If full BDA is not possible, what should be passed at a minimum?

In the context of Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), if full assessment is not feasible, it's crucial to communicate at least the effectiveness of the engagement. The correct response highlights the importance of categorizing the outcome as successful, unsuccessful, or unknown. This categorization provides essential information about the effectiveness of the maneuver and informs subsequent operations and tactics.

Declaring whether an engagement was successful, unsuccessful, or if the outcome is unknown allows command and control personnel to make informed decisions regarding follow-on actions, adjustments in fire support, or assessing enemy capability. This information is critical for evaluating the impact of the strike and planning future responses.

While knowing the specific targets hit or missed, the timing, or the type of ordnance used are also valuable data points in a BDA, they do not provide the fundamental assessment of whether the mission's goal was achieved. Therefore, the focus on the outcome of the engagement itself is paramount when a full BDA report cannot be compiled.