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ELECTROMAGNETIC BOMB

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Contents:

Introduction.Basic Principle of E-Bomb.Technology Base for E-Bomb.Coupling Modes.E-Bomb Targets.Firing of E-Bombs.Defences Against E-Bombs.Military Applications of E-Bomb.Advantages and disadvantages.Conclusions.References.

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Introduction

The most recent war operations relied on air power and precision guided ammunitions.

Future campaigns will require more suitable weapons to achieve shock effect over large targets with small attacking forces.

Electromagnetic bombs (E-Bombs) can perform such a role.

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Basic Principle of E-Bomb

The Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) effect .

The Electromagnetic Pulse is an electromagnetic shock wave.

This pulse of energy produces a powerful electromagnetic field sufficiently strong to produce short lived transient voltages of thousands of volts on exposed electrical conductors like wires, printed circuit boards etc.

This can cause irreversible damage to wide range of electrical and electronic equipments particularly computers and radio or radar devices.

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Technology Base for E-Bomb

There are two widely used technologies:

Flux Compression Generators(FCG),and

Virtual Cathode Oscillator or Vircator.

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Flux Compression Generators(FCG)

FCG can produce tens of Mega Joules in tens to hundreds of

microseconds.

Main parts of FCG include:

Armature(copper tube).

Stator(helical heavy wire coil).

Initiator(plane wave explosion lens) and

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Contd…..

Jacket(prevents disintegration due to magnetic field).

FCG start current is provided by an external source.

When start current peaks initiator is fired to initiate explosive burn.

Explosive pressure expands armature and creates moving short.

Moving armature compressses a magnetic field.

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Virtual Cathode Oscillator

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Contd…..

Electron beam is accelerated through foil or mesh anode.

Electrons passing through anode will form a bubble of space charge around anode.

Under proper conditions this space charge will oscillate at micro frequencies.

Peak power of tens of GW for 100s of sec.

Cheap and simple to manufacture.

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Coupling Modes:

Front Door Coupling through antennas.

Destroys RF semiconductor devices in transmitters and receivers.

Back Door Coupling through power /data cabling, telephone wiring.

Destroys exposed semiconductor devices.

Punches through isolation transfomers.

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E-Bomb Targets:

Fixed installations(buildings,radars etc.).

Radiating mobiles\hidden targets(ships,mobiles).

Non radiating mobiles\hidden targets.

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Firing of E-Bombs:

Warhead comprises of priming current source,FCG(cascade) and Vircator tube.

Missile installations must supply 100% of weapon priming energy from own supply.

Bomb installation-weapon can be precharged before release from aircraft.

A free fall E-Bomb is more lethal.

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Firing of E-Bomb

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Firing options:

Aircraft Dumb bombs (free fall delivery).

GPS or satellite guided bombs.

standoff missiles.

Cruise Missiles(weight restricted to 340kg).

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Defence and Hardening

Destroy the delivery vehicle.

Electromagnetically harden/hide important assets.

Use optical fibres for data transfer and comprehensive shielding.

Isolate power feeds with transient arrrestors.

Use non-electromagnetic power feed and electromagnetic “air lock”.

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Hardening

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Military applications of E-Bomb:Electronic combat:

The E-Bomb enables rapid attrition of enemy electronic assets over large areas.

The E-Bomb offers important force multiplication effects compared to conventional weapons.

Strategic warfare:

Economic vitals-finance and stock markets,manufacturing,petroleum are highly vulnerable.

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Contd…..

Transport infrastructure-signalling and vehicle ignition systems are vulnerable.

Population-radio and TV receivers.

Military equipments are vulnerable.

Theatre Warfare

Offensive Counter Air operations-disable aircraft in flight,on ground and destroy their supporting infrastructure.

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Contd…..Sea Control-disable surface combatants prior to attack with

conventional weapons.

Punitive Missions:

The E-Bomb is a punitive weapon as it can cause much economic and military damage with no loss of civilian life.

E-Bombs could be profitably used against countries which sponser terrorism and info-terrorism.

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Advantages:

Not lethal to humans.

Negligible collateral damage.

No mass media coverage of bombing casualities(broadcast equipment destroyed)will reduce threshold for the use of strategic air power and missile forces.

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Disadvantages:

Means of delivering E-Bombs are difficult.

Difficulty in kill assessment.

Atmospheric propagation of pulse.

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Conclusion:

E-Bombs are weapons of electrical mass destruction.

High payoff in using E-Bombs against fundemental infrastructure results in substantial paralysis.

Decisive advantage in the conduct of electronic combat.

E-Bombs are non lethal weapon.

The critical issues for next decade are the devolopment of E-Bombs and hardening of infrastructure.

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References:

1. The air power manuel second edition.RAAF APSC,CANBERRA,1994.

2. IEEE PULED POWER CONFERENCE,NEWYORK,1989.

3. IEEE SPECTRUM 2002,2003,2001.

4. DIGEST OF TECHNICAL PAPERES.

5. HOEBERLING G92-’ADVANCES IN VIRTUAL CATHOD MICROWAVE SOURCES’.