TARGET
•A target is an area, complex, installation, force, equipment, capability, function, or behavior identified for possible action to support the commander’s objectives, guidance, and intent
JP 3-60
- Targets fall into two general categories:
- Planned
- Immediate
TARGETING
The process of selecting and prioritizing targets and
matching the appropriate response to them, taking
account of operational requirements and capabilities
QUESTION TO ANSWER
.. With so much to attack and so little time (and space and assets, etc)…
- What do we attack?
- When do we attack?
- How do we find it?
• How do we attack it with synchronized fires
and maneuver?
• Did we answer the question and achieve the
commander’s intent?
TARGETING KEY MEMBERS
- The commander is responsible for the targeting effort. He typically delegates the overall management of the targeting team to the deputy commander or executive officer (XO)
- Key members:
- G2 or S2
- G3 or S3
- FSCOORD or fire support officer (FSO)
- Targeting officer
- Air liaison officer (ALO)
PERSONEL
Teaching points- Regardless of who may or may not be available the ALO, FSO and 2 are crucial in the targeting process.
Targeting Systems Comparison
HVT/HPT
- High-value target. A target the enemy commander requires for the successful completion of the mission. The loss of high-value targets would be expected to seriously degrade important enemy functions throughout the friendly commander’s area of interest. Also called HVT (JP 1-02)
- High-payoff target. A target whose loss to the enemy will significantly contribute to the success of the friendly course of action. High-payoff targets are those high-value targets that must be acquired and successfully attacked for the success of the friendly commander’s mission. Also called HPT (JP 1-02)
D3A
DECIDE
What do we want to attack and what effect are we trying to achieve
DETECT
How do we find the target and when do we attack
DELIVER
What asset will achieve the effect on the target and is it prepared to attack
ASSESS
Did we achieve the desired effect on the target – if not, do we re-attack
DECIDE
•High Payoff Target List (HPTL): Addresses priority for attack of targets, deconflicts competing demands
•
•Target selection standards (TSS): Addresses accuracy or other specific criteria that must be met before attacking the target
•
•Attack guidance matrix (AGM): Addresses which targets will be attacked when, how and the desired effects
DECIDE
HPTL
- HPTL identifies the HPTs for a specific point in the battle in the order of their priority
- Target value is usually the greatest contributing factor but other considerations may include:
- Order of occurrence on the battlefield
- Ability to locate and ID targets
- Degree of accuracy of TA systems
- Ability to engage and defeat the target
•Information flow to pass timely Intel from sensor
to shooter
•Resources required to achieve all of the above
DECIDE
HPTL2
HPTLs are used by the operations, intelligence and fire support cells as a planning tool to:
- Determine specific attack guidance (what)
- Develop the collection plan (when/where)
•Determine when and with what urgency a target should
be attacked
DECIDE
Target Selection Standards
- Provides the attack manager a ready reference with which to evaluate assets abilities that report to him
- Set of criteria applied to enemy activity
- Determines whether the enemy activity is a target
- Two categories: Targets and suspected targets
- Targets must meet accuracy and timeliness requirements to be attacked
DECIDE
ATTACK GUIDANCE MATRIX
- Addresses what priority HPTs are attacked, when, how and with any restrictions
- Consists of columns for:
- TGT categories
- Specific HPTS
- When TGTS are attacked
- How TGTS are attacked
- Any restrictions or special instructions for the attack
- NOTE: Staffs can vary the use and structure to meet local needs
DETECT
•Collection manager supervises execution of collection plan at each echelon and assists subordinates
•TA assets gather information and report – some
produce valid targets (Intel) – others require further processing (information)
•Targets (actual or suspected) that are ID’d but
not attacked are tracked IAW the attack guidance
matrix (AGM)
•Attack systems are tasked IAW with AGM and TSS as targets are developed
Targeting: Detect
- Detect:
- Maneuver Units
- SIGINT / HUMINT / IMINT
- TGT acquisition – (Fwd Observer / COLT/ JFO)
- ADA
- UAS
- CAS
•G2 / S2 main driver in the
collection effort
- Focus is on detecting and tracking targets ID’d in the decide function
- Collection Plan is essential in target ID and tracking
TARGETING
1DELIVER
Deliver:
- Maneuver units
- Air Force (CAS and AI)
- FA (Cannon and MLRS)
- ATACMs
- Mortars
- Attack helicopters
- SOF
- Electronic attack
- Naval surface fires
DELIVER
OBJECTIVES
- Primary objective is the attack of targets IAW AGM
- “Triggers” are key
- The tactical solution
- The time of the attack
- The desired effect, degree of damage, or both
- The attack system to be used
- The technical solution identifies:
- Number and type of munitions
- Unit to conduct the attack
- Response time of the attacking unit
ASSESS
STAFF
- Cdr / Staff conduct combat assessment (CA)
- CA determines effectiveness of force employment
- CA is composed of:
- Battle damage assessment (BDA)
- Munitions effects assessment
- Re-attack recommendation
- Commanders use tactical BDA to get a series of snapshots of effects on the enemy
- BDA helps determine targeting effectiveness
Battle Damage Assessment
The timely and accurate estimate of damage resulting from the application of military force, either lethal or nonlethal, against a predetermined objective… BDA is primarily an intelligence responsibility with required inputs and coordination from the operators. BDA is composed of physical damage assessment, functional damage assessment, and target system assessment.
JP 1-02
