1. Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB)

2. What is IPB?
“The systematic, continuous process of analyzing the threat and environment in a specific geographic area.” FM
This definition is straight from the book.
Of interest to note is the “systematic and continuous process.” IPB never stops because we always deal with a fluid situation with unlimited variables. It is not enough to produce all the IPB products and then say, “I’m done.” The work is never done because something is always changing.
While the threat is key in IPB, understanding the environment in which one must fight is a must to ensure success….often the climatic conditions can over shadow the enemy force itself….consider the hostile desert conditions which US and Coalition forces had to contend with during the 1991 Gulf War…
o the tremendous requirements for water to prevent heat casualties,
o the impact on equipment maintenance and operations,
o sand too fine to be contained in normal sand bags,
o and also the cultural mores of the host nation government, to name a few.
Understanding the environment of a certain geographic area and its impact on both friendly and enemy operations is equally important as understanding the enemy.
NOTE: For discussion, consider whether IPB is a military art or science. Or, compare the definition of IPB with Sun Tzu’s “Know the enemy and you need not fear a hundred battles.” Has something changed?

3. Why do we conduct IPB? Understand the battlefield
Reveal enemy capabilities and vulnerabilities
Predict enemy courses of action
Plan mission execution
Not just enemy!

4. 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

5. put together the best possible plan
Objective of IPB
To help the LRS team
put together the best possible plan
in the time available.

6. IPB 4-Step Process 1 2 3 4 DEFINE THE BATTLEFIELD ENVIRONMENT
DESCRIBE THE
BATTLEFIELD’S
EFFECTS
IPB
DETERMINE
THREAT
COAs
EVALUATE
THE
THREAT 3 4
4-Step Process

7. 1
DEFINE THE
BATTLEFIELD
ENVIRONMENT
IPB
Step 1

8. Define the Battlefield Environment
Area of
Interest (AI)
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
PL BAT
PL CAT XX
XXX
XXX
Area of
Operations
(AO)
XXX

9. Identify Significant Characteristics
Geography
Population
Political or socioeconomic
Infrastructures
Rules of Engagement
OPFOR Capabilities

10. Not always a linear battlefield!
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
Not always a linear battlefield! X II
Area of Operations

11. 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 Interest
Area of Operations

12. 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

13. 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

14. Questions???

15. 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?

16. IPB Step 2 1 2 DEFINE THE BATTLEFIELD ENVIRONMENT DESCRIBE THE
BATTLEFIELD’S
EFFECTS
IPB
Step 2

17. Step Two: Describe the Battlefields 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

18. 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

19. Military Aspects of Terrain Evaluate Terrain’s Effects
Terrain Analysis
Map Recon
Recon AO / AOI
Military Aspects of Terrain
Evaluate Terrain’s Effects

20. Military Aspects of Terrain
O bstacles
A venues of Approach
K ey Terrain
O bservation and Fields of Fire
C over and Concealment

21. 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.

22. 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)

23. Graphic Representations
Combined Obstacles Overlay (COO)
- Vegetation
- Surface Drainage
- Obstacles
- Lines of Communication (LOCs)
- Weather Effects Overlay

24. Combined Obstacle Overlay
Vegetation
Surface Drainage
Other Obstacles
COMBINED
OBSTACLES

25. Terrain Classification
Unrestricted
Restricted
Severely Restricted

26. 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

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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

30. 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).

31. 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

32. Mobility Corridor Minimum Widths
(Both Friendly & Threat)
Division km
Bde / Regt km
Battalion 1.5 km
Company 0.5 km
(From FM )

33. Avenue of Approach O B J LEGEND: CO MC BN MC Severely Restricted

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

35. Key Terrain vs Decisive 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.

36. 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

37. Observation & Fields of Fire (cont.)
Useful tools:
LOS analysis (FALCON VIEW)
Range fans (Individual / Unit)
Shaded relief or elevation tinting (Terrain Team)

38. 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

39. 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)

40. 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

41. 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

42. MCOO O B J K K LEGEND: K EA DOG EA CAT EA CAT Key Terrain
Severely Restricted
Engagement Area
Minefield
Restricted

43. NOTE: Ensure all graphics & symbols are listed in the Legend.
MCOO Symbols
Unrestricted
Terrain
Restricted
Terrain
Severely
Restricted
Terrain
Built-up
Areas
Battle
Position
Mobility
Corridors
(Red)
Air Avenues
of Approach
(Red)
Ground Avenues
of Approach
(Red) K EA
Rivers &
Lakes
(Blue)
Engagement Area
(Orange)
Key Terrain
(Purple)
Railroad
Tracks
NOTE: Ensure all graphics & symbols are listed in the Legend.

