Military air traffic controllers and fighter pilots use this term to designate an unknown radar track. It simply means the identity of the aircraft is unverified, distinguishing it from a friendly contact or a confirmed enemy threat. Once a bogey is positively identified as hostile, its designation changes to bandit.
Heard on the job
We've a fast-moving bogey at our twelve o'clock, altitude two thousand feet, intercepting now.
Also heard as
- bogie
Do not mix it up with
- Bandit: A bogey is just an unidentified contact, while a bandit is positively identified as an enemy aircraft.