Scrambling (military)

An alarm start is a start of an aircraft in the shortest possible time after an alarm, generally after an emergency or in the military field in violation of territorial boundaries. An alarm started within five to ten minutes after triggering a corresponding alarm.

For this purpose, the aircraft is supplied to the floor with energy and all systems except the engines are turned on and ready for use. During rescue aircraft or helicopters, the flight personnel is in close proximity in a ready room and waiting for use. In military aircraft, the crew is often already aboard the plane.

Alarm starts were in the Cold War, a relatively common procedure and several aircraft of a squadron were always located in readiness. In the U.S. and the USSR, all bombers were in readiness to be able to in the event of a nuclear first strike ascend within a very short time to support retaliation.

The customary in the international aviation English name is scramble, after the English word for " scramble, scramble; Hunt, fight "or QRA (Quick Reaction Alert ).

A distinction is made between the Alpha Scramble ( genuine alarm start) and a tango Scramble (exercise).