# When do we use the really cool weapons (EMP Pulse)? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 25, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007 "2003-03-25T13:03:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/1 "2003-03-25T13:03:08Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/2 "2003-03-25T13:56:50Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/3 "2003-03-25T13:59:11Z")
**When do we use the really cool weapons (EMP Pulse)?** Electromagnetic Pulse Pulse? Well, we’re definitely working on that sort of thing ([Link](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2679835.stm)). Still experimental, though. I wonder if the Iraqis have been using the GPS jamming equipment sold them by the Russians? ---
**Author:** ![TheNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TheNerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerd)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/4 "2003-03-25T15:37:15Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/5 "2003-03-25T15:41:55Z")
**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. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/6 "2003-03-25T15:58:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baldwin \* > \*\* wonder if the Iraqis have been using the GPS jamming equipment sold them by the Russians? \*\* According to [this](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=578&e=3&cid=578&u=/nm/20030325/ts_nm/iraq_gps_dc), yes, they did use them, and no, they didn’t work. ---
**Author:** ![rsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/839c29/32.png) [@rsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsa)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/7 "2003-03-25T16:04:29Z")
**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](http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/08/btsc.sites/index.html) > [@](#): > > Talk around here is that the U.S. Air Force might be developing an electromagnetic-pulse weapon that could be used in a war against Iraq. > > The concept is devastating simple: such a device would, while flying over the target area, emit a microwave swath that could fry the electronics of any appliance or device in its path. > > Tactically, it could help to end the war more swiftly by denying Iraq wireless military communication, and bombs would take out the rest. The order by Saddam Hussein to fire a chemical weapon might be eliminated along with the chain of command. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/8 "2003-03-25T16:15:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Baldwin \* > Electromagnetic Pulse Pulse? You use those to take out ATM machines. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/9 "2003-03-25T16:36:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by KneadToKnow \* > \*\*You use those to take out ATM machines. \*\* Rendering your PIN number useless. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/10 "2003-03-25T16:43:18Z")
Hopefully, it only fries the RAM memory. After a reboot it’ll be fine. If it destroys the ROM memory, you’re in trouble. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/11 "2003-03-25T17:22:58Z")
How can the Iraqi homosexuals get new recruits if we take out all their small appliances? ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/12 "2003-03-25T18:16:03Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/13 "2003-03-25T18:53:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Jayrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Jayrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jayrot)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/14 "2003-03-25T18:54:17Z")
I’m lost. Is this the SDMB message board? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![pestie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e5b9ba/32.png) [@pestie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pestie)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/15 "2003-03-25T20:07:44Z")
_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?” 😉 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. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/16 "2003-03-25T20:59:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pestie \* > \*\*MOSFET transistors (very common these days) are particularly \*\* **pestie** , I wasn’t sure you were getting the joke until this point… 😉 That’s Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor Transistors, folks. ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/17 "2003-03-25T21:46:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pestie \* > > * * * > > “Automatic ATM machines?” So, what, that’d be “automatic automatic teller machine machines?” 😉 > \*\* And don’t forget the “PIN number” mentioned by **Munch**. A Personal Identification Number number? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/18 "2003-03-25T22:01:14Z")
\*\* 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. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/19 "2003-03-25T22:33:40Z")
There is no safe EMP weapon. The gang from the second “Ocean’s Eleven” film stole it. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007/20 "2003-03-25T22:34:41Z")
When are we going to perfect that wave motion gun I keep hearing about? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-do-we-use-the-really-cool-weapons-emp-pulse/164007.md?page=2)