Unmasking signs: main types, goals

According to military experts, the performance of a particular combat mission is accompanied by characteristic signs of a unmasking nature, which the opposing side will not fail to take advantage of. In other words, these are peculiar features inherent in objects and type of activity, by which the adversary will be able to recognize the true motives and intentions. Thus, the presence of unmasking signs creates favorable conditions for the enemy. In order to mislead the enemy by both warring parties, these signs are weakened or eliminated. You will learn more about unmasking signs from this article.

Acquaintance

Unmasking signs (DP) are heterogeneous characteristics that can be detected, and then analyze and obtain the necessary information. In other words, DP is a property that is inherent in an object in which it differs from other objects. This property becomes a technical unmasking feature, by which the enemy detects and recognizes the enemy’s technical intelligence. To register signs, the warring parties use visual-optical, electron-optical and radar means. Thus, with the help of reconnaissance and surveillance devices, an object is detected or detected, its intended purpose is determined. In wartime, the unmasking signs of the troops, namely such parameters as the location, weapons, forces, their actions and infrastructure, are necessarily hidden.

Kinds

According to the classification, unmasking signs are:

Species. The enemy can take advantage of the shape of the object, its photometric and geometric characteristics, namely: individual details, sizes, tone, color and surface structure. The main unmasking signs include smoke, shadow, dust and traces left on water, soil or snow.
Signs of signals. They are fields and electrical signals that an object generates: power, frequency, type, spectrum frequency, etc.
Signs of substances. They allow to make a conclusion about acidity, physical and chemical composition and properties of material objects.

Classification according to the degree of informativeness and time

By the amount of information that DP can provide in case of its detection, unmasking signs are:

Inscribed. They are the most informative. These are unmasking features of objects of any particular type.
Straight. These are all other signs inherent in the studied object. For example, its shape and size.
Indirect. They include DPs that are identified when interacting with other objects. For example, a shadow. They indirectly indicate that the object is located in this place.

According to the duration of action, signs can be:

Permanent. Unmasking features are inherent throughout an object.
Periodic. DP rarely occur.
Episodic. Signs will become apparent if the object falls into certain conditions. If you remove it from these conditions, then the main unmasking signs of objects may not appear in any way.

In addition, primary and secondary symptoms are distinguished. By the first, an object is detected, by the second, it is recognized.

By shape and size

Depending on what forms are inherent in the elements of objects, DP are:

Pointed. The size of the objects is limited to a radius of no more than 30 m. It can be a transformer substation, a compressor unit, an oil pumping station, a protected stationary military command post.
Conditionally areal. Area 200 x 300 m. For example, a power plant, a workshop for electric steel or metallurgical production.
Areal. Dimensions of the object 400 x 600 m (railway junction station, base of fuels and lubricants).
Linear. Objects that have a length of up to 1700 m (bridge, tunnel, hydroelectric power station).

About unmasking signs of goals

According to experts, successful reconnaissance is possible if the observer knows by what signs to detect the target, determine its activity and characteristics. This can be done by the following DP:

Characteristic outlines.
Color (if the object will stand out against the background).
By the shadow.
By a characteristic location on the ground.
By reflections on glasses and metal surfaces.
According to the signs of activity: movement, sounds, flashes, smoke, etc.
Following the traces of activity, namely: the remains of building materials, garbage, traces of bonfires, trampled places and so on.

About DP observation points

According to experts, the enemy, wishing to mislead intelligence or divert attention from a real object, performs various deceptive actions. For example, creates false targets, uses nomadic fire weapons. Only by the combination of several DPs can we determine how the conclusion will be correct.

Mostly for the location of observation points, slopes of heights are chosen. It becomes possible to detect points at a time when these heights are occupied and equipped accordingly, as well as during the change of patrol and repair of communication lines. It is possible to conclude that an observation point is located in a specific place if people periodically appear nearby for a short time. If you are lucky, then against the background of the sky you can see the head of the observer or the periscope. The presence of telephone wires or employees who periodically repair them is also a sign that there is an observation post. During its arrangement and disguise, local objects and vegetation may be with a changed color and shape. A sign may be the presence of a viewing gap: if a dark horizontal strip is detected on any object, then this is an observation point.

It is also determined by dark spots against the general background of deciduous trees, the presence of stairs and steps cut down in the trunks, the swaying of the tops in calm weather, and the sheen of optics.

About signs revealing firing positions

According to military experts, a wood-earthen and long-term position is established on that site, which is convenient for conducting frontal or flanking fire. Mostly these are slopes of heights, forest edges, intersections of streets, in settlements - basements of the outermost buildings. The trench in which the machine gun should be located is in front of the trench. Unmasking signs will be flashes and the sound of gunfire. If you look closely at the terrain, you can find a tubercle, which often differs in color from natural elevations. The embrasure in the firing position has a dark spot, which is especially noticeable in winter: in this place the snow is melted and black from smoke. The location of the anti-tank guns should be sought where the movement of armored vehicles of the opposing side is likely. Mostly these are the outskirts of villages and roads, the foot of mountains and hills. The firing position of anti-tank weapons is determined by the characteristic outlines of the trunks and the upper parts of the shield cover, a sharp sound. In addition, a sheaf of flame is thrown from the barrel during firing and a smoky cloud is formed.

