The CIA Once Trained a Cat to Be a Spy

The CIA's Operation Acoustic Kitty was an attempt to train a cat as a spy during the Cold War. Despite spending millions, the project failed due to the cat's unpredictable nature and the impracticality of the technology. The cat was surgically modified with devices, but the experiment ended unsuccessfully. Different accounts suggest the cat either died or was retired. The military continues to explore nature-inspired technologies, like insect cyborgs, for espionage.

What was the main objective of Operation Acoustic Kitty?

How much money did the CIA spend on the Acoustic Kitty project?

Describe the methods used by the CIA to train the cat for espionage.

What were some of the challenges faced during the training of the cat?

What ultimately happened to the cat during its first mission?

What were the CIA's conclusions about the feasibility of training cats for espionage?

How did the story of Operation Acoustic Kitty reflect the attitudes towards cats and dogs in espionage?

Discuss the implications of using animals in military operations as suggested by the text.

What alternative methods did the military explore after the failure of Operation Acoustic Kitty?

What lessons can be learned from the failure of Operation Acoustic Kitty?