General/Tactical Communication

SOURCE — Tactical Communications Guide

Covers: Control Architecture · Check-In · AAR · PID · Air-to-Air Combat · Brevity

Information is based on real-world procedures but modified to cater to DCS limitations

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01 / Control Architecture

ASACS (Airborne Surveillance and Control System) is the integrated command-and-control framework linking airborne surveillance platforms, ground-based control centers, and air defense assets into a single coordinated system. ASACS defines the doctrine, communications architecture, and authority relationships governing how AWACS, CRCs, and radar sites share data, build a Recognized Air Picture, and allocate control of aircraft and weapons.

AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) is an airborne command-and-control platform with long-range radar and battle management consoles. It provides surveillance, identification, and tactical control of aircraft over extended ranges, particularly where ground radar coverage is limited.

CRC (Control and Reporting Center) is a ground-based air command-and-control facility responsible for surveillance, identification, and tactical control within a designated airspace sector. It fuses multiple radar sources to generate a Recognized Air Picture and provides fighter control and airspace coordination.

GCI (Ground Controlled Intercept) is the tactical function of directing fighter aircraft to intercept airborne targets using ground-based radar. GCI refers to the activity performed by trained controllers, not a specific facility.

Control Types

	CLOSE		LOOSE		BROADCAST
	POSITIVE	ADVISORY	POSITIVE	ADVISORY
TARGETS SELECTION	IC	IC	IC	IC	PIL
TACTICAL SELECTION	IC	IC	PIL	PIL	PIL
GEOMETRY	IC	IC	PIL	PIL	PIL
SEPARATION	IC	PIL	IC	PIL	PIL
PICTURE FORMAT	HDG – SPD – ALT		BRAA or BULLSEYE		BULLSEYE

PIL = Pilot's Responsibility · IC = Intercept Controller's Responsibility

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02 / Intercept Controller

The Intercept Controller (IC) guides military assets in the tactical environment. When airborne on an AEW/AWACS platform the role is called Weapon Controller (WC) — this manual uses IC throughout for convenience.

Primary IC responsibilities: target selection and assignment · PICTURE reporting · initial fighter vector (COMMIT)

Supported operations: QRA · AIR TO AIR REFUELLING · COMBAT AIR PATROL

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03 / Standard Calls

State Call

A State Call reports combat status to the IC: weapons, fuel, and playtime in a fixed order.

Example: "State is 602+ 10000lbs 90M"

# FOX-3	# FOX-1	# FOX-2	Gun	Fuel	Playtime
6	0	2	+	10,000 lbs	90 min

6× FOX-3, 0× FOX-1, 2× FOX-2, gun available, 10,000 lbs fuel, 90 minutes playtime.

BRAA Call

Tactical control format: Bearing, Range, Altitude, Aspect relative to the specified friendly aircraft.

Groups	Format	Bearing	Range	Altitude	Aspect	Declaration
Single Group	BRAA	320	30 nm	20,000 ft	Flanking	BOGEY

Flight Check / Frequency Change

Executed when switching the flight to a new frequency. Intraflight = flight-internal frequency. Interflight = control agency frequency.

Station	Phrase
ATC	{CS} Push Button _
Flight Lead (interflight)	{CS} Push Button _
Flight Lead (intraflight)	Push {UHF/VHF, Radio 1/2} Button _
All flight members switch to channel _
Flight Lead	{CS} Check
Wingman	2
Element Lead	3
Element Wingman	4
Flight Lead proceeds with initial call as normal

Authentication (DRYAD)

Verifies contact with an allied unit. A challenging station picks a letter from the leftmost column and a second from that row. The responding station replies with the letter directly below the second chosen letter. The DRYAD table is issued in the pre-mission briefing.

Pilots are responsible for initiating Authentication with a Controlling Station

Station	Phrase
Pilot	{CRC-CS} {CS} Authenticate E-A
ATC	Come back G
ATC	Authenticate J-U
Pilot	Come back R
ATC	Good Authentication

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04 / Check-In Procedures

CS = Callsign (e.g. SHADOW 1). Not every procedure applies to every mission.

