Needle in a Haystack: Hunting Mobile Theater Missiles on the Battlefield

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means - tactical ballistic and cruise missiles - have caused anguish in the West. Few nations are equipped to defend against theater missiles. Theater missiles encompass the broad category of missiles incorporating tactical ballistic and cruise missiles. Indeed, the U.S. and their coalition partners discovered the difficulties in Operation DESERT STORM. One of the four pillars of theater missile defense is attack operations. It is an offensive strategy aimed at attacking the missile launchers, missile, guidance mechanism, command and control, and resupply system. This monograph investigates attack operations from an intelligence perspective. Its intent is to delve into the relationship intelligence has to the operations and targeting staffs. The author begins by exploring the history of attack operation to determine procedures and lessons that may still have applicability today. Next, IPB is introduced as a systematic negative search methodology. Targeting is covered from a command and control, attack, and measures of effectiveness perspective. Finally, the author grapples with the issue of sensor allocation. What is needed is a good beginning knowledge of the enemy capabilities, doctrine, training, operations, leadership, and organization. Building a database during conflict is problematic. Second, the joint headquarters must have adequate and practiced theater missile defense doctrine, TTPs, communications, intelligence, and command and control relationships. The ability to put all of the pieces together synergistically is the key to success in attack operations.