W/EAD 1-3 Obtain Needed Target Data

Question 1

Targeting is…

Answer 1

The process of selecting and prioritizing targets and matching the appropriate response to them, considering operational requirements and capabilities.

Controlled by strategy, the law of war, and ROE

May drive tactical planning by constraining where,when, and how some weapons are used.

Question 2

What are the types of targets?

Answer 2

Deliberate
Dynamic

Question 3

What is a deliberate target?

Answer 3

Provides a systematic analytical approach that focuses targeting efforts on supporting operational requirements and the commander’s objectives.

Question 4

What is a dynamic target?

Answer 4

All targeting that is prosecuted outside of a given day’s preplanned Air Task Order (ATO) targets (i.e., the unplanned and unanticipated targets)

Question 5

How to obtain needed target data?

Answer 5

1. Record Target Identification Data
2. Resolve Target Descriptions and Elements of Interest

Question 6

Explain Record Target Identification Data

Answer 6

The target number, name, coordinates, and other identifying information should be recorded. ​

This information may be provided by higher headquarters if they task specific targets or by target intelligence specialists if the target was locally developed.

Question 7

Explain Resolving Target Descriptions and Elements of Interest

Answer 7

1. Intelligence specialists are responsible for performing all-source analysis of enemy target systems to provide the weaponeer a set of selected targets to concentrate on. ​

They may also recommend critical elements at each target. ​

The weaponeer, working with many of the same materials used in the target development process, decides: ​
A) optimum points of attack​
B) target elements that are both critical and vulnerable​

A thorough analysis considers both the physical and functional aspects of the target

Identification of critical elements should be based on specific target vulnerability analyses, if available, and the general target vulnerability considerations addressed in JMEMs.​

It is absolutely essential that the weaponeer adequately consider how the target functions in selecting critical components for attack.​

To develop good target descriptions for weaponeering, it is best to use both textual descriptions and imagery​

Textual descriptions provide construction details and sizes of many targets, but the weaponeer needs imagery to visualize the layout of critical elements

Question 8

Describe Aspects of Targeting

Answer 8

Enemy force posture​

Capabilities and movement​

Tactics, techniques, and procedures​

Centers of gravity​

Target vulnerabilities​

Enemy leadership’s intentions, habits, movement patterns​

The flow and interconnections of enemy economic behavior​

The linkages and interconnections within major infrastructure systems, such as:​

Electrical power and electronic communications webs. ​

The process also takes into account such things as friendly objectives, CONOPS, ROE, target time constraints, and friendly force capabilities.

Question 9

Resolve Target Descriptions and Elements of Interest (complex targets)

Answer 9

Elementizing is mapping out the smallest area that can encompass groups of similar target elements so close together that they should be weaponeered as an area target.​

Accurate target dimensions are essential for weaponeering​

If available target materials do not provide the dimensions of target elements of interest, there are two basic options to obtain the needed information:​

If imagery interpretation (II) support is available, the areas of interest outlined on a clear overlay of the photograph should be furnished to II, and estimated dimensions for the buildings, areas, or other target components that have been highlighted should be requested​

If no II support is available, the weaponeer must make estimates