Signals intelligence operational platforms are employed by nations to collect signals intelligence, which is intelligence-gathering by interception of signals, whether between people (i.e., COMINT or communications intelligence) or between machines (i.e., ELINT or electronic intelligence), or mixtures of the two. As sensitive information is often encrypted, signals intelligence often involves the use of cryptanalysis. However, traffic analysis—the study of who is signalling whom and in what quantity—can often produce valuable information, even when the messages themselves cannot be decrypted.
Ground platforms It can be difficult to draw the line between a ground-based SIGINT receiving station, and facilities that have control, coordination, and processing functions in the "bigger picture" of signals intelligence. Many stations, for the countries with stations in many parts of the world, do have both aspects. There are also some that are clearly intercept only. The first signals intelligence platforms were listening stations on the ground. Early tactical stations were in use as early as World War I, but permanent strategic signals intelligence stations were established as world tensions grew before WWII. Arguably, one combined intercept and jamming technique of WWI was the use of shotguns against carrier pigeons, followed by reading the message attached to the bird. While pigeons can probably be safe, other collection techniques may enjoy a resurgence. One specialized technique, originally used in the First World War but again in the Korean War, was interception using ground return from wired telephones. In mountainous terrain, it might again have applications, such as Afghan caves where wire might be run without the danger of free-space interception. Satellite communications generally must be intercepted by large parabolic antennas on the ground, although there are possibilities that aircraft, intelligence satellites, and ships might also intercept. "To receive satellite signals ... only parabolic antennas are used. If the parabolic antennas are standing on an open site, it is possible to calculate on the basis of their position, their elevation and their compass (azimuth) angle which satellite is being received. This is possible, for example, in Morwenstow (UK), Yakima (USA) or Sugar Grove (USA)."
Australia: ground platforms The current (2019) Joint Military Communications Ground Station (JMCGS) is a SIGnals INTelligence intercept facility located at Kojarena appx 15 Mi east north east of Geraldton, Western Australia. The facility has been built in the early 1990s and originally manned by AUS defence personnel, later augmented by UK personnel previously assigned to Hong Kong. In 2007 the AUS and US authorities approved a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) stipulating the expansion and future rules of cooperation for the JMCGS. The new facility, becoming ops in 2010, is equipped with 4 large 25m radomes covering dish antennas intended to monitor and intercept voice and metadata SATellite COMmunications. The other antennas, a 15m radome and seven uncovered smaller dishes, are intended for the fully automated US naval Mobile User Objective System, a new 'next generation' narrowband networked satellite constellation for Ultra-High-Frequency satellite communications enabling secure all-weather and all-terrain 3 and 4G mobile telecommunications. The JMCGS is controlled by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and is being operated under the UKUSA agreement meaning that all data obtained is being shared with the NSA. The Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap (JDFPG) a.k.a. Pine Gap facility is located approximately 12 Mi west south west of Alice Springs, Northern Territory. JDFPG has been established in 1966, originally as a satellite relay station becoming operational in 1970 as US-Australian NAVDET Combined Support Group with approximately 100 AUS and US military personnel. In 1989 the unit was renamed Joint Defense Space Research Facility, Pine Gap, in 1998 becoming US Naval Security Group Detachment, Alice Springs and in 2005 becoming Navy Information Operations Detachment (NIOD) Alice Springs, Australia. Currently (2019) NIOD Alice Springs strength is approximately 700 AUS and US military and it is operating as an Echelon IV station subordinate to NIOC Maryland (CTF 1060). The JDFPG is currently equipped with six large radomes and 13 small radomes and uncovered dishes intended for military and civilian SATCOM, cellphone and internet voice and metadata interception. JDFPG is also being controlled by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and is being operated under the UKUSA agreement. Former press and media statements that the facility is being operated by the CIA have never been confirmed; there is no proof of US civilian presence at JDFPG. The Joint Defence Facility Nurrungar (JDFN), located approximately 9 Mi south of Woomera, South Australia, was a ground station operated by the Australian Department of Defence and the USAF. Its official mission was space-based surveillance, in particular early warning for ICBM launches and nuclear detonations using US Defense Support Program satellites in geostationary orbits. Nurrungar derives from an aboriginal term meaning "listen". JDFN has been operational from 1969 through to its closure in 1999. The Department of Defence Receiving Station Shoal Bay is located approximately 12 Mi north east of Darwin, Northern Territory. Shoal Bay is being controlled and operated by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and its mission is SATCOM interception as well as interception of high frequency signals. It has a staff of 85 military and civilian personnel and is currently (2019) equipped with 14 dish antennas.
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