Fundamentals of Targeting and Weaponeering

Audience: Analysts and leaders within the IC that will support kinetic targeting applications are highly encouraged to attend “Basic Targeting and Weaponeering,” in order to have a baseline understanding of the daily responsibilities and expectations of a target analyst. This course is also ideal for both civilians and contractors that will fill a supporting role in contingency operations.

Course Length: 60 hrs/10 days

Measurement: Recommended no more than 24 students no less than 12
Location: Colorado Springs, CO or Worldwide

Targeting Cycle – This lesson provides a detailed overview of the targeting cycle. This material is not testable and is intended to refresh students on the phases of targeting.

How Objectives Drive Weaponeering – This lesson will focus on the importance of understanding a commander’s objectives relative to the weaponeering process. Attention will also be given to understanding the given “desired effects,” as well as how Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and Rules of Engagement (ROE) can have an effect on final determination of weaponeering solutions.

Weapon System Characteristics and Damage Mechanisms – Provides foundational understanding on weapon components to include general purpose bombs, fuzes, and guided munitions. Students will also learn about damage mechanisms and effective employment against a target. Upon completion of this lesson, students should be able to identify proper warhead, weapon, and fuze terminology. Students will have a basic understanding of the various air-to surface weapons available for targeting.

Target Development – Students will prepare a target vulnerability study, which sets the course for understanding how weaponeering solutions are determined. Students will receive a refresher on the main components of an electronic target folder and will be expected to rationalize weaponeering solutions for a given target. Students must fulfill an assignment and be evaluated on: Preparing and presenting a target vulnerability study, identifying critical nodes, providing logical weaponeering solutions, as well as identifying potential collateral damage mitigation techniques.

Weaponeering Theory and Principles – Students will gain a basic understanding of weaponeering and the tasks of a weaponeer. Students will learn the three pillars of weaponeering and the types of force available to prosecute targets. Identify and understand the nine steps of weaponeering which will be used to provide weaponeering solutions for specific targets. They will also be taught the general principles of Probability of Damage (PD).

Weaponeering Information for Specific Targets – Students will be provided guidance on how to approach a variety of targets – organized by target type. For each type of target, primary facets of the weaponeering problem will be discussed and analyzed. Students will be expected to reference and consider these learned facets for developing weaponeering solutions for certain target types throughout the weaponeering process.

Target Vulnerability and Weapon Effects – Students will learn about target vulnerability and susceptibility of target types. Student will also be taught to understand: Effectiveness Indexes, delivery accuracy and accuracy measurements.

Special Weaponeering Problems – In many cases, a weaponeer is faced with a situation where the target is somewhat nebulous. For example, an aircraft under a revetment; although the aircraft is the target, the revetment itself becomes a target that can no longer be weaponeered for utilizing known effective weapons and delivery methods that would work against an aircraft. A select few of these special weaponeering problems will be addressed in this portion of the curriculum.

Weaponeering for Bridges – A brief description of bridges will be given. Instruction will be provided on methodologies to achieve certain objectives when weaponeering for a bridge. Students will provide weaponeering solutions on a given bridge and evaluated on each target set.

Collateral Damage Effects – This lesson will cover the processes in place for conducting collateral damage estimation. At the conclusion of this lesson, students will be able to analyze and understand mitigation techniques for conducting CDE estimates.