather/cloud tops
ORBIT (+ direction)	Directive call from GCI, to hold in present position
OUT (+ direction)	Informative call indicating the fighters direction of disengagement or escape
PACMAN (+ bearing and range from bull's-eye)	Informative call that the fighters have found the end of the threat package and are converting. Eg, "Blue is Pacman 290/20"
PARROT	A military IFF Transponder
PELICAN	Term for maritime surveillance aircraft
PETRO	Air to Air refeuling aircraft
PICTURE	Descriptive term which defines the general air situation
PIGEONS	Magenitic bearing and distance to base
PITCHBLACK (+ direction)	Directive call to execute a nose hard turn in the called direction
PLAYMATE	Friendly unit fighter/element/group is operating with
PLAYTIME	Informative call indicating amount of time remaing on stattion
PONY	Helicopter associated with ship
POPEYE	Informative call indicating operations in cloud reduced visibility
POP UP	Informative call, normally used by GCI, indicating a rader contact which has just appeared at close range. Given with position reference. Eg, "Red, pop up, tactical 230/15"
POSIT	Directive call for a fighter/element/group to pass current position
PRESS	Directive/Informative call to continue the attack
PUMP	Descriptive/directive call indicating that the fighters are manoeuvering up to 180 degress away from the threat with the intention of recommiting, depeding on the tactical situation
PUSHING	Informative call indicating a 3 o'clock - 9 o'clock advantage
RAMP	Informative or directive call to descend (altitude permitting) and increase speed
RESET(TING)	Directive call to intiative indicated fighter/element/group are to re-establish brief/called CAP station. Informative call indicating fighters are resetting to the briefed/called CAP. Given range and bearing to CAP. Eg: "Black resetting CAP Alpha, 180/12"
REVERSE	Directive/Informative call to reverse the turn directive to capitalise on an overshoot.
ROLEX (+ ±time in minutes)	Informative/directive call indicating a time change, in minutes, form a given datum. Plus means add the indicated time. Minus means subtract.
ROLL	Directive call to discontinue search plan and commence analysis/sorting, now or at the called range
RTB	Return to base
SAFETY SAFETY	Directive to stop communications jamming
SAM (+ direction)	Informative call indicating visual acquisition of a SAM or SAM Launch
SAME	Informative call to indicate the same information as just called
SANDWICH	To place the attacking bandit between the two fighters
SAUNTER	Directive to fly for endurance
SCRAM	Directive call to cease the intercept and take immediate evasive action. Impies that the target aircraft is being engaged by a SAM or other Air Defence fighters.
SEARCH	Directive call to radar search the area as directed unless other briefed or called use the SOP sort plan
SHADOW	An intercept directive issued by the controlling agency in accordance with ROE indicating a contact is not identiefied (ie is a BOGEY). If the BOGEY is subsequently identified as an enemy aircraft, the BANDITS type, altitude, speed and configuration is to be reported to the controlling agency. The fighter is to position itself in the WEZ and escort the BANDIT, keeping the Ground Controlling agency advised of its action.
SICK	Informative call to indicate equipment indicated is operating at reduced efficiency
SKIP IT	Equivallent of SCRAM
SLICEBACK (+ direction)	Directive to execute a nose low hard turn in the called direction
SLIPPING	Informative call to indicate the attacker will attack at the alternate TOT
SLOW	Descriptive call indicating target ground spped of 200 to 400 knots
SNAP	Directive call indicating to turn to this heading for the intercept. Usually applied to close in targets
SNAPSHOT	A high deflection gunshot where, due to target angular velocity, range, etc… tracking was impossible
SORTED	Informative call indicating the fighter has locked a target according to the pre-briefed sort plan.
SPIKE (+ direction)	Informative call of a RWR indication of a hostile AI radar lock on. Eg: "Red 4, spike right 2 o'clock" used when RWR is an immediate threat
SPLITTER	An aircraft seperating from the fight and dstinct from the other engaged fighters
SPLIT	Informative call indicating the targets have seperated and are manoeuvering individually
SPLASHED	Informative call indicating the hostile aircraft have been shot down. Usually followed by number and type.
SPOT (+ direction)	Informative call of a RWR indication of an AI radar that is not an immediate threat
SQUAWK	Directive call to operate IFF as indicated, eg, "Red 1, squawk indent"
STATUS	Directive call to question the indentity of a bogey. May be used in maneouvering visual environment using a visually significant description or BVR accompanied with a Bulls-eye position.
STEAL	Informative call to indicate an aircraft will use andother aircraft alternate TOT
STOP BUZZER	Stop electronic jamming
STRIPPED	Informative call to indicate that a signle fighter or element is reacting to a bogey/threat and can no longer maintain visual formation. The flight leaders response will depend on whether the tactical siutuation is defensive, offensive, or neutral.
STROBING (+ bearing)	Descriptive/informative call to indicate a jam strobe on the radar scrope, gicen with bearing.
STRANGER	Informative call indicating a radar contact that could pose a threat to flight safety.
STRANGLE (+ item of equipment)	Directive call to switch off equipment indicated. Eg: "Red, strangle Parrot"
SUPPORTING	Informative call indicating to formation aircraft is supporting engaged fighter. An ENGAGED call must be acknowledged by a SUPPORTING call
SWITCH(ED)	Direction/descriptive vall to change to the other bandit or the bandit has switched his attack
TACTICAL	Information referenced to my fighter/element/group position
TALLY	Informative call indicating visual contact with the bogey/bandit/hostile
TARGET	Directive call assigning targeting responsibilities. Eg: "Red 3, target southern group"
TERMINATE	Directive call to all participants to cease particular engagement, intercapt, or exercise
THREAT	Informative call of a hostile aircraft within 15 NM with a hot aspect
TIED ON	Informative call to indicate radar contactr with element lead or wingman
TRAIL	Individual aircraft one behind another
TRAILERS	Descriptive call indicating additional bogeys/bandits followin the mentioned contacts/elements/groups
TUMBLE-WEED	Informative call to indicate lost Situational awareness
UNKNOWN	Informative call indicating requrested information is not available
VECTOR (+ direction)	Directive call to alter heading to new advised heading
VERY HIGH	Target altitude above 50,000 feet AMSL
VERY LOW	Target altitude is below 500 feet AGL
VERY FAST	Target Ground speed greater than Mach 1
VERY LOW	Target Ground speed less than 200 knots
VISUAL	Informative call indicating visual contact with the leader/wingman or other friendly element/group
VID	An intercept directive issued by the controlling agency in accordance with ROE indicating a contact is not identiefied (ie is a BOGEY). If the BOGEY is subsequently identified as an enemy aircraft, the BANDITS type, altitude, speed and configuration is to be reported to the controlling agency
WHAT LUCK?	Results of the assigned mission
WHAT STATE?	Fuel and weapons state (eg. FOUR POINT ZERO = for four thousand pounds
WINCHESTER	Informative call indicating no armament remaining
ZAK	Target aircraft heading
ZIPLIP	Directive call to hold radio communications to a minimum
ZIPPER	Informative call to indicate radio transmissions will be acknowledged with two clicks of the mike button.
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