Operational Brevity words, BFM terminology, and Military Aviation Acronyms

Glossary terms starting with "C"



Add a Term

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z


C02
Carbon Dioxide
C02
Carbon Dioxide
CADC
Central Air Data Computer
CAG
Carrier Air Group.
CAG
Commander, Air Group. The officer (usually a captain) in charge of the air wing on a carrier.
Can Bird
Usually the Hangar Queen but it can be any aircraft that has been designated to have parts cannibalized from it.
CAP
Combat Air Patrol. Refers to either a specific phase of an air-to-air mission or the geographic location of the fighter's surveillance orbit during an air-to-air mission or to committing against a threat.
Cap/Cap(Location)
An orbit at a specified location. Establish a combat air patrol at (location).
CAPRE
Common Aircraft Portable Reprogramming Equipment
CARA
Combined Altitude Radar Altimeter
CAS
Close Air Support.
CAS
Close Air Support.
CAS Stack
A specified working area while performing a CAS mission.
Cata
Collision Antenna Train Angle. The azimuth of your radar antenna when tracking (locked on) a target that is on a collision course with your aircraft.
CAVTR
Color Airborne Video Tape Recorder
CBU
Cluster Bomb Unit.
CCA
Command and Control Agency.
CCIP
Continuously Computed Impact Point
CCIP
Common Configuration Implementation Program
CCRP
Continuously Computed Release Point
CCT
Combat Control Team.
CCW
Counterclockwise
CDI
Course Deviation Indicator
Cell
Two or more tankers/bombers flying in formation.
CENC
Convergent Exhaust Nozzle Control
CFF
Composite force training or con formal fuel tank.
CFSDR
Crash Survivable Flight Data Recorder
CFT
Conformal Fuel Tanks - They form fit into the top of the fuselage of the F-16 and can carry approximately 3,000 pounds of additional fuel.
Cg
Center Of Gravity - That point along the horizontal axis, fore and aft of which airplane weight is equal.
Chaff
Chaff is a passive form of electronic countermeasure used to deceive airborne or ground-based radar.
Chaff
Chaff is a passive form of electronic countermeasure used to deceive airborne or ground-based radar.
Chaff/ Flare
Directive to deploy CHAFF and / or FLARES and deselect AB (Situation permitting). Often added immediately after directing a flight member to do a defensive maneuver. Also informative by one using Chaff/Flare(s) as a reminder to his partner to use them when necessary.
Champagne
An attack of three distinct groups with two in front and one behind. The leading two groups are attempting to bracket with the trailing third group flying up the middle.
CHAN
Channel
Chandelle Turn
A near vertical turn up, used to attack a high bandit from a medium to front quarter aspect. Does not require as much altitude separation as the Immelmann turn. Should terminate in a rear hemisphere weapons envelope with overtake.
Chattermark
Begin using briefed radio procedures to counter comm jamming.
Cheap Shot
A qualifying statement to indicate the shot had low probability of success.
Check ( )
A directive statement made to momentarily monitor (specified items/systems).No response is required if status is normal.
Check Angels /Fuel
An information statement made by GCI to aircrew ng ACBT. No aircrew response required.
Check Left/Right
By GCI: Alter course ( ) degrees left or right momentarily for airborne search positioning, then resume original heading. By Flight Lead: Alter course to new heading, 30 degrees if not specified.
Chicks
Friendly fighter aircraft.
Christmas Tree
Directive to briefly turn on exterior lights to enable visual acquisition.
Circle (Right/Left)
Flight-lead-directed defensive maneuver in which the flight establishes a circular holding pattern for mutual support.
CIU
Central Interface Unit
CIVV's
Compressor Inlet Variable Vanes
Cl Max
Maximum Coefficient of Lift. Occurs at that angle of attack at which lift is maximum, thereby creating the maximum turn rate and maximum G loading for any condition of flight.
CLARA
Term used by Navy pilots on carrier landings when you roll out on final and do not see the "ball" in the optical landing system.
Clean
No radar contacts; used to confirm a good battle damage check (i.e., no air-to-surface ordnance remaining on the wingman's aircraft).
Clear
No enemy aircraft are a threat to your rear quadrantthat is, your six is clear. Also used when flight lead is authorizing change of command or role swap for wingman from supporting to engaged.
