Intelligence Preparationof the Battlefield (IPB)

“The systematic, continuous process of analyzing the threat and environment in a specific geographic area.”

FM 34-130

What is IPB?

Why do we conduct IPB?

• Understand the battlefield

• Reveal enemy capabilities and vulnerabilities

• Predict enemy courses of action

• Plan mission executionNot just enemy!

Who Conducts IPB?

• Everyone conducts some form of IPB

• Intelligence personnel prepare detailed IPB products tailored to functional areas

• Engineers are the terrain experts; use the Terrain Team (Division level & above)

• All LRS team members need to understand and apply IPB during the mission planning process

Objective of IPB

To help the LRS team

put together the best possible plan

in the time available.

4-Step Process

IPB

DEFINE THE

BATTLEFIELD

ENVIRONMENT

DESCRIBE THE

BATTLEFIELD’S

EFFECTS

EVALUATE

THE

THREAT

DETERMINE

THREAT

COAs

1 2

34

Step 1

IPB

DEFINE THE

BATTLEFIELD

ENVIRONMENT

1

Define the Battlefield Environment

• Identify significant characteristics of the environment

• Identify the limits of the AO

• Establish limits of the AI

• Evaluate databases and identify intelligence gaps

• Collect intel required to conduct remainder of IPB

XXX

XX

XX

XX

XXX

XXX

Area ofOperations

(AO)

Area ofInterest (AI)

PL CAT

PL BAT

Identify SignificantCharacteristics

• Geography• Population• Political or socioeconomic • Infrastructures• Rules of Engagement• OPFOR Capabilities

Area of Operations

• Assigned by higher• Defined by boundaries• Of sufficient size to allow completion of mission• Where the commander is given authority and

responsibility to conduct military operations

Area of Operations

Not always a linear battlefield!X

X

X

II

II

II

Area of Interest

• Geographic area from which information and intelligence are required to execute successful operations

• Includes any threat forces or characteristics of the battlefield environment that will significantly influence accomplishment of the team’s mission.

Area of Operations

Area of Interest

Evaluate Existing Databases and Identify Intelligence Gaps

• Mission Planning folder– Maps– Imagery– Climatology– Future Weather Forecast– Historical Data

• Company OPORD

• S2/G2/J2/C2 Intelligence database

Intelligence Gap

•Information that is critical to the accomplishment of the mission, but not available for use at the present time.• Starts initial list of :

•RFIs•RIIs•Intelligence Requirement

Questions???

Check on Learning

1. What are the four steps of IPB?

2. What is an area of interest?

3. What is an area of operations?

4. What is Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield?

Step 2

IPB

DEFINE THE

BATTLEFIELD

ENVIRONMENT

DESCRIBE THE

BATTLEFIELD’S

EFFECTS

1 2

Step Two: Describe theBattlefields Effects

• Terrain Analysis– Analyze the Military Aspects of Terrain – Classify Terrain

• Weather Analysis– Military Aspects of Weather– Evaluate the Weather Effects on Military

Operations

• Enemy and Friendly

Describe the Battlefield’s Effects

• Analyze the battlefield environment– Terrain analysis

– Weather analysis

– Analysis of other characteristics

• Effects on threat and friendly capabilities and COAs

Terrain AnalysisMap Recon

Recon AO / AOI

Military Aspects of Terrain

Evaluate Terrain’s Effects

Military Aspects of Terrain

O bstacles

A venues of Approach

K ey Terrain

O bservation and Fields of Fire

C over and Concealment

Obstacles

• Any natural or manmade terrain features that stop, impede, or divert military movement (both ground & air).

• Examples: buildings, steep slopes, rivers, lakes, streams, swamps, forests, deserts, jungles, cities, minefields, trenches, wire obstacles, etc.

Obstacles (cont.)

