During the mid-1950s the Washington and Canberra were introduced as interim ELINT platforms and proposals were made for the use of V.1000, the Shackleton and the Comet for this new and dangerous branch of warfare, often requiring flight close to, or over, hostile territory. Operations against Indonesia and China, and worsening relations with Iran, increased the importance of ELINT operations during the 1960s and 1970s and in the quest for more capable aircraft, the Comet 4 was passed over in favor of the Nimrod.

ELINT aircraft proposals including the VC-10 and Airbus are covered, while Listening Inalso details operations in the Falklands, Iraq, Kosovo and Afghanistan as the authors draw together, for the first time, a mass of unpublished material to describe the evolution of the secretive ELINT aircraft, their equipment and operations. The story is bought right up-to-date with Project Helix and the controversial decision to scrap the almost complete Nimrod MRA.4 fleet and instead acquire the EC-135R Rivet Joint.

A highly detailed work illustrated throughout with over 180 photographs and drawings, Listening Intells the full story of this secret world and it's aircraft (both actual and proposed) and is a natural companion to Chris Gibson's best-selling Vulcan's Hammerand Battle Flight.