text: Air Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield
   Targeting capability and type?
   Contour flying capability?
   Vulnerability to countermeasures?
   Guidance mode?
   Warhead type and size?
  CONDUCT TARGET VALUE EVALUATION
  C-27. The target evaluation must determine what targets are to be labeled as high-value targets. High-value
  targets are assets the enemy or friendly commander has deemed as important for the successful
  accomplishment of the mission. High-value targets are determined by operational necessity and weapon
  system capability.
  C-28. Key questions that must be answered with respect to target value include—
  * Criticality of each? Impact of its loss on operations?
  * Vulnerability of each?
  * Recuperability of each?
  * Redundancy of capabilities? Can other assets perform the mission or provide the capabilities?
  C-29. The responses to these questions will help in shaping the defense. The most critical assets will be
  defended with active and passive defense capabilities, while those of less criticality may be defended by
  passive defense measures and combined arms for air defense capabilities.
  STEP 4-DETERMINE THE THREAT COURSES OF ACTION
  C-30. To complete step four, determine both the threat air and ground COAs and integrate the results of the
  previous three steps into a meaningful conclusion. Given what threat air and missile forces prefer to do and
  the effects of the operational environment, what are the enemy's likely objectives and what COAs are
  available to the enemy? The intelligence officers develop enemy threat models that depict the threat's air and
  missile COAs. They also prepare event templates and matrices that focus information collection on
  identifying which COA the threat will likely execute.
  C-31. Situation templates are graphic depictions of expected threat dispositions should they adopt a particular
  COA. They usually depict the most critical point in the operation as agreed upon by the intelligence officers.
  However, the intelligence officers might prepare several templates representing different snapshots in time,
  starting with the initial threat array. The situation template integrates air attack and surveillance profiles with
  terrain. It focuses on specific air avenues of approach and mobility corridors to determine which avenues are
  the most capable of supporting specific attack techniques, profiles, and the most direct routes to landing and
  drop zones to protect and ensure the survivability of air threat systems.
  C-32. The event template is a guide for collection and reconnaissance and surveillance planning. It depicts
  NAIs where the commander expects to see certain activities of tactical significance and is used to confirm or
  deny an enemy course of action. The NAIs are based on the terrain constraints of air approach routes to
  potential targets and analysis of the enemy's attack and reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition
  profiles. The intelligence officers develop an event matrix to support the event template by providing details
  on the type of activity expected in each area, the times the area is expected to be active, and its relationship
  to other events on the battlefield. Examples of NAIs include landing and drop zones, forward arming and
  refueling points, forward staging areas, aerial choke points, and RAM and UAS launch points.
  C-33. The decision support template is an integrated staff product that results from the wargaming of
  potential friendly COAs. The decision support template is based on the situation and event templates, event
  matrix, and the wargaming of friendly COA results. It should depict—
  * Air avenues of approach.
  * Airborne and air assault objectives.
  * Landing and drop zones and the largest size enemy element which could be employed at the zone.
  * Ranges of enemy systems.