Definition
A heavily fortified or protected objective requiring significant firepower or specialized tactics to neutralize. The military equivalent of trying to open a pickle jar after someone else already tightened it.
Example Usage
The enemy bunker system is classified as a hard target, so we're bringing in the air support.
Origin
Cold War-era targeting terminology distinguishing fortified from 'soft' unprotected targets
Fun Fact
In nuclear strategy, hard targets specifically refer to reinforced silos and command bunkers requiring direct hits with high-yield weapons.
Source: Military targeting and operations planning
Related Terms
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