Definition
A single target shown on an air traffic controller's radar display when two or more aircraft are so close together that their individual radar returns merge into one indication, making it impossible for the controller to distinguish them as separate aircraft.
Plain English
When two aircraft are flying so close to each other that the controller's radar shows them as one blip instead of two.
Context Anchor
Seen in air traffic control and surveillance system discussions, especially where one display uses information from multiple sensors.
Derivation
Fused' comes from the Latin 'fundere,' meaning to pour or melt together. Two separate radar returns have effectively melted into a single image on the screen.
Why Pilots Care
Maintains continuous, accurate tracking of aircraft even when one sensor momentarily loses contact, reducing the chance of lost targets or false alerts.
Intuition Check
“Fused” does not mean damaged or burned out here. It means combined into one display item. “Target” does not mean something being aimed at; it means an aircraft shown on a surveillance display.
Example Sentence 1
The controller reported a fused target on the scope and immediately issued traffic alerts to both aircraft.
Example Sentence 2
ADS-B and radar data were merged to produce a single fused target that remained steady through a brief coverage gap.