General/Tactical Communication
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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
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
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 |
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.
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} |
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.
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} |
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.
For full procedural detail on BVR tactics, shoot doctrine, and DCA flow see Beyond Visual Range (BVR).
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:
SHADOW12 FOX THREE NORTH GROUP LEAD CONTACT; SHADOW11 FOX THREE NORTH GROUP TRAIL CONTACT
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 | |
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+. |