You're inbound to the target area, fuel state comfortable, weapons armed. Then the radio crackles: "Hawg 1-1, Overlord. Ready for 9-line."

What follows is a rapid-fire stream of information that will define your attack. Miss something, and you might hit friendlies. Get confused, and you'll be circling while the JTAC repeats everything. Master it, and you become the kind of pilot ground forces want overhead.

The 9-line brief is the standardised format for passing target information from a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) to attack aircraft. It's called a "9-line" because it contains nine distinct lines of information—though in practice, you'll often hear abbreviated versions.

Who Gives You a 9-Line?

In real-world operations, 9-lines come from JTACs—Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. These are specially trained personnel embedded with ground forces who coordinate air support. They see the battlefield, identify targets, and control aircraft to put ordnance where it's needed while keeping it away from friendlies.

In DCS World, you'll receive 9-lines from:

Human JTACs in multiplayer servers (the gold standard for realistic CAS)
AI JTAC modules in missions using the Combined Arms DLC or scripted scenarios
Mission briefings that pre-script target information
Self-designation when you're operating autonomously (you effectively become your own JTAC)

The key point: treat whoever gives you a 9-line as the authority on what's happening on the ground. They can see things you can't.

What a JTAC actually looks like—radio in hand, eyes on target, coordinating your attack while you're still ten miles out.

The Nine Lines Explained

Here's a quick reference, followed by detailed explanations:

Line	Name	What It Tells You	Example
1	IP/BP	Starting point for attack run	"IP Alpha"
2	Heading	Direction from IP to target (magnetic)	"270"
3	Distance	Range from IP to target (NM)	"8 miles"
4	Elevation	Target altitude (feet MSL)	"1,250 feet"
5	Description	What you're attacking	"T-72 platoon in treeline"
6	Location	Precise coordinates	"GB 123 456"
7	Mark	How target is marked	"Laser, code 1688"
8	Friendlies	Where friendly forces are	"South 400 metres"
9	Egress	Direction to fly after release	"Egress east"

Now let's break down each line in detail:

Line 1: IP/BP (Initial Point or Battle Position)

The starting point for your attack run. This is a pre-briefed reference point that both you and the JTAC know. In DCS, this is often a named waypoint or geographic feature.

Example: "IP Alpha" or "IP Waypoint 3"

Line 2: Heading (Degrees Magnetic)

The heading from the IP to the target, given in magnetic degrees. This tells you which direction to fly from the IP to reach the target.

Example: "270" means fly west from the IP

Line 3: Distance (Nautical Miles)

How far from the IP to the target. Combined with Line 2, you now have a vector from your reference point to the target.

Example: "8 miles"

Line 4: Target Elevation (Feet MSL)

The target's elevation above mean sea level. Critical for weapons delivery calculations, especially for dumb bombs. Get this wrong and your bombs land long or short.

Example: "1,250 feet"

Line 5: Target Description

What you're attacking. This helps you confirm you've found the right target and aren't about to strike something else.

Example: "T-72 tank platoon in tree line" or "Enemy infantry in compound"

Line 6: Target Location (Coordinates)

The precise grid reference or coordinates for the target. This is your primary method of finding the target, usually given in MGRS (Military Grid Reference System) or lat/long.

Example: "Golf Bravo 123 456" (MGRS) or coordinates in degrees/minutes/seconds

Line 7: Type of Mark

How the JTAC is marking the target for you. Common marks include:

Smoke: Coloured smoke grenade near the target
IR Pointer: Infrared laser visible through NVGs or targeting pods
Laser: Laser designation for guided munitions (includes the laser code)
WP: White phosphorus marking round
None: No mark—you find it yourself from the coordinates

Example: "Laser, code 1688" or "Red smoke"

Line 8: Location of Friendlies

Where friendly forces are relative to the target. This is life-or-death information. The JTAC gives a cardinal direction and distance.

Example: "South 400 metres" means friendlies are 400m south of the target

Line 9: Egress Direction

Which way to fly after weapon release. This keeps you clear of friendly positions, known threats, and other aircraft.

Example: "Egress east" or "Egress left pull"

Grouping the Lines for Memory

Trying to memorise nine separate items in sequence while flying is hard. Instead, group them by purpose:

"Where do I start and how do I get there?"

IP → Heading → Distance
These three lines form a vector from a known point to the target

The Target Block (Lines 4-6)

"What am I hitting and where exactly is it?"

Elevation → Description → Coordinates
Everything you need to identify and locate the target

The Attack Block (Lines 7-9)

"How do I find it, avoid friendlies, and get out?"

Mark type → Friendlies → Egress
The execution details for your attack run

Think of it as: Get There → Find It → Execute

Mnemonics That Actually Work

Several mnemonics exist for the 9-line. Here's one that sticks:

"I Hate Dogs That Dig Deep Holes For Escaping"

IP
Heading
Distance
Target elevation
Description
Designation (coordinates)
How marked
Friendlies
Egress

Another approach is the 3-3-3 method: just remember three groups of three.

Navigation (1-2-3): IP, Heading, Distance Target (4-5-6): Elevation, Description, Coordinates Execution (7-8-9): Mark, Friendlies, Egress

Pick whatever works for your brain—the goal is instant recall under pressure.

