Fighter Ops Terminology

A list of definitions and terms that are used in the world in military aviation, with particular reference to the FE@R scenario, set in 2015.

  • ALARM: Air-Launched Anti-Radar Missile. A British anti-radar weapon with the capability to loiter over a target area and to remember the location of a transmitter after said transmitter has been turned off. Carried by the Tornado GR.4 in real-life, I have added it to the Typhoon in this game although it is not currently fitted to RAF Typhoons.
  • ASMP: Air-Sol Moyenne Portée (medium-range air to surface missile). French air-launched nuclear-tipped cruise missile, carried by Rafales and intended as a final "warning shot" before use of French strategic nuclear weapons.
  • Bandit(s): Hostile aircraft
  • Black Shaheen: UAE version of the Storm Shadow missile, carried by F-16E/F Desert Falcons.
  • Bomber: Aircraft pretty much solely designed to attack ground and sea targets with bombs or cruise missiles. A 10,000 kg minimum warload is used here to distinguish bombers from strike aircraft.
  • Bomber (2): RN slang for an SSBN.
  • Boomer: USN slang for a SSBN.
  • Bogey(s): Unidentified aircraft.
  • Carpet Parade: A formal telling-off.
  • CVBG: US designation for a carrier battle group.
  • CVN: US designation for a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
  • DDG: US designation for a guided-missile destroyer
  • F-16 Fighting Falcon: A late 1970s 4th generation US fighter, widely used by both the USA and overseas air forces. Small, with a somewhat limited range, it can carry a potent array of weaponry and is highly agile.
  • FF: US designation for a frigate
  • FFG: US designation for a guided-missile frigate
  • Fighter Aircraft Generations**: Commentators broadly divide jet-powered fighters into six generations, based on their age and technological capabilities:
  • 1st Generation (c.1945 to c.1960) - Subsonic, usually armed with guns only for air-to-air combat. Can be highly agile, but now obsolete. Examples include the F-86 and the MiG-15.
  • 2nd Generation (c.1955 to c.1965) - Transonic (max speed just above Mach 1), armed with guns or primitive missiles. Very few remain in service today. Aircraft like the F-100 and the MiG-19.
  • 3rd Generation (c.1965 to c.1980) - Top speed around Mach 2 or 3, armed with missiles (sometimes in place of guns) and sometimes a two-man crew. The F-4 Phantom II is a classic third-gen fighter, along with the widely sold MiG-23. A few of these are still flying and have been upgraded over the years.
  • 4th Generation (c.1975 to c.1990) - Similar top speed to the 3rd Gens, but generally better weaponry with longer ranges. F-15s, MiG-29s etc. - these aircraft are widely seen today.
  • Generation 4.5 (c.2000 to present) - Modern supersonic, sometimes with supercruise (can cruise at over Mach 1) ability and advanced sensors. These are aircraft like the Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale. If you can't get a 5th Gen aircraft for whatever reason, you try to get one of these.
    • 5th Generation (c.2000 to present) - Stealthy aircraft with sensor fusion, advanced weapons and supercruise. Examples include the F-22, the F-35 and the PAK FA.
  • F2: Original version of the Eurofighter Typhoon, only capable of air-to-air combat. In this game, Oman has purchased 12 of these second-hand from the RAF.
  • FGR4: Full version of the Eurofighter Typhoon.
  • Frigate: These days, a reasonably small warship intended for the defence of other vessels against submarine and surface attack.
  • Interview Without Coffee: British Army slang for a telling off.
  • MCMV: Mine Counter Measures Vessel - mine hunter
  • MiG-29MiG-29: A 1980s originating Soviet/Russian light fighter aircraft, which is still in production and has been progressively upgraded. While it has a short range, it is considered highly agile and a potent weapon when carrying the off-boresight R-73. Iran possesses approximately 35 of these in fully operational form.
  • Press TV: Iranian television channel. No longer broadcast in the United Kingdom after Ofcom revoked its licence in early 2012.
  • RAF: Royal Air Force
  • RN: Royal Navy
  • RNLAF: Royal Netherlands Air Force
  • Shafvad (Skewer): Fictitious Israeli cruise missile - basically a Tomahawk clone.
  • S-200/SA-5 Gammon: A family of 1960s Soviet-built very long range medium to high altitude SAM systems. Iran operates the S-200VE Vega-E/SA-5b version, with a maximum range of 155 statute miles and a ceiling of 95,000 feet. While those figures look impressive, the S-200 system is severely limited in capability against modern fighter aircraft and cannot handle multiple targets at once. In addition, it can be operated from pre-prepared sites, which would be primary targets for cruise missile strikes.
  • S-300PMU/SA-10f Grumble: A Soviet/Russian-built strategic SAM system, part of the S-300 family. Considered one of the most advanced systems on Earth despite never having been fired in anger, it is widely considered a serious threat to any non-stealth aircraft. Iran arranged to purchase these from Russia, but delivery was ultimately not made due to UN sanctions. Tehran has claimed to have acquired/developed S-300s, but this is widely believed to be propaganda.
  • SAM: Surface to Air Missile.
  • SSM: Surface to Surface Missile.
  • SSBN: Nuclear-powered, ballistic missile armed submarine.
  • SSK: Diesel-powered patrol submarine.
  • SSN: Nuclear powered submarine.
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  • Storm Shadow: Air launched cruise missile with a range of about 150 miles, carried by RAF Typhoons and Tornadoes.
  • Type 23 Frigate (aka Duke class): A British anti-submarine warfare frigate, entering service from the early 1990s. 16 were built, 13 of which remain in service with the RN and three having been sold to Chile. Equipped with 8 Harpoon anti-shipping missiles and a 4.5 inch main gun for anti-surface operations, as well as an on-board helicopter for sub-hunting and anti-surface operations, its primary air defence weapon is the short-ranged but potent Sea Wolf.
  • UAE: United Arab Emirates