• Factors to consider are:

– Vegetation (tree spacing, trunk diameter)

– Surface drainage (width, depth, velocity, slope & height)

– Surface materials (soils type & conditions that affect mobility)

– Surface configuration (slopes that affect mobility)

– Transportation systems (bridges, slopes, & road width)

– Effects of actual or projected weather

• Integrating the above factors into a single product = Combined Obstacle Overlay (COO)

Graphic Representations

• Combined Obstacles Overlay (COO)

- Vegetation

- Surface Drainage

- Obstacles

- Lines of Communication (LOCs)

- Weather Effects Overlay

Combined Obstacle Overlay

Vegetation

Surface Drainage

Other Obstacles

COMBINED

OBSTACLES

Terrain Classification

• Unrestricted

• Restricted

• Severely Restricted

Unrestricted Terrain

• Terrain free of any restriction to movement

• Nothing needs to be done to enhance mobility

• Allows wide maneuver by forces

• Unlimited travel supported by developed road networks

Restricted Terrain

• Hinders movement to some degree

• Difficulty moving in combat formations

• Difficulty transitioning from one formation to another

• Moderate to steep slopes/ poorly developed road systems

Severely Restricted Terrain

• Severely slows movement in combat formations

• Requires Engineer assets or tactical deviation

• Steep slopes / densely spaced objects

• Little or no road support

Terrain Classifications

• Are NOT absolute

• Reflects only its relative impact on force mobility

• Remember lessons from history:– Hannibal crossing the Alps– German attack through the Ardennes– U.S. scaling the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc

Avenues of Approach

• An air or ground route of an attacking force of a given size leading to its objective or to key terrain in its path.

• Determination should consider:

– Access to key terrain & adjacent avenues

– Degree of canalization & ease of movement

– Use of concealment & cover

– Use of observation & fields of fire

– Sustainability

– Directness to the objective

• Developed by identifying, categorizing, & grouping Mobility Corridors (normally, two echelons below your element).

Mobility Corridors

• Areas where a force will be canalized due to terrain constrictions.– Relatively free of obstacles– Allows military forces to capitalize on the principles of mass

and speed

• “Building blocks” for determining Avenues of Approach

I

BN MC CO MC

Threat or Friendly

Mobility Corridor Minimum Widths

(Both Friendly & Threat)

Division 6 km

Bde / Regt 3 km

Battalion 1.5 km

Company 0.5 km

(From FM 34-130)

Avenue of Approach

O

B

J

LEGEND: Severely Restricted

Restricted

CO MC

BN MC

Key TerrainAny locality or area where the seizure, or retention of which, affords a marked advantage to either combatant.K

Offensive:

•Forward of friendly positions

•Ensures required threat destruction / evacuation

•Threat obstacles / Fields of fire

Defensive:

•Good observation / Fields of fire over avenues of approach

•Cover obstacles by fire

•Road junctions / Lines of communication

Key Terrain vs Decisive Terrain

Key Terrain

• Any locality or area, where the seizure or retention of which, affords a marked advantage to either combatant.

Decisive Terrain

• Key terrain that has an extraordinary impact on the mission;• Relatively rare; will not be present in every situation;• Successful accomplishment of the mission (Offense or Defense)

depends on seizing or retaining it;• Commander designates to communicate its importance.

Observation & Fields of Fire

• Observation - the ability to see the threat either visually or through the use of surveillance.

• Fields of Fire - the area that a weapon or group of weapons may effectively cover with fire from a given position.

• Evaluation allows you to identify:

– potential engagement areas, “fire sacks”, or “kill zones”

– defensible terrain & specific system or equipment positions

– where maneuvering forces are most vulnerable to observation & fire

Observation & Fields of Fire (cont.)

• Useful tools:

– LOS analysis (FALCON VIEW)

– Range fans (Individual / Unit)

– Shaded relief or elevation tinting (Terrain Team)

Cover & Concealment

• Concealment - protection from observation.• Cover - protection from the effects of direct & indirect

fires.

• Evaluation of Cover & Concealment aids in identifying:– defensible terrain & potential battle positions– approach routes– potential assembly & dispersal areas

Cover & Concealment(cont.)