Check In on Radar — Transit Control

Station	Phrase
Flight Check
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} {Flight Level}
Authentication
CRC	{CS}, Identified, {Instructions}

NOTE: Close Positive Control is inferred.

Check In with Weapons Controller

Station	Phrase
Flight Check
Authentication
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} Mission Nr {MSN} {Position} {Altitude} {Playtime} {As Fragged / With Exceptions}
CRC	{CS}, Identified, {Control Type}, Alpha Check Bullseye {Position}
Flight Lead	Same {Alpha Check}

NOTE: Bullseye cannot be used for initial position calls — only valid after Alpha Check.

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05 / Training Range & Formations

Attack Run

Station	Phrase
Turning in for attack run
Aircraft	{CS} In Hot, Heading ___
Tactical Controller	Cleared Hot (or: Abort, Turn Left/Right HDG)
Upon completion
Aircraft	{CS} Off Target

Repeated for every attack run. Multiple aircraft on the same target: ASACS issues traffic information and may require visual separation.

Formation Splits

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CS}, request split into {number} parts of {number} each
CRC	{CS}, report ready for {Right / Left Hand} {Split Type}

Vertical (Altitude)

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CS}, ready
CRC	{CS 2}, descend {FL}
Flight Lead 2	{CS 2}, descending {FL}
CRC	{CS 2}, squawk {number} · identified
Repeat for each new flight

Lateral (Vector)

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CS}, ready
CRC	{CS 2} for split turn {side} {degrees}
Flight Lead	{CS 2} for split turn {side} {degrees}
CRC	{CS 2} squawk {number} · identified
Repeat for each new flight

Join-Up

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CS} requesting join-up with {CS 2}
CRC	{CS 2}, confirm join-up clearance for {CS}
Flight Lead 2	{CS 2}, {CS} is cleared to join up
CRC	{CS}, fly {heading} and climb/descend to {angels}
Flight Lead	{CS}, fly {heading} and climb/descend to {angels}
CRC	{CS}, report {CS 2} in sight
Flight Lead	{CS}, {CS 2} in sight, {position}
CRC	Visual join-up approved — report formation tight
Flight Lead 2	{CS 2}, formation tight
CRC	{CS 2} adopt callsign {new CS}

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06 / Air-to-Air Refuelling

AAR requires close coordination with the tanker around a pre-briefed Rendezvous (RV). SOURCE uses RV Alpha (Fixed Anchor) for all operations.

Tanker Orbit Stack

Level	Usage
ALPHA	Receivers departing · Emergency
BRAVO	Tanker base level
CHARLIE	Receiver evasive
DELTA	Receivers approaching

RV Alpha Procedure

Receiver: fly 2,000 ft below AAR altitude · follow IC heading · declare JUDY on radar contact · declare VISUAL when in sight · weapons safe and radar off · take ECHELON LEFT when authorized.

Station	Phrase
CRC	{CS} Proceed Tanker BRAA {BRAA} — RV Alpha — Tanker Freq {Freq} {Instructions}
Flight Lead	{CS} Roger, RV Alpha, Tanker Freq {Freq} {Readback}
Once flight has radar contact with tanker
Flight Lead	{Flight Name} Judy 1, Weapons Safe
All wingmen (in order)	2, 3, 4… Weapons Safe
Once tanker is in sight
CRC	{CS} Tanker {x} o'clock, report visual
Flight Lead	{CS} Nose Cold, visual with tanker
CRC	{CS} Roger, contact boom
Switch to DCS tanker frequency

NOTE: Flight Lead must confirm Nose Cold with wingmen on intraflight before reporting to ATC.

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07 / Positive Identification (PID)

PID proves, to a defensible standard, that the contact is a legitimate target under the ROE. Proof may come from sensors, behavior, location, declarations, or higher authority.

Type	Description
Electronic PID	IFF interrogation, Link picture, NCTR, controller declaration. Most common form in BVR.
Visual PID	Confirm number, type, livery, armament, heading, speed. Requires merge or VID pass.
Ground Targets	Correlate with pre-briefed target. CRC issues Cleared to Engage before weapons release.

