Which reconnaissance type is the most broad and encompasses all others within a defined zone?

Zone reconnaissance is the most comprehensive type of reconnaissance because it is designed to gather information about a specific designated area. This type involves collecting intelligence on all activities, terrain, and potential enemy forces within that defined zone, making it broader in scope than other reconnaissance types.

Area reconnaissance focuses on a specific area but is not as expansive as zone reconnaissance, which encompasses all features and potential threats within a larger geographic region. Route reconnaissance is more narrow, concentrating on a specific route, ensuring its safety and viability for movement. Recon in force is an aggressive reconnaissance strategy, intending to make contact with the enemy, but it does not systematically cover an area or zone. Thus, zone reconnaissance serves as the overarching type that includes and surpasses the objectives of the other reconnaissance methods.