SECRET // SPECIAL ACCESS REQUIRED - MERCURY LAGUNA GOLD
EYESONLY • ORCON • REL TO NATO, FVEY



Some contacts with TUNGSTEN MEMENTO, notably initially during Operation VEHEMENT HARPIST and Operation STALWART SURGEON, have been accompanied by unpredictable broad-frequency RF interference.  While initially believed to be a biological or technological effect generated by TUNGSTEN MEMENTO, the presence of a Rivet Joint asset during the final phase of VEHEMENT HARPIST has led to the effect's reclassification under MERCURY LAGUNA.  Detailed observations of the effect, designated WILDWOOD GROUSE, have led to the hypothesis that this interference is a byproduct of the propulsion system of a heretofore-unobserved TUNGSTEN MEMENTO aerospace vehicle.

During VEHEMENT HARPIST, Rivet Joint and other ELINT systems were able to localize and track WILDWOOD GROUSE for a period of 21 minutes.  A single point source of WILDWOOD GROUSE was observed at an initial zero/zero state southeast of Tripoli, Libya, then ascending to an altitude of 6,000m at Mach 0.7, maneuvering at this altitude and speed for several minutes, then departing the scene at a maximum observed altitude of 48,000m and maximum speed of Mach 3.5.

Efforts are under way to identify frequency windows within the WILDWOOD GROUSE spectrum that may remain usable for secure tactical communications.

Addendum: Based on observations recorded during Operation VEHEMENT HARPIST, Agent TESLA configured a network of portable signal analyzers to identify and triangulate WILDWOOD GROUSE sources.  Subsequent deployment of this system during Operation ESSENTIAL NOMAD confirmed that WILDWOOD GROUSE is an emission of EBE technology.  The BELCOURT MALLARD RED and BELCOURT MALLARD ORANGE artifacts and the TARAWA STURGEON aerospace vehicle were observed to be point sources of the effect.  Project RETICLE will operationalize Agent TESLA's design for mass deployment.

Inconclusive reports from Operation VEHEMENT HARPIST indicate that properly-tuned electronic warfare systems may be usable offensively to disrupt sources of WILDWOOD GROUSE.

The consistent key signature of WILDWOOD GROUSE occurs in the 575MHz range, with signal pulses occurring every 3.1 to 1.4 seconds in an apparent "idle" state and more frequently in an "active" state.