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What is the story about?
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reportedly used a new tool called ‘Ghost Murmur’ to locate and rescue a downed American airman in southern Iran.
The operation marks the first use of the tool in the field by the spy agency, which combines quantum magnetometry with artificial intelligence. President Trump and CIA Director John Ratcliffe alluded to it Monday afternoon during a White House briefing.
What is ‘Ghost Murmur’ tool?
Ghost Murmur is a cutting-edge system that uses quantum magnetometry to detect the electromagnetic signals generated by a human heartbeat. These signals are then processed using artificial intelligence to isolate the signature from surrounding noise, according to the New York Post.
The technology relies on sensors built using microscopic defects in synthetic diamonds.
“The name is deliberate. ‘Murmur’ is a clinical term for a heart rhythm. ‘Ghost’ refers to finding someone who, for all practical purposes, has disappeared,” a source was quoted as saying by The New York Post.
What to know about the daring rescue
The system was deployed after a US F-15 aircraft was shot down in southern Iran. The surviving crew member, identified as ‘Dude 44 Bravo,’ remained hidden in a mountain crevice for nearly two days in desolate terrain.
Although the airman had activated a Boeing-made Combat Survivor Evader Locator beacon, his exact position remained uncertain. Ghost Murmur helped confirm his location, enabling US forces to proceed with the rescue operation.
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Sources indicated that the remote desert terrain provided ideal conditions for the technology’s use. Low electromagnetic interference, minimal human presence, and strong temperature contrast at night allowed the system to detect the heartbeat signal more effectively.
“Normally this signal is so weak that it can only be measured in a hospital setting with sensors pressed nearly against the chest,” the source added.
“But advances in a field known as quantum magnetometry — specifically sensors built around microscopic defects in synthetic diamonds — have apparently made it possible to detect these signals at dramatically greater distances. The capability is not omniscient. It works best in remote, low-clutter environments and requires significant processing time," it added.
ALSO READ | Iran-US ceasefire includes Lebanon or not? Here's what we know
Limitations and future potential
Despite its advanced capabilities, the technology is not without limitations. It performs best in low-clutter environments and requires significant processing time to analyse data.
Developed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division, the system has been tested on Black Hawk helicopters and may be integrated into fighter jets such as the F-35 in the future.
The operation marks the first use of the tool in the field by the spy agency, which combines quantum magnetometry with artificial intelligence. President Trump and CIA Director John Ratcliffe alluded to it Monday afternoon during a White House briefing.
What is ‘Ghost Murmur’ tool?
Ghost Murmur is a cutting-edge system that uses quantum magnetometry to detect the electromagnetic signals generated by a human heartbeat. These signals are then processed using artificial intelligence to isolate the signature from surrounding noise, according to the New York Post.
The technology relies on sensors built using microscopic defects in synthetic diamonds.
“The name is deliberate. ‘Murmur’ is a clinical term for a heart rhythm. ‘Ghost’ refers to finding someone who, for all practical purposes, has disappeared,” a source was quoted as saying by The New York Post.
What to know about the daring rescue
The system was deployed after a US F-15 aircraft was shot down in southern Iran. The surviving crew member, identified as ‘Dude 44 Bravo,’ remained hidden in a mountain crevice for nearly two days in desolate terrain.
Although the airman had activated a Boeing-made Combat Survivor Evader Locator beacon, his exact position remained uncertain. Ghost Murmur helped confirm his location, enabling US forces to proceed with the rescue operation.
ALSO READ | US Iran ceasefire: What are Tehran's 10 points Trump has agreed to?
Sources indicated that the remote desert terrain provided ideal conditions for the technology’s use. Low electromagnetic interference, minimal human presence, and strong temperature contrast at night allowed the system to detect the heartbeat signal more effectively.
“Normally this signal is so weak that it can only be measured in a hospital setting with sensors pressed nearly against the chest,” the source added.
“But advances in a field known as quantum magnetometry — specifically sensors built around microscopic defects in synthetic diamonds — have apparently made it possible to detect these signals at dramatically greater distances. The capability is not omniscient. It works best in remote, low-clutter environments and requires significant processing time," it added.
ALSO READ | Iran-US ceasefire includes Lebanon or not? Here's what we know
Limitations and future potential
Despite its advanced capabilities, the technology is not without limitations. It performs best in low-clutter environments and requires significant processing time to analyse data.
Developed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division, the system has been tested on Black Hawk helicopters and may be integrated into fighter jets such as the F-35 in the future.
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