What process involves detection, identification, and location of a target for effective employment of capabilities?

The process that involves detection, identification, and location of a target for effective employment of capabilities is known as target acquisition. Target acquisition encompasses the initial steps of understanding the environment and recognizing potential threats or objectives. This process is critical for ensuring that military forces can correctly identify targets before executing operations, which ultimately enhances the effectiveness and accuracy of fire support. It serves as the foundation for further actions, such as targeting, where decision-making regarding how to engage those targets occurs. In contrast, the other processes listed focus on different aspects of engagement and operational planning rather than on the initial identification and location of targets.