# How the U.S. Military Chooses What to Bomb Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TeQ6NqT4_8 Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/5TeQ6NqT4_8 Generated: 2026-03-13T12:04:11.949+00:00 --- ## 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). ![Screenshot at 00:29: The speaker introduces the F3EAD process \(Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, Disseminate\) as the framework for U.S. targeting operations.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5TeQ6NqT4_8/00-00-29.jpg) **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). ## Detailed Analysis The U.S. military targets assets using the F3EAD framework, which consists of seven phases: Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, and Disseminate. The initial 'Find' phase involves locating the target, which can be done through various electronic means like tracking cell phones, using license plate readers, or exploiting security camera footage, as most people live within a small radius of their daily routines (00:44). Once located, the 'Fix' phase begins surveillance (01:27), which can be persistent, even if the target is mobile or underground. The 'Finish' phase requires Positive Identification (PID) and authorization to strike, using a Noncombatant Cutoff Value (NCV) to limit collateral damage; for high-value targets, the NCV is often zero (02:11). The speaker notes that the complexity of coordinating this process means planning can take months (04:49). The next phases involve exploiting captured material, analyzing data, and disseminating intelligence for future targeting. Air superiority (Phase 4) is vital, involving Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and neutralizing enemy air forces, as airfields are primary targets (06:59, 07:20). The entire system is designed to leverage Joint All Domain Operations (JADO), meaning any sensor can communicate with any shooter, although logistical vulnerabilities, like running out of fuel, remain a critical weakness for adversaries like Iran (08:36, 12:17). ### F3EAD Targeting Framework - Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, Disseminate - The process begins with Find and Fix (surveillance via electronic means like cell tracking or cameras) and moves to Finish (strike authorization after PID and NCV assessment). ### Phase 2 - Command and Control: Command structures (squadron level up to the Pentagon) must maintain constant communication, but this is degraded by cyberattacks or kinetic strikes on C2 nodes (07:27, 09:28). ### Phase 3 - Sensors and Radars: This phase focuses on identifying targets using sensors, including ground-based radars (like missile defense systems) and orbital assets (satellites), which feed data into the network (08:56, 09:08). ### Phase 4 - Air Forces and Fields: Targeting air assets requires SEAD operations to neutralize enemy air defenses and striking airfields, as aircraft cannot operate without fuel or runways (09:32, 10:05). ### Phase 5 - Long-Range Fires: This involves using long-range assets like HIMARS or large bombs (GBU-57 MOP) against enemy formations and bases, aiming to minimize collateral damage based on NCV (10:42, 11:38). ### Phase 6 - Logistics and Sustainment: Targeting logistics (fuel, ammo storage, repair facilities) renders enemy forces combat ineffective, as even forces with advanced weapons cannot fight if they run out of supplies (12:12, 12:22). ### Phase 7 - Maneuver Forces: This involves using ground maneuver formations to exploit successes against enemy formations, though this is complicated when the enemy can use small, hidden drones for reconnaissance (13:38, 14:18). ![Screenshot at 00:04: An F/A-18 Super Hornet prepares for launch on an aircraft carrier deck, illustrating air power projection.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5TeQ6NqT4_8/00-00-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:29: Text overlay explicitly defining the F3EAD targeting methodology: Find, Fix, Finish, Exploit, Analyze, Disseminate.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5TeQ6NqT4_8/00-00-29.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:47: Surveillance footage displaying multiple human figures enclosed in colored bounding boxes, demonstrating real-time tracking capability.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5TeQ6NqT4_8/00-01-47.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:15: Black and white footage of a GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator \(MOP\) test, showcasing a large munition designed for hardened targets.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/5TeQ6NqT4_8/00-04-15.jpg)