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Definition[]

Geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) is

the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on the earth. Geospatial intelligence consists of imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial information.[1]

Overview (Military)[]

GEOINT encompasses both the standard, or traditional, and the specialized (integrated) capabilities of imagery, IMINT, and geospatial information. The full utility of GEOINT comes from the integration of all three, which results in more comprehensive, tailored GEOINT products for a wider scope of problems and customers across all functional areas. Advances in technology and the use of geospatial data throughout the joint force have created the ability to use geography as an integrating function resulting in more sophisticated capabilities for visualization, analysis and dissemination of fused views of the operational environment.

GEOINT provides a common framework for supporting joint operations to better enable mission accomplishment across the range of military operations and with all mission partners. The use of GEOINT can be categorized into five general areas: general military intelligence and indications and warning; safety of navigation; operational environment awareness; mission planning and command and control; and target intelligence.

GeoIntel

GEOINT is developed from the same geospatially-derived data used to create geospatial information, imagery, and IMINT. It also uses intelligence data from other intelligence disciplines to corroborate and provide context to geospatial information. The full capabilities of GEOINT are only realized when two or more types of data are combined and analyzed to create a comprehensive GEOINT product.

References[]

  1. 10 U.S.C. §467(5).

Source[]

See also[]

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