Any nuke is a potential EMP weapon.
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I believe that is true. What does it take to convert “potential” to weaponized? Any ideas?
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) occurs as a result of a nuclear explosion, lightning, solar flares, or on a very small scale, the arc that occurs when flipping on a light switch. It is a rapid burst of energy in a very short timeframe that generates electrical and magnetic waves that can induce enough voltage into unprotected electronics to cause damage. The “weaponized” type EMP requires deployment in the stratosphere where the burst of gamma rays ionizes free electrons that interact with the earths magnetic field to make the effect stronger than at lower altitudes. There have been extensive studies done to estimate the impact of EMP attacks on the US - search “Starfish Prime” for starters.
A missile that could send it up to detonate high above the country would be what could create a devastating EMP.
It needs to be launched to a very high level. And it needs to be detonated at a very specific height.
The cone of EMP damage is fairly narrow. The horrifying effects would be in concentric circles. In the middle there would be total impact on electronics. But in the subsequent circles outside the max, your car would stop—but it would start back up.
Anyone trying to knock out a city could probably do that. But knocking out a continent would require about a dozen precisely placed nukes.
The bigger concern is that someone is shooting off nukes.