Target

A target is a radar return — the indication on a radar display representing the position of an aircraft. A “primary target” is a PSR skin-return; a “secondary target” is an SSR transponder return. ATC tracks targets on their scope to provide separation and traffic information.

Target Identification

When ATC has correlated a radar target with a specific aircraft’s transponder return and flight plan, they will advise “radar contact.” An uncorrelated target is “unidentified traffic.” ATC may call traffic as a target to other aircraft: “traffic, two o’clock, five miles, unknown altitude” — this is a radar target description.

Related Terms

See also: RADAR, SSR, Transponder.