ATP-5-0-2-1 Staff Reference Guide Volume 1 Download
Page 139 of 440
Planning 07 December 2020 ATP 5-0.2-1 123 Battle Damage Assessment 2-386. BDA includes known or estimated enemy unit strengths; degraded, neutralized, or destroyed enemy weapon systems; and all known captured, wounded, or killed enemy personnel during a reporting period. BDA in targeting pertains to results of lethal and nonlethal engagements on targets designated by the commander. BDA accomplishes the following: Commanders use BDA to get a series of timely and accurate snapshots of effects on the enemy. Assessment provides commanders an estimate of an enemy's combat effectiveness, capabilities, and intentions. This helps the staff determine when, or if, their targeting effort is accomplishing their objectives. As part of targeting, BDA helps to determine if a reengagement is necessary. The information is used to allocate or redirect weapon systems to make the best use of available combat power. 2-387. BDA must measure things that are important to a commander and must be objective. Each BDA has three components: Physical damage assessment—estimates the quantitative extent of physical damage through munitions blast, fragmentation, and fire damage effects to a target. Functional damage assessment—estimates the effects of engagement on a target's ability to perform its intended mission compared to the mission objective established against the target. Target system assessment—estimates the overall impact and effectiveness of all types of engagement against an entire target system capability. See ATP 3-60 for more information on physical damage, functional damage, and target system assessments. Munitions Effectiveness Assessment 2-388. The operations officer, in coordination with the fires cell and targeting working group, conducts munitions effectiveness assessment concurrently and interactively with BDA as a function of combat assessment. Munitions effectiveness assessment is an assessment of military force in terms of weapon systems and munitions effectiveness. Munitions effectiveness assessment is conducted using approved weaponeering software and provides the basis for recommendations to increase the effectiveness of— Methodology. Tactics. Weapon systems. Munitions. Weapon delivery parameters. 2-389. The targeting working group may recommend modifying commander's guidance concerning the unit basic load, required supply rate, and controlled supply rate based on munitions requirements to achieve the desired effects. Reengagement Recommendation 2-390. Failure to achieve desired effects requires a decision from the commander regarding whether to continue as planned. The targeting team and current operations cell assess operational risks associated with the HPT and provide options to mitigate the risks. One option is reengagement. Based on the BDA and munitions effectiveness assessment, the intelligence officer in conjunction with the fire support coordinator or deputy fire support coordinator and operations officer consider the degree to which objectives have been achieved and make recommendations to the commander. Reengagement and other recommendations should address objectives relative to— Targets. Target critical elements. Target systems. Enemy combat force strengths. Friendly maneuver.