Point targets
Encyclopedia
A point target is:
Targets such as city building
s, and targets in the midst of many non-targets are considered to be point targets. When attacking point targets, weapons with only the necessary amount of spread and power are employed.
Point targets are often located near other buildings which contain civilian
s and other innocents, therefore guided munitions are used to take out only the intended target. A strike executing in this manner is often referred to as a surgical strike
.
On a smaller scale, point targets can include enemy units and positions. Long-range firearms, such as machine guns, have calculated effective ranges for both point targets and area targets, based on the fact that point targets are more difficult to hit and require more precision from the weapon and its firer. Effective ranges at point targets are therefore reasonably lower than area targets.
- A targetTargeting (warfare)Targeting is the process used to select objects or installations to be attacked, taken, or destroyed in warfare.Technologically advanced countries can generally select their targets in such a way as to minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties. This can fall by the wayside, however, during...
of such small dimensionPoint (geometry)In geometry, topology and related branches of mathematics a spatial point is a primitive notion upon which other concepts may be defined. In geometry, points are zero-dimensional; i.e., they do not have volume, area, length, or any other higher-dimensional analogue. In branches of mathematics...
that it requires the accurate placement of ordnanceArtilleryOriginally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
in order to neutralize or destroy it. - A nuclear target in which the ratio of radius of damage to target radius is equal to or greater than 5.
Targets such as city building
Building
In architecture, construction, engineering, real estate development and technology the word building may refer to one of the following:...
s, and targets in the midst of many non-targets are considered to be point targets. When attacking point targets, weapons with only the necessary amount of spread and power are employed.
Point targets are often located near other buildings which contain civilian
Civilian
A civilian under international humanitarian law is a person who is not a member of his or her country's armed forces or other militia. Civilians are distinct from combatants. They are afforded a degree of legal protection from the effects of war and military occupation...
s and other innocents, therefore guided munitions are used to take out only the intended target. A strike executing in this manner is often referred to as a surgical strike
Surgical strike
A surgical strike is a military attack which results in, was intended to result in, or is claimed to have resulted in only damage to the intended legitimate military target, and no or minimal collateral damage to surrounding structures, vehicles, buildings, etc....
.
On a smaller scale, point targets can include enemy units and positions. Long-range firearms, such as machine guns, have calculated effective ranges for both point targets and area targets, based on the fact that point targets are more difficult to hit and require more precision from the weapon and its firer. Effective ranges at point targets are therefore reasonably lower than area targets.