The CIA has used, for the first time in an operational mission, a classified technology called „Ghost Murmur” to locate and rescue an American pilot whose F-15 aircraft was shot down in southern Iran.
Information about the system is limited, but sources cited by the American publication The New York Post claim that the technology allows for long-distance detection of biological signals generated by the human body.
The system is said to be capable of identifying the electromagnetic footprint of human heartbeats from tens of kilometers away, using a combination of quantum magnetometry and artificial intelligence.
An official familiar with the program explained its operation in an evocative comparison: "It's like hearing a voice in a stadium, except the stadium is an area of desert spanning thousands of square kilometers."
How Does "Ghost Murmur" Technology Work
According to the cited sources, the technology uses special sensors built around microscopic defects in synthetic diamonds. These capture the extremely weak electromagnetic signal emitted by heart activity.
Subsequently, an artificial intelligence system filters out background noise and isolates the relevant biological signal, transforming it into a detectable "fingerprint."
Developed by Lockheed Martin's Secret Division
"Ghost Murmur" was created by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works unit, known for advanced military projects.
The same division has developed some of the most well-known American military aircraft, including the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, F-117 Nighthawk, and F-22 Raptor. The system has already been tested on Black Hawk helicopters and could potentially be integrated into F-35 aircraft in the future.
Iranian Desert, "Almost Ideal Conditions"
The first operational use took place in southern Iran, where environmental conditions favored signal detection.
The arid area, with reduced electromagnetic interference and limited human activity, allowed for a clearer identification of the biological signal. Additionally, the thermal contrast between the human body and the desert ground provided an additional level of confirmation.
The American pilot reportedly hid in a mountain crevice and survived for two days while Iranian forces searched for him.
Located from 64 Kilometers Away
President Donald Trump stated that the pilot was located from a distance of approximately 64 kilometers.
CIA Director John Ratcliffe, in turn, confirmed the success of the operation without providing additional technical details about the system.
Promising Technology, Yet with Limitations
"Ghost Murmur" is not without limitations, as nypost.com points out. The system operates most efficiently in isolated environments with reduced electromagnetic interference.
Additionally, data processing takes time, which may limit its use in dynamic scenarios or densely populated areas.