the air space involved and the extremely fluid nature of the air space medium. IPB
of the third dimension is but one part of the total IPB picture. It is important
to remember that air-associated IPB cannot be treated as a separate product from
ground IPB. The threat will use air assets to complement ground force operations.
As such, air and ground IPB complement each other and must be integrated.
PART A - BATTLEFIELD AREA EVALUATION
The evaluation of the third dimension is conducted from a different perspective
than that done for ground IPB. Weather and terrain have entirely different effects
on aviation operations. This is especially true regarding weather effects. The
enemy forces that must be evaluated in relation to the weather, terrain, and
friendly mission include aircraft (fixed and rotary-wing), air defense weapons
systems, air-to-surface and cruise missile systems, airborne and air assault units,
and special purpose forces. The commander and intelligence staff may also wish to
consider the capabilities of enemy tactical surface-to-surface missile (SSM)
systems when conducting airspace analysis, as these systems are affected by many of
the same operational constraints as aircraft and air defense artillery (ADA)
systems.
The commander must also evaluate the capabilities of friendly aircraft, air defense
systems, and cruise missile systems to operate within the battlefield environment.
This evaluation is more complex because the friendly technological advantage
(somewhat negated in the newest threat aircraft), and the better training of
friendly pilots and crews, increases the capabilities of these systems over
comparable threat systems.
Although commanders must be concerned with the entire spectrum of air threat, they
will be most concerned with the tactical air and air-associated assets organic to
enemy divisions, armies, and fronts. Operational and strategic assets from the air
armies in support of the theaters of military operations (TVD), and those assets
subordinate to the Supreme High Command (VGK), will be considered only when
employed in support of operational-tactical operations. However, these strategic
assets will be considered during airspace analysis at the operational level of war.
The third dimension of the battlefield includes the air AO and the air Al. The air
AO, like the ground AO, is the area where the commander is assigned responsibility
and authority for military operations. It is identical to the ground AO when
considering the placement of ground-based systems, but is limited only by maximum
and minimum aircraft operating altitudes and the maximum effective ranges and
altitudes of air defense weapons when considering actual airspace.
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IT 0462
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