Michael Maloof is simply wrong. 1 EMP weapon at high altitude over the center of the nation would not destroy the entire electrical grid.
It is much more complex than that.
Has to do with field density and other parameters. It might under ideal conditions destroy the electrical system in a 500 mile area. Possibly.
But not the entire nation.
It is a sobering prospect, but not the death knell.
If they try to use one I think they would detonate over east or west coast population centers...more bang 4 the buck.
You are badly mistaken.
http://www.empcommission.org/docs/empc_exec_rpt.pdf
And to the naysayers - you don’t have to wipe out the “whole electrical grid” or anything remotely close to it. Let’s just say you scramble the brains of 10% of the ATM machines, or make it impossible for 10% of credit card transactions to be validated. Think about how many cars are going to be backed-up at gas stations, how quickly people are going to panic with even that level of inconvenience after what happened with Katrina and Sandy.
EMP itself isn’t the killer, it’s what will happen in a developed nation afterward. What we do to each other.
Yes, read “One Second After” rather than watch crap like Red Dawn.
Wow. Someone who has a clue about the relevant physics. Not surprised at all that you’re a fellow Texan.
No one knows what an EMP blast would really do. It might not be as effective as people think. It might be spotty at best. And even if it was bad, our nuke subs would launch and turn North Korea into a cinder. We could launch EMPs on other nations—like Iran, China, etc... The use of these—could go all out. Lets hope all this talk is just hot air—BUT I fear someday someone will be tempted to use one of these things.
It’s gotta be a bit bigger than Kim’s Fisher Price 10 Kt toys too...
One thing that is pretty much a certainty, If a rogue nation detonated a nuclear device up above the U.S., there would not be a rogue nation to deal with moments afterward.
NK being provocative is much different than NK being utterly ignorant. They know full well what the aftermath would be for such monumental stupidity. They will likely shoot off a few missiles to intimidate and if war broke out, it would be conventional.
Just my take, I did sleep at a Holiday Inn express last night. lol
I do agree with the author that we would be wise to spend a little money on hardening the grid. That would certainly be money well spent since solar flares do happen.
They’d only have to hit a few centers and primary grids, to cause havoc.
Tube operated (I think) CBs, Ham Radios would not be effected.
We have a place in the high desert of California, and the small community has encouraged everyone to get and learn how to operate a tube Ham Radio, and CBs.
(Of, course other emergancy items as well)
“Has to do with field density and other parameters. It might under ideal conditions destroy the electrical system in a 500 mile area. Possibly.”
And how is it you come to this incorrect generalized conclusion?