What brevity term means to mark or indicate a target by infrared (IR) pointer?

The term that refers to marking or indicating a target using an infrared (IR) pointer is "Sparkle." This brevity term is commonly utilized in military communications to instruct personnel to employ an IR laser to highlight a target for identification or engagement. When a unit has received a command to "sparkle," they are expected to use their IR pointer to create a visible signal that can be detected by other assets, such as aerial platforms equipped with appropriate sensors, thus enhancing the accuracy of targeting and minimizing the risk of fratricide.

In the context of joint military operations, effectively communicating the status of targets is crucial for coordination, and "sparkle" serves this purpose by providing a clear and concise method to visually indicate enemy positions. This is especially important in situations where other visual methods (such as smoke or marking rounds) may be less effective or when operations are conducted at night or in adverse weather conditions, making IR signals particularly valuable.