In the context of the targeting cycle, what does "combat assessment" entail?

Combat assessment is a critical component of the targeting cycle that focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of military operations. It involves systematically analyzing the results of actions taken against designated targets to determine if the intended objectives were achieved. This analysis can include measuring the destruction of enemy capabilities, the impact on enemy forces, and whether the operations contributed to the overall mission success.

By assessing combat outcomes, military leaders can gather data that informs future operations, helping to refine tactics, verify intelligence, and improve the planning processes for subsequent missions. This ongoing evaluation helps ensure that resources are used effectively and that adjustments can be made as necessary to account for changes in the operational environment.

This clear focus on effectiveness differentiates it from other processes in the targeting cycle, such as target selection or collateral damage estimation, which serve different functions within the operational framework.