• Methods for determining:

– Map recon (Individual / Unit)

– Ground or Air recon (Unit)

– Satellite photos (Terrain Team or S2)

– Area studies (Terrain Team or S2)

– LOS analysis (FALCON VIEW)

Evaluate Terrain’s Effects on Military Operations

• Engagement Areas / Ambush Sites

• Battle Positions

• Immediate / Subsequent Objectives

• Assembly / Dispersal Areas

• OPs / LZs / DZs / FARPs

EA KILL

l

OBJ

TAA

DZ ROCK

Modified Combined Obstacle Overlay (MCOO)

• A graphic product used to reflect the results of terrain analysis and the battlefield’s effects on military operations.

• Begin with the Combined Obstacle Overlay and consider adding:

– Cross-country mobility classifications (Unrestricted, Restricted, & Severely Restricted)

– Avenues of approach & mobility corridors

– Countermobility obstacle systems

– Defensible terrain

– Engagement areas

– Key terrain

EACAT

MCOO

EADOGO

B

J

LEGEND: Severely Restricted

Restricted

EACAT

Engagement Area

K

K

K Key Terrain

Minefield

MCOO Symbols

Built-upAreas

RestrictedTerrain

UnrestrictedTerrain

BattlePosition

MobilityCorridors

(Red)

Ground Avenuesof Approach

(Red)

Air Avenuesof Approach

(Red)

SeverelyRestricted

Terrain

Engagement Area(Orange)

Key Terrain(Purple)

RailroadTracks

Rivers &Lakes(Blue)

NOTE: Ensure all graphics & symbols are listed in the Legend.

EA K

Weather Analysis

• Use USAF Weather Teams at Division, Corps, & EAC

• Weather Team:– Analyzes weather’s direct effects on terrain– Integrates climatic, forecast, & current weather into terrain analysis– Provides detailed info on weather’s effects on unit equipment– If no Team at your level, request support from Higher Headquarters

• Weather Analysis and Terrain Analysis are inseparable

• Two Steps to weather analysis:– Analyze the military aspects of weather– Evaluate the weather’s effects on military operations

Military Aspects of Weather

• Visibility

• Wind

• Precipitation

• Cloud Cover

• Temperature & Humidity

Visibility

Reduced Visibility:

• Provides concealment

• Favors the Offense

• Impedes R & S

• Hinders target acquisition

Light Data

Date BMNT SR SS EENT MR MS %Illum 10 0600 0656 1719 2209 2209 1058 79

11 0602 0658 1720 2210 2219 1108 71

The amount of Available Light is a major factor in evaluating Visibility.

Wind

Strong Wind:

• Reduces visibility

• Limits airborne and aviation ops

• Hinders communications

• Impacts smoke and chemical ops

Precipitation

Heavy Rain or Snow can impact on:

• Trafficability

• Visibility

• Electro-optical Systems

Cloud Cover

Limits Illumination

Limits Solar Heating

Degrades Target Acquisition

Hinders IR-guided Weapon Systems

Limits Aviation Ops

Temperature & Humidity

• Reduce personnel and equipment capabilities

• Reduce aircraft payloads

• Create logisitical problems

Extremes of Temperature and Humidity:

Weather’s Effects on Military Operations

• Evaluate the weather’s effects on:– Personnel– Equipment– Military Operations

• Revise weather effects on Terrain Analysis as the weather changes

• Focus on the effects of the weather rather than the weather itself

Analysis of “Other Characteristics”

of the Battlefield

• Aspects of battlefield environment not considered in terrain and weather analysis

• Consider each characteristic and then its impact on military operations (just as before)

• Examples:– Logistics infrastructure– Population demographics– Economics– Politics & Government

Questions???

Check on Learning

1. What are military aspects of terrain?

2. What is restrictive terrain?

3. What are the military aspects of weather?

4. What is the difference between a COO and a MCOO?

Practical Exercise #1

Action: Construct a COO and MCOO.

Condition: Given a classroom environment, a Fort Benning 1:50,000 map, protractor, Intelligence Handout and permanent markers.

Standard: Complete in 60 minutes and brief to the class upon completion.

IPB

DEFINE THE

BATTLEFIELD

ENVIRONMENT

DESCRIBE THE

BATTLEFIELD’S

EFFECTS

EVALUATE

THE

THREAT

1 2

3

Step 3

Evaluate the Threat

How?

