Which final instruction should be issued to a section with lead and wingman prior to lock-on?

• A. Wingman beacon on, Lead beacon off
• B. Lead beacon on, Wingman beacon off
• C. Both beacons on
• D. Beacons off

Answer: (B)

The main idea is to control how the section appears to the radar for a clean and unambiguous lock. In a two-ship element, you want a single, positive identification for the group as you move toward the moment of lock-on. Having only the lead’s transponder beacon on provides that clear reference: the radar sees one active ID for the section, anchored to the leader, which reduces clutter and the risk of misidentifying the wingman as the primary target.

If both beacons were on, the radar would receive two identifications for the same section, creating potential confusion in tracking and risking an incorrect lock. If the wingman’s beacon were on and the lead’s off, the radar could erroneously lock onto the wingman, not the designated leader, which defeats the purpose of establishing a clear lead reference. If beacons were off, there would be no positive identification to guide the lock, making the process unreliable.

So, the best instruction is to have the lead’s beacon on and the wingman’s beacon off to ensure a single, correct target identity for the lock-on.