ABSTRACT
To put the issues of fratricide and the importance of combat identification in proper context, it is instructive first to consider historical fratricide rates across various types of military systems. Target Identification (TI) decision aiding might be referred to as the 'low-hanging fruit' of the combat identification problem in the sense that it is the most straightforward aspect of the targeting problem and the topic for which there is the most operational experience and relevant data. Both classes of aids provide information that when fused by a competent operator can improve the overall reliability of the combat identification process. Operational reliability refers to the percentage of total engagement opportunities in which use of the aid results in correct target classification and identification. The most comprehensive sampling of data and experiences on the topics of combat identification and fratricide was prepared by Sparta for the Joint Staff.