Recording 9-Lines While Flying

Here's the challenge: you're flying an aircraft, managing systems, watching for threats, and someone is reading you nine pieces of critical information at conversational speed. How do you capture it all?

Option 1: The Kneeboard

DCS has a built-in kneeboard (default key: K). Many aircraft have blank pages for notes. Before the mission, have a blank 9-line template ready.

Create a simple grid:

1. IP: _______      4. Elev: _______    7. Mark: _______
2. Hdg: _______     5. Desc: _______    8. Frnds: _______
3. Dist: _______    6. Coords: _______  9. Egrs: _______

Write shorthand. "T-72 plt NW tree line" is faster than the full description.

Option 2: Paper and Pen

Old school, but effective. Many real-world pilots still use paper on their actual kneeboard. Keep a notepad next to your keyboard with a pre-drawn 9-line template.

Option 3: The UFC/CDU

In aircraft like the A-10C II, you can enter coordinates directly into the CDU during the brief. This saves transcription time—the coordinates go straight into the system as a waypoint.

Option 4: Repeat-Back

If you miss something, ask. "Overlord, Hawg 1-1, say again Line 6" is always acceptable. Good JTACs expect readbacks anyway—they want confirmation you got it right.

Recording Tips

Pre-brief your IP: Know where IP Alpha is before the mission. That's one line you don't need to write.
Abbreviate everything: 270/8/1250/T72x3/GB123456/LSR1688/S400/E-EAST
Coordinates are critical: Get Line 6 right. Everything else is supplementary.
Friendlies are sacred: Line 8 is why CAS pilots have nightmares. Never lose track of this.

Processing the Brief: A Mental Workflow

When you receive a 9-line, here's a mental process that keeps you ahead:

1. Acknowledge and Write

As the JTAC talks, write. Don't try to visualise yet—just capture the data.

2. Confirm the Critical Items

After the brief, confirm:

Coordinates (Line 6): Read them back
Friendlies (Line 8): Read them back
Restrictions: Any weapons or attack headings you can't use

3. Build the Picture

Now visualise:

Where is the IP? (You should already know this)
What heading takes me to the target?
What will I see when I get there?
Where are the friendlies relative to my attack axis?

4. Plan the Attack

What weapon am I using?
What altitude and airspeed do I need?
Can I see/designate the target from my approach heading?
Does my egress keep me clear of friendlies and threats?

5. Call In and Execute

"Overlord, Hawg 1-1 is IP inbound" — you're on your way.

Abbreviated 9-Lines

In practice, you often won't get all nine lines. Experienced JTACs and pilots use abbreviated briefs:

Common shortened versions:

Lines 4, 6, 8: Just elevation, coordinates, and friendlies
"Talk-on": JTAC guides you visually rather than giving coordinates
"Type 2 or Type 3 control": More autonomous attacks where you find and confirm the target yourself

The full 9-line is typically reserved for Type 1 control, where the JTAC must visually acquire both the target and the attacking aircraft before clearing weapons release. This is used when friendlies are danger close.

Danger Close

When friendlies are near the target, the JTAC will call "Danger Close" along with the proximity. The standard danger close distances vary by weapon type:

Weapon Type	Danger Close (0.1% PI)
Guns (20-30mm)	150m
Rockets (2.75")	200m
500 lb bombs	375m
2000 lb bombs	600m+

Danger close doesn't mean don't attack—it means be precise. The JTAC is accepting responsibility for the risk. You're accepting responsibility for the delivery.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Entering coordinates wrong Transpose two digits and your bomb lands a kilometre away. Read back coordinates and double-check your CDU entry.

2. Forgetting friendlies Line 8 exists because people have died. Always know where friendlies are before you pickle.

3. Fixating on the target Tunnel vision on the target makes you predictable. Threats don't pause while you're setting up your attack.

4. Not asking for clarification If something doesn't make sense, ask. "Overlord, confirm friendlies south, 400 metres?" beats guessing.

5. Rushing The JTAC gave you a brief, not a countdown. Take the time to set up properly. A good attack beats a fast miss.

Practicing 9-Lines in DCS

Several ways to build this skill:

1. Human JTAC Servers Multiplayer servers with dedicated JTAC players offer the most realistic practice. Check out servers like Hoggit, 476th vFG, or through groups.

2. Combined Arms The DCS Combined Arms module lets another player act as JTAC with a proper interface. Great for coordinated practice.

3. Single-Player Missions Many community missions include scripted JTAC interactions. Search for "CAS training" missions on the User Files section.

4. Practice with Templates Even without a mission, practice writing 9-lines from dictation. Have a friend read them to you while you write. Speed and accuracy come with repetition.

The Bottom Line

The 9-line brief is a contract between the JTAC and the pilot. They provide the information; you deliver the ordnance. When it works well, it's one of the most satisfying experiences in DCS—hearing "Good hits, good hits" after putting a bomb exactly where it needed to go.

Master the 9-line and you become the pilot JTACs request by name. Struggle with it, and you'll be circling overhead asking for repeats while the situation on the ground changes.

It's worth the practice.

For hands-on CAS training with experienced JTACs, consider booking a session with one of our attack aviation tutors. They can walk you through 9-lines in real-time while you fly, building the skills faster than solo practice ever will.

Understanding 9-Line Briefs: The CAS Pilot's Essential Skill