Session
Abstract:
The Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Threat
Dr. William A. Radasky, Ph.D.
Metatech Corporation, Goleta, California USA, wradasky@aol.com
In 2004 the Congressional Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack published Volume 1: Executive Report. This openly published report summarized the work of the Commission, which was focused on the impact of the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) on civil electronic systems, especially those systems that control the critical infrastructures.
This presentation will review the main technical aspects of the work of the EMP Commission as summarized in their Executive Report. The presentation will review the nature of the EMP threat, the main critical infrastructures threatened, and the planning needed to prepare for the recovery of the critical infrastructures.
As this author worked for the Commission on the analysis and testing of elements of the electric power grid infrastructure, this aspect will be emphasized in the presentation.
The Threat of Electromagnetic (EM) Weapons
Dr. William A. Radasky, Ph.D.
Metatech Corporation, Goleta, California USA, wradasky@aol.com
Our modern society is based on the rapid flow of information powered by electronic systems, such as computer systems, cellular phones, aircraft, automobiles and television. Unfortunately the same technology that has allowed electronics to become more powerful and compact has also provided the possibility that intense levels of electromagnetic fields can be generated by weapons that can easily fit into a automobile or even a briefcase.
Because of these threats to society by criminals and terrorists, scientists throughout the world have been studying the types of threats that are present and the susceptibility of equipment to these threats. A new term has been developed to cover this threat – Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI). IEMI is caused by different classes of radio-frequency weapons, which can deliver high power microwaves (HPM) or ultrawideband pulses (UWB) to an intended target.
This presentation will review the different types of weapons (including photographs of prototypes), their waveforms and the types of malfunctions they are likely to produce in electronic systems. In addition, the work of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in Geneva will be mentioned, as they are working on methods to protect society from these threats.
