Updated: 2023-05-17 --- # BHA vs BDA vs MISREP There are three levels of battle damage reporting with different purposes. A BHA or bomb hit assessment is a report of if ordnance impacted the intended targets, it is used to determine if immediate reattack is required. A BDA or Battle damage assessment is a report of the effects of ordnance on the intended targets, it is used to determine the success of an attack in enabling objectives. A BDA usually includes a BHA. A MISREP or mission report, also called an INFLTREP or in flight report, is a detailed account of the attacks made and includes updated target location data and results of attacks. MISREPs enable follow on tasking and attacks. A MISREP usually includes a BDA or BHA. ## BHA A bomb hit assessment includes the number of type of ordnance employed, the number of hits, and an initial assessment of if an immediate restrike is required. BHAs are designed to be done quickly and require no more than a simple visual or EO/IR sweep of the intended target area. While it is important to be as accurate, an emphasis is placed on speed and enabling attacking aircraft to clear the immediate danger area quickly. All attacking aircraft should attempt to perform BHAs for all attacks unless external observers are known to be present. BHAs for an engagement should be unified and passed at the end of the engagement. There are three types of hits a “Hit” is a successful impact with observed effects, a “Fumble” is a miss, and a “Fumble hit” is a successful impact with no observed effects. If observed “Secondaries”, which are effects observed from the target after weapon effects, should also be reported. >[!example] >“`[ACU C/S]`, `[Callsign]`, Attack complete, `[number and type of ordnance released]`, `[number and type of hits]`, (no) restrike required” >>[!quote] >>“Closeout, Bengal-2, Attack complete, 4x GBU-12 expended, 3 hits, 1 fumble hit, no restrike required” ## BDA A BDA or battle damage assessment, is a more in depth assessment of the effects of the ordnance employed. It includes the number and type of enemies engaged, and the assessed effects on each target. A BDA requires more extensive observation and is usually conducted once after all the attacks are complete, it requires more time in area and is usually not conducted by the attacking aircraft unless the threat environment is permissive. The BDA format begins with a BHA, which may be omitted if a BHA was passed separately earlier. >[!example] >“`[ACU C/S]`, `[Callsign]`, Attack complete, `[number and type of ordnance released]`, `[number and type of hits]`, `[list of targets and assessed effects]`, `[collective effect]`, (no) restrike required” >>[!quote] >>“Closeout, Camelot-3, Attack complete, 4x Mav-Echo expended, 3x T-72 K-Kill, 1x T-72 M-Kill, target neutralized, no restrike required” ## Kill Types There are 3 kill types. Kill types are used for the assessment of individual targets. A K-Kill or Catastrophic Kill (also called a “Kilo-Kilo” or a Sink Kill) indicates that the target was rendered incapable of continuing combat action without dedicated repair or recovery. A F-Kill or Firepower Kill indicates that the target’s weapons systems were destroyed or degraded to the point it cannot employ offensive fires effectively. A M-Kill or Mobility Kill (also called “Disabled”) indicates that the target’s mobility systems were destroyed or degraded to the point it cannot maneuver effectively on its own. Crew Kills are also considered Mobility Kills. Another term that is often confused with the kill types is a “Soft Kill” a soft kill indicates the system has been prevented from functioning for a period of time, but no permanent damage has been inflicted. # Collective Effects There are three collective effects, collective effects refer not to individual systems but the effect on the target as a whole, and primarily concern its continuing ability to interfere with other friendly operations. Destroyed- A target is considered destroyed if it has been physically destroyed or reduced to the point it will be unable to interfere with friendly operations until reinforced or repaired. Neutralized- A target is considered Neutralized if it has been rendered unable to interfere with friendly operations in the immediate future. Neutralization does not imply physical destruction, moral defeats, mobility or firepower kills, or disruption can all be considered neutralization. Suppressed - A target is considered suppressed if it has been rendered unable to interfere with friendly operations for the duration of the suppression. Suppressed implies that if the suppressing action were to stop, the target could begin to interfere with friendly operations. # MISREPs The MISREP is a detailed report of enemy encountered and action taken. It is designed to enable follow on actions by friendly forces. MISREPs can be complied with just BHA information or with BDA information, and incorporate any supporting information that would be useful to other assets conducting follow on attacks on or near the target. MISREPs have 5 lines + Remarks Reporting Unit Callsign Mission Number Location-actual position of engagement or last known position of remaining targets Time on target- time the attack commenced Results- BHA+BDA as available Remarks- Surface to air threats in vicinity or target, disposition and information about any enemy units in target area, any other pertinent information. >[!example] > `A/C`: “Closeout, Winder-2 with MISREP” >==ACU==: “Winder-2, Closeout, go ahead with MISREP” > `A/C`: “Winder-2 flight, AA01, Grid PA 321 456, 1518Z, 3x Mav-E and 3x GBU-12 expended, 6 hits, 3 enemy armor Kilo Kilo, 2 enemy trucks disabled, infantry platoon engaged, Target Neutralized, SA-6 Dirt North, 3x enemy armor disengaging to the north, estimate squad size infantry element remaining at target location.” >==ACU==: “Closeout copies AA01, Grid PA 321 456, 1518Z and results, Winder-2 anchor rock 320/40, say state, standby for follow on tasking” > `A/C`: “Winder-2 Anchoring, Winder 2-1 1x GBU-12, 0+30” > `A/C`: “Dash-2 1x Mav-E, 0+30”