Intelligence process – situation of enemy

The command and control information support regarding the operation and composition of the enemy is provided by the combat intelligence. Its entire information activities are arranged in the intelligence process which consists of five steps[2]: planning, preparation, collection, processing and creation of information. This cyclic process

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further includes the function of analysis, evaluation and distribution of intelligence information which occurs in its whole course constantly.

3.1 Planning

In planning as an initial step of the intelligence process, the evaluation of the enemy´s situation, the definition of the required final condition in the operation and the identification of requirements for information are carried out. Then the information collection plan is created, synchronized and coordinated from the viewpoint of security and effectiveness. After that, intelligence staffs will allocate human and material resources and further necessary technical support for particular tasks. The commander´s intent, his instructions for operation planning and Commander´s Critical Information Requirements (CCIR) are a basic solution for intelligence planning and control.

3.2 Preparation

The preparation for performing intelligence is initiated after the receipt of the Operational Order or Plan, Preliminary Combat Instruction or the commander´s intent to perform the operation. It contains the preparation of personnel, material and equipment, coordination of exercises, acquaintance with the current situation in the operation area, acquaintance with the rules of employment, formation of intelligence teams and architecture, coordination of analytical cooperation, etc.

3.3 Collection of information on the enemy´s deployment and operation

The collection of information on the enemy includes all activities aimed at data and information gathering which will enable commander´s situation understanding in the area of operations. The capability of complex situation understanding of the enemy in the area of employment can be achieved through the maximization of data and information collection from all available sources. This network of sources will meet all the requirements for information from different directions and its verification as well. The collection of data and information on the enemy is supported by four characteristic methods as follows [5]:

a) Reconnaissance; b) Surveillance;

c) Security operations; and d) Intelligence operations.

Reconnaissance is a systematic, active and dynamic activity focused on information gathering through visual observation or other detection methods in different zones of the operation area. It is carried out by soldiers engaged in the operation who reconnoitre as dismounted, mounted or transported by air. Their capabilities of collecting data and information may be extended using various sensors or passive equipment for monitoring. Reconnaissance is performed before, during as well as after the operation in the area of responsibility. It provides and updates the information on the enemy´s deployment and operation, by which it gives freedom of manoeuvre to commanders of units engaged in the operation area. Generally, the commander focuses his reconnaissance efforts on CCIR, targeting and dead spots without sufficient information coverage. When planning road and area reconnaissance he aims at predetermined structures with a view to confirm or disconfirm the presence of the enemy.

Surveillance is the systematic observation of the airspace, ground or underground areas, points, persons or things using visual, intercept, electronic or photographic equipment [1]. It may be used independently for continuous monitoring of areas of interest or as part of reconnaissance. Equipment of surveillance searches and tracks the signs of the enemy´s operation in the area of interest which the reconnaissance activities may then

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focus on. Similarly, it is also used to control various technical areas of the enemy´s action using which it reduces potential risks for friendly forces and equipment. For efficient continuous surveillance commanders take advantage of simultaneous coverage of a particular region by several surveillance devices, the main tasks of which are the following: early warning regarding the enemy´s operation, identification and monitoring of the enemy´s forces and equipment including his communication capabilities and evaluation of key targets. Commanders evaluate the results of surveillance continuously and take measures for more effective information gathering from the area of interest. Efforts of surveillance are focused on restricted zones, geographically specified areas, points of interest or organizational, social, infrastructure and communication networks. Security operations are aimed at the protection of friendly forces and equipment against the enemy´s surprise operation and reduce the entire situational unawareness on the battlefield. In contrast with the data and information collection methods they are oriented to friendly structures, forces and equipment protected by them in the operation. The aim of security operations is to search actively the information on the enemy´s deployment and movement, on the possibilities to take advantage of the terrain by the enemy and on the possibilities to take countermeasures by friendly forces.

Intelligence operations match the information collection devices to the commander´s requirements for information. The units supporting intelligence operations acquire information either from friendly sources or take advantage of information sources of tactical, operational and strategic intelligence. Each type of intelligence operations provides the commander with specific capabilities and sensors which require specific information control and processing.

Types of intelligence operations

The intelligence operations regarding the enemy´s operation can be divided into seven following types[12]:

a) Signals Intelligence (SIGINT).

