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Most electronics are shielded these days. It would probably cause regionalized problems with the power grid, but it wouldn't be a calamity. The missile probably would never make it here anyway. There are always aegis systems deployed in the area which could intercept a single missile.

Mike

Most electronics are shielded these days.

Only military electronics has been hardened sufficiently for this. EMP causes secondary emissions inside shielded devices. BTW cell phones aren't shielded at all. This would be a great way to get these out of the hands of drivers.

Actually, most electronics these days IS NOT SHELIDED. In fact, what causes damage is the EMP itself. An electromagnetic pulse is just that. A massive pulse which induces massive current inside even electronics that is OFF, not plugged in. Generally the damage is caused inside MOSFET type transistors and integrated circuits.

Unless electronics (radios, computers) are unplugged and cases grounded (providing a "faraday cage" type protection) then even stuff just "sitting there on shelves" can be damaged during a massive emp.

A space detonated device has a "footprint" that can cover the US. This would preclude folks like Iran from doing this kind of damage, since they can't launch space vehicles. However, China, Russia and even to an extent, people like North Korea have limited space launch vehicle capabilities. Thus, if Iran cooperated with, say North Korea on a launch vehicle, they could conceivably launch a nuclear device capable of doing massive emp damage into space. We'd SEE it of course. Whether we could shoot it down or stop it before detonation remains to be seen at this point.

This threat is certainly MORE viable than some of you give it credit for being. However, MichaelIP has a point, the missile will probably NOT make it here. So, unless the scenario I've cited (putting it into orbit first) is accomplished, then the fact that the bomb can't get here will limit the damage to the region where the bomb goes off.

The DARPANET was created for this and most peripheral devices are "Tempest" versions to protect against this.

Not to split hairs, but Aegis wasn't built to intercept ICBM's. It was built to protect the carrier group from a missile flying right at it. But that is why we have the missile defense program. Screw those other countries who are against it.

But are the Aegis ships carrying SM3???

Most electronics are shielded these days. It would probably cause regionalized problems with the power grid, but it wouldn't be a calamity. The missile probably would never make it here anyway. There are always aegis systems deployed in the area which could intercept a single missile. Mike

The shielding is to protect against local, low level EM noise. Nuclear EMP radiation levels compared to conventional EM radiation levels are logarithmic dimensions apart.

Every watch, cell or copper phone, vehicle, PC, radio, TV, POS terminal (we all know how well cashiers make change without any electronics), all bank equipment, all your prescriptions, all records of everything everywhere not on paper... all gone forever. (only optical data storage will survive, just no way to read it)

That'd be fun, huh?