Ground Target Engagement

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CS} Identified {Target Description} {if pre-briefed: Matches Target __}
CRC	Cleared to Engage
Flight Lead	In Hot, {Target Description}, {Ingress Heading}
CRC	Cleared Hot / Abort
Flight Lead	Completed Engagement
CRC	Continue as Fragged / {Additional Instructions}

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08 / Air-to-Air Combat

Air combat is primarily carried out by CAP aircraft — the two main types being DCA (Defensive Counter Air) and OCA (Offensive Counter Air). Before a Commit, the controller holds radio priority. After Commit, the fighters hold priority.

The Targeting Range is the agreed distance at which all contacts must be intercepted. A group inside Targeting Range with no assigned fighter is labelled Untargeted.

Contact Declaration

Declaration	Meaning	Engagement Authority
BOGEY	Unknown — identity not confirmed	Not cleared to engage
OUTLAW	Originates from known or suspected hostile area	Not cleared to engage; escalation criteria apply
SPADES	No valid IFF response on interrogation	Not cleared to engage; escalation criteria apply
BANDIT	Positively identified as enemy	Not cleared to engage
HOSTILE	Confirmed enemy IAW ROE	Cleared to engage
NEUTRAL	Neutral aircraft	Not cleared to engage
FRIENDLY	Confirmed friendly	Not cleared to engage

A BOGEY, OUTLAW, or SPADES classification does not authorize engagement. Escalation to HOSTILE requires either a controller DECLARE or pre-briefed escalation criteria being met (e.g. radar lock on friendly, threatening posture, point of origin).

Phase 1 — Pre-Commit

The flight arrives at its prebriefed CAP position with FENCE IN complete and radars in sanitization configuration. The controller holds picture responsibility.

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} PICTURE
CRC	{CS} {Nr of Groups}, {Group Label} BULLSEYE {Bearing/Range} {Altitude} TRACKING {Direction} {Declaration} {Nr of Contacts}

The flight processes the picture, builds SA, and evaluates commit criteria. If commit criteria are not yet met, the flight continues sanitizing and requests updated pictures as needed.

Phase 2 — Commit

Fighter-Initiated

Station	Phrase
Commit criteria met
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} RECOMMEND COMMIT {Group Label}
CRC	{CS} COMMIT {Group Label} BULLSEYE {Bearing/Range} {Altitude} {Declaration} {Nr of Contacts}
Flight Lead	COMMIT {Group Label} {CS}

Controller-Initiated

Station	Phrase
CRC	{CS} COMMIT {Group Label} BULLSEYE {Bearing/Range} {Altitude} {Declaration} {Nr of Contacts}
Flight Lead	{CS} COMMIT

After Commit, the flight takes radio priority. The controller shifts to tactical or advisory control as briefed.

Phase 3 — Targeting and Declaration

The flight assigns group responsibility and confirms classification before employing weapons.

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} DECLARE {Group Label or Bullseye Position}
CRC	{Group Label} DECLARED {HOSTILE / BOGEY / FRIENDLY / UNABLE}
Flight lead assigns targeting responsibility and announces tactical plan (intraflight)
Flight Lead	(intraflight) {CS} TARGET {Group Label} {Tactic}
Once group appears on radar
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} TARGETED {Group Label}

If DECLARE returns UNABLE or FURBALL, weapons employment is not authorized until classification is resolved.

Phase 4 — MELD, Sort, and JUDY

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} MELD
All flight members shift radars from sanitization to assigned group
Flight Lead	(intraflight) FLIGHT SORT {Criteria}
Wingmen	(intraflight) #2 SORTED · #3 SORTED · #4 SORTED
Once sort is complete and no further controller guidance is needed
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} JUDY

After JUDY the controller minimizes transmissions. The flight manages the intercept autonomously.

Phase 5 — Weapon Employment

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	(intraflight) {Wingman CS} ENGAGE
Firing Aircraft	{CRC-CS} {CS} FOX THREE {Group Label} {Contact Description}
CRC	COPY SHOT

Multiple shots in one transmission are acceptable.

