Reconnaissance

Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. It is part of combat intelligence. Compare to counterintelligence.

Related Topics:
Military - Combat intelligence - Counterintelligence

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It is often referred to as recce {{IPA |/ˈre.ki/}} (British & Commonwealth) or recon (USA). The associated verb is reconnoiter in American English or reconnoitre in British English.

Related Topics:
Verb - American English - British English

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Examples of reconnaissance include patrolling by troops, ships, submarines, or aircraft, or by setting up covert observation posts. Reconnaissance may also be carried out by satellites or unmanned aircraft.

Related Topics:
Patrolling - Submarine - Aircraft - Satellites

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Reconnaissance seeks to collect a range of information about an enemy. This includes their locations, numbers, and intentions. A number of acronyms exist for the information to be gathered - mainly coined by the US - including salt (size, activity, location, and time), salute (size, activity, location, unit, time, and equipment), sam & doc (strength, armament, movement, deployment, organization, and communications).

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Thus reconnaissance is a fundamental tactic which helps to build an intelligence picture.

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