China’s Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) Satellite Developments: Implications for U.S. Air and Naval Operations

By: Ian Easton and Mark Stokes |

A review of authoritative Chinese writings indicate that the People’s Republic of China is researching, developing, testing, and deploying a number of electronic intelligence (ELINT) satellites for the tracking and targeting of mobile air defense systems and ships at sea. This program has potentially serious and immediate implications U.S. and allied air and naval operations in the Asia-Pacific region.