Electronic Warfare

Electronic Warfare• “…is the use of the electromagnetic spectrum

to deny its use by an adversary.” -wikipedia.org

Electronic Warfare• “…is the use of the electromagnetic spectrum

to deny its use by an adversary.” -wikipedia.org

• Employs technology to interfere or jam an adversary’s communications system

Electromagnetic Bombs, or E-Bombs

Electromagnetic Bombs, or E-Bombs

• A form of electronic warfare

Electromagnetic Bombs, or E-Bombs

• A form of electronic warfare• Employs electromagnetic force, one of the

four fundamental forces

The Vircator

• Virtual Cathode Oscillator

The Vircator

• Virtual Cathode Oscillator• Most popular of the various HPM, or high-

powered microwave, devices

The Vircator

• Virtual Cathode Oscillator• Most popular of the various HPM, or high-

powered microwave, devices• Vacuum tube

The Vircator Deployed in a Bomb

• Wide “lethal” range

The Vircator Deployed in a Bomb

• Wide “lethal” range• Its electromagnetic pulse can be generated without the need for a nuclear explosion

The Vircator Deployed in a Bomb

• Has the ability to render useless any electronic equipment exposed to its pulse

Defending Against The Vircator And Other HPM

Devices

• The Faraday cage

Defending Against The Vircator And Other HPM

Devices

• The Faraday cage• Prevents the electromagnetic field from

gaining access to protected equipment

Vulnerability of The Faraday Cage

• Protected equipment must be linked with the outside world: data and power

Vulnerability of The Faraday Cage

• Protected equipment must be linked with the outside world: data and power

• Data: fiber optics; power: ongoing problem

References

• http://science.howstuffworks.com/e-bomb1.htm• http://www.globalsecurity.org• http://www.wikipedia.org• http://www.answers.com• http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/forces/funfor.html• The Economist, 30 January 2003• The Electrical Nature of Storms, Donald MacGorman and W David Rust