Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com FM 34-54 Processing is the conversion of collected information into a suitable form that can be readily used to produce intelligence. Processing includes data from conversion, photographic development, and transcription and translation of foreign language materiel. Effective processing management ensures that critical information is extracted and processed ahead of information of lesser immediate value. Reports are generated and sent to all appropriate theater and national assets during this process. TECHINT processing starts with the capture of a piece of equipment of TECHINT value. This confirms that the enemy is indeed employing this materiel.
A TECHINT collection team normally conducts a hasty exploitation at the capture site. After the hasty exploitation, a decision is made at the JCMEC or JTIB as to whether the process continues. If it does, the items are sent to the Corps CMEC (Forward) or Theater JCMEC. If the item is deemed to yield no immediate tactical intelligence value, it may still be evacuated to the S&TI centers in CONUS for further analysis if the systems represent a change in the technological posture of an enemy. Producing involves the integration, evaluation, analysis, and synthesis of information from single or multiple sources into intelligence.
At the tactical level, time constraints and demands of the battle tend to make the processing and producing steps indistinguishable. TECHINT reports (along with interrogation reports from EPWs with TECHINT knowledge) and digital imagery both funnel into the JCMEC where they undergo the dynamics of production mentioned above. They are then sent to the JTIB and Theater ACE as a single-source TECHINT product. Dissemination is the timely conveyance of intelligence to users in an easily consumable form. The diversity of forms and means requires interoperability among command, control, communications, and intelligence (C I) systems.
TECHINT reporting from JCMEC to the Theater ACE will be 3 conducted through existing communications links (See Appendix B for communications architecture). The JCMEC sends its completed products to the JTIB and to the Theater ACE. This report is based on the standard intelligence information report 4-6 PROCESS PRODUCE DISSEMINATE