Terrain Analysis

Sid Heal, Senior Instructor

When identified and appropriately exploited, terrain,

in and of itself, can provide tactical advantages

Terrain Analysis• Recognized important tactically since

Sun Tzu described it in “The Art of War” circa 500 B.C. and has been used by every successful tactical leader since then

• Just as important in urban environments as it is in rural environments

• Large malls, buildings, skyscrapers, custodial facilities and the like, can also be analyzed for effects on tactical movements

• Terrain analysis is one of the best investments of time for planning

Conducting the Analysis• Significance of the terrain will vary with

the echelon of command and the particular mission of the unit

• Five factors have proven tactical significance. These are:• Key Terrain (Sometimes called Critical Terrain)

• Observation and Fields of Fire• Cover and Concealment• Obstacles• Avenues of approach and escape

KOCOA

KOCOA

Key Terrain Features• Any locality or area, the control of

which, offers a marked advantage• Control is critical, not occupation

• Oft times it is the “high ground” but may also be a choke point, obstacle, blind spot or avenue of approach or escape

• If the control of dominate terrain offers a decisive advantage it is called, “Decisive Terrain” or “Commanding Terrain”• “Texas Tower” at University of Texas-Austin

or the tower at the Branch Davidian compound are two good examples

KOCOA Key Terrain can also be a “choke point”

Key Terrain is often the “high ground”

Key terrain can be any feature that offers a marked advantage!

Key Terrain Features

KOCOA

Observation andFields of Fire

• So closely related that they are considered together

• Observation—those features that provide surveillance opportunities• Includes the ability to employ any optic enhancing

device, such as binoculars and/or NVGs

• Fields of Fire—the area of fire that can be effectively covered depending on the type of weapon and how it is emplaced• Not to be confused with a “sector of fire”

Fields of Fire

Characteristics of the weapon is the first factor

Fields of Fire

How the weapon is employed is the second factor

Sectors of Fire

A sector of fire is an assignment!

Intended to:• Prevent friendly casualties• Increase effectiveness of fires• Ensure no gaps in fires

KOCOA

Cover and Concealment• So closely related that they are

considered together• Cover—provides protection from fires

and the effects of fires• Dependent upon both the weapon employed

and the intermediate substance(i.e. tree, concrete, etc.)

• Concealment—prevents observation• May be part of terrain, but also smoke, fog,

darkness, snow, dust or heavy rain

KOCOA

Cover and Concealment(Effects of Fires)

Bullets are not the only things that will kill.

The “effects” from the fires can be even more

deadly and,

are easierto hit!

KOCOA

Obstacles• Any object or feature that stops,

impedes or diverts movement• Depends on mode of movement• Obstacles to vehicles may not impede foot

movement• Obstacles may be natural or manmade• Some obstacles are so formidable as to

constitute a “barrier”

KOCOA

Obstacles for vehiclesmay not stop pedestrians.

Obstacles vs. Barriers

Some obstacles can be considered “barriers.”

KOCOA

KOCOA

Avenues of Approachand Escape

• A route by which a force can reach an objective or escape from a predicament

• Avenues should be broad enough to permit necessary maneuver and bypassing of obstacles• Avoid canalizing friendly forces because it makes

them vulnerable (choke point)• Avenues of approach can be vertical, as with a

vertical envelopment• Helicopter borne, rappelling, climbing, etc.

KOCOA

Avenues of Approachand Escape

By foot or vehicle, an avenue needs to be wide

enough to permit maneuver and bypass obstacles.

Gaining Terrain Appreciation• Map Reconnaissance• Visual reconnaissance, especially with photographic

drive-bys and fly-bys• Visual reconnaissance is necessary to identify:

• Steering Features—sometimes called “steering marks,” facilitate navigation

• Prominent Terrain—any feature that can be readily identified on both the physical terrain and a map, terrain sketch or diagram

• Micro-Terrain —terrain that has tactical significance but is too small to be displayed on a map

• Enfilade and Defilade Features —provide “terrain shielding.” Enfilade means exposed to observation or fires and defilade terrain protects against direct observation or fires.

Prominent Terrain

Micro-Terrain?

Prominent terrain allows precise navigation without a compass, in reduced visibility and/or using only sketches, diagrams or “dead reckoning.”

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Navigation• Cardinal Directions (most well known)

• Awkward in city, compasses affected by magnetic fields and steel objects

• Shift from a known point (common)• Uses prominent terrain features as steering marks• Requires prior knowledge or detailed directions• Polar shift is most common method.

• Grid System (MGRS, Thomas Guide and others)• Effective over distance but requires map and

ineffective for micro-terrain

• Numbering System (Common tactical “work around”)• Highly effective for micro-terrain, inappropriate for

longer distances

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UnderstandingUrban Terrain

Six Fundamental Differences1. Defensive Advantage• Defender enjoys cover and

concealment• Avenues of approach are highly

predictable

2. Three-Dimensional• Buildings are hollow and multi-story• Some buildings have intrinsic value• Vertical avenues of approach and

escape

3. Short-range engagements• Typical engagement is less than seven

yards• Targets are fleeting and line of sight is

restricted

4. Decentralized Control• Communications are frequently

restricted and intermittent• Requires centralized planning and

focus

5. Presence of a civilian population

• Is always a factor

6. Uneven ambient light• Glaring lights and harsh shadows• Many surfaces are highly reflective• Night vision nearly impossible

Urban Activity LevelsLevel of activity is somewhat predictable by time of day

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The nature of the groundis often of more

consequence than courage. Flavius Vegetius Renatus, AD 378

Sid Heal909-732-8325 H9692@Verizon.net