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Photography > Aerial Reconnaissance and Imagery Analysis > Photo Interpretation & Imagery Analysis > Photo / Imagery Interpretation Techniques

Imagery Intelligence Collection Target Categories

Introduction:
Image Analysts (IAs) are called upon to produce both target and detailed intelligence information on a variety of what are called “targets.” This can encompass anything from small military units in the field at the tactical level, to the analysis of bases housing strategic weapons systems, or even urban complexes.

Targets:
For the IA, a target is defined as any physical object, facility, condition or activity that may be the subject of imagery collection and subsequent analysis. A target category is a group of similar items that serve the same function, for example, military installations, bridges, railroads, or harbors.

Strategic targets might include any facility or activity that ‘~ is essential to a nation’s war fighting capability. This could be anything from key industries to specific military bases that house critic weapons systems.

Tactical targets are fundamentally concerned with the objects, conditions and activites in the present battle area, or in the commander’s area of interest. These are potential targets that are extremely mobile, so the value of the information depreciates rapidly from the time of acquisition. Typically, these targets would include troop activity and movement, lines of communications and networks, or any of a multitude of things that may be well defined in the commander’s essential elements of information (EEI). An EEI might be: What is the status of a bridge across a river that is needed for movement of friendly forces.

The entire structure of the target categories and reporting has evolved with the emergence of real time sensors, i.e., sensors that image in real time and the imagery is transmitted for immediate exploitation. Exploitation often includes immediate engagement of the target. The target categories identified below are more typical of what was used in film-based systems. Some may not apply today.

Ironically, with film based camera systems the question was: Is the target still there? Today, the biggest delay in target engagement is the human decision (Command Decision) to engage the target: Do I shoot or not? The Air Force goal is 10 minutes from time of acquisition to engagement. Afghanistan has shown the systems are less frequently the delay than the decision process, ridiculous as that may seem.

Target Categories:
“Targets” are categorized to permit the timely and accurate reporting of the necessary information in all cases. The target reporting categories clearly define what kinds of information will be reported for each item, as shown below.

AIRFIELDS
1. Serviceability
2. Aircraft (Number and Type)
3. Activity
4. Runways (Length/width, orientation, pattern, construction)
5. Defenses (Number and type)
6. Fuel Storage
7. Ammunition Storage
8. Hangars
9. Electronics

BOMB DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
1. Target identification
2. Description of damage
3. Weapon(s) impact areas (location, number of craters)
4. Activity remaining

BRIDGES
1. Function
2. Serviceability
3. Relationship of Roadway to Support Structure (deck, through, semi-through, composite)
4. Longitudinal Support
5. Piers
6. Number of spans
7. Dimensions (length overall, length each span, widths)
8. Number of lanes/tracks
9. Approaches
10. Defenses
11. By-pass/alternate

COASTAL STRIPS
1. Type of Beach
2. Area size
3. Defenses
4. Obstacles
5. Transportation access and backshore description
6. Activity

DAM/HYDROELECTRIC POWER
1. Function and serviceability
2. Dam construction(size, type construction, reservoir)
3. Generator halls(type, size, location)
4. Transformer yards(size, location)
5. Penstock/Turbine Outlet(number and type outlets, location, turbine outlets)
6. Defenses

ELECTRIC POWER SUBSTATIONS
1. Type and serviceability
2. Size
3. Transmission lines
4. Defenses

ELECTRONICS
1. Function of Site(civil/military, microwave, DF, EW. OCI, other)
2. Number and type of antenna
3. Mobile/fixed
4. Primary buildings
5. Defenses
6. Power facilities

FERRIES AND RIVER CROSSING
1. Function, serviceability, location
2. Type(SP, cable, pontoon, raft, barge)
3. Number
4. Dimensions
5. Obstacle gap
6. Activity
7. Defenses

GUN EMPLACEMENTS
1. Type, number, location of weapons
2. Permanent, revetted,camouflage
3. Configuration
4. F/C
5. Ammo storage
6. Security

INDUSTRIES
1. Type (extraction, processing, fabrication)
2. Size
3. Buildings
4. Open storage
5. Activity
6. Transportation facilities
7. Power facilities
8. Defenses and security

LOCKS
1. Serviceability and activity
2. Locks (number and type)
3. Size
4. Type, construction, number of gates
5. Defenses

MILITARY INSTALLATIONS
1. Function
2. Activity
3. Size
4. Buildings
5. Defenses
6. Security

MISSILES
1. Function and location
2. Site (mobile/fixed, status, configuration)
3. Number/orientation of launchers
4. Electronics
5. Activity
6. Defenses
7. Security

POL
1. Permanent or temporary
2. Function
3. Storage facilities
4. Access
5. Defenses

PORTS AND HARBORS
1. Primary function(naval, merchant marine, inland waterway)
2. Type of harbor
3. Ships
4. Handling facilities
5. POL
6. Primary storage
7. Shipyard facilities(dry docks, launch ways, cranes, etc.)
8. Power facilities
9. Defenses

RAIL FACILITIES
1. Type
2. Serviceability
3. Dimensions
4. Activity
5. Facilities
6. Defenses

ROAD JUNCTIONS
1. Type
2. Surface
3. Lanes
4. Terrain
5. Defenses
6. Activity

TROOP/VEHICLE ACTIVITY
1. Type and location
2. Strength
3. Status
4. Terrain
5. Local defenses


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