Fox (code word)

Template:Short description Template:Missing information 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 NATO phonetic designation for the letter "F", which is short for "fire". A fighter pilot announcing that a weapon has been fired is intended to help avoid friendly fire, alerting other pilots to avoid maneuvering into the path of the munition. The term has also been seen in use with the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

There are three variations of the Fox brevity word in use, with a number added to the end of Fox to describe the primary type of sensors the launched munition possesses (if applicable). This includes autocannons and collisions.

File:F-22 Raptor launching AIM-9 Sidewinder - 021105-O-9999G-072.jpg

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fires an AIM-9 Sidewinder | Fox Two

File:F-14A Tomcat of VF-201 launches AIM-7M c1987.jpg

Grumman F-14 Tomcat firing an AIM-7 Sparrow | Fox One

Fox one

Indicates launch of a semi-active radar homing missile (such as the AIM-7 Sparrow).

Fox two

Indicates launch of an infrared homing missile (such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder).

Fox three

Indicates launch of an active radar homing missile (such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-54 Phoenix (Terminal Phase Only).

File:F-14A of VF-143 fires Phoenix missile 1984.JPEG

Grumman F-14 Tomcat fires an AIM-54 Phoenix Missile | Fox Three

Prior to the advent of active radar homing missiles the code "Fox three" referred to the use of guns or cannon, such as the M61 Vulcan which is used in various military aircraft. The difference can be noted in various war films, notably in the 1986 film Top Gun, where the term is used in various dogfight scenes.

See also

• Multiservice tactical brevity code

References

2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0709088/goofs/ 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc. Withdrawn on December 9, 2023

External links

• Multiservice Brevity Codes from the Defense Technical Information Center