Picture Labelling Flashcards
Key to Multi-Service Brevity Codes [N] NATO brevity word [A/A] Applies to air-to-air operations [A/S] Applies to air-to-surface operations [S/A] Applies to surface-to-air operations [S/S] Applies to surface-to-surface operations [EW] Applies to electronic warfare [AIR-MAR] Applies to air-maritime operations [SO] Applies to space operations
ARM
[A/A] CONTACT(S) resulting from target maneuvers exceeding GROUP criteria inside meld.
AZIMUTH
[A/A] A picture label describing two GROUPs separated laterally. GROUP names will be referenced by cardinal directions (e.g., NORTH GROUP, SOUTH GROUP, or EAST GROUP, WEST GROUP. (2) [S/A] Direction to the threat
BOX
[A/A] A picture label describing four distinct groups with two in front and two behind in a square or offset square orientation.
BULLSEYE
An established reference point from which the position of an object can be referenced by bearing (Magnetic) and range (NM) from this point. BULLSEYE will not be truncated to “Bull.”
BULLSEYE CHECK
Request for confirmation of own ship position relative to BULLSEYE
CAPing (location)
Descriptive term for aircraft in a CAP.
CHAMPAGNE
[A/A] A picture label describing three distinct groups with two in front and one behind.
CONTACT
(1) Sensor contact at the stated position.
(2) Acknowledges sighting of a specified reference point either visually or via sensor.
(3) Individual radar return within a group or arm.
COLD
(1) A descriptive/directive call to initiate a turn in the CAP away from the anticipated threats.
(2) Friendly aircraft heading away from adversary aircraft.
(3) Attack geometry will result in a pass or roll out behind the target.
(4) Defined area is not expected to receive fire (enemy or friendly).
(5) Contact aspect stabilized 0 to 20 degrees from the tail or 160 to 180 degrees from the nose.
COMEOFF (with direction)
(1) [A/A] Directive call to maneuver as indicated to either regain mutual support or to deconflict flight paths. Implies both VISUAL and TALLY.
(2) [A/S] Directive call to maneuver or execute a specific instruction (e.g., COMEOFF DRY).
CONTAINER
Inner group formation with four contacts oriented in a square or offset square.
DEEP
[A/A] Descriptive term used to indicate separation between the nearest and farthest GROUPS in range in a relative formation; in three or more groups; used to describe a LADDER, VIC, CHAMPAGNE, or BOX.
ECHELON (w/sub-cardinal direction)
[A/A] An amplification to a picture label describing groups aligned behind and to the side of the closest group.
FADED
Radar contact is lost on unknown/nonfriendly group.
FAST
Target speed is 600 to 900 knots ground speed/Mach 1 to 1.5.
FEET WET/DRY
Flying over water/land
FLANK (w/ direction)
Contact aspect stabilized at 120- to 150-degree angle from the tail or 30- to 60-degree angle from nose.
GORILLA
[A/A] Large force of indeterminable numbers and formation of unfriendly aircraft
GROUP
[A/A] Air contacts within 3 NM in azimuth/range. NOTE: NATO definition includes an altitude discrimination
HEAVY
group known to contain three or more individual entities/contacts
HIGH
CONTACT is greater than 40,000 feet MSL.
HITS
(1) [A/A] Momentary radar returns in search
(2) [A/A] Indicates approximate target altitude (e.g., “GROUP BULLSEYE 360/10, HITS 15 THOUSAND”
(3) [A/G] Weapons impact within lethal distance
HOT
(1) A descriptive/directive call to initiate a turn in the CAP toward the anticipated
threats
(2) Ordnance employment intended or completed.
(3) Defined area is expected to receive fire (enemy or friendly).
(4) CONTACT aspect stabilized at 160° to 180° angle from tail or 0° to
20° angle from nose.
(5) Intercept geometry will result in passing in front of the target
LADDER
A picture label describing three or more groups on the same azimuth but separated in range
LAST
Command and control (C2) term that provides the last contact altitude from a high fidelity source (fighter radar)
LEAD-TRAIL
Inner-group formation of two contacts separated in range
LEADING EDGE
The group closest to the fighters meeting labeling criteria in a multiple group formation. Used when all groups cannot be included using a traditional label or label with an additional group
LEAKERS
Airborne threat has passed through a defensive layer. Call should include amplifying information.
LEAN (direction)
Offset package/element in specified direction maintaining briefed altitude, airspeed, and formation
LINE ABREAST
—Inner group formation of two or more contacts separated in azimuth.
LOW
A contact less than 5,000 feet AGL
MANEUVRE (AZIMUTH/RANGE/ALTITUDE)
[A/A] Informative call that said
group is manoeuvring in azimuth, range, and/or altitude
MARSHAL(ING)
Establish(ed) at a specific point
MEDIUM
Target altitude between 10,000 and 40,000 feet MSL
MERGE(D)
(1) Informative call that friendlies and targets have arrived in the same visual arena
(2) Call indicating radar returns have come together
MIRROR BEAM
Groups in azimuth that maneuver to a beam opposite each other
MONITOR(ING)
Maintain(ing) sensor awareness on specified GROUP/object. Implies that tactically significant changes will be communicated
NEAR-FAR
[A/A] Fighter term depicting a radar-apparent description of two or more contacts within a group separated in range.
NEW PICTURE
[A/A] Used by controller or aircrew when tactical picture has
changed. Supersedes all previous calls and re-establishes picture for all players.
OPENING
Increasing in separation
PACKAGE
Geographically isolated collection of GROUPS outside of bounding range
PICTURE
[A/A] A request to provide air information pertinent to the mission in a digital bullseye format unless briefed otherwise
POP-UP
[A/A] Informative call of a GROUP that has suddenly appeared inside of meld
RANGE
[A/A] A picture label describing two GROUPs separated in distance along the same line of bearing. Group names will be LEAD GROUP/TRAIL GROUP.
REPORTED (information)
(1) Information provided is derived from an off-board source
(2) Information provided is derived from non-SIGINT source
SINGLE
Descriptive call indicating one GROUP or CONTACT
SLOW
Target with ground speed of 150 to 250 knots.
SPITTER (w/direction)
An aircraft that has departed from the engagement or is departing the engaged fighter’s targeting responsibility.
STACK
Two or more CONTACTs within GROUP criteria with an altitude separation of 10,000 feet or greater in relation to each other
STINGER
[A/A] Three-ship inner GROUP formation with two lead CONTACTs line abreast and the Single in trail.
SWEPT (w/ sub-cardinal direction)
[A/A] Inner GROUP formation with the trailer displaced approximately 45 degrees behind the leader.
TRACK (w/ direction)
A group/contact’s direction of flight/movement; voiced in eight cardinal/sub-cardinal directions
VERY FAST
Target speed greater than 900 knots ground speed/Mach 1.5.
VERY SLOW
Target speed less than 100 knots ground speed
VIC
Picture label with three groups with the single closest in range and two groups, azimuth split, in trail. Group names should be LEAD GROUP, NORTH TRAIL GROUP, SOUTH TRAIL GROUP, or EAST TRAIL GROUP and WEST TRAIL GROUP
WALL
A picture label describing three or more groups separated primarily in azimuth.
WEDGE
Three-ship inner-group formation with a single contact closest in range and two trail contacts line abreast
WEIGHTED (cardinal direction)
Descriptive term used as a picture fill-in for a three or more GROUP formation (WALL, LADDER, VIC, CHAMPAGNE) that is offset in one direction from standard picture label or preponderance of forces.
WIDE
Descriptive term used to indicate the separation between the GROUPS in azimuth in a WALL, VIC, CHAMPAGNE, or BOX.
