Electromagnetic Pulse (34 page)
Read Electromagnetic Pulse Online
Authors: Bobby Akart
APPENDIX A THE COMMISSION AND ITS METHOD
The Commission used a capability-based methodology to estimate potential EMP threats over the next 15 years.
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The objective was to identify the range of plausible adversary EMP attack capabilities that cannot be excluded by prudent decision makers responsible for national and homeland security.
Bases for this assessment included current intelligence estimates of present and near-term military capabilities; current and past engineering accomplishments (what are adversaries likely to be capable of achieving, given accomplishments in other programs at comparable stages of development?); and trends impacting adversary military capabilities through 2018. In line with its capabilities-based approach, the Commission did not attempt to establish the relative likelihood of EMP strikes versus other forms of attack.
Intelligence community organizations and the National Nuclear Security Administration’s nuclear weapon laboratories (Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos, and Sandia) provided excellent technical support to the Commission’s analyses.
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The Institute for Defense Analyses hosted and developed technical analyses for the Commission. While it benefited from these inputs, the Commission developed an independent assessment. Views expressed in this report are solely attributable to the Commission.
The Russian Federation (RF) has a sophisticated understanding of EMP that derives in part from the test era when the Soviet Union did high-altitude atmospheric tests over its own territory, impacting civilian infrastructures. To benefit from Russian expertise, the Commission:
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Sponsored research projects at Russian scientific institutions.
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Hosted a September 2003 US/RF symposium on EMP at which presentations were given by Russian general officers.
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Sponsored a December 2003 technical seminar on EMP attended by scientists from the Russian Federation and the United States.
The Commission also reviewed additional relevant foreign research and programs and assessed foreign perspectives on EMP attacks.
In considering EMP, the Commission also gave attention to the coincident nuclear effects that would result from a detonation that produces EMP, e.g., possible disruption of the operations of, or damage to, satellites in space.
Different types of nuclear weapons produce different EMP effects. The Commission limited its attention to the most strategically significant cases in which detonation of one or few nuclear warheads could result in widespread, potentially long-duration disruption or damage that places at risk the functioning of American society or the effectiveness of US military forces.
In addition to examining potential threats, the Commission was charged to assess US vulnerabilities (civilian and military) to EMP and to recommend measures to counter EMP threats. For these purposes, the Commission reviewed research and best practices within the United States and other countries. Early in this review it became apparent that only limited EMP vulnerability testing had been accomplished for modern electronic systems and components. To partially remedy this deficit, the Commission sponsored illustrative testing; results are presented in the full text of the Commission’s report.
Table of Contents
PART ONE WHAT IS AN ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE?
Chapter One Let’s Get Technical
Chapter Two What are the characteristics of a nuclear EMP?
Chapter Three What are the differences between a Nuclear EMP, a CME, and an RF Weapon?
PART TWO HISTORY OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE
Chapter Four Significant Events in the History of EMP
PART THREE PRESENT DAY USE OF EMP TECHNOLOGY
Chapter Five Recent Events in the Use of EMP
Chapter Six Technological Advances; Non-Military Uses
Chapter Eight Components of a Credible EMP Attack
PART FIVE WHO IS RINGING THE CLARION BELL?
Chapter Ten Respected Advocates
Chapter Eleven The EMP Commission
Chapter Twelve United States Policy Stance
Chapter Thirteen Recent Legislative History
Chapter Fourteen U. S. Department of Defense Preparations
Chapter Fifteen A Collapse Event
Chapter Sixteen Critical Infrastructure
Chapter Seventeen Effects on People
PART SEVEN EMP SHIELDING – FARADAY CAGES
Chapter Eighteen Meet Michael Faraday
Chapter Nineteen Introduction to the Faraday Cage
Chapter Twenty Construct a Simple Faraday Cage
Chapter Twenty-One Sophisticated Shielded Rooms
Chapter Twenty-Two Shielded Cables, Cabinets and Accessories
Chapter Twenty-Three Contents of your Faraday Cage
PART EIGHT PREPARING FOR AN EMP ATTACK
Chapter Twenty-Four Effects of an EMP on Vehicles
Chapter Twenty-Five It’s Time to Get Ready for the Coming EMP Attack
APPENDIX A Excerpt from The Loyal Nine
APPENDIX B PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST Provided by www.FreedomPreppers.com
