Tools of Change: Tactical C4ISR and Conflicts - Past, Present, and Future
Abstract
The United States does not have a single aircraft capable of performing tactical reconnaissance. Understanding this claim as it applies to irregular warfare (IW) requires defining the terms tactical and reconnaissance. In IW, tactical refers to the activities and actions of small units. It applies to tactical reconnaissance units themselves as well as the units they support and the enemy units they are trying to find. Tactical reconnaissance units can also support larger friendly forces and detect larger enemy forces, but their capabilities emphasize the small-unit level. In IW, reconnaissance means searching for enemy forces and their trails, campsites, supply routes, border access points, depots, and cross-border training camps. in essence, it means detecting the enemy's presence and gathering relevant data about terrain and weather in IW, combining these two terms, tactical reconnaissance, secures a wide variety of information about the enemy, terrain, and weather for immediate use on the battlefield or for exploitation as an intelligence or surveillance task that would begin right away and generally remain with the tactical personnel covering the assigned area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA544665
Entities
People
- Thomas J. Rath
Organizations
- Air and Space Power Journal