Pentagon Leaning Against Use Of E-Bomb Against Iraq

drudge ^ | 2/20/03 | matt drudge

[finnman69]

Pentagon Leaning Against Use Of E-Bomb Against Iraq Thu Feb 20 2003 10:16:46 ET

The U.S. military has developed a weapon that can permanently disable electrical and telecommunications systems and has debated the possibility of using it in any military assault against Baghdad, the WALL STREET JOURNAL reported on Thursday.

MORE

The new weapon -- known as the 'e-bomb,' for the high-velocity electromagnetic pulses it discharges -- hasn't yet been tested in battle. But some midlevel Air Force commanders have said that using such a weapon, which was long in development but veiled in secrecy, would give the U.S. a decisive initial advantage in a war with Iraq.

Top Pentagon and military-service officials are leaning against using the e-bomb, though.

They are concerned its use could alienate the Iraqi populace by crippling Baghdad's phone and electrical systems and, hence, the city's hospital and emergency-services infrastructure.

Developing...

[finnman69]

This bomb must work really really well. Too well forthis story to be out. Anyone see Escape from LA when they set of a massive E-bomb and the world is plunged into the dark ages?

[SC_Republican]

Hmmm let me see......create confusion and havoc thus helping to protect our troops and possibly ending the conflict in days and not weeks vs. Acmed calling his nephew to wish him a happy birthday.

Tough choice.

[Ranxerox]

Now we know why the gun grabbers want us to have "smart" guns, but police are exempt.

[finnman69]

Seems like a no brainer to use over his palaces, downtown Baghdad is another question...glad I don't have to make the decision.

[RolandBurnam]

If we are going into this war worried about alienating the iraqi populace, then we need to rethink what we are doing. If we don't go in with everything we have, don't go in at all.

[Dog Gone]

I will have to consider this war an utter failure if we don't detonate one of these over the French embassy in Baghdad.

[Straight Vermonter]

Seems like a no brainer to use over his palaces, downtown Baghdad is another question...glad I don't have to make the decision.

The problem is that military equipment will likely be hardened. Meaning the e-bomb would not be effective against them. The power and communication infrastructure that are shared by military and civilians however would be susceptible.

[NorseWood]

Can't they use a smaller version that would be more localized . . . like setting it off over the top of one of his "palaces" to fry whatever communications equipment it may be hiding?

[finnman69]

ROFL

Something that knocks out the Frog's bidets I hope. Then they would have no place to brush their teeth.

[duk]

Could be that the "higher ups" are concerned about the same tech being used against the U.S. mainland.

[RoughDobermann]

Anyone see Escape from LA

Yes, I did. And I still occasionally wake up in a cold sweat... :-) Horrible film.

[Zack Nguyen]

Exactly. If this weapon works, then we have a moral responsibility to use it, if it will save American soldier's lives. I don't see that this is a very difficult decision.

[js1138]

Seems like a no brainer to use over his palaces, downtown Baghdad is another question...

Been thinking the same thing for several weeks. Lots of military targets, though.

Can these things be focused? As in downwards. I have a vision of the rats suffocating in their bunkers without lights or ventelation.

[Hazzardgate]

"I shut down the third world, you win they lose. I shut down America, you win they lose. The more things change the more they stay the same."

[finnman69]

[Dog Gone]

Something that knocks out the Frog's bidets I hope. Then they would have no place to brush their teeth.

I like your thinking.

[americanbychoice]

They brush their teeth?

[Semper911]

The problem is that if we are going to occupy the country for years, the last thing you need is to give the general population to hate you.

Agreed. An e-bomb in Baghdad would not make many friends of the US media outlets, either. How many flash-fried cameras, audio, and satellite-link units would be acceptable to the networks? Exactly zero.

[Blueflag]

The E-bombs are conceived to be 'directed' energy weapons, i.e., focused at a target. The will have an area effect, and they could be built as area weapons. But most leaks/publications have described them as guided munitions that release a directed pulse of very high energy, very short wavelength microwaves.

I can't speak to how the wave guide works, but bright people have explained it to me as directing the energy pulse pretty effectively and efficiently.