SIGINT is intelligence including either independent outputs or the combination of outputs from Communications Intelligence (COMINT), Electronic Signals Intelligence (ELINT) and Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence (FISINT). It uses communication, electronic and other instrumentation signals as information sources. Characteristic of Signal Intelligence types:

- COMINT analyses radio communication in addition to broadcast and television transmission;

- ELINT includes technical intelligence which analyse all uncommunicative electromagnetic radiation in addition to nuclear detonations and radioactive sources;

- FISINT analyses technical information obtained through the recording of electromagnetic radiation connected with testing and operational use of air, ground and underground systems. It includes the use of signals of signal, electronic and distance-measuring interrogators.

b) Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT).

OSINT is intelligence from open sources which collects, processes and distributes information from publicly available sources for the purpose of meeting specific requirements for intelligence information [3].

c) Imagery Intelligence (IMINT).

IMINT is intelligence taking advantage of optical, electronic or digital outputs from infrared, laser, multi-sensor or radar recording and from visual photographing.

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d) Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT).

MASINT is technical intelligence detecting, locating, monitoring and identifying or describing specific characteristics of position or dynamic objects and sources. It uses outputs from radar, spectroradiometric, infrared, laser, hyper-spectral image, acoustic, radio-frequency and seismic sensors and sensors for detecting the use of mass destruction weapons.

e) Human-Source Intelligence (HUMINT).

HUMINT is a collection of information from people and various media through the soldiers trained for this purpose with the aim to identify enemy units and their deployment, strength, composition, intent, equipment, occupancy and capabilities. f) Technical Intelligence (TECHINT).

TECHINT is intelligence which collects information and analyses the threats of enemy military equipment and vehicles.

g) Counterintelligence (CI).

CI prevents and neutralizes the efforts of the enemy to collect information through the information collection done by friendly forces; it analyses obtained information, investigates and takes countermeasures including the technical ones. It includes all detection and identification activities and the use and neutralization of the enemy´s intelligence operations.

3.4 Processing

In case of large amount of information acquired from various sources, the information is arranged and divided depending on the commander´s requirements for information and its efficiency in the creation of situational awareness. In the step of processing the acquired information is converted into formats suitable for subsequent analysis, information creation or for immediate use by the commander. It may be translating documents, developing films or converting electronic data into standardized reports. On the contrary, data and information from air reconnaissance and from observers can be distributed immediately. Most of these outputs, however, must be evaluated by analysts from the viewpoint of relevance and accuracy.

3.5 Information creation

In the step of information creation, intelligence staffs analyze, integrate and interpret data and information from one or more sources to the form of final intelligence products with the use of information support from the superior as well as subordinates. Early, accurate and clearly summarized intelligence products will help the commander recognize the enemy´s operation variant and improve the plan of information collection in the operation area. The quality and method of information processing may affect the preparation and planning of friendly forces operation fundamentally.

3.6 Intelligence process functions

The intelligence process functions [2] are in progress continuously during the entire time of its cycle. They include analysis, distribution and evaluation of acquired data and information.

Commanders and staffs perform the analysis of acquired information with regard to the problems or situations which they tackle through its collection with the purpose of maximum coverage of Priority Information Requirements (PIR). The performed analysis helps commanders at all levels adopt decisions on the best strategy of information collection and the priority with regard to available information sources. Intelligence staffs analyze every requirement for information to define its reliability, the ability to support the commander´s intent and the best method to meet the requirement. The

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outputs of this intelligence process function facilitate to define priorities and to perform the synchronization of information collection from more sources. Intelligence staffs try to determine expected variants of the enemy´s operation, CCIR and their indicators through the information analysis. The intelligence analysis is a key to creating the commander´s situational awareness. It is performed by analysts, specialists for a given area trained to assess information reliability, relevance and importance. Intelligence staffs arrange acquired data and develop another phase of the intelligence operation which includes the evaluation of events and the estimate of their consequences. On this basis they are also able to anticipate the development of the situation subject to newly acquired information. In their analyses they produce more variants of the enemy´s future operation and their recognizable signs. They identify possible threats as well as opportunities for the efficient use of friendly forces and equipment in each estimated variant. After analysis and synthesis of all available information, new requirements for information collection may occur to confirm expected variants of the enemy´s operation which will enable more effective use and reaction of friendly forces to the enemy´s operation. The outputs of intelligence analysis are included in the situation display of the battlefield.

