In a polar plot mission, what indicates how far above or below the observer's location the target is?

In a polar plot mission, the indicator that shows how far above or below the observer's location the target is referred to as Vertical Shift. This term specifically denotes the vertical displacement of the target relative to the observer's position. Vertical Shift captures the vertical component of the target's position, allowing for a clear understanding of any altitude differences between the observer and the target.

In contrast, while altitude refers to the height of the target itself and elevation generally describes the angle above a reference point, neither of these terms alone conveys the precise vertical relationship to the observer's point. Angle T usually relates to the angle of the target's trajectory or direction of fire, rather than its vertical position relative to the observer. Therefore, Vertical Shift accurately encapsulates the concept needed to determine how the target's position compares to the observer's in the vertical plane.