|
Operations in urban terrain are characterized by
"fluidity" of events, where opportunities to engage high priority
targets occur unexpectedly and for only a few seconds, or at most,
minutes. Rapid processing of information, on-the-spot decision making,
and maintaining the ability to respond with split-second timing
enables the military to take advantage of these transient
opportunities. Coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Israeli
forces attempting to control the activities of the Palestinian
fighters in Gaza and West Bank are already using such means.
Utilization of these capabilities requires the fielding of an
extensive intelligence network, integrating all types of ISR
operations including persistent sensors (operating continuously
throughout the day, night, and adverse weather conditions), satellite
imagery, aerial reconnaissance, elevated, stand-off aerial observation
by long-range telescopes, and close-in views by mini UAVs, mast
mounted or aerostat tethered imagers, radars and FLIRs, etc. Other
feeds can be provided by covert, unattended ground sensors designed to
monitor suspected enemy locations and report on enemy activity and
movements before an operation.
Other means used to collect information and build the total
intelligence picture include signal intelligence, surveillance systems
such as tracking radars, IR scanners and acoustic sensors, which can
determine the location and concentration of suspicious activities.
Employment of snipers, linked via wireless into the intelligence
sensor network, is an example of such close-loop kill chain. When a
target of opportunity appears, and is positively verified by the
intelligence team at the command level, the commander can order the
sniper to take it out, rapidly "closing the loop" between sensor and
shooter.
 A different example of "accelerated kill-chain" involves the use of
UAVs for "Hunter Killer" activities. These operations are becoming the
basis for a new concept of "Air Domination" of urban areas. The
operations are performed by armed UAVs that are equipped with sensors
and weapons in order to perform surveillance and intervention missions
simultaneously. UAVs are particularly suitable for this role because
of their ability to cover large areas for extended durations.
UAVs also have the ability to accurately strike targets of
opportunity, with localized lethal effect. Covering an area with
observation and fire, UAVs such as the
General Atomics Predator or
IAI/Northrop
Grumman Hunter fly at an altitude of 10,000-16,000 feet, equipped with EO or SAR sensors and armed with
Lockheed Martin Hellfire or
Northrop/Grumman Viper
Strike laser-guided weapons.
Sperwer B, a French derivative of the combat proven Sperwer UAV
developed by Sagem, can be armed with two Israeli
RAFAEL Spike LR
electro-optically guided missiles. Other UAVs, such as the
Elbit
Systems Hermes 450 and IAI/MALAT Heron (both are in service with the Israeli
Air Force) have already demonstrated the capability to carry
significant external payloads, but no details have been released about
the payloads that these vehicles will carry. Palestinian sources have
repeatedly claimed that Israeli weaponized UAVs are frequently used
against terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
Several systems currently under development in the USA, Europe and
Israel, are pushing this concept to the limit, with the ability to
simultaneously control many sensors and multiple UAVs over a large
area, in support of multiple missions. When mature, these systems will
be integrated into regional command centers to support overall
intelligence gathering and activity and to facilitate rapid engagement
of time critical targets. The ability to monitor multiple video
streams gives command centers a total grasp of the battlefield
situation as they examine it from every angle. Automated processes,
such as automatic change detection, and movement indication assist in
detection, and tracking of targets in real time. Other features, such
as automatic target tracking have special significance for
intelligence collection. Modern systems can turn observations into
intelligence – for example, the Terrasight system is used by US forces
for automatic tracking of a specific person through a crowded scene,
plotting precise geolocation coordinates for each place the subject
visits. Future capabilities will enhance this feature and enable
specific 'fingerprinting" of targets. Image surveillance data can be
used in real time or stored for later analysis. Examining video
records let intelligence teams review suspicious patterns of enemy
movements. Integrated data allows them to locate and track centers of
activity. And by watching for any increase in activity, analysts can
estimate when an attack is imminent.
For urban combat operations, Human Intelligence (HUMINT) is still the
most important intelligence gathering method. HUMINT does not
necessarily involve use of specialized operators. Troops and patrols
constantly operating in an area can provide excellent and highly
focused HUMINT if properly trained and equipped. The ‘Every Soldier is
a Sensor’ (ES2) program, currently in use by the US Army, is
developing the skills and capabilities necessary to utilize regular
soldiers for intelligence gathering activities.
Thanks to modern cellular communications, HUMINT does not always
require direct contact between operators, agents, and the local
population. Internet, wireless mobile phones, commercial phones,
cameras, and SMS messaging have replaced the secret radio transmitters
and Morse code of the past. These collaboration techniques enable
HUMINT operators to recruit informers over the Internet, or via
leaflets airdropped over an area of interest.
The Israelis in the Gaza area successfully employed these methods
after the 2005 disengagement. Israeli intelligence organizations
engaged in an integrated Information Warfare (IW) and PSYOPS campaign
that provided Palestinians in Gaza with phone numbers where they could
send information about suspected terrorist activities and locations of
improvised rockets. The informers were not motivated by their love for
Israel, or greed, but by the hope of removing the threat of Israeli
retaliation from their homes. Over 1,500 calls were received during
the first month. Many of the messages provided valuable, verifiable,
real-time information proving that this innovative concept is viable
in modern counter-insurgency warfare.
|
