When do we use the really cool weapons (EMP Pulse)?

I thought we would hear something about these weapons that destroy electronics by now. I sort of though they would one of the 1st strikes on Bagdad. Maybe they are still too experimental.

Why have I heard nothing about their use so far.

Do we not have such weapons?

Are they not appropiate for this situation?

Are they still too experimental?

Are they being used and I’m just not hearing about it?

The only way we have of generating an EMP pulse over a large enough area to affect a battlefield is by use of nuclear weapons, and we’re kind of against that.

Plus, we’d probably hurt our own electronics more than theirs.

When do we use the really cool weapons (EMP Pulse)?

Electromagnetic Pulse Pulse? Well, we’re definitely working on that sort of thing (Link). Still experimental, though.

I wonder if the Iraqis have been using the GPS jamming equipment sold them by the Russians?

I’ve seen a design for a non-nuclear EMP weapon somewhere on the net. Essentially a shaped charge wrapped in an inductor. When it blows, the EM field is compressed extremely quickly and builds up very strong, then is released.

I have no idea how well or even if this would actually work.

kanicbird–here’s a news flash: THERE AIN’T NO SUCH ANIMAL AS A “COOL WEAPON”! :mad:

Weapons make people dead. War is not a fireworks show, created for your personal amusement.

According to this, yes, they did use them, and no, they didn’t work.

Bosda, the point of the type of weapon referred to by the OP is that they don’t kill people. I think that a weapon that doesn’t “make people dead” is pretty cool.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/08/btsc.sites/index.html

You use those to take out ATM machines.

Rendering your PIN number useless.

Hopefully, it only fries the RAM memory. After a reboot it’ll be fine.
If it destroys the ROM memory, you’re in trouble.

How can the Iraqi homosexuals get new recruits if we take out all their small appliances?

Would an electromagnetic EMP pulse wipe the HD disks and FD disks as well as automatic ATM machines? CD disks would be ok, of course.

I am not disputing your point.

But ** kanicbird**'s post has all the qualities of a breathless 15-year-old about it.
And this ain’t no video game.

It is a terrible war, fought by men with hidden agendas.

Pro- or Anti- war, you must take it seriously.

I’m lost. Is this the SDMB message board?

:slight_smile:

Nothing has to be taken seriously. When confronted with the choice between laughing or crying, I’ll pick laughing every time.

“Automatic ATM machines?” So, what, that’d be “automatic automatic teller machine machines?” :wink:

For the record, EMP weapons are unlikely to affect magnetic media (although it’s not impossible, especially with a very strong EMP, or one very nearby). They don’t just fry RAM or ROM, they destroy almost any unshielded piece of semiconductor equipment (anything with diodes, transistors, chips, etc.) within range. MOSFET transistors (very common these days) are particularly vulnerable. However, shielding against EMP’s is not terribly difficult. It can be a little cumbersome and impractical at times, but it’s nothing that any nation’s military wouldn’t be able to handle.

pestie, I wasn’t sure you were getting the joke until this point… :wink:

That’s Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor Transistors, folks.

And don’t forget the “PIN number” mentioned by Munch.

A Personal Identification Number number? :wink:

** Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor** your point and your agenda is well taken. I must point out that this weapon is not intended to kill and might very well save lives. If the Iraqi troops are without electronics they might be more willing to surrender.

War is terriable but life under SH is much worse. His own people are now taking up arms against his own troops. Whatever you think the reason for this war, one thing is for certain, it is far more humane to remove SH by force then to leave him in power.

There is no safe EMP weapon.

The gang from the second “Ocean’s Eleven” film stole it.

When are we going to perfect that wave motion gun I keep hearing about?