Operational Brevity words, BFM terminology, and Military Aviation Acronyms

Glossary terms starting with "H"



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Hamburger
A pilot of less-than-adequate skill. Hamburger in any wrapper is still hamburger, like a crappy pilot in any jet is still a crappy pilot. Reference to the effects of getting shot down on the appearance of the human body.
Hangar Queen
An aircraft that suffers chronic “downs”; hangar queens are often pirated for spares for the squadron’s other aircraft, so when the aircraft leave the carrier at the end of the cruise, the maintenance officer normally flies the hangar queen because he knows which parts have been taken (the “queen’s” ejection seats are especially well preflighted).
Hard (Direction)
High-G, energy sustaining turn.
Hard Turn
Maximum G turn sustaining energy. Whether to use AB or not is a briefing item.
HARM
High Speed Antiradiation Missile, AGM 88.
Harmonization
The adjustment of a gun and sight of an aircraft so that when within effective range, the tracking index will indicate the impact point of the bullets.
Hassle
Two or more aircraft involved in an air combat maneuver.
Have Quick
A UHF jam-resistant radio.
Hawk
Staying above the flight.
HCA
Heading Crossing Angle; the angle formed by the intersection of the fighter's present heading, and the target's present heading.
HDG
Heading
HDG SEL
Heading Select
Head
Target with an aspect of 160 deg. to 180 deg.
Head on a Swivel
Keeping an eye peeled for an ACM adversary; also called “doing the Linda Blair,” for the 360-degree head rotation in the movie The Exorcist
Heads Down
Call to infom aircrew that leader/wingman is head-down in the cockpit and wingman/leader is responsible for clearing.
Heads Up (Direction/Altitude)
Enemy/bogey got through; no kill.
HF
High Frequency
Hg
Mercury
HIAC
HARM interface adaptor computer.
HIDACZ
High Density Airspace Control Zone.
High
Target above 30,000 feet MSL.
High Angle (Snap) Shot
A gun shot made with a high track-crossing angle, normally attempted because a tracking shot was not possible or desired.
High Deflection Gunshot
Gun attack during which the fighter is firing as the bandit passes through the pipper at high angle-off. Tracking is impossible due to excessive line-of-sight rate of the bandit. High deflection gun shots normally terminate in close-in overshoots of the target's flight path by the attacker.
High Yo-Yo
An out of plane offensive BFM performed to control overtake while closing from a low aspect. Also used to reduce aspect angle.
HIMAD
High- and Medium-Altitude Air Defense.
HIMEZ
High Missile Engagement Zone (NATO).
Hit
Radar return in search (A/A). Weapons impact within lethal distance (air-to-ground [A/G]).
HMCS
Helmet Mounted Cueing System
HMD
Helmet Mounted Display
HMFIC
The Head Motherfucker in Charge
HMQS
Helmet Mounted Queing System
Hold Down
Directive to key transmitter for DF steer.
Holding Hands
Aircraft are joined in formation, implies visual contact by all flight members.
Home Plate
Home airfield.
Hook (Left or Right)
Directive to perform an in-place 180 deg. turn.
Hooking (Left or Right)
Directive/information call to approach target from a single/indicated side.
Hostile
A contact positively identified as enemy in accordance with (IAW) operational command ROE.
Hot
In context; attack geometry will result in rollout in front of the target; or on a leg of the CAP pointing toward the anticipated threats (A/A). Ordnance employment authorized, expected, or completed (A/G).
Hot Side
The side of the REO where the collision antenna train angle is located.
Hotel Fox
HF radio.
Hound Dog
Call made by supporting fighter or a wingman indicating he has visual, tally, and a clear path to the bandit and is in an advantageous position to engage. Clock position and distance are normally added to indicate bandit position relative to the flight, or wingman position relative to the leader.
HSI
Horizontal Situation Indicator
HTS
HARM Targeting System
HUD
Head-Up Display
Hunter-Killer
Flight mix of F-4C; Wild Weasel and other aircraft employed in SEAD operations.
HYD
Hydraulic
HYDRAZN
Hydrazine
Hz
Hertz