• Update or Create Threat Models

• Identify Threat Capabilities

Threat Models

• Consist of:– Doctrinal Templates– Description of preferred Tactics and Options– Identification of High Value Targets

• Should include:– Standard graphic control measures– Description of typical tasks to subordinates– Quality of training on each task– Employment considerations– Contingencies, sequels, failure options, & wildcard

variations– Strengths & weaknesses

HVTs vs. HPTs

High-Value Target

Assets the Threat Commander requires for the successful completion of a specific course of action.

High-Payoff Target

A target whose loss to the threat will contribute to the success of the friendly course of action.

HVTs vs. HPTs

EA SOUTH

EA NORTH

OBJHigh-Value Target List

C2Artillery

Bridging Assets

High-Payoff Target ListC2

ArtilleryBridging Assets

High-Payoff Target ListC2

Artillery

Questions???

Check on Learning

1. What is a doctrinal template?

2. Where are OPFOR TTPs found?

3. What is a high value target?

Step 4

IPB

DEFINE THE

BATTLEFIELD

ENVIRONMENT

DESCRIBE THE

BATTLEFIELD’S

EFFECTS

EVALUATE

THE

THREAT

DETERMINE

THREAT

COAs

1 2

34

Determine Threat Courses of Action

• Identify the Threat’s likely Objectives and Desired End State• Identify the full set of COAs available to the Threat• Evaluate and Prioritize each COA• Develop each COA in the amount of detail time allows• Identify initial collection requirements

XDIVBDEBNCO

OBJs &Desired End State

of:

looksat

XXARMYDIVBDEBN

OBJs &Desired End State

of:

looksat

HOW?

Identify the Full Set of COAs available to the Threat

• COAs the Threat believes appropriate to the current situation

• COAs that could significantly influence your mission

• COAs indicated by recent activities and events

CONSIDER?

?

Does the the COA Meet the Criteria?

COA

Criteria

NOTE: Each COA must be consistent with Threat doctrine!

Suitability Feasibility

UniquenessAcceptability

Will it accomplish the objective?

Can he do it?

Is it significantly different?

Are the risks and resources worth it?

Evaluate & Prioritize each COA

MEETS COACRITERIA?

COA THATMINIMIZES

RISK?

DECEPTIONOPERATION?STRENGTHS?

WEAKNESSES?

COA OFFERSGREATEST

ADVANTAGES?

FITS BEST TO BATTLEFIELD

ENVIRONMENT?

DECISIVE POINTS? THREAT’s RECENT

ACTIVITY?

Center for Army Tactics 69

Each COA Must Answer:

WHAT?

WHERE?

WHEN?

HOW?WHY?

Situation TemplateEnemy SOPfor Fighting

(Threat Model)

BattlefieldEnvironment’s

Effects(MCOO)

ENEMYCOAs

FIRE SAC

FIRE SAC

SITEMP COA Descriptions

• Earliest Time of Execution

• Time Phase Lines

• Likely Threat Commander’s Decisions

H+1H+2 H+3 H+4

Time Phase Lines (TPLs)

• Based on threat doctrinal rates of movement

• Adjusted for terrain, weather, & actual combat movement

• Assist in tracking the threat and directing collection assets

H+1H+2 H+3 H+4

Event Template

1

22

2

1 1

1 11 & 22

2

NA

I 2

NAI 3

NAI 4NAI 1

Sitemp 1

Sitemp 2

ConsolidatedSitemp

EVENTTEMPLATE

Practical Exercise #2

Action: Construct and brief a situation template course of action.

Condition: Given a classroom environment, Fort Benning 1:50,000 map, protractor, Intelligence Handout and permanent markers.

Standard: Construct a standard enemy SITTEMP in 60 minutes.

Questions???

Review

• Step 1 – Define the Battlefield Environment

• Step 2 - Describe the Battlefield Effects

• Step 3 - Evaluate the Threat

• Step 4 - Determine Threat Course of Action

BOTTOM LINE

IPB helps the TL and the rest of the LRS team put together the best possible plan in the time available.