Phase 6 — Out, Dropping, and Reset

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} OUT {Direction} DROPPING {Group Label}
Flight returns to sanitization radar settings. Controller resumes monitoring of dropped group.
Once weapon effects are assessed and the flight returns to prebriefed position
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} RESET

RESET implies DROPPING and returns all targeting responsibility to the controller.

If the dropped group turns hot again before RESET is complete:

Station	Phrase
CRC	{CS} RECOMMIT {Group Label} BULLSEYE {Bearing/Range} {Altitude} {Declaration}
Flight Lead	{CS} COMMIT

Phase 7 — In (Follow-up Engagement)

If the tactic requires a follow-up shot rather than RESET:

Station	Phrase
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} IN {Direction} TARGETED {Group Label}
Flight Lead	{CRC-CS} {CS} MELD
Re-sort as required, then proceed to Phase 5

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09 / Brevity Words

Term	Definition
AS FRAGGED	Unit will perform exactly as briefed or scheduled.
WITH EXCEPTIONS	Unit will perform as briefed with stated exceptions.
ALPHA CHECK	Verification of the position of a Bullseye or related point.
ANGELS	Height of friendly aircraft in thousands of feet MSL.
AUTHENTICATE	Method to verify communication with allied agencies.
PLAYTIME	Time aircraft can remain on station (hours + minutes).
PICTURE	Request for mission information in digital bullseye format.
BRAA	Bearing, Range, Altitude, and Aspect relative to a friendly aircraft.
BULLSEYE	Reference point used to establish positions (bearing + range).
GROUP(S)	Any number of contacts within 3 nm of each other.
AZIMUTH	Two groups separated laterally (by cardinal directions).
RANGE	Two groups separated along a line of bearing (LEAD/TRAIL).
STACK	Two or more contacts in a group with ≥10,000 ft altitude separation.
MONITOR	Maintain sensor awareness on a group or object.
CLARA	Radarscope clear of enemy contacts.
CLEAN	No radar contacts on bandits, bogies, or aircraft of interest.
DRAG / COLD	Contact aspect stabilized 000–070°.
BEAM	Contact aspect stabilized 070–110°.
FLANK	Contact aspect stabilized 110–160°.
HOT / HEAD ON	Contact aspect stabilized 160–180°.
TRACKING	Direction of flight/movement (in bullseye format).
MARSHALLING	Positioning forces at a point for offensive operations.
BANDIT	Positively identified enemy (not clearance to engage).
BOGEY	Unknown contact.
HOSTILE	Enemy contact cleared for engagement (IAW ROE).
FURBALL	Friendly and non-friendly aircraft within 5 nm.
FOX ONE	Semi-active radar-guided missile fired.
FOX TWO	IR-guided missile fired.
FOX THREE	Active radar-guided missile fired.
ENGAGE	Directive to fire on a target.
GATE	Fly as fast as possible — afterburner.
BUSTER	Fly at maximum continuous speed — military power.
BREAK	(Direction) Immediate maximum-performance turn.
VISUAL	Sighting of a friendly aircraft, ground unit, or ship.
BLIND	No visual contact with friendly.
TALLY	Sighting of a target or enemy aircraft.
NO JOY	No visual contact with target or enemy.
MERGED	Radar tracks have come together (3–5 nm).
JUDY	Aircrew has control of intercept; controller minimizes comms.
DECLARE	Inquiry as to track ID. Responses: FRIENDLY / BOGEY / BANDIT / HOSTILE / NEUTRAL / UNABLE / FURBALL.
BOGEY DOPE	Request for info on indicated or nearest group in BRAA format.
Commit	Directive to engage / move to intercept
TARGETING	Fighter has acquired assigned group and assumes responsibility.
CONTACT	Individual radar return within a group.
HEAVY	Group with more than 3 elements.
HIGH	Target altitude above 40,000 ft.
FAST	Target speed 600–900 kts or Mach 1.0–1.5.
VERY FAST	Target speed above 900 kts / Mach 1.5+.