AFDP 3-60, page 8

Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-60, Targeting 5 Functional characteristics are often difficult to discern because they may not be directly observed. Reaching plausible conclusions can often entail speculation through deductive and inductive reasoning. Some examples include: target use, target status, functionality, materials required, ability to reconstitute, target vulnerabilities, and target capabilities. Cognitive Control and Information. These describe how individuals, groups, or automated systems think, exercise control functions, or process information. Understanding a target’s decision-making process, sources of influence, or cultural factors can be critical to creating desired effects, especially when targeting a system’s central controlling function. As with functional characteristics, these are often difficult to discern or deduce. Potentially exploitable characteristics include the target’s required inputs, information processing capacity, control functions, patterns and signatures, and cultural, social, and economic considerations. Environmental. These describe the effect of the environment on the target and its surroundings. They include factors such as weather, terrain, camouflage, and the civilian environment, all of which can influence engagement tactics and weapon selection. Temporal. These describe the target’s vulnerability to detection, engagement, or attack in relation to a time horizon. Because target priority and accessibility can change rapidly, this time factor can help determine when and how to find or engage a target. By comparing this factor to information latency and knowledge of friendly capabilities, the staff can make better recommendations regarding possible actions. PROCESSES, CATEGORIES, TYPES, SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS Airmen involved in the targeting process should understand how targets are processed, categorized, and prioritized. The standard targeting framework revolves around the two core processes (deliberate and dynamic), the categories and types of targets managed within them, and the special considerations applied to targets of unique importance. DELIBERATE TARGETING (PLANNED) Deliberate targeting is the systematic process for planned targets, the category of targets detected, identified, and developed in sufficient time to schedule actions against them in a specific tasking cycle. Planned targets are split into two types: scheduled and on call. Scheduled Targets. These are planned targets upon which fires or other actions are scheduled for prosecution at a specified time. These targets appear on an air tasking order (ATO) to synchronize actions with a specific delivery time or time on target. Diverting capabilities from scheduled targets could negatively impact desired effects during the execution period and should be weighed against the commander’s targeting guidance.