44. Weather Analysis Use USAF Weather Teams at Division, Corps, & EAC
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

45. Military Aspects of Weather
Visibility
Wind
Precipitation
Cloud Cover
Temperature & Humidity

46. Visibility Reduced Visibility:
Provides concealment
Favors the Offense
Impedes R & S
Hinders target acquisition

47. Light Data
The amount of Available Light is a major factor in evaluating Visibility.
Date BMNT SR SS EENT MR MS %Illum

48. Wind Strong Wind: Reduces visibility Limits airborne and aviation ops
Hinders communications
Impacts smoke and chemical ops

49. Precipitation Heavy Rain or Snow can impact on:
Trafficability
Visibility
Electro-optical Systems

50. Cloud Cover Degrades Target Acquisition Limits Aviation Ops
Limits Illumination
Limits Solar Heating
Hinders IR-guided Weapon Systems

51. Temperature & Humidity
Extremes of Temperature and Humidity:
Reduce personnel and equipment capabilities
Reduce aircraft payloads
Create logisitical problems

52. 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
Weather has both direct and indirect effects on military operations.
Assessing the impact of weather’s effects on military operations is a continual requirement as the weather is constantly changing.
It is far more important to understand the Effects of the WX on military operations rather than the WX itself!
NOTE: It may be difficult to graphically show the impacts of weather on terrain and military operations so use of a matrix may be the better solution.

53. 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

54. Questions???

55. 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?

56. 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.

57. IPB Step 3 1 2 3 DEFINE THE BATTLEFIELD ENVIRONMENT DESCRIBE THE
BATTLEFIELD’S
EFFECTS
IPB
EVALUATE
THE
THREAT 3
Step 3

58. Evaluate the Threat How? Update or Create Threat Models
Identify Threat Capabilities

59. 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
Doctrinal templates are scaled graphic depictions of threat normal deployments for a standard operation unconstrained by the effects of the battlefield environment.
The model Describes the Tactics of the major units portrayed on the template with typical timelines and phases of the operation and the activities of the different BOS.
The BOS should be described in sufficient detail to allow later Identification of HVTs and HPTs.
The model will also Describe the Options available to the threat should the operation fail (branches) or subsequent operations if it succeeds (sequels).
A correctly constructed Threat Model should include those things listed on the slide.

60. 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.

61. High-Payoff Target List High-Value Target List High-Payoff Target List
HVTs vs. HPTs
High-Payoff Target List C2
Artillery EA
NORTH
OBJ
High-Value Target List C2
Artillery
Bridging Assets EA
SOUTH
High-Payoff Target List C2
Artillery
Bridging Assets

62. Questions???

63. Check on Learning 1. What is a doctrinal template?
2. Where are OPFOR TTPs found?
3. What is a high value target?

64. IPB Step 4 1 2 3 4 DEFINE THE BATTLEFIELD ENVIRONMENT DESCRIBE THE
BATTLEFIELD’S
EFFECTS
IPB
DETERMINE
THREAT
COAs
EVALUATE
THE
THREAT 3 4
Step 4

65. Determine Threat Courses of Action
HOW?
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
OBJs &
Desired End State
of:
OBJs &
Desired End State
of: X XX
looks at
ARMY
DIV
BDE BN
looks at
DIV
BDE BN CO

66. Identify the Full Set of COAs available to the Threat?
CONSIDER ?
COAs the Threat believes appropriate to the current situation
COAs that could significantly influence your mission
COAs indicated by recent activities and events

67. Does the COA Meet the Criteria?
Suitability
Feasibility
COA
Criteria
Will it accomplish the objective?
Can he do it?
Acceptability
Uniqueness
Are the risks and resources worth it?
Is it significantly different?
NOTE: Each COA must be consistent with Threat doctrine!

68. Evaluate & Prioritize each COA
MEETS COA
CRITERIA?
DECEPTION
OPERATION?
STRENGTHS?
WEAKNESSES?
THREAT’s
RECENT
ACTIVITY?
COA THAT
MINIMIZES
RISK?
DECISIVE POINTS?
FITS BEST TO
BATTLEFIELD
ENVIRONMENT?
COA OFFERS
GREATEST
ADVANTAGES?

69. Center for Army Tactics
Each COA Must Answer:
WHAT?
WHEN?
WHERE?
HOW?
WHY?
Center for Army Tactics

70. Situation Template ENEMY COAs Enemy SOP for Fighting (Threat Model)
FIRE SAC
Battlefield
Environment’s
Effects
(MCOO)
ENEMY
COAs
FIRE SAC

71. SITEMP COA Descriptions
Earliest Time of Execution
Time Phase Lines
Likely Threat Commander’s Decisions
H+1
H+2
H+3
H+4

72. 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+1
H+2
H+3
H+4

73. Event Template EVENT TEMPLATE Sitemp 1 Sitemp 2 Consolidated Sitemp 2
1 & 2 1 2 2
NAI 3
NAI 1
NAI 2
EVENT
TEMPLATE
NAI 4

74. Practical Exercise #2 SITTEMP
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.

75. Questions???

76. 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

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