precision strikes
Exact military hits
Precision strikes are military attacks using guided weapons to hit specific targets while minimizing collateral damage.
The term emphasizes accuracy over carpet bombing or area bombardment: The coalition conducted precision strikes against command centers.
Often used in official statements to frame military action as surgical and controlled, though critics note civilian casualties still occur.
- guided missilesSelf-directing explosive projectiles
- targeted killingDeliberate state lethal force
- dronesUnmanned aerial vehicles
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- pinpointLocate with exactness
rules of engagement · military intelligence · target acquisition · target · kill list · collateral damage · combat · special operations · close air support · air campaign · aim · laser · radar systems · intelligence gathering · stealth aircraft · stealth technology · airstrike · GPS navigation
- air warfareair strike, airstrike, bombing runs, air raid, dive bombing
- airstrikesairstrike, air strike, air raid, bombing run, bombing raid
- military tacticstactics, flanking, maneuver, ambush, battle formations
- warfarebattle, combat, attack, war, armed conflict
- helicoptershelicopters, helicopter ride, chopper, rotorcraft, copter
- military assetsaircraft carriers, submarines, fighter jets, tanks, warships
precision strikescarpet bombing
Widespread aerial bombardment
saturation bombing · indiscriminate bombing · dumb bombs · spray and pray · strategic bombing
precision strikestotal annihilation
Complete and utter destruction
wholesale destruction · mass destruction · scorched earth · total war · nuclear strike
precision strikestotal war
Conflict engaging entire nations
shock and awe · blitzkrieg · scorched earth tactics · attrition warfare · brute force