Norad Brevity Codes

Front 1

ABORT

Back 1

Directive call to cease action, attack, event, or mission.

Front 2

BIRDDOG

Back 2

An ADUSCAN unique brevity comm term to direct the flight to transition radar setup from conventional counterair to low RCS target (such as UAV or cruise missile [CM] detection).

Front 3

BEAVER

Back 3

An ADUSCAN unique brevity comm term that directs the flight to transition back to conventional radar setup

Front 4

BOGEY DOPE

Back 4

Request for target information as requested or closest group in BRAA with appropriate fill-ins.

Front 5

BRAA

Back 5

Tactical control format providing target bearing, range, altitude, and aspect, relative to a friendly aircraft. Aspect is only required if other than HOT.

Front 6

BUGOUT (w/direction)

Back 6

Separation from that particular engagement/attack/operation; no intent to reengage/return.

Front 7

BUGSY

Back 7

- Non-friendly unit/-entity conducting terrorist or asymmetric warfare activities.

Front 8

B/E (Bullseye)

Back 8

An established reference point from which the position of an object can be referenced by bearing (Magnetic) and range (NM) from this point. B/E will not be truncated to “bull.”

Front 9

CLEAN

Back 9

• No sensor information on non-friendly aircraft of interest.
• No visible battle damage.
• Aircraft not carrying external stores.

Front 10

COMMIT

Back 10

A directive call to intercept a group of interest.

Front 11

COVER

Back 11

Directive/informative call to assume a supporting position that will allow engagement of a specified track or threat to the flight if ordered.

Front 12

CUTOFF

Back 12

Request for, or directive to, intercept using cutoff geometry.

Front 13

CYCLOPS

Back 13

Any unmanned aircraft (UA).

Front 14

GUIDE

Back 14

(w/ cardinal direction/location) Directive term to intercept and move TOI as directed using ICAO procedures

Front 15

HEADBUTT

Back 15

Directive term to fighters/interceptors to immediately divert a TOI clear of a restricted or prohibited area (see paragraph 6.9.7, HEADBUTT). Also referred to as INTERVENE in Link 16 format

Front 16

HOUNDOG

Back 16

Call made by a free fighter indicating the free fighter is in a position to employ weapons.

Front 17

ID

Back 17

• Directive call to identify the target.
• Aircrew identification accomplished, followed by type (wing, engine, fuselage, and tail) WEFT.
• If requested, provide amplifying information such as tail number and nationality.

Front 18

INSPECT

Back 18

Establish visual contact with cockpit of TOI (implies closure inside 500 feet slant range). Attempt communications and report all observations of activity.

Front 19

JACKAL

Back 19

Surveillance network participating group (NPG) of Link 16/TADIL-J.

Front 20

Liner

Back 20

Fly at speed giving maximum cruising range.

Front 21

LOST CONTACT

Back 21

• Previous contact lost, provide target information.
• Sensor information on a friendly aircraft lost.

Front 22

MAX SUBSONIC

Back 22

Set throttle/ speed to achieve maximum airspeed below mach.

Front 23

MERGE(D) -

Back 23

• Informative call that friendless and targets have arrived in the same visual arena.
• Call indicating radar returns have come together.

Front 24

MONITOR(ING) -

Back 24

MONITOR(ING) -
• Maintain(ing) sensor awareness on specified GROUP/TOI.
• [AIR-MAR] Also, directive call to an aircraft to maintain contact/ targeting information on a maritime surface contact (SKUNK).

Front 25

MOSQUITO

Back 25

Slow speed and low RCS target (Ultralight, UAV) that requires ADS to issue asymmetric intercept guidance (requiring an asymmetric 180 degree aspect intercept) and for AD fighters to adjust/setup radar to optimize contacts.

Front 26

NO JOY

Back 26

Aircrew does not have visual contact with the target/bandit. Opposite of TALLY

Front 27

ON-STATION

Back 27

Informative call that unit/aircraft has reached assigned station.

Front 28

(_____) POINT

Back 28

Link point/TOI; can be associated with directive call.
• DROP (POINT) - Data link target sorting message is no longer needed/desired.
• HOLD (POINT) - Maintain PDT on the current track or maintain the data link sorting target message.
• TARGET (POINT) - Target the referenced data link target sorting message.
• CONTACT (POINT) - will indicate that the fighter has acquired the TOI track number on the data link.
• CLEAN (POINT) - will indicate fighter does not have or no longer has TOI JTN.
• ZAP (POINT/DATA) - See ZAP Definition.

Front 29

RENEGADE

Back 29

A civil platform that is assessed as operating in such a manner as to raise suspicion that it might be used as a weapon to perpetrate a terrorist attack. Have a flight COVER.

Front 30

RENO

Back 30

Informative call to inform flight lead that wingman has S/A on the TOI and flight lead, either visually or with radar.

Front 31

SCRAM (direction)

Back 31

• Friendly asset is in immediate danger. Withdraw in the direction indicated for survival.
No further HVAA mission support is expected.
• Cease the intercept and take immediate evasive action. Implies that the target aircraft
is being engaged by SAMs or other air defense fighters.
• (Capitol and Superbowl) Directive term used over FAA/ATC communication channels
to instruct FAA to clear all civilian/non-engagement aircraft outside of a specified
area. “TERMINATE SCRAM” will allow ATC to return to normal operations.

Front 32

SCRUB

Back 32

Radar return that signifies a low/ slow airborne target.

Front 33

SCUBA (# MINUTES)

Back 33

Informative call that fighter/RWAI will be below radio coverage for indicated/ estimated number of minutes and will re-establish radio/ link communication to report.

Front 34

SEARCH

Back 34

Perform a radar search of indicated position.

Front 35

SKUNK

Back 35

A radar or visual maritime surface contact whose identity is unknown

Front 36

SLOW

Back 36

Target with ground speed of 100 to 250 knots. * (U) SUPERSONIC - Set throttle /speed above mach.

Front 37

TALLY

Back 37

Sighting of a target, non-friendly aircraft, landmark, or enemy position. Opposite of NO JOY.

Front 38

THREAT

Back 38

Untargeted HOSTILE/BANDIT/BOGEY is within briefed range and/or aspect to a friendly aircraft.

Front 39

TIMBER

Back 39

The Link 16 network.

Front 40

TOI (number)

Back 40

TOI (number) - Track of interest. The label of a group/contact that is perceived as a threat to North America or national security.

Front 41

VERY SLOW

Back 41

Target speed less than 100 knots ground speed.

Front 42

WORDS

Back 42

• Directive or interrogative call regarding further information or directive pertinent to the mission.
• Tactical information pertinent to the mission generated by C2 agencies.

Front 43

ZAP

Back 43

• Request for data link information (i.e., ZAP POINT, ZAP DATA).
• Informative call that textual data link message has been sent; include alphabetical identifier to differentiate between texts (i.e., CHECK ZAP BA).