OVERVIEW: COMINT (Communications Intelligence) systems are passive electronic intelligence platforms designed to intercept, process, and analyze voice and data transmissions across military and civilian communication bands. They are essential for tactical, strategic, and signals intelligence operations.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: COMINT systems collect and exploit electromagnetic emissions in the communications domain, ranging from HF voice traffic to modern digital and encrypted radio communications. They are deployed on ground stations, naval vessels, aircraft (e.g., RC-135, EP-3), UAVs, and satellites. Typical capabilities include frequency scanning, direction finding (DF), signal classification, demodulation, and traffic analysis. These systems support early warning, battlefield surveillance, counterinsurgency, electronic order of battle (EOB) development, and national-level intelligence gathering. Advanced systems can target cellphones, push-to-talk radios, SATCOM, and digital mobile radio (DMR) links, with real-time geolocation and threat cueing.

ROLE SUMMARY:
Category: Communications Intelligence (COMINT) / Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
Primary Use: Interception and exploitation of voice and data communications
Function: Passive collection, direction finding, analysis, and geolocation of communication emitters
Platform: Ground stations, ISR aircraft, naval vessels, UAVs, satellites
Export: Selectively exported under national restrictions (e.g., to NATO or allied states)
Integration: Often integrated with ESM, ELINT, and electronic warfare command systems

See Specific information under [Sensors/EW] section.

SOURCE:
“Fundamentals of Signals Intelligence” - U.S. Army Intelligence Center
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communications_intelligence