| Discipline | Full name | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| HUMINT | Human Intelligence | Interrogations, informants, liaison, patrol reports |
| SIGINT | Signals Intelligence | Radio intercepts, electronic emissions, communications |
| GEOINT | Geospatial Intelligence | Satellite imagery, terrain analysis, GIS |
| IMINT | Imagery Intelligence | UAV imagery, aerial photography |
| MASINT | Measurement & Signature Int. | Radar signatures, infrared, acoustic sensors |
| OSINT | Open Source Intelligence | News, social media, government publications |
| TECHINT | Technical Intelligence | Captured equipment, weapon systems, electronics |
| FININT | Financial Intelligence | Transactions, procurement, logistics financing |
No single discipline is sufficient on its own. HUMINT reveals intent but is slow and manipulable; SIGINT is fast but falls silent when the enemy goes quiet; IMINT shows what is there but not why. Reliable judgments come from fusion of multiple sources.
See also the reference card INT disciplines in the library.
Example: disciplines from an air force perspective
The discipline mix shifts with the domain. A ground-focused analyst leans heavily on HUMINT and patrol reports; an air force analyst works mainly with IMINT/GEOINT (satellite and sensor imagery of airfields, radar positions and air defense sites), SIGINT/ELINT (radar emissions, GCI communications) and TECHINT (aircraft and missile specifications). HUMINT is often scarce — an enemy airfield rarely yields informants.
Preparing an air operation, collection revolves around: ELINT fingerprints of radar types (which SAM system?), IMINT counts of aircraft on ramps (readiness), and OSINT on NOTAMs and airspace restrictions. The result feeds the recognized air picture — the air force equivalent of the ground picture.
Air-specific products alongside the general list include the Air Tasking Order (ATO), the Airspace Control Order (ACO) and the recognized air/space picture.