Fox (code word)

Fox is a brevity code used by NATO pilots to signal the simulated or actual release of an air-to-air munition or other combat function. Army aviation elements may use a different nomenclature, as the nature of helicopter-fired weapons is almost always air-to-surface. "Fox" is short for "foxtrot", the phonetic designation for the letter "F", which is short for "fire". The radio call announcing that a weapon has been fired is intended to help avoid friendly fire, cueing other pilots to ensure that they do not maneuver into the path of harm.

There are four variations of the Fox brevity word, with a number added to the end of Fox to describe the primary type of sensors the launched munition possesses (if applicable). In addition, a separate brevity word for gunfire exists and is grouped with the four Fox codes for convenience.

Fox one
Indicates launch of a semi-active radar-guided missile (such as the AIM-7 Sparrow).[1]
Fox two
Indicates launch of an infrared-guided missile (such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder).[1]
Fox three
Indicates launch of an active radar-guided missile (such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-54 Phoenix).[1]
Fox four
Historical term indicating air-to-air or air-to-surface cannon fire. The term in current usage is Guns, Guns, Guns.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Multi-service Air-Air, Air-Surface, Surface-Air brevity codes". Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC). 25 April 1997: 14. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Webster, J. C.; C. R. Allen (2 August 1972). Speech Intelligibility in Naval Aircraft Radios (Technical report). San Diego, California: Naval Electronics Laboratory Center. p. 61. Archived from the original on 8 April 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
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