What unmasks command posts?

The location of the headquarters and command post often becomes a forest or ravine, less commonly a settlement. The headquarters can be identified by the following criteria:

Special and passenger cars, motorcycles and cyclists regularly arrive and depart at the site of the alleged headquarters.
By the presence of the radio station. This is determined by the communication lines. If they come from different directions and converge in one place, then, most likely, here is the command post.
The area is heavily guarded. Often, anti-aircraft artillery is used for cover.
It may be that in the village there are no local residents or their number is limited.
If a landing site is found nearby, then headquarters is probably here. Using airplanes and helicopters, the command communicates with other points.
At the entrance to the village there is a barrier and security.

DP of the impending offensive

It is possible to determine that the enemy is about to attack by the following unmasking signs:

By the intensified movement of enemy troops in the direction of the front.
If a loaded vehicle leaves the rear to the front line, it returns empty again.
Often, before attacking, reconnaissance groups of warring parties practice reconnaissance in battle. If such groups have intensified, then, according to military experts, this is a sign of an imminent attack.
Aerial reconnaissance is activated. In addition, the command relocated aircraft closer to the front line.

Engineering work is being carried out: equipping new positions and observation posts, repairing and strengthening bridges, laying column ways and telephone cables.
If new artillery and mortar batteries arrived. At the same time, the military can carry out sighting of guns.
The enemy began to prepare passages, namely to clear minefields.
If the regime has changed and reconnaissance groups have appeared.

The fact that an offensive is soon possible can be determined by the characteristic noise of armored vehicles: tanks are preparing to take their starting positions.

About unmasking signs of explosive devices

To carry out combat missions, the military use various explosive devices (WU). These devices differ in appearance and principle of action. For example, they can use an ordinary bag, case or suitcase as a VU, and they explode when opened. Also, the mechanism will work if a completely peaceful object is moved or raised. Unmasking signs of explosive devices help the military avoid an explosion. However, in this case there are certain difficulties, since the VU is equipped with various mechanical and electromechanical fuses.

The fact is that an explosion can occur even if the object is not directly affected: the mechanism will work after some time (equipped with a slow-blow fuse). Detonation can also occur from a command transmitted over the air. For this reason, the unmasking signs of mining are very diverse. According to experts, in this case, the military widely uses wires that form an electric explosion circuit. For detonation, it is enough to connect them to a current source. You can turn a radio, a TV, an electric torch, and any other household appliances that run on batteries or batteries into an explosive device.

When the device is turned on, the electric explosion circuit will be closed, the electric detonator or electric fuse will trip, and then there will be an explosion. If the car decided to start with explosives, then the VU will work after turning the key in the ignition switch or after turning on the headlights, windows, wipers or other energy consumers. Exhaust manifolds and silencers often become places of the VU bookmark. When the sensing elements of the fuse are heated to a certain temperature, the contacts will close and the explosion will blow. Often, experts put in cars VU, which use a clockwork. The basis for such an explosive device will be mechanical, electromechanical or electronic watches. Such a VU will detonate after a certain time. Next, the operation of the tension, fragmentary, unloading, vibrational and other elements by means of which the fuse is activated.

Some VU are equipped with elements that are very sensitive to magnetic waves, acoustic signals, odors of animals or humans. To identify WU, experts are guided by the following unmasking signs of mines:

If the explosive device is radio-controlled, it can be seen on the antenna.
WU with a temporary fuse equipped with an electronic timer or clockwork. In this case, the bundle or packet will issue a characteristic tick.
There is a locally located mass of metal.
Thermal contrast is observed between the general background and the place where the WU is supposedly located.
Often, VUs are built into walls and road surfaces. If a road or a building is mined, then most likely the place where the bookmark is made will slightly differ from the general background. For example, the snow cover will be heterogeneous, the vegetation and the surface of the soil or wall will be disturbed.

What else can alert you?

Often the objects of mining are personal and company cars. If the WU is low power, then the professional is likely to install it under the driver's seat or in the gas tank. For explosives with high power, neighboring cars are selected. If a client who is about to be liquidated is accompanied by serious security, then the target transport will be examined first. It is likely that the turn will not reach the neighboring cars. In this case, the killer will have to be nearby and observe the object in order to close the electric blasting circuit in time. By choosing this method of elimination, a person puts himself at risk, since a professional can be alerted by the fact that an outsider is nearby. It is also one of the unmasking signs of explosive devices. The following can also be added to DP:

Outside or inside the car, a new part has appeared. The professional is even alerted by a tin can standing nearby.
Fragments of wires, electrical tape or other packaging materials were found nearby or in the cabin. You can also include someone else's bag, box, parcel, etc.