Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) refers to the information collected from photographs and imagery.
A picture is worth 1000 words…and this is no exception for intelligence collection.
Images are used as a vital source of intelligence collection.
Whether you’re examining hostile locations, locating persons of interest or analysing whether an enemy might be preparing for an attack – IMINT provides information not available through other methods of intelligence collection.
So, how does it work?
IMINT works by covertly collecting images of an adversary.
During WWII both Axis and Allies relied on aerial photographs taken from reconnaissance flights. Planes would be equipped with ‘state-of-the-art’ cameras and conduct dangerous fly over missions to collect IMINT to support their military planning.
Today IMINT is more high-tech, relying on satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct imagery collection.