Intelligence Preparation of the URBAN Battlefield
Abstract
Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) is a graphic method of depicting on a map the military effects of terrain, weather, and enemy forces. Initially designed as an intelligence analysis and dissemination tool, soldiers first used IPB to anticipate the course of battles between large, fast- moving formations of armored vehicles traversing relatively open terrain. The process caught-on quickly, and IPB today is the foundation of U.S. Army tactical planning and decision-making. Doctrine writers are expanding the scope of IPB to encompass most of the operational continuum, contending that IPB can be used to predict the actions of insurgent groups as well as Soviet tank divisions. Army officers are trained to expect much from and believe in IPB. Together with each tactical field manual from corps to company team, the IPB capstone manual, FM 34-130, asserts that the five-step IBP process will provide pre-battle predictive intelligence to Army commanders regardless of the terrain, weather and enemy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 18, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA234196
Entities
People
- Kevin D. Johnson
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College