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From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium

In a military and intelligence context, reconnaissance involves the gathering of information by physical observation or remote viewing with technological sensors. The terms armed reconnaissance or reconnaissance in force refer to operations primarily intended to collect information, but prepared to meet and fight enemy forces.

Special reconnaissance (SR) refers to missions deep in denied areas, conducted by special operations personnel. They may be in or out of uniform. While SR units may direct air, missile, or artillery strikes, they strive to stay undetected.

Reconnaissance satellites and reconnaissance aircraft also gather information. Without further detail, they are assumed to be primarily collecting imagery intelligence.