sorties

A sortie is a military mission assigned to a unit, typically an aircraft or naval force, that proceeds from its base and returns after completing its objective. In aviation, a sortie is the action of one aircraft carrying out a single mission from takeoff to landing, which may be combat, reconnaissance, close air support, or other operational roles. In naval terms, a sortie refers to the deployment of ships from a harbor or base to engage the enemy or execute a task, and it can involve coordinated actions by multiple vessels.

The term derives from the French sortir, meaning “to go out.” It entered military vocabulary through siege and field operations and later became standard in air power language as aircraft operations became more complex and measured by discrete missions rather than continuous actions.

Operational practice distinguishes several types of sorties, including combat sorties, reconnaissance sorties, electronic warfare sorties, and training sorties. Planning considers target and route selection, fuel and armament, weather, airspace restrictions, maintenance status, and crew rest. The duration of a sortie is constrained by fuel state, ordnance loads, and safety requirements, influencing overall mission design and risk assessment.

Sorties are quantified to gauge campaign tempo and readiness. Metrics such as sortie generation rate or sorties per day help planners assess aircraft availability, maintenance needs, and crew workload. A high rate indicates intensity and pressure on logistics, while a low rate can reflect limitations or strategic pacing.