Which sequence correctly represents stages in a kill chain as applied to a target?

• A. Detect, Identify, Plan, Engage, Debrief
• B. Observe, Orient, Decide, Act, Evaluate
• C. Detect, Identify, Decide, Deliver, Assess
• D. Scan, Confirm, Launch, Stop

Answer: (C)

The sequence being tested follows the flow of action from spotting a potential target to evaluating what happened after engagement. It starts with detecting that something is present, then identifying it to confirm it’s the intended target, then deciding whether and how to engage, followed by delivering the weapon, and finally assessing the outcome to see if the objective was achieved and what to do next. This order mirrors how a target is processed in real-world operations: you must know what you’re attacking before you act, you must choose to act, you must execute, and you must review the result to inform future decisions.

This is the best fit because it includes all the essential steps: recognizing the possibility of a target (detect), confirming what it is (identify), making a decision to engage (decide), carrying out the engagement (deliver), and checking the effectiveness (assess). Other sequences either skip critical steps (like the actual delivery of fire or weapons), rely on a cognitive loop that doesn’t cover the targeted engagement and its outcome, or mix in planning or debriefing in places that aren’t part of the immediate action sequence.