Target rich environment

1. A combat situation in which an attacker, normally equipped with a superior weapons system, is presented with a large number of highly desireable, poorly defended and high-value targets all at once, such a situation might be an attack helecopter with night vision capability finding a complete enemy brigade or divisional HQ convoy stalled at night on a narrow road with no place to go and no air defence.

2. A workplace, bar, party or other place of entertainment where a new arrival finds a large number of attractive, unattached members of the opposite sex, and is spoilt for choice.

"God, I was in the pub last night and this hen party wandered in.... a dozen pissed girls looking for fun... that's what I call a target rich environment !"

by eighthofseven November 8, 2007

Target rich environment

A sarcastic term for being surrounded and/or severely outnumbered by enemies.

Those "Black Hawk Down" guys sure were in a target rich environment.

by Snood363 December 22, 2012

Target-rich environment

A situation that would normally fit the word "surrounded", however the party that is surrounded has some form of superior weapons system that would not have an issue with defeating all attacking parties at once, turning an undesirable situation into an environment rich with potential targets- hence the term, 'target-rich environment'.

Also occasionally used sarcastically to refer to being in a firefight or otherwise surrounded by hostile forces.

"This ain't an ambush, we have a goddamn tank- it's a target-rich environment. Fire at will."

(If used sarcastically) "I really don't care about the mission, I'm just trying to get out of this target-rich environment before some jackass blows my head clean off."

by ATELOS October 27, 2025