Target

What Is a Target?

In defense terminology, a target is any person, object, area or capability designated for engagement by friendly forces. The targeting process — find, fix, track, target, engage, assess (F2T2EA) — is the disciplined method by which targets are identified, prioritized and attacked.

Targets are categorized in many ways: by type (point, area), by class (military, infrastructure), by sensitivity (high-value, time-sensitive) and by the rules-of-engagement that govern their attack.

How Are Targets Identified and Engaged?

Intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) builds a target list; sensors detect and identify candidate targets; the joint targeting cycle prioritizes them against the commander’s objectives; weapons are matched to targets through weaponeering; engagement is authorized through ROE; battle-damage assessment closes the loop.

Modern systems compress this cycle from hours to minutes — the "sensor-to-shooter" chain.

Target Categories

• Fixed high-value targets (HVT)
• Time-sensitive targets (TST)
• High-payoff targets (HPT)
• Mobile targets
• Hardened and deeply buried targets (HDBT)
• Soft and lightly armored targets

Key Concepts

• F2T2EA cycle
• No-strike list / restricted target list
• Collateral-damage estimate
• Battle-damage assessment

Targeting Capabilities in Türkiye

Turkish forces combine MİT/MSB intelligence, persistent UAV ISR (AKINCI, ANKA), targeting pods (ASELPOD), and precision weapons (HGK, KGK, MAM-series, SOM) to execute a fully indigenous F2T2EA cycle.

HAVELSAN’s targeting and mission-planning software supports the joint targeting cycle across the Turkish Armed Forces.

Quick Facts

• Category: Doctrinal concept
• Targeting cycle: F2T2EA (find, fix, track, target, engage, assess)
• Categories: HVT, TST, HPT, HDBT
• Enabling tech: ISR sensors, mission planning, PGMs
• Turkish enablers: AKINCI, ASELPOD, HGK/KGK, HAVELSAN MP

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a time-sensitive target?

A target whose value is fleeting — it must be engaged within a short window or the opportunity is lost.

What is the no-strike list?

A list of objects (e.g., hospitals, religious sites) that may not be attacked under any circumstances.

How is collateral damage estimated?

Through formal weaponeering software that models blast/fragment effects against nearby protected structures.

How fast can Turkish forces close the kill chain?

Demonstrated cases — particularly in counter-PKK operations — have closed sensor-to-shooter timelines to single-digit minutes using UAVs and PGMs.