The nature of airspace does not eliminate the need for terrain analysis. Air IPB focuses on the impact of geographic factors on the ability of threat air to approach, find, and engage a target. Analysis of the terrain for air IPB follows the same principles as ground analysis, and uses the military aspects of terrain. This relates to the influence of terrain on reconnaissance and target acquisition. Many air and battlefield operating systems require LOS to effectively find and engage targets.
Fields of fire relate to the terrain effects on weapon systems.
Battlefield airspace must be analyzed with regard to routes which provide the best protection for air threats entering the target area, and those which provide the best fields of fire once they reach the target area. Cover and concealment have slightly different applications with respect to air systems. Threat air systems will use contour flying, masking, and ground clutter to avoid detection and to provide cover from direct fires. Air systems will also use the terrain by loitering on reverse slopes, using pop-up tactics, and by using ground clutter and vegetation as a backdrop to enhance concealment. Those which force air threats to employ a particular attack profile or route, or to gain excessive altitude.