Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) Categories
Battle Damage Assessments (BDAs) are used to communicate the observed effectiveness of a fire mission against a target. Use the following categories to describe the resulting effect.
Destroyed
A target is destroyed when it can no longer function and cannot be restored to combat effectiveness.
Examples include:
- An infantry unit is completely killed.
- A vehicle is destroyed and reduced to wreckage.
For infantry, the number of casualties may be reported if known. Estimates are acceptable.
Neutralised
A target is neutralised when it can no longer effectively perform its combat role.
Examples include:
- A large portion of an infantry unit is killed and the survivors are unable to continue effective combat.
- A vehicle loses mobility, weapons, or another critical capability.
For vehicles, neutralisation may be temporary if repairs or recovery are possible.
Suppressed
A target is suppressed when its ability to observe, manoeuvre, or engage friendly forces is significantly reduced.
Examples include:
- HE rounds forcing enemy personnel to seek cover.
- Smoke obscuring enemy observation and lines of sight.
- Continuous fire disrupting enemy movement and coordination.
Suppression is usually temporary and normally lasts only while the effects of the fire mission are being maintained.
Insufficient
A target is insufficiently affected when the observed results do not meet the required or desired effect, but no further engagement is requested.
This category indicates that the target remains capable of operating beyond the intended level despite the fire mission having concluded.
