Electromagnetic pulse

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP), also referred to as a transient electromagnetic disturbance (TED), is a brief burst of electromagnetic energy. The origin of an EMP can be natural or artificial, and can occur as an electromagnetic field, as an electric field, as a magnetic field, or as a conducted electric current. The electromagnetic interference caused by an EMP can disrupt communications and damage electronic equipment.[1] An EMP such as a lightning strike can physically damage objects such as buildings and aircraft. The management of EMP effects is a branch of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) engineering.

The first recorded damage from an electromagnetic pulse came with the solar storm of August 1859, or the Carrington Event.[2]

In modern warfare, weapons delivering a high energy EMP are designed to disrupt[3] communications equipment, the computers needed to operate modern warplanes, or even put the entire electrical network of a target country out of commission.[4]

  1. ^ Royal Air Force Common Core and Deployment Skills Aide-Memoire AP 3242B VOL 5, ABBREVIATIONS
  2. ^ Gutteridge, Nick (30 July 2020). "Electromagnetic pulses in history". The Telegraph. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  3. ^ "DHS Combats Potential Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack". Department of Homeland Security. 3 September 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  4. ^ Weiss, Matthew; Weiss, Martin (29 May 2019). "An Assessment of Threats to the American Power Grid". Energy, Sustainability and Society. 9 (1): 18. doi:10.1186/s13705-019-0199-y. ISSN 2192-0567.

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