NSA Releases Cryptologic Quarterly Index

In response to a FOIA request, the National Security Agency has released an index of its Cryptologic Quarterly articles from the 1980s through 2010. Covering topics from "Applied Wavelet Analysis to the Zimmerman Telegram, the index provides a glimpse into the academic and intellectual activities of the NSA staff. 

The index, alphabetized by title has largely been declassified and there minimum redactions to titles or the keyword index with only a small percentage of the titles withheld in their entirety. The NSA, however, invoked the b(3) exemption so most of the authors are unknown. Those authors whose identities were revealed are mostly associated with the Center for Cryptologic History though some were written by prominent NSA figures such as Frank B. Rowlett, Howard H. Campaigne, and former DIRNSA William Studeman.

Cryptologic Quarterly Article List

The Cobra Judy (Partially) Declassified

In the late 1970s, the National Security Agency and others within the American Intelligence Community developed a "modern multi-sensor collection system to monitor Soviet Strategic Missile testing." This system, interestingly enough due to the Air Force role in its creation, was a ship code-named “Cobra Judy.” The Cobra Judy, which was a refitted U.S. Navy ship, took four years of study and four years of construction to complete, work that was largely done in the Baltimore.

The Cobra Judy was an unwitting participant in one of the more under-appreciated and amusing Cold War incidents. In October 1979, the Belorussyia, a cruise ship with 450 passengers, dragged a dead pilot whale into the Harbor on its bow, requiring an elaborate security and maritime response to keep the whale carcass from disrupting shipping, people from sawing on the whale, and the Soviet tourists on task and on time. (1)

It is under-appreciated because the incident has largely been forgotten and because the National Security Agency apparently misunderstood the nature of the Soviet vessel. In an 1983 Cryptologic Quarterly article, the Belorussyia, not named in the article, is described as a mere "cargo ship". You can read the NSA’s article on Cobra Judy here.

Ultimately, though details are not forthcoming, the NSA’s author described the article as having “delivered as promised.”

(1) David Ress, Dead Whale Makes the Trip Up Bay on Soviet Ship's Bow, Baltimore Sun, 10/19/1979

Newly Released NSA Publications

Cryptome is reporting that the NSA has released over three dozen articles Cryptologic Quarterly and another one from the Cryptologic Almanac. Judging from the lack of attribution, it appears that John Young has compiled a list of the recently released articles.

This is the second bulk release of such articles in the last two weeks by the NSA. In late December, the NSA released five Cryptologic Spectrum and twelve Cryptologic Quarterly articles in response to FOIA requests. Cryptome also compiled a list of those articles.

(H/T) Cryptome