DarkDot ATP 2-01.3 — Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield
Overview
ATP 2-01.3 provides the technical framework for Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) — the doctrinal predecessor to IPOE. The publication formalizes the four-step process that intelligence analysts use to understand the operational environment and predict adversary behavior.
The Four-Step IPB Process
Step 1: Define the Battlefield Environment
Identify the limits of the area of interest and area of influence, and catalog the significant characteristics of the OE — terrain features, population centers, infrastructure, and key actors.
Step 2: Describe the Battlefield's Effects
Analyze how terrain (using OAKOC) and weather affect both friendly and threat capabilities. This step produces terrain analysis overlays and weather effects matrices that quantify — not just describe — environmental impact.
Step 3: Evaluate the Threat
Analyze adversary doctrine, organization, and capabilities. Develop a doctrinal template — a graphic depiction of how the adversary organizes and fights under doctrinal conditions. Identify adversary COG (Center of Gravity), critical vulnerabilities, and likely signatures.
Step 4: Determine Threat Courses of Action
Develop situation templates (SITEMPs), an event template, and a decision support template. These products answer: What will the adversary do? Where? When? The COA narrative explains the who, what, when, where, and why of each templated COA.
Key IPB Products
| Product | Description |
|---|---|
| Terrain analysis overlay | OAKOC annotated map graphic |
| Modified combined obstacle overlay (MCOO) | Synthesized terrain mobility graphic |
| Doctrinal template | How the adversary fights under doctrine |
| Situation template (SITEMP) | Enemy disposition for each COA |
| Event template | NAIs, indicators, and decision points |
| Decision support template (DST) | Links enemy events to friendly decision points |
Named Areas of Interest (NAIs)
NAIs are specific geographic areas where threat activity would confirm or deny a COA. They are derived from the event template and drive ISR tasking. Each NAI has:
- A defined geographic boundary
- Specific indicators to observe
- A time window for when those indicators are expected
- An assigned collection asset
Relevance to Dark Dot
Use the terrain plan to build the IPOE overlay. Place NAI zones as polygon features with labels and link them to objectives to track collection. Template enemy dispositions with unit markers on the terrain plan, showing EMLCOA and EMDCOA positions for briefing during MDMP Step 4 (War Game).