TRADOC Analysis Center—Fort Lee Reconnaissance Study Part I: The Study

Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin, July, 2000 by Michael P. Ley

The U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) Deputy Chief of Staff for Combat Developments (DCSCD) has designated the TRADOC Analysis Center (TRAC) as the lead agency for conduct of the reconnaissance study. This study will focus on selected tactical reconnaissance systems that the Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) RSTA (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition) Squadron will employ in 2007 and a Force XXI Divisional Cavalry Squadron will use in 2010.

Study Participants and Purpose

Supporting TRAC in these efforts are the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca (USAIC&FH), the U.S. Army Aviation Command (USAAVNC), and the U.S. Army Armor Command (USAARMC). The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive examination on how the IBCT's RSTA and Army XXI Cavalry Squadrons will fulfill their reconnaissance requirements. The study will also identify requirements and TTP (tactics, techniques, and procedures) for [C.sup.4]ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) architecture interface and technical improvements to meet the maneuver commander's tactical reconnaissance needs. The results will go to doctrine writers and system acquisition decision makers concerned with the emerging IBCT and Objective Force designs built around the RAH-66 COMANCHE, the Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV), the Future Scout and Cavalry System (FSCS), and the Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV).

Supporting Exercises

Although final dates have yet not been set, three exercises will support the study. They include a virtual exercise, constructive exercise, and a subject matter expert (SME) map exercise (MAPEX).

Virtual Exercise. A virtual exercise will refine the proposed draft TTP focusing on eight specific treatments; it will include iterative sessions to allow refinement of the TTP draft. Following each run, an after-action review (AAR) will aid in refining the TTP and identifying new TTP as the situation warrants. The virtual exercise will collect objective data against measures of effectiveness (MOE) and measures of performance (MOP) to help gauge mission success but no direct comparisons between cases will occur. At the conclusion of the exercise, a draft report will highlight the refined TTP developed during the simulation. The virtual exercise will take place at Fort Knox, Kentucky, between 30 May and 25 June 2000.

Constructive Exercise. A constructive exercise will examine the effectiveness of the reconnaissance systems and associated TTP across the full spectrum of conditions (terrain, threat, and visibility). The focus in this exercise is to further explore potential TTP and assess the effect on mission accomplishment as METT-TC (mission, enemy, terrain, troops, and time available and civilians) conditions vary. When possible, the exercise will contain sufficient replications to attain statistical validity; this will allow quantification of variations in performance within each case. Objective data collected against the MOE and MOP will help gauge mission success, with direct comparisons between treatments being made. AARs held in conjunction with each run will further refine the TTP developed during the virtual phase of the exercise. The constructive simulation exercise will be between 5 and 22 July 2000 at White Sands, New Mexico.

Subject Matter Expert (SME) Map Exercise (MAPEX). The third exercise supporting the Reconnaissance Study, an SME MAPEX, will capture issues associated with specific alternatives and excursions to the extent that the constructive simulation could not cover them. The MAPEX will also address reconnaissance in support of urban operations, as the available resources will not allow full simulation during the virtual and constructive exercises. Conducted at White Sands on 20 and 21 July 2000, the SME MAPEX will also include an 06-level conference to review the emerging TTP.

Study Objectives and Issues

Effective tactical reconnaissance is essential for U.S. Army units to attain information dominance, and to achieve ultimate success on the battlefield. In the near term, the IBCT will employ interim reconnaissance platforms (IAV and FSCS), non-organic aviation support (RAH-66 COMANCHE), and the TUAV to achieve reconnaissance dominance over the enemy. This study will explore the TTP with respect to these systems, given METT-TC constraints. The study strives for multiple objectives, intending to achieve insights at the system, organization, and doctrinal levels. Specific objectives include-

* Expanding the body of knowledge concerning how IBCT and Force XXI units--equipped with current and projected reconnaissance systems--execute the combined arms reconnaissance mission.

* Providing insights concerning the value added of developmental systems such as those identified above.

* Demonstrating the utility of both manned and unmanned reconnaissance systems.

* Supplying insights concerning the appropriate mix of systems within cavalry organizations.