Which of the following statements identifies lagging indicators in maritime operations?

• A. Damage reports, kill confirmation, mission success
• B. Sensor contact quality, track confidence
• C. Current weather conditions
• D. Real-time navigation fixes

Answer: (A)

Lagging indicators are results that show what happened after an action or event has concluded. In maritime operations, measuring outcomes like damage reports, kill confirmation, and mission success reveals how effective the operation was once everything is over. These indicators come from post-action assessment and are used to evaluate performance, inform after-action reviews, and shape future planning.

In contrast, the other items provide information that guides actions while the operation is underway or describes the immediate environment. Sensor contact quality and track confidence reflect the reliability of real-time information and help crews make decisions in the moment. Current weather conditions describe environmental factors that can influence planning and execution but don’t measure the outcome of the action itself. Real-time navigation fixes indicate present positional information used for ongoing navigation, not a post-event result.

So the statement listing outcome measures like damage reports, kill confirmation, and mission success best identifies lagging indicators.