// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
COMINT
COMINT, or Communications Intelligence, is a type of intelligence gathering where military or intelligence agencies intercept and analyze an adversary's electronic communications, such as radio transmissions, phone calls, or data streams. The goal is to gain insights into enemy plans, capabilities, and intentions.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
COMINT, a specialized subset of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) within Electronic Warfare (EW), involves the technical interception, processing, and analysis of adversary communications (e.g., voice, text, data) to extract actionable intelligence concerning their operational plans, force dispositions, and strategic objectives, often leveraging advanced decryption and signal processing technologies.
BACKGROUND
Signals intelligence (SIGINT) is the act and field of intelligence-gathering by interception of signals, whether communications between people or from electronic signals not directly used in communication. As classified and sensitive information is usually encrypted, signals intelligence may necessarily involve cryptanalysis. Traffic analysis—the study of who is signaling to whom and in what quantity—is also used to integrate information, and it may complement cryptanalysis.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Communications Interception
- Radio Intelligence
- Traffic Analysis
- Voice Intercepts
- Data Intercepts
- SIGINT (broader)
- ELINT (related, non-comm)
USAGE NOTE
COMINT is crucial for battlefield awareness, strategic planning, and counter-espionage efforts, often requiring significant technological investment in interception and decryption. It is distinct from ELINT which focuses on electronic emissions not directly used for communication.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to COMINT.
A global defense, aerospace and security company, BAE Systems develops advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, including capabilities for communications intelligence (COMINT) collection and analysis.
RTX is a major aerospace and defense company providing advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide, with extensive work in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms and COMINT solutions.
A global security and aerospace company, Lockheed Martin develops and integrates advanced ISR platforms and processing capabilities, including sophisticated COMINT systems for military and intelligence applications.
A leading global aerospace and defense technology company, Northrop Grumman provides a broad range of advanced COMINT systems and services, including airborne, ground, and space-based intelligence solutions.
An aerospace and defense technology innovator, L3Harris specializes in mission-critical solutions, including electronic warfare (EW), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems with significant COMINT capabilities.
A business unit of General Dynamics, it provides mission-critical solutions for military and intelligence customers, including expertise in C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and COMINT technologies.
A global technology group specializing in test and measurement, broadcast and media, secure communications, cybersecurity, and radiomonitoring and radiolocation. They provide highly advanced solutions crucial for COMINT operations.
A global technology leader for the aerospace, defence and security markets, Thales develops and integrates advanced electronic warfare and intelligence systems, including sophisticated COMINT solutions and platforms.