Comprehensive Guide to Military Information Operations and Capabilities (copy)

Information Operations (IO)

The integrated use of information-related capabilities to influence, disrupt, corrupt, or usurp the decision-making of adversaries while protecting friendly forces.

Cyberspace operations

Use specific capabilities to create effects that support operations across all domains.

MILDEC

Military Deception. Actions intended to mislead adversary decision makers, causing the adversary to take specific actions or inactions that contribute to the accomplishment of the friendly mission.

Information-related capabilities (IRCs)

The tools, techniques, and activities that military forces or other entities use to influence the information environment and achieve desired effects.

Electromagnetic spectrum operations

Military action involving the use of electromagnetic and directed energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum, or to attack the enemy.

OPSEC

The desired effect is to influence the adversary's behavior and actions by protecting friendly operations and activities.

Counterintelligence

Information gathered and activities conducted to protect against espionage or other intelligence activities conducted by or on behalf of foreign governments, terrorist organizations, etc.

Combat camera (COMCAM)

The acquisition and utilization of still and motion imagery in support of operational and planning requirements across the range of military operations and during exercises.

Military-to-military engagements

Activities that can be applied to meet military engagement, security cooperation, and deterrence objectives.

MISO

Military Information Support Operations. Planned to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately, the behavior of foreign governments, organizations, and individuals.

Public affairs (PA)

Performs a primary coordination role of public information in the military, conducting public information, command information, and community engagement activities.

Civil military operations

Convey key messages to assist in accomplishing military objectives through interactions between military personnel and civilian populations.

Information assurance

The Navy needs assured security within its networks to gain and retain the degree of freedom of action in cyberspace required to accomplish mission objectives.

Physical security

Addresses the design, implementation, and maintenance of countermeasures that protect the physical resources of an organization.

Physical

Composed of the command-and-control systems and supporting infrastructure, enabling organizations to conduct operations across air, land, sea, and space.

Norms

Unwritten social expectations that guide behavior through peer approval or shame, influencing what people share, trust, or ridicule online.

Beliefs

Deep personal or cultural convictions that filter every new fact or rumor, affecting acceptance or rejection of messages.

Cognitive

The mind of the decision maker and the target audience where people think, perceive, visualize, and decide.

Foreign intelligence disclosure

The authorized sharing of information, particularly classified military information (CMI), with foreign governments or international organizations.

Informational

Information is collected, processed, stored, disseminated, processed, displayed and protected.

Cognitive domain of the information environment

Rules - Written laws, policies, or platform terms tell people what is allowed and what is punishable.

E-2C Hawkeye

Early warning C2 platform. Surveillance, coordination, strike and interceptor control and acts as a communications relay.

P-8A Poseidon

Conducts maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare while carrying multi-INT sensors (MAD, sonobuoys, EO/IR) that contribute to SIGINT and MASINT collection.

EP-3E

Signals-intelligence reconnaissance aircraft that intercepts, geolocates, and analyzes adversary radar and communications emissions for tactical and strategic reporting.

MQ-4C Triton

High-altitude, long-endurance ISR UAV that provides broad-area maritime surveillance with multi-sensor payloads, including SIGINT and EO/IR for battlespace awareness.

RC-135

Strategic SIGINT platform that collects, processes, and exploits electronic emissions (COMINT and ELINT) to support national and theater intelligence requirements.

MQ-1A Predator

Medium-altitude ISR UAV offering real-time electro-optical/infrared video and limited signals collection, often used for persistent surveillance and cueing of strike assets.

EC-130H Compass Call

Electronic attack aircraft that jams adversary command-and-control and communications systems to disrupt enemy coordination and degrade situational awareness.

U-2

High-altitude reconnaissance aircraft that carries a suite of sensors (including SIGINT, ELINT, and EO/IR) to deliver detailed imagery and electronic order-of-battle data.

EA-18G

Carrier-based electronic attack fighter that provides stand-off and escort jamming, electronic deception, and threat warning in support of SEAD operations.

CVN

Flagship afloat C2 node hosting a full air wing containing EA, ISR, strike, and C2 aircraft. Is central to planning and executing integrated IO.

CG

Aegis-equipped surface combatant with organic EW suite (SLQ-32/SEWIP) and SIGINT sensors supporting fleet air defense and EW operations.

DDG

Multi-mission warship with EW and decoy systems, contributing point defense, ISR, and electronic protection within the carrier strike group.

LCC

Provides afloat command-and-control for expeditionary forces, integrating IO planning and coordinating EW, cyber, and deception efforts.

LHA/LHD

Embarks aviation and landing forces with organic C2 and EW capabilities, enabling IO support to amphibious operations ashore.

LPD

Transports Marines and equipment, offering limited C2 and EW support for littoral IO, and serves as a communications relay node.

LSD

Provides well-deck support for landing craft and serves as a platform for command and communications nodes that integrate IO functions.

PC

Small surface combatant conducting littoral surveillance with organic EW receivers and communications intercept capability for local SIGINT.

Special operations craft

Covert insertion platforms equipped with tactical communications and EW gear to support clandestine ISR and electronic warfare missions.

SSN

Stealthy undersea platform using passive acoustic sensors and towed arrays, and sometimes ESM, to collect SIGINT and MASINT while conducting covert IO.

SSGN

Strike-capable submarine that also leverages covert ISR and communications intercepts to support special operations and precision fires.

Special mission aircraft

Tailored platforms (e.g., JSTARS, P-3 variants) equipped with mission-specific ISR, SIGINT, or EW suites to provide dedicated support for IO objectives.

NRO - collected/commercial imagery

Space-based and commercial satellite imagery that supplies strategic and tactical GEOINT, enabling target development, battle damage assessment, and deception planning.