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INTELLIGENCE
GEOINT (Geospatial Intelligence):
definition provided by United States Intelligence Community
The exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on the Earth.
AGI (Advanced Geospatial Intelligence):
AGI is an extension of GEOINT. AGI includes but not limited to infrared intelligence, multi-spectral intelligence, and radio frequency intelligence. Taking information from imagery data beyond the visual spectrum allows AGI to be used to see through some objects. For example, data can also be used to determine temperature and chemical makeup.
MASINT (Measurement and Signature Intelligence):
definition provided by United States Intelligence Community
Technically derived intelligence data other than imagery and SIGINT. The data result in intelligence that locates, identifies, or describes distinctive characteristics of targets. It employs a broad group of disciplines including nuclear, optical, radiofrequency, acoustics, seismic, and materials sciences.
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Further Defining MASINT
Perhaps the greatest challenge for Measurement and Signature
Intelligence (MASINT) is understanding just what it is.
The term ‘MASINT’ gained wide acceptance in
the early 1980s as the catchall for several ‘boutique’ intelligence
disciplines (RINT, ACINT, IRINT, LASINT, RFINT, NUCINT,…)
under a single identifier to facilitate management and
budgeting. This consolidation didn’t make it any
easier to understand; as represented by one of the current “book” definitions
for MASINT:
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Measurement and Signal Intelligence (MASINT)
provides technically derived intelligence to detect, locate,
track, identify, and describe the specific characteristics
of fixed and dynamic target objects and sources. Numerous
scientific disciplines and advanced technologies are applied
in dedicated MASINT systems. There are
also advanced MASINT processing
and exploitation techniques, which broaden the usefulness
of data collected by IMINT and SIGINT systems.
MASINT collection systems include, but
are not limited to, radar spectroradiomentric, electro-optical,
acoustic, radio frequency, nuclear detection, and seismic
sensors, as well as techniques for gathering chemical,
biological, nuclear, and other material samples. |
This definition illustrates that MASINT is complex to define, especially when attempting to cover all of the possible things that it can do. MASINT is all over the map. It includes space-borne, airborne, surface (sea and ground-based), and sub-surface sensors operating across the electromagnetic spectrum – from acoustic signals through optical wavelengths to gamma rays, and, materials themselves. |
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MASINT is not conducted in one overarching intelligence
agency, but is performed by military personnel and civilians
in separate organizations with little to no linkage. At one
end, MASINT requires detailed laboratory equipment and analysis
taking weeks to reach conclusions that are subsequently documented
in lengthy technical reports. At the other end, MASINT applies
unsophisticated sensors with on-board processing that provide
immediate indication of an activity of interest. MASINT is
conducted using dedicated collection systems specifically
designed to acquire the detailed measurements and signatures
required for a particular mission area. MASINT is also conducted
through specialized processing of the output – somewhere
in the data stream – of sensors on operational or commercial
systems. MASINT also includes the specialized processing
of sensor data from other intelligence disciplines.
This complexity makes it difficult for potential users to
understand and embrace MASINT as a contributor to their information
needs, for policy and budget personnel to guide and invest
in MASINT, and for any organization to adequately manage
MASINT as an enterprise the way in which the other intelligence
disciplines (SIGINT, IMINT, HUMINT) are managed. This article
attempts to provide context to develop a better definition – and
ultimately understanding – of the MASINT discipline.
Creating this understanding is crucial to developing future
organizational and procedural construct for MASINT. It is
widely acknowledged that MASINT is a key contributor to the
future US intelligence community. Understanding what MASINT
is all about should help decision-makers create the most
effective future for MASINT.
Have you been
MASINTed?
Additional
MASINT Information
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