During which phase must the aircraft be tracked and a fire control solution determined?

The phase during which the aircraft must be tracked and a fire control solution determined is the Engagement phase. This is the critical moment when systems are actively involved in identifying, targeting, and potentially engaging a threat, such as an aircraft. Tracking the aircraft is essential to ensure that accurate information is gathered for assessing its trajectory, speed, and intent.

A fire control solution involves calculating how to engage the target effectively, including determining the optimal launch parameters for any weapons system in use. This ensures that once the decision to engage is made, the response is precise and effective. The Engagement phase is all about real-time decision-making and executing actions based on the current operational environment, focusing on the actual engagement of threats.

In contrast, the Preparation phase involves planning and readiness activities, the Deployment phase relates to positioning assets and personnel, and the Recovery phase focuses on returning to a state of normalcy following an engagement or operation. Each of these phases plays its own role, but the active tracking and fire control solution are specifically required during the Engagement phase.