Brevity Codes

This is a non-exhaustive list of useful brevity codes. The military has a LOT of brevity codes and to cover them all would take a very long time, but these should be some of the most important ones for the average goon.

References:

• AFTTP 3-1.1
• Multiservice tactical brevity code (Wikipedia)

Unsorted codes

Brevity code	Meaning
Anchor (point)	Orbit about a specific point
Bandit	An aircraft identified as an enemy
Banzai	Directive call to engage using launch and decide tactics
Bingo	Minimum fuel state needed to return to base
Blind	No visual contact with friendly aircraft/ground position. Opposite of Visual
Bogey	A radar or visual aircraft whose identity is unknown
Bogey Dope	Request for the closest group's BRAA
Bracket (direction)	Directive call to move in the given direction to position on opposing sides of the target
Break (direction)	Directive call to perform a max performance 180 turn in the given direction and go defensive
Brevity	Directive call to shorten transmissions, as the frequency is becoming saturated
Broke lock	Advisory call indicating a loss of lock on
Bugout (direction)	Directive call to separate from an engagement in the given direction with no intent to reengage
Buster	Directive call to fly at MIL power (no afterburner)
Captured	Aircrew has acquired an air to ground target
Cease laser	Directive call to stop firing laser. Opposite of Laser on
Check (number, left/right)	Directive call to turn a given degrees left or right
Cleared hot	Ordnance release is authorized
Closing	Decreasing in separation
Crank (left/right)	Turn the given direction to place the target at radar gimbal limits
Defensive	Advisory call that the speaker is under attack and is maneuvering defensively
Extend (direction)	Maneuver to gain energy, distance, or separation with the intent of reengaging
Fence (in/out)	Set the cockpit switches as appropriate for entering/leaving the combat zone
Joker	Fuel state above Bingo where separation/bugout/event termination should begin
Laser on	Directive call to begin lasing
Merged	Informative call that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena and their radar returns have come together
No Joy	Aircrew does not have visual contact with target. Opposite of Tally
Opening	Increasing in range
Push (waypoint)	Proceed to the given waypoint
Roger	Indicates aircrew understand a transmission. Does not indicate compliance
Shooter	Aircraft designated to release ordinance
Short Skate	Informative or directive call to execute launch and leave tactics and leave no later than minimum abort range
Skate	Informative or directive call to execute launch and leave tactics and leave no later than minimum out range
Splash	For air to air, indicates the target has been destroyed. For air to ground, indicates a weapon impact
Tally	Aircrew has visual contact with target. Opposite of No Joy
Target (target)	Directive call to engage the given target
Tied	Positive radar contact with element or aircraft
Unable	Cannot comply as requested
Visual	Bisual contact with friendly aircraft/ground position. Opposite of Blind
Wilco	Will comply with received instructions. Implies Roger

Weapon Release Codes

Brevity code	Meaning
Bruiser	Launch of an anti ship missile (like the AGM-84)
Fox One	Launch of a semiactive radar guided missile (like the AIM-7)
Fox Two	Launch of an IR guided missile (like the AIM-9)
Fox Three	Launch of an active radar guided missile (like the AIM-120 or AIM-54)
Magnum	Launch of an anti-radiation missile (like the AGM-88)
Rifle	Launch of an air to surface missile (like the AGM-65)

RWR Calls

Brevity code	Meaning
Buddy spike (direction)	RWR indication of a friendly aircraft in track
Mud (direction)	RWR indication of a ground threat with no launch indication
Nails (direction)	RWR indication of an air to air radar in search
Spike (direction)	RWR indication of an air to air threat in track or launch

Enemy Aspects

See also: AWACS

Brevity code	Meaning
Hot	Group is moving towards you or is on an intercept vector. 160 to 180 degrees of aspect
Drag(ging)	Bandit group is moving away from you. 0 to 60 degrees of aspect
Beam(ing)	Bandit group is moving perpendicular to you. 70 to 110 degrees of aspect
Flank(ing)	Bandit group is moving diagonally towards you. 120 to 150 degrees of aspect