Bernard Richard L. Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) at the NSA

Center for Cryptologic History National Security Agency, 2009. — 22 p.What is Electronic Intelligence (ELINT)? ELINT is information derived primarily from electronic signals that do not contain speech or text (which are considered COMINT). It is divided into major branches. One branch is Technical ELINT (TechELINT), which describes the signal structure, emission characteristics, modes of operation, emitter functions, and weapons systems associations of such emitters as radars, beacons, jammers, and navigational signals. The overall process, including operation of the countermeasures, is part of electronic warfare. Another major branch is Operational ELINT (OpELINT), which concentrates on locating specific ELINT targets and determining the operational patterns of the systems.