How the U.S. Military Chooses What to Bomb

Quick Overview

The U.S. military targets adversaries using a seven-phase process called F3EAD (Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, Disseminate), which integrates sensors, command and control, long-range fires, and maneuver forces to achieve effects while minimizing collateral damage, often relying on specialized aircraft, drones, and persistent surveillance to locate and prosecute targets.

Key Points: The U.S. targeting process is structured around the seven phases of F3EAD: Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, and Disseminate. The 'Fix' phase involves surveillance, often using electronic means like cellular tracking, license plate readers, or security cameras, to maintain constant location awareness of the target. The 'Finish' phase requires Positive Identification (PID) and authorization before engaging, with a Noncombatant Cutoff Value (NCV) determining acceptable collateral damage, often set to zero for high-value targets. Air superiority (Phase 4) is crucial; specialized aircraft like F-16s and F-35s are used to secure air defenses (SEAD) and neutralize enemy air assets, as airfields are prime targets. The process relies heavily on Joint All Domain Operations (JADO), where any sensor can feed data to any shooter, ensuring rapid response against mobile targets. Logistics (Phase 6) is a critical vulnerability, as Iranian forces, for example, might lack the fuel or supplies to sustain operations or respond quickly to kinetic strikes. The overall goal is to achieve the desired effect with the minimum amount of damage, though the complexity of coordinating multiple domains makes the process time-consuming (planning takes months).

Context: The video explains the complex, multi-phased targeting methodology employed by the U.S. military, often referred to by the acronym F3EAD (Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, Disseminate). This process outlines the steps taken from initial intelligence gathering to mission execution and post-strike analysis, emphasizing the integration of various domains (air, cyber, ground) and the critical role of data fusion and rapid decision-making in modern warfare, especially against adversaries like Iran or in Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO).