Intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) is a systematic process that analyzes mission variables to determine their impact on operations. These variables include the enemy, terrain, weather, and civil considerations within an area of interest. IPB enables commanders and staffs to adopt a holistic approach to analyzing the operational environment (OE), considering all relevant aspects that may affect friendly, threat, and neutral forces. This approach identifies windows of opportunity to leverage friendly capabilities against threat forces and allows commanders to capitalize on positions of relative advantage for mission success.
Key Facts
- Purpose: IPB helps commanders and staffs analyze the mission variables of enemy, terrain, weather, and civil considerations in an area of interest to determine their effect on operations.
- Four Steps: The IPB process consists of four steps:
a. Step 1: Define the Operational Environment – Identify significant characteristics of the operational environment and gaps in intelligence holdings.
b. Step 2: Describe Environmental Effects on Operations – Evaluate how significant characteristics affect friendly and threat operations.
c. Step 3: Evaluate the Threat – Understand how the threat can affect friendly operations.
d. Step 4: Determine Threat Courses of Action – Identify and develop possible threat courses of action that can affect mission success. - Products: IPB results in intelligence products used during the military decision-making process. These products include threat situation templates, event templates, obstacle overlays, weather effects work aids, and civil considerations overlays.
Purpose of IPB
The primary purpose of IPB is to assist commanders and staffs in analyzing the OE to determine the effects of mission variables on operations. This analysis helps in developing friendly courses of action (COAs) and decision points for the commander. Additionally, the conclusions and products derived from IPB are crucial for planning information collection and targeting operations.
Steps of IPB
The IPB process consists of four sequential steps:
Define the Operational Environment
- Identify significant characteristics of the OE that can affect friendly and threat operations.
- Recognize gaps in current intelligence holdings.
Describe Environmental Effects on Operations
- Evaluate how significant characteristics affect friendly operations.
- Assess how terrain, weather, civil considerations, and friendly forces impact threat forces.
Evaluate the Threat
- Understand how the threat can affect friendly operations.
- Refine threat models to support IPB.
Determine Threat Courses of Action
- Identify and develop possible threat COAs that can affect mission accomplishment.
- Utilize products associated with determining threat COAs to assist in developing and selecting friendly COAs.
IPB Products
IPB results in intelligence products that are used during the military decision-making process (MDMP). These products include:
- Threat situation templates with associated COA statements and high-value target (HVT) lists.
- Event templates and associated event matrices.
- Modified combined obstacle overlays (MCOOs), terrain effects matrices, and terrain assessments.
- Weather effects work aids—weather forecast charts, weather effects matrices, light and illumination tables, and weather estimates.
- Civil considerations overlays and assessments.
Conclusion
Intelligence preparation of the battlefield (IPB) is a critical process that provides commanders and staffs with a comprehensive understanding of the OE and its impact on operations. By analyzing mission variables and developing intelligence products, IPB supports the MDMP, information collection, and targeting operations. IPB is essential for effective decision-making and mission success in modern warfare.
References
- The Lightning Press. (n.d.). Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB). Retrieved from https://www.thelightningpress.com/intelligence-preparation-of-the-battlefield/
- U.S. Department of Defense. (n.d.). IPB Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield. Retrieved from https://irp.fas.org/doddir/army/ioac/ipb.htm
- Defense Technical Information Center. (1995). Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) (ADA435947). Retrieved from https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA435947
FAQs
What is IPB in the military?
IPB stands for Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield. It is a systematic process of analyzing mission variables, including enemy, terrain, weather, and civil considerations, to determine their impact on operations.
What are the steps of IPB?
The IPB process consists of four steps:
- Define the Operational Environment
- Describe Environmental Effects on Operations
- Evaluate the Threat
- Determine Threat Courses of Action
What are the products of IPB?
IPB results in intelligence products used during the military decision-making process, such as threat situation templates, event templates, obstacle overlays, weather effects work aids, and civil considerations overlays.
What is the purpose of IPB?
The purpose of IPB is to assist commanders and staffs in analyzing the operational environment to determine the effects of mission variables on operations. This analysis helps in developing friendly courses of action (COAs) and decision points for the commander.
How does IPB support military operations?
IPB supports military operations by providing commanders and staffs with a comprehensive understanding of the operational environment and its impact on operations. This information is crucial for effective decision-making, planning, and execution of military missions.
Who is responsible for conducting IPB?
The intelligence staff is primarily responsible for conducting IPB. However, the entire staff contributes to the process by providing information and expertise in their respective areas.
How is IPB used in the military decision-making process (MDMP)?
The conclusions and products derived from IPB are used during the MDMP to assist in developing friendly COAs and decision points for the commander. Additionally, IPB supports information collection and targeting operations.
How does IPB contribute to mission success?
IPB contributes to mission success by providing commanders and staffs with the necessary intelligence and understanding of the operational environment to make informed decisions, allocate resources effectively, and anticipate and respond to threats.