Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield - Federation of American ...

FM 34-130
streets and parks for movement. In the same area, dismounted infantry might prefer an
area of closely built structures that allows them to move under cover via holes knocked
through walls between buildings. Similarly, helicopters look for areas that allow access
to concealment and cover by NOE flight techniques while high performance aircraft
generally avoid obstacles and use direct approaches. This is more than a function of
mobility. For example, mechanized and armored units generally require open areas in
which to move. This certainly enhances mobility but the improved observation of open
areas also facilitates command and control (C 2
) over maneuvering sub-elements.
Similarly, reconnaissance units generally prefer areas that allow them to conduct their
mission without detection, favoring areas that offer concealment even if it requires
some sacrifice of mobility.
Air AAs permit the employment of penetrating aerial sensors, attack aircraft, and
airmobile forces. Air AAs are generally as direct as possible in order to minimize risk
to the aircraft and maximize the aircraft’s payload. However, terrain can influence the
choice of particular routes. Terrain corridors are usually desirable because they afford
some defilade protection from ADA systems outside the corridor. Corridors, and other
linear terrain features such as roads or rivers, also provide aids to navigation at high
speeds. Concealment from ground observation or radar acquisition is also important to
low-flying aircraft, particularly helicopters. All other things being equal, aircraft will
generally use the most direct approach to the target area. In the target area, many
attack profiles depend on low-level flight. It is here that terrain analysis is most useful
in identifying aircraft AAs. In addition to the terrain factors considered above, evaluate
air AAs by considering obstacles to flight. See Chapter 4 for example considerations.
(2) EVALUATE THE TERRAIN’S EFFECTS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS.
A common fault is to discuss the military aspects of terrain in great detail without addressing
why they are important. To avoid this common fault, you must relate the analysis to the
terrain’s effects on the broad COAs available to threat and friendly forces.
Evaluate the terrain’s effects on offensive and defensive COAs by identifying the areas along
each AA best suited for use as potential—
Engagement areas and ambush sites: Using the results of evaluating concealment and
cover, identify areas where maneuvering forces are vulnerable to fires. Consider
weapon ranges, missile flight times, and the likely speed of maneuvering forces. If
your command is attacking, these are areas where it will be vulnerable to threat fires.
If your command is defending, these are potential engagement areas.
Battle positions: Identify concealed and covered positions that offer observation and
fields of fire into potential engagement areas. If your command is defending, they are
potential defensive positions. If your command is attacking, they provide a start point
for determining possible threat COAs. They might also be used by friendly attacking
forces to block enemy counterattacks.
Immediate or intermediate objectives: Identify any areas or terrain features that
dominate the AAs or assigned objective areas. These will usually correspond to areas
already identified as key terrain.
As time permits, or the situation requires, also identify potential—
Assembly and dispersal areas.
Observation posts.
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