[bruss01]

EMP Threat Can Send US Back To Stone Age and is Feasible For Rogue Groups Use

Arab nations or terrorists, weary of US meddling in the Middle East, may try this alternative method of quenching US demand for petroleum and our increasing global agression.

As outlined in the article, this is obtainable and deployable technology for even a small but well-funded and determined group, such as Al Queda. It would be nearly impossible to ascertain the origin of the attack, making a counter-attack impossible. The US has plenty of national rivals for petroleum who wouldn't mind helping such a group if supplies became tight enough.

The originator of this type of attack would have much to gain, and little to lose. We currently have no defense against this type of attack.

Basically, any unshielded electronic equipment, and many types of electrical equipment are vulnerable. TVs, radios, computers, telephones, modern automobiles (most made since 1980 won't run if the on-board computer is fried) are very vulnerable. The power grid itself is vulnerable due to great lengths of exposed wire and transmission line, which concentrate and magnify the pulse. Generators and transformers are subject to potentially great damage. Without the grid, purifying and pumping water for municipal systems will be problematic. Credit and debit cards will not work due to the infrastructure being down. Most of us will not have jobs to report to if the power goes out and stays out for a prolonged period. Law enforcement and the military will have difficulty maintaining order without transportation and communication. (most of our military equipment has not been equipped with EMP shielding since the 1992 fall of the Soviet Union). BTW, the Russians have thoroughly researched EMP technology and have boasted they could put out every light in America with a single, special-purpose EMP device. Designs for this technology have since leaked out into the international community and are available to any group that really desires them.

This may precipitate conditions that could be very similar to oil depletion - the difference being that although oil, energy and basic supplies will still exist, it will be impossible to produce and distribute them for consumption for a long time, perhaps forever (read the articles if "forever" didn't make sense to you). At the very least it will mean a major and prolonged disruption of our way of life. In the worst case, cold, heat, hunger, thirst, privation, and lawlesness will become our companions as we realize how dependant every necessity of our society had become on reliable and constant supplies of energy.

My opinion as to why they have not already done this is that they want to keep milking the US a little longer. We are, after all, one of the Middle Easts best customers. Well, we buy a lot of oil anyway. If we became too big a pest or outlive our usefullness, I don't think they would have a reason to hold off any longer. If they are going to use this type of attack, they will need to do it before we have a credible missile defense shield system in place. Our current efforts at putting one in place may force their hand sooner rather than later.

[RonMN]

I'm not sure if this is still the case...but a few years back...if our nuclear missile systems power went out (as well as it's uninteruptable power supply backup) then the missiles would take that as a direct hit & they would launch themselves.

If this is still the case, that would be a reason not to hit us with an EMP burst. (unless the lunatic wanted to really see the end of the world).

I also don't buy russias claim to knock out all of america in one burst...it's just too large of an area for any EMP to disrupt (i could be wrong, but it just seems fantastical to me).

[bruss01]

A burst intended for EMP effect occurs at 240+ miles altitude.

That puts it in direct line-of-sight for both coasts if detonated over the center of the continental US. This has been acknowleged to be possible since the early 60's due to a high altitude atomic test know as "Starfish Prime" which was conducted by the US in the South Pacific. A device of about 1 megaton capacity would be required for full coverage.

[meekoil]

Well, I don't think it's much of a threat,but since you brought it up.

[Free]

If it was that easy to make an EMP device, for example with a flux compensator, I always wondered why it wasn't used by low tech armies against high tech armies in asymmetrical warfare.

If the enemy comes with nightvision goggles and all kind of gear and vehicles and planes stuffed with electronics, and all you have is an AK47 and some explosives, why not using a nasty little EMP surprise the make the battle a bit more fair?

[Kylon]

I think we would counter attack and MAD would occur, bye bye Russia, bye bye world.

Even if we didn't hit our intended target, radioactive fallout would kill first worlders and third worlders in equal proportions.

In essence, nearly everybody would die, and the planet would be radioactive for many years to come.

Anyone with nuclear capacity knows this, and knows it would be suicide to attempt to do this. Russia may want to take all the oil reserves for themselves, but not at the cost of their own lives.

In short, if U.S is hit, U.S goes crazy, nukes go everywhere, everybody dies.

Short and simple.

[whiteknight]

Why does this sound like a plot form a James Bond movie?

[Cash]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('whiteknight', 'W')hy does this sound like a plot form a James Bond movie?

[meekoil]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Cash', ' ')The chips need to be connected to an antenna or wiring that could act as an antenna to channel the EMP surge. Power networks, telephone and cellphone systems, any large-scale electronic entity would be destroyed. (No more Internet!)

[Cash]

Meekoil said: "Which would include everthing in your house plugged into the wall."

Everything that has a computer circuit in it, yes. Your toaster would be OK, assuming it wasn't one of the talking models, but the computers you're all reading this on would be toast. But then you wouldn't be able to use the toaster anyway because the power system would be history.