The secret US Army homing beacon used to track shipments and rescue troops in Vietnam - and disguised as a dog poop
It may look like an average piece of dog feces - but in fact, this is a complex military transmitter used throughout the Vietnam War.Known as the 'T-1151 Dog Doo Transmitter', it was used as a homing beacon during the Vietnam War.It emitted a warning when movements occured, allowing US Military bosses to monitor shipments, or find a soldier in need of rescue.
The transmitter is a homing beacon that sends out a signal to those monitoring an indicator - or someone in need of rescue.
Inside is a transmitter than can be used as a homing beacon, or transmit morse code messages
'This transmitter is a homing beacon that sends out a signal to those monitoring a signal of someone in need of rescue,' says the US Air force Military Museum, which holds them unique item.'It is camouflaged to resemble the excrement of a medium size dog or other animal.'Dropped along the Ho Chi Minh trail by air, the device transmitted a warning when supply movements occurred during the night.
The effectively camouflaged beacon was positioned throughout the jungles of Vietnam, where it transmitted a radio signal that helped aircraft pinpoint key enemy ground sites for strikes or reconnaissance.
Initially developed by United States military intelligence about 1970, the Doo transmitter was a homing device camouflaged as dog or monkey feces for use in Vietnam.
The device often had a peat moss crusted shell.The signals were monitored by a variety of agencies, including the CIA.
'At just over four inches long and three-quarters of an inch in height, this inconspicuous spy tool was small enough to be carried easily,' says the Gale Encyclopedia of Espionage & Intelligence.
'It could send or receive radio messages, usually by Morse code.'Because the Doo transmitter was often left undisturbed, operational life was often a function of the battery life of its nickel-cadmium battery array.
'This advantage was often essential when the transmitter was utilized as a homing device.'Because the device gave the appearance of fecal matter, it was often left undisturbed and thus a retained high efficiency as a homing beacon even when planted days or weeks before a mission.'