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PART 1

THE TARGETING PROCESS

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The purpose of this video is to provide maneuver brigade and battalion task force commanders and their staffs with a guide to conducting targeting meetings. These meetings, sometimes called synchronization or focus meetings, have proven to be the most effective method of focusing and synchronizing the task force's combat power to determine and then attack those targets essential to the success of the unit's mission. They are routinely conducted by the most successful units. Targeting is a combined arms process requiring the full integration and participation of all battlefield operating systems to ensure that the right target is attacked by the right asset at the right time. Since the targeting process is designed to integrate, synchronize and focus the combat power of the unit, it must be effectively integrated into the brigade battle rhythm.

The targeting process is an excellent way of organizing the efforts of the staff to determine what enemy targets to attack, how to find targets, and how to attack them. Targeting involves many detailed actions and analysis to select the targets essential to the success of the mission. Targeting also determines the best mix of sensor and attack systems. Targeting like training, requires the personal time, energy, and attention of the commander. Therefore, it is important for the commander to understand and be involved in the targeting process. Command emphasis makes a difference. The difference is communicating a clear vision of what needs to be accomplished throughout the targeting process. This vision combines and synchronizes the art and science of each battlefield operating system and brings a focused winning effort to the daily fight.

This video will discuss the targeting process, targeting meeting preparation and execution, the products that will come out of the targeting meeting, and how the timing of the targeting meeting and the issuing of the subsequent fragmentary order is critical to the smooth battle rhythm of the task force.

Successful targeting requires that commanders and their staffs possess:

• An understanding of the functions associated with the targeting process.

• Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of organic and supporting target acquisition and attack systems.

• The ability to integrate and synchronize BOSs horizontally within their command posts and vertically with higher and lower echelons.

Targeting Methodology

The manner used to translate the commander's intent into a plan is the decide, detect, deliver, and assess methodology. This helps the commander to decide what targets to attack, how to acquire those targets, and when those targets are found, how to attack them in a way that meets his intent. And finally, it enables him to discern whether his guidance has been met. Targeting is a dynamic process; it must keep up with the changing face of the battlefield. The decide, detect, deliver and assess methodology facilitates the attack of the right target with the right asset at the right time.

Decide

The decide function is the first step of the targeting process. This is where the staff develops the recommended High Payoff Target List (HPTL) which is the prioritized list of those targets which must be acquired and attacked for the friendly mission to succeed. It provides the overall focus and sets priorities for intelligence collection and attack planning. The decide function should answer the following questions:

• What targets should be acquired and attacked?

• In what priority should targets be attacked?

• When and where are the targets likely to be found?

The final product of the decide function is the high payoff target list, which will indicate the prioritized targets to be acquired and attacked for each phase of the battle. The number of target priorities should not be excessive. Too many priorities will dilute the intelligence collection, acquisition and attack efforts.

Detect

Detect is the next critical function of the targeting process. The decisions that are made in the detect function are reflected in the staffs development of the intelligence collection plan or reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) plan and the target selection standards (TSS). The detect function should answer the following questions:

• Where are the targets?

• Who or what can locate the targets?

• What accuracy of target location will be required to attack the target?

• How long will the target remain once acquired?

The S2 is the main figure in directing the effort to detect the HPTs identified in the decide function. This process determines accurate, identifiable, and timely requirements for collection systems.

The final products of the detect function are the intelligence collection or reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) plan and the target selection standards (TSS).

Deliver

The deliver function of the targeting process determines the attack guidance and the selection of an attack system or combination of systems. The decisions that are made in the deliver function are reflected in the staffs development of the attack guidance matrix, schemes of maneuver, and fire plans. The deliver function should answer the following tactical as well as technical questions.

Tactical Questions:

• When should the target be attacked?

• What is the desired effect, degree of damage, or both?

• What attack system (lethal or non-lethal) should be used ?

Technical Questions:

• What unit will conduct the attack?

• What is the number and type of munitions to be employed?

• What is the response time of the attacking unit?

The attack guidance, as recommended by the staff, should be approved by the commander. The guidance should detail the following:

• When , how, and desired effects of attack

• Any special instructions

The targeting team determines the attack system for each target. All attack assets should be considered. Attacking targets should optimize the capabilities of:

• Light and heavy ground forces

• Attack helicopters

• Indirect fire assets (field artillery, mortars, naval gunfire)

• Engineers (countermobility)

• Close air support

• Electronic warfare

• Psychological operations

• civil affairs

• deception

• ADA

Effects refers to the target attack criteria. The targeting team should specify attack criteria according to the commanderÕs general guidance. Target attack criteria should be given in quantifiable terms. The criteria may be expressed as a percentage of casualties or destroyed elements, time, and allocation or application of assets.

Additionally the targeting team should identify accuracy or time constraints, required coordination, limitations on amount or types of ammunition, and requirements for BDA.

The final products of the deliver function are the attack guidance, schemes of maneuver, and fire plans which support each phase of the operation.

Assess

Battle damage assessment (BDA) is the timely and accurate estimate of damage resulting from the application of military force, either lethal or nonlethal, against a target. BDA in the targeting process pertains to the results of attacks on targets designated by the commander. BDA accomplishes the following:

• Provides commanders with timely and accurate snapshots of their effectiveness on the enemy and an estimate of the enemyÕs combat effectiveness, capabilities, and intentions.

• Helps determine if reattack is necessary.

INTEGRATION OF THE TARGETING PROCESS INTO THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

The initial targeting effort should be integrated into the unit's tactical decision-making process. As the staff is developing its plan for future operations, they should use the decide, detect, deliver, assess methodology to ensure the synchronization of the plan.

Mission Analysis

During mission analysis the S2 determines the high value targets (HVTs) that resulted from his analysis of the enemy COAs. This HVT list should detail the capabilities and limitations of each target. Additionally, each staff member should review the assets available to acquire (detect), attack (deliver), or assess targets.

Commander's Guidance

Following the commander's approval of the restated mission, he issues his guidance to his staff. This guidance provides the staff an initial planing focus. The commander identifies the enemy COA, along with its associated HVTs, which he considers most probable or most dangerous. He should also identify an initial focus on targets he deems critical to mission success. While issuing guidance on the scheme of maneuver, the commander should issue his initial attack guidance by indicating his desired effect on targets he deems critical to the mission.

Course of Action Development

During the development of each course of action, the staff should determine the targets which, if successfully attacked, would contribute to the success of the mission. Forces are arrayed to acquire and then attack these tentative HPTs to meet the commander's guidance.

Course of Action Analysis and Comparison

The staff analyzes the courses of action by wargaming, risk assessment, and a comparison of the wargaming results. During wargaming the staff prioritizes the HPTs, determines which assets are available to acquire the targets (this becomes the basis for the S2s R&S plan), and which attack mechanisms are available to achieve the maximum desired effects on the target. Target selection standards are determined to identify the time and accuracy requirements necessary to launch attacks on HPTs. Additionally, wargaming should identify the requirements to assess the results of an attack to determine BDA or reattack to meet the attack criteria. The results of the wargaming are reflected in the development of the initial targeting synchronization matrix which indicates:

• The prioritized HPTs

• The HPTs' known, suspected, or templated locations

• The asset tasked to acquire or detect it

• The asset or delivery means tasked to attack it

• The desired effects

• Any requirement for assessment and the asset tasked to conduct BDA

During the comparison of courses of action the staff can use the COAs ability to achieve the commander's attack guidance as a criteria for comparison.

Table of Contents
Fire Support Planning Sequence
The Targeting Process, Part 2: Preparation for Targeting Meeting