69 3 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK 2. Targeting process During deployment the targeting process is a deliberate iterative decision-making cycle for methodical planning of actions to counter opponents in order to achieve the effect in the strategic and operational campaign plan. The targeting process consists of six phases: (1) commander’s intent, objectives and guidance, (2) target development, (3) capabilities analysis, (4) commander’s decision, force planning and assignment, (5) mission planning and force execution and 6) assessment (Ekelhof, 2018). 3. Ex post review In the Netherlands, after a mission is finished, it is evaluated to inform parliament on the results and progress of the mission. The evaluation report is published online and mentions Rules of Engagement and number of weapon deployments. In some cases, the government decides to conduct a post mission review 5 years after a mission as a second evaluation. This is only done when asked for by the government and is not a structural process. 4. Ex ante control measures Several control instruments are used before deployment to control the usage of weapons. These are amongst others the Rules of Engagement, assignment of command relationships and determining the Area of Responsibility (AOR). 5. Ongoing control measures During a mission the deployment of a weapon can be done by a Forward Air Controller who can employ different levels of control to release a weapon. 6. Ex post control measures In the Netherlands, an After Action Report (AAR) is filed after each weapon deployment which is send via the Military Police to the Public Prosecution Office of the Department of Justice. 7. Input The instrument used to control weapons before deployment, is the Weapon Control Status Setting in which the level of control of a weapon is determined after a deliberation process. 8. Feedback Some weapons, e.g. guided missiles, have a feedback loop and can be controlled during launch, but most weapons are fire-and-forget systems that do not have a feedback loop once launched. 9. Output The output of weapon deployment is the destruction of a target in order to achieve a military effect. A Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) is conducted to assess if the effect is achieved and to assess the (collateral) damage inflicted on a military objective.
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