VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
6453 INDEPENDENT OPERATIONS
Independent operations may be planned and coordinated by the shore headquarters, OTC or air
coordinator. Independent operations will be necessary when aircraft are operating remote from a surface
force and under shore control, or are cooperating with ships and are beyond surveillance or
communications range. An aircraft selects its own speed, altitude, and heading; is responsible for its own
navigation and collision avoidance; and has tactical freedom to accomplish its task. To implement
independent operations, the code word SOLO may be used.
6454 CONTROLLED OPERATIONS
a. Terms and Definitions. The following terms and definitions are used to describe mission and
safety related control when ACUs are tactically controlling aircraft.
(1) Close Control. A form of aircraft mission control in which the aircraft is continuously controlled,
for altitude, speed, and heading, to a position from which the mission can be accomplished.
(2) Loose Control. A form of aircraft mission control in which the aircraft commander selects his
own speed, altitude, heading, and the appropriate tactics required to accomplish the assigned task. The
controlling unit will advise the aircraft of the current tactical picture and will provide further advice if
and when available.
(3) Broadcast Control. Broadcast control does not require a controller qualification. It is a form
of aircract mission control used in the absence of full capability or if the tactical situation precludes
close or loose control in which tactical/target information is passed to enable the aircraft to accomplish
the assigned task. The controlling unit, when possible, provides adequate warnings of hazards, but the
aircraft commander(s) is (are) responsible for aircraft navigation and collision avoidance. Two-way
communications are not a prerequisite for this type of control.
(4) Positive. The controlling unit is responsible for taking actions for collision avoidance, such as
ordering necessary alterations to heading, speed, and altitude to maintain separation criteria.
(5) Advisory. The controlling unit will provide adequate warnings of hazards affecting aircraft
safety. The aircraft commander is responsible for the aircraft’s navigation and collision avoidance.
b. Operational Use. These agreed terms and definitions and the operational use of the
combinations of the terms listed in Table 6-7 are based on:
(1) The two aspects of tactical control of aircraft, namely the aircraft’s mission and the aircraft’s
safety.
(2) The fact that, notwithstanding the safety aspects covered by the set of standard aircraft tactical
control terms, the aircraft commander is ultimately responsible for the aircraft’s safety. However, this
ultimate responsibility of the aircraft’s commander does not relieve the controlling unit from taking any
conceivable measure within the range of possibilities to ensure the aircraft’s safety.
(3) The fact that other than broadcast control, “control” means any combination of mission related
close/loose and safety related positive/advisory control. A combination is normally required to control
an aircraft tactically but in exceptional circumstances the terms close, loose, positive and advisory may
be used in isolation.
(4) The premise that no further PROWORDs or codewords additional to the combinations listed in
Table 6-7 are required to tactically control aircraft.
6-53 CHANGE 1