text: The Fire Support System
  theater air-ground system (referred to as TAGS). For more information on joint air operations and control
  networks see JP 3-30.
  SECTION II – FIRE SUPPORT SYSTEM – TARGET ACQUISITION
  2-71. Success in battle relies heavily on the ability to accurately identify, locate, and attack HPTs. This calls
  for rapid and accurate target development, TA, and post-strike assessment. FS planners and FSCOORDs
  work closely with intelligence personnel and the FAIO to identify TA requirements and focus on detecting
  HPTs. As an element of the FS system, Target Acquisition is the detection, identification, and location of a
  target in sufficient detail to permit effective employment of capabilities that create the required effects (JP 3-
  60). Staffs evaluate target information from all sources and route it to the appropriate supporting commands.
  This includes information from all echelons and from adjacent and supporting elements. A target is an entity
  or object that performs a function for the threat considered for possible engagement or other action (JP 3-60).
  2-72. Target acquisition is conducted in accordance with the five principles of the law of war/law of armed
  conflict to permit the effective employment of weapons. TA can occur at numerous points along the execution
  timeline and at all levels of command, including the attack and deliver system performing the final attack
  (for more information see JP 3-09). The target engagement authority utilizes information collection, TA
  assets and NAI/TAIs to detect and engage targets.
  TARGET ENGAGEMENT AUTHORITY
  2-73. Engagement authority is an authority vested with a joint force commander that may be delegated to a
  subordinate commander, that permits an engagement decision (JP 3-01). The authority and responsibility to
  engage targets rests with the JFC responsible for the AO. The JFC communicates engagement criteria to the
  force through ROE specific to each AO. The JFC may delegate target engagement authority to subordinate
  commanders. In large-scale combat operations, especially during the offense, it is critical that Target
  engagement authority be delegated to the absolute lowest echelon that has the proper resources to identify
  and attack enemy formations, facilities, and other capabilities in-accordance with the Law of War and
  established ROE. This empowers agility by entrusting engagement decisions to leaders at the tactical edge.
  INFORMATION COLLECTION AND TARGET DETECTION
  2-74. Target acquisition requirements often comprise a large portion of the overall information collection
  effort especially when conducting deep operations or employing sophisticated cross domain fires like
  cyberspace operations. In some cases, especially during large-scale combat operations, units must be
  prepared to fight in order to acquire targets. The challenges to TA against a peer threat include integrated air
  defense systems, long-range fires, counter reconnaissance, cyberspace and EW operations, deception
  operations, and camouflage. Commanders allocate maneuver, fires, and multidomain ISR capabilities to
  enable TA. For more information on how the staff and intelligence sections overcome collection gaps see
  FM 2-0.
  NAMED AREA OF INTEREST TO TARGET AREA OF INTEREST
  2-75. To effectively target the enemy, the intelligence and FS staffs develop NAIs and TAIs. The staff also
  develops an HPTL that can include geographic NAIs and TAIs as well as enemy organizations, networks,
  and individuals identified as key or critical to the OE and are taken into account in each COA, and branches
  and sequels. NAIs should not be tied to a specific terrain; rather, they should be based upon the enemy
  locations or suspected locations. NAIs are used both to confirm or deny an enemy COA and locate HPTs.
  TAIs cannot exist outside of an NAI as they are both inextricably linked to the commander’s priority
  information requirements and decision points. For a graphic example of a TAI see figure 2-1. The G-3 tasks
  ISR assets to observe NAIs and TAIs.
  * A named area of interest is the geospatial area or systems node or link against which information
  that will satisfy a specific information requirement can be collected, usually to capture indications
  of enemy and adversary courses of action (JP 2-0).
  * A target area of interest is the geographical area where high-value targets can be acquired and
  engaged by friendly forces (JP 2-0). Not all TAIs (see figure 2-1) will form part of the friendly