Terrain and Intelligence Collection.
Abstract
This monograph looks at the current capabilities of division and corps Military Intelligence (MI) units and their ability to provide intelligence in differing geographic settings. The geographic environments considered include the general terrain and climate of desert, jungle, mountain, and urban areas. The hypothesis of this paper is that the constraints imposed by these differing geographic environments are at odds with the mix of collection and dissemination capabilities found in current MI organizations responsible for executing the intelligence cycle. The US Army developed the tactical intelligence systems now in use to support high intensity combat operations against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Since the disappearance of the Soviet Union and the rapid change in the world balance of power, the US Army has had to make do with systems designed and procured for a struggle between superpowers. The interaction between terrain and climate often place different demands on MI units than those found in Central Europe. The way to increase tactical MI units' capabilities is to modify the current European-focused structures with a more flexible design. The proposed structure would keep the analytical, planning, and production capabilities in the division, but move the collectors to functionally-based battalions in an additional corps MI brigade. The new MI battalion and brigade structures would allow commanders to organize and focus intelligence support the same way they can focus artillery or engineer unit support of the main effort.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA314668
Entities
People
- Todd A. Megill
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College