Dynamic Targeting for Nonlinear Operations on a Noncontiguous Battlefield

Since its official inception during Desert Storm, dynamic targeting procedures evolved while the battlefield changed from traditional linear operations in a contiguous environment to nonlinear operations for a noncontiguous environment. The military dominance during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) was partially based on successfully prosecuting dynamic targets. The process for engaging targets that meet Combined Forces Commander (CFC) or component commander objectives must become more efficient and effective in future conflicts to maintain our battlespace superiority. This paper addresses the differences between dynamic targeting and time sensitive targeting (TST), how dynamic targeting is becoming a fundamental part of nonlinear operations on a noncontiguous battlefield, and how it can further complicate the targeting process. The key danger of conducting dynamic targeting operations is shifting emphasis from successfully completing tasks and achieving strategic and operational objectives to simply servicing targets as they are detected without regard to the campaign plan or battlefield effects. Despite great successes in both OEF and OIF, dynamic targeting for nonlinear operations on a noncontiguous battlefield must continue to improve in efficiency and effectiveness for the U.S. to continue its military dominance over future adversaries.