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 NATO 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 avoid maneuvering into the path of harm.

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).

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).[1]

Fox Four (no longer used, replaced by Guns Guns Guns)

Indicates either launch of an unguided round (such as those fired by the M61 Vulcan), or launch of a simulated unguided round; replaced by abbreviation Guns Guns Guns sometime after World War 2. [1]

For a full list of NATO brevity codes, click here