LONG RANGE SURVEILLANCE UNITS-ANALYSIS OF MISSION , UNIT CAPABILITIES AND ENHANCEMENTS.

MISSION, STRUCTURE,C2,OPERATING BASES,TOC,OPERATIONS

1.TYPES OF MISSIONS

2.LEADERSHIP

a.DET

b.COMPANY

3.SURVEILLANCE TEAM OPS

4.OPERATIONS BASE

5.TACTICAL OPERATIONS CENTER

a.TOC Organization and responsibilities:LRS DET AND LRS COMPANY

5.TASK ORGANIZATION

6.MISSION DEVELOPMENT

7.COORDINATION

8.FINAL INTERIM ORDER

9.OPERATIONAL SECURITY

 

ANALYSIS

TO DETERMINE THE CURRENT EFFICACY OF ANY LRS UNIT , ITS LIMITATIONS,DISADVANTAGES OF CURRENT DOCTRINAL DESIGN,POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS WE CAN CONDUCT A FUNCTIONAL AREA ANALYSIS, FUNCTIONAL NEEDS ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY OF LIMITATIONS.

FAA=Analysis of units capabilities and mission requirements.

FNA=Combining the above two analyses so as to determine disadvantages , constraints and limitations leading to further exploration for modifications/enhancements.

Analysis=We take into account , while analysing the surveillance platoons capabilities,the exact accurate mission definition , the critical tasks associated with such a type of mission and the units capabilities broken down against set criteria to evaluate its capacity to carry out the critical tasks of the mission.Timeliness,accuracy,sustainability and survivability are the factors to be kept in perspective while carrying out the analysis.

Finally we list out all the limitations inferred from the analyses.

While analysing the capabilities a the recce platoon we take into account 3 things:

i.the vehicles used

ii.crew served weapons

iii.communications and optics

Next comes the personnel themselves,their specialities--we must take into account the table of organization and equipment associated with platoon also

And finally we consider the attachment given to the platoon in order to enhance its capabilities such as intelligence assets like HUMINT/CI personnel to enable an int led scout platoon.

The primary purpose is reconnaissance and surveillance but I'd like to add an extra element--that is capability to provide full security and if need be fight for information , both of which require armour packages , weapons system and enhanced lethality on the part of the vehicles and personnel,as we cannot discount the possibility of contact with the enemy , more so when the depth of reconnaissance is increased.The general notion of not at all engaging with the enemy is not always possible , you need to connect and rapidly break contact and make a quick exit before enemy reinforcements or aerial support arrive.

For analysis of vehicle capabilities we focus on the design of the vehicle so as to survive in hostile terrain and how much lethal it is.The vehicles should be able to adapt to most difficult terrain and survive the harshest weathers.They should have adequate troop carrying capability , offer an optimum platform for communications/weapons mounting/C2,ammo storage,ambulance facility and cargo carrying.They should be able to withstand ballistic , mine and artillery attacks.The weapons mount should be 360 degrees rotation capable and the weapons system should be consisting of those machine guns , grenade launchers which are appropriate to tackle perceived enemy capability.Thus deployment of vehicles should be preceded by accurate intelligence collection of enemy weapons system.As regards personnel to man the vehicles careful choices must vbe made in comparison to the scouts who will dismount if needed to carry on surveillance operations as an inappropriate mix of vehicle personnel and scouts could strain personnel deployment under varying conditions.A vehicle requires a driver , commander and gunner.In case any of these are eliminated scout assets might have to take their places thus reducing availability of surveillance assets to complete the mission.We must keep two or three scounts in the vehicle for such emergencies.Especially in the case of dismounted operations , the vehicle must be secure with the minimum (so as to devote the maximum personnel for scout work) but optimum(with backup) personnel in order to move it and provide fire support if necessary.During surveillance operations , the depth of reconnaissance , mobility , speed , stealth , security to personnel both in the vehicle and as cover fire for dismounted soldiers and commanders ability to gain time and maneuver--these factors must go into the proper selection of recce vehicles.