JP 3-01 Countering Air and Missile Threats - Defense Innovation ...

Counterair Planning
authority and criteria. ID authority is the authority to assign an identity classification to an
unknown contact, if possible. This authority is inherent within the C2 chain. The JFC
normally delegates ID authority to JFACC/AADC and authorizes further delegation to
subordinate commanders for decentralized execution as allowed by ROE and necessitated by
the operational situation. ID authority and ID criteria should be stated and discussed in the
AADP and ACP for approval by the JFC. Both ID authority and criteria may require
modification, sometimes in conjunction with ROE, in a dynamic operational
environment and/or with changes in phases of the campaign.
b. ID is an essential and inseparable part of airspace control and AD operations.
Comprehensive surveillance and accurate and persistent tracking combined with accurate,
timely, and consistent ID enhances situational awareness, improves weapons employment
options, helps conserve friendly resources, and reduces the risk of fratricide.
c. The CID process complements the ID process to support application of weapons
resources and other military options. For counterair, CID should be accomplished with NRT
or better exchange of information between airspace control/AD units and airspace users to
meet the time and accuracy demands of combat operations. CID is discussed separately in
paragraph 14, “Combat Identification.”
12. Methods of Identification
a. For the purposes of counterair, the intent of an ID process is to either facilitate
airspace control or to support an engagement decision through CID. The objective of CID is
to obtain the highest confidence, positive ID possible. Lacking positive ID, the objective is
to reach the level of confidence in an ID that can be supported by the ROE for an
engagement authority to make a decision. ID can be accomplished through several
recognized methods. The JFC approves the procedures used for ID and designates who may
be delegated that authority in the AADP and ACP.
b. Positive ID. Positive ID is ID derived from visual recognition, electronic support
systems, noncooperative target recognition techniques, IFF systems, or other physics-based
ID techniques. Positive ID does not assume identity solely based on location or adherence to
airspace procedures. To prevent fratricide or undesired engagements, positive ID normally is
required by ROE as a basis for CID for engagement (shoot/no-shoot) decisions for air
threats. Normally, a positive ID means much more than a simple “lack of friend” or “lack of
enemy” level of accuracy. The degree of accuracy of a positive ID method is specific to that
method and should remain a constant, whereas CID criteria can be changed by the JFC based
on ROE. Positive ID ACMs should be established in the AADP and ACP and can be
modified through ACMs promulgated by ACOs and the SPINS.
c. Procedural ID. Procedural ID is based on adherence to airspace control measures
and rules. ID is assumed to be friendly as long as rules are followed, but ID is assumed
hostile if rules are not followed and the suspect vehicle is not otherwise positively identified.
Procedural ID separates airspace users by geography, altitude, heading, time, and/or
maneuver. Normally, a combination of positive and procedural ID is used to identify
friendly and hostile tracks. Procedural ID can be advantageous for some missions and
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