Cleared
Requested action is authorized (no engaged/support roles are assumed).
Cleared Dry
Ordnance release not authorized.
Cleared Hot
Ordnance release is authorized.
Clock Code
Description of position using the aircraft as a reference: the nose is 12 o'clock; the tail is 6 o'clock.
Close Control
A mode of control varying from providing vectors to providing complete assistance including altitude, speed, and heading.
Closing
Bandit/bogey/target is getting closer in range.
Closure
Relative velocity of one aircraft in relation to another.
CMDS
Counter measures defensive system
CMS
Counter Measures Set (ALQ-213)
CMWS
Common Missile Warning System
Cold
In context; attack geometry will result in a pass or roll out behind the target; or, on a leg of the CAP pointed away from the anticipated threats. Air-to-surface, dry or no-ordnance attack.
Cold Side
The side of the RED opposite that where collision antenna train angle occurs.
Collision Course
A flight path along which an aircraft is directed towards a point at which it will collide with another aircraft.
Comao
Combined Air Operations. Combat Separation (AWACS) See classified description para 4-2(b)5. Combined Multinational. Comm Jamming Attempt to interrupt communications.
Comeback High/ Low/Left/Right
Informative call requesting the addressed fighter to reposition accordingly.
Comeoff (Left/Right/High/Low/Dry)
A directive to maneuver as indicated to either regain mutual support or to deconflict flight paths for an exchange of engaged and supporting roles. Implies both "visual" and "tally."
Committed/Commit
Fighter intent to engage/intercept; weapons director (WD) continues to provide information.
Comparison Diagram
A chart comparing turn rate, radius, and excess power for two different aircraft. Also called energy/maneuvering (E/M) diagrams.
Compass Call
A C^3CM platform.
Composite Force Training
Scenarios employing multiple flights of aircraft, each under the direction of its own flight leader. Requires a minimum of three different types of aircraft in three different mission roles.
Condition Of Vulnerability
A condition with the defender in the lethal envelope of the attacker's weapon system. It is possible for combatants to arrive at a mutual condition of vulnerability, particularly during a head-on pass.
Coneheads
Electronic specialists. “Call the Coneheads, the radar is Tits Up again.”
CONFIG
Configuration
Conning
Leaving contrails or otherwise marking aircraft position (used to indicate opponent's contrails)
CONT
Control
Contact
Radar and/or IR pick-up at the stated position. Position usually stated in magnetic bearing, range, altitude (BRA), Bullseye, or geographic position format if locked on. Friend or foe unknown.
Continue
Continue present maneuver; does not imply clearance to engage or expend ordnance.
Corner Velocity
Minimum speed at which maximum allowable aircraft G can be attained. Minimum turn radius and maximum rate are achieved by most aircraft types at corner velocity. The F-16?s unique flight control character are such that it doesn't have a corner velocity in this classic sense.
Counteroffensive Maneuvering
Maneuvers which are performed by an aircraft under attack and which are designed to negate the present threat and proceed to an offensive position as the attacker.
Cover
Directive to assume briefed support position and responsibilities.
CPDG
Color Programmable Display Generator
CR
Control and Reporting.
Crank (Direction)
F-Pole maneuver; implies illuminating target at radar gimbal limits.
CRC
Control and Reporting Center.
CRIU
Conventional Remote Interface Unit
Cross Turn/Cross
A 180 heading reversal by a flight where aircraft turn into each other.
CRP
Control and Reporting Post.
CRS
Course
CRV
Canadian Rocket Vehicle
CS
Antipersonnel chemical incapacitating agent (tear gas).
CSA
Command Servo Actuator - The brain of the PDU, it is an electrical motor that is connected to the PDU by a mechanical arm linkage, this linkage tells the PDU which way to move the LEF's
CSAR
Combat Search and Rescue.
CSD
Constant-Speed Drive
CSMU
Crash Survivable Memory Unit
CTVS
Cockpit Television Sensor
Cutoff
Request for, or directive to, intercept using cutoff geometry.
CW
Clockwise
CWI
Continuous Wave Illuminator
C^2
Command and Control.
C^3
Command, Control, and Communications.
C^3Cm
Command, Control, and Communications Countermeasures.
C^3I
Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence.