Measurement and Signature Intelligence
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Measurement and Signature Intelligence, or MASINT, refers to intelligence gathering activities that bring together disparate elements that do not fit within the definitions of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Imagery Intelligence (IMINT), or Human Intelligence (HUMINT). Within the US Intelligence Community the Defense Intelligence Agency is the central collection agency for MASINT.
MASINT includes:
- Radar Intelligence (RADINT)
- Acoustic Intelligence (ACINT)
- Nuclear Intelligence (NUCINT)
- Radio Frequency/Electromagnetic Pulse Intelligence (RF/EMPINT)
- Electro-optical Intelligence (ELECTRO-OPTINT)
- Laser Intelligence (LASINT)
- Materials Intelligence
- Unintentional Radiation Intelligence (RINT)
- Chemical and Biological Intelligence (CBINT)
- Directed Energy Weapons Intelligence (DEWINT)
- Effluent/Debris Collection
- Spectroscopic Intelligence
- Infrared Intelligence (IRINT).
MASINT can be broken down into six categories, based on what is being analyzed.
- Electro-optical
- Radar
- Radio
- Nuclear
- Materials
- Seismic
Some analysts would argue that Radar and Radio should be combined, and others are of the opinion that the entire electro-magnetic spectrum should be in the same category.
