A military attack by a drone or drones in which people are targeted because their activities are believed to fit a particular behavioural profile, though their individual identities are unknown.
officials said the use of signature strikes is part of a broader easing of constraints on military drone campaigns
Example sentencesExamples
Broader rules allow signature strikes, when surveillance data suggest a terrorist leader may be nearby but the identities of others targeted is not known.
The proposal for the signature strikes is awaiting a decision by the National Security Council.
They report an increase in signature strikes, which target groups selected through "pattern of life analysis."
These so-called signature strikes are based on assessments that men carrying weapons or in a militant compound are legitimate targets.
The agency has been building networks of informants there to assemble intelligence reports that could guide the signature strikes.
Definition of signature strike in US English:
signature strike
noun
US
A military attack by a drone or drones in which people are targeted because their activities are believed to fit a particular behavioral profile, though their individual identities are unknown.
officials said the use of signature strikes is part of a broader easing of constraints on military drone campaigns
Example sentencesExamples
These so-called signature strikes are based on assessments that men carrying weapons or in a militant compound are legitimate targets.
Broader rules allow signature strikes, when surveillance data suggest a terrorist leader may be nearby but the identities of others targeted is not known.
The proposal for the signature strikes is awaiting a decision by the National Security Council.
They report an increase in signature strikes, which target groups selected through "pattern of life analysis."
The agency has been building networks of informants there to assemble intelligence reports that could guide the signature strikes.