Technical intelligence
Technical Intelligence (TECHINT) is intelligence about weapons and equipment used by the armed forces of foreign nations. Technical intelligence is intended primarily to allow the armed forces to avoid technological surprise. Knowledge of the characteristics and capabilities of enemy weapons allows nations to develop effective countermeasures for them. Occasionally, armed forces adopt technology developed by foreign nations. The Jerry or Blitz can of World War II is an example of foreign technology adopted by the US Army.
The technical intelligence process consists of:
- Collection of materiel and related documents
- Testing and Analysis
- Production of finished intelligence
Technical intelligence should not be confused with intelligence obtained "by technical means." That is a term of art used in discussion of disarmament to mean information gathered by various sorts of sensors in space, in vehicles, or in fixed locations.
Related Topics
- HUMINT - Intelligence gathered by a person on the ground
- SIGINT - Intelligence gathered by interception of signals
- IMINT - Intelligence gathered by satellite and aerial photography