Fox is a brevity code used by NATO pilots to signal the release of an air-to-air munition or other combat function. A brevity code is a code used by organizations such as military forces that provides no security but which has as its sole purpose the shortening of messages rather than the concealment of their content. ... This article is about the military alliance. ... Aviators are people who fly aircraft either for pleasure or for a job. ... A US Navy VF-103 Jolly Rogers F-14 Tomcat fighter launchers an AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missile. ...

There are five variations of the Fox brevity word, with a number added to the end of Fox to describe the primary type of sensors the launched munition possesses (if applicable). In addition, a separate brevity word for gunfire exists and is grouped with the four Fox codes for convenience. A sensor is a technological device or biological organ that detects, or senses, a signal or physical condition. ...

Fox One - Indicates launch of a semi-active radar guided missile (such as the AIM-7 Sparrow) A RIM-7 Sea Sparrow being launched from the USS Essex (LHD-2). ...

Fox Two - Indicates launch of an infrared guided missile (such as the AIM-9 Sidewinder) The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. ...

Fox Three - Indicates launch of an active radar guided missile (such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM) The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM (pronounced am-ram), is a modern Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile (AAM) capable of all weather day and night performance. ...

Fox Four - Indicates simulated firing on a target by a bombardier.

Fox Mike - Indicates usage of VHF/FM radio systems.

Guns - Indicates air-to-air or air-to-surface cannon fire.