Project Ivy Bells

Project Ivy Bells was a covert U.S. military operation during the Cold War aimed at intercepting Soviet underwater communications. Using a submerged cable-laying device called a "cryptologic cruiser," American submarines and teams inserted listening devices onto undersea cables in the Sea of Okhotsk to monitor Soviet military communications secretly. This intelligence gathering helped the U.S. understand Soviet capabilities and intentions. The operation was classified for many years, showcasing advanced undersea espionage techniques and highlighting the importance of signals intelligence in national security.