Target of opportunity

A target of opportunity is a target "visible to a surface or air sensor or observer, which is within range of available weapons and against which fire has not been scheduled or requested."^[1] A target of opportunity comes in two forms; "unplanned" and "unanticipated".^[2] Unplanned targets of opportunity are those that fall within mission parameters as appropriate targets but were not included within a mission brief. Unanticipated targets are those that fall outside of mission parameters because their availability was not expected, such as an otherwise high-value target being identified at a location where another unrelated mission is underway.

In preparation for most ordinary combat military operations, armed forces are given a series of objectives that may include one or more primary targets.^[3] During combat operations, additional targets may be present. Provided any action to deal with those targets^[4] would not compromise outlined operational objectives, the military personnel may elect to attack additional targets if the opportunity to do so arises.^[5] Operational objectives and primary target allocation will generally not be altered to account for a target of opportunity unless that target is reviewed by a commanding officer and receives a higher target value designation; e.g. if identifiers reveal the target to be a designated high-value target.

During World War II, prior to October 1940, the Royal Air Force instructed bomber crews to bring unexpended bombs home. From 9 October 1940, they were instructed to attack any target of opportunity if they could not locate their assigned targets.^[6]

At the beginning of the Iraq War, the US Military destroyed a dwelling considered to be the temporary home of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. It was described by military sources and in subsequent media reports as a situation where a target of opportunity had presented itself. The result was described as follows: "although the immediate target was destroyed, the opportunity was missed, since the major target escaped, to be captured only many months later".^[7]

The United States Department of Defense and NATO has defined a nuclear target of opportunity as "a nuclear target detected observed or detected after an operation begins that has previously not been considered, analyzed or planned for a nuclear strike. Generally fleeting in nature, it should be attacked as soon as possible within the time limitations imposed for coordination and warning of friendly troops and aircraft."^[8]