Another function of the intelligence process is timely distribution. Sharing accurate and current information from all available sources is a key to successful synchronization and coordination of forces and equipment, their defence and situation comprehension in the operation. Current information must be distributed in a proper comprehensible format which will support the decision-making process of the commander. It is also necessary to create intelligence architecture including the Information Distribution Plan so that each recipient can receive required information in time. Various methods and products supported by technical facilities are used for information dissemination. These are written (reports), verbal (briefing) and graphic products (map and electronic), the purpose of which is to provide the recipient with relevant information.

The last function of the intelligence process is information evaluation, which is a continuous process, monitoring of the current situation and its development in all phases of the operation. The continuous evaluation of intelligence operations, equipment, available information and aspects of the battlefield environment are necessary for supporting CCIR, meeting requirements for information, redirecting information collection equipment based on the commander´s requirements, proper use of information and intelligence, identification of the enemy´s efforts and his prevention or disclosure of deception.

3.7 Unmanned aerial vehicles as flexible source of information on the enemy Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) controlled through the radio network are capable of operating without a human crew. They may also be pre-programmed for flight and for use of carried sensors, weapons or load [11]. Their great advantage is flexibility in task performance by reason of their technical equipment manoeuvrability and variability. Based on the task, they may be equipped with various devices which enable the task accomplishment. These are e.g. electro-optical and infrared sensors, the synthetic aperture radar, ground moving target indicator, SIGINT and electronic means, photographic and video equipment [10]. They are not limited by terrain obstacles, fatigue or the possible loss of the human crew when collecting information.

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Unmanned aerial vehicles as dynamic means taking advantage of carried technical devices for data and information collection may perform different intelligence tasks, e.g.:

a) Area reconnaissance.

They may monitor systematically a pre-defined area of intelligence interest and identify the signs of the occurrence of the enemy´s forces and equipment. The goal of UAV operation is to identify the deployment and composition of enemy units accurately; to identify particular targets and their activities and to enable the priority selection of their destruction; to identify possible enemy reinforcement assets and their routes; and further, to identify possible supply routes of enemy engaged units. The detection of the use of mass destruction weapons and the levels of possible area contamination may also be part of area reconnaissance.

b) Road reconnaissance.

It is reconnaissance of determined roads important for manoeuvre of friendly forces and equipment. It includes identifying the deployment and composition of enemy units on these roads as well as in their vicinity from where they are capable of disrupting coalition forces´ manoeuvres efficiently; further, identifying barriers which prevent friendly forces from using roads.

c) Monitoring points of interest.

Unmanned aerial vehicles may monitor temporarily or constantly specific points, persons, vehicles or other structures important for the performance of operational tasks or for the purpose of responding to CCIR.

d) Network monitoring.

Network monitoring includes observing organizational, social, communication or infrastructural interconnections and relations of individuals, groups and organizations. It also includes the identification of physical and virtual infrastructure aspects (bridges, markets and roads) in the life of inhabitants [5].

e) Performance of security operations.

In the course of task performance as well as in the location of troops out of combat, unmanned aerial vehicles may carry out continuous monitoring of the area of action and its vicinity with a view to early warning against an unexpected enemy´s operation. This maintains commander´s situational awareness and enables effective reaction of friendly forces and equipment to the enemy´s manoeuvre.

f) Data collection for intelligence operations.

Using on-board sensors and devices unmanned aerial vehicles operate as a means of data and information collection to carry out intelligence operations, such as e.g. SIGINT, IMINT, MASINT, TECHINT and Counterintelligence.

Unmanned aerial vehicles enable the commander the search and identification of the enemy beyond the limit of their visibility and the transfer of acquired information on a real-time basis. Automated activities of information management, processing and dissemination obtained through UAVs facilitate information evaluation, analysis and distribution nearly on a real-time basis. Based on the task and the UAV type, the commander is able to obtain important and updated data and information on the enemy´s situation in the area of operation.