New shell disrupts electronics

Oatka · December 28, 2000, 09:07 PM

Maybe a small, precise version of this would be useable to knock out those perps on their high-speed chases.

STORY
By PETER ALMOND

LONDON, Dec 28 (UPI) -- British scientists have developed a non-explosive artillery shell that can put out such a powerful burst of radio-frequency energy it will destroy or disable electrical and electronic systems for miles around without killing anyone.

The new so-called E-Bomb was developed privately by Matra BAe Dynamics and fits into US research efforts into matching and countering similar Russian systems, whose advanced development startled western intelligence officials
when it was revealed two years ago.

Particularly worrying to British intelligence officials were reports that the IRA has discussed using a version of the Russian bomb that can be carried in a briefcase. The target, according to the London Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, was the City of London. A meltdown of unprotected computer electronics in the heart of one of the world's primary financial centers is one of Britain's worst nightmares.

But almost equally-alluring to British Ministry of Defense officials was the prospect of using such a weapon themselves. Last summer they issued a summary of requirements to companies for "radio frequency munitions
delivered by 155mm shell or rocket", without saying what they would use it for.

US cruise missiles and bombs are believed to be earmarked for similar radio frequency devices, but this is the first time one has been designed for close-in artillery systems that are cheaper and less easily shot down.

"It's being looked at for peacekeeping operations, perhaps for hostage situations where you want to knock out someone's mobile phones, computers, electronic security devices and so on," said a BAe Systems spokesman
Thursday. The company's work on the system won the scientists a gold award for innovation from the BAe Systems chairman.

The E-Bomb works by being fired from a long-range 155mm artillery gun or MLRS rocket launcher and then breaking open its outer casing over the target. The shell or rocket then unfolds its radio transmitter aerials and the transmitter sends a high powered radio pulse of billions of watts that lasts just a few nanoseconds.

Just how effective it would be against a modern military force remains uncertain, however. British, American and other Nato equipment is significantly "ruggedized", encased in extra layers of protective materials compared to that of off-the-shelf commercial electronics.

The result of an E-blast could be, therefore, that the enemy military has the only functioning communication systems while the civilian infrastructure, including power plants, manufacturing, hospitals and transportation, stops working.

NATO's military has been hardening its electronic systems for many years, primarily as a defense against nuclear warfare. It has long been known that the electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) of a nuclear blast severely damages
electronic equipment. Up to now, however, EMP has only been considered a peripheral concern of the far more devastating consequences of nuclear war, not as a weapon on its own.

"The theory and strategy of active electronic warfare in non-nuclear situations has still to be determined," said one senior British officer. "We are still sorting out some of the lessons of the air campaign on Serbia last year. But this is the first I've heard of a practicable, useable design for the artillery. It certainly tends to open up the discussion a bit."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said there is no contract for the Matra BAe device, and there is no funding commitment to the futuristic project. The Matra BAe spokesman said it could be ten years before it is deployed.

--
Copyright 2000 by United Press International.

**Bud Helms** · December 28, 2000, 10:02 PM

Quote:

"The theory and strategy of active electronic warfare in non-nuclear situations has still to be determined," said one senior British officer. ...

Bull hockey.

The very nature of Electronic Warfare is dynamic and threat driven, as an area of warfare. The "theory and strategy of active electronic warfare in non-nuclear situations" is well known and applied. Oh, I see. It is a comment by a senior British officer. That explains it. He was probably just briefed on the existence of the field of EW.

Seriously, what seems really new about this is the sheer RF power involved. Billions of watts? Wow! A few nanoseconds might be all that is needed. Microseconds or even milliseconds would be better.

I have a question. This seems like maybe a two mile radius RF doomsday weapon. What about follow up shots. Wouldn't the targeting system that fired the first shot be fried? On the other hand, this is an area denial weapon, not a pinpoint accuracy weapon. If it was detonated fairly close to the firing point it wouldn't need to be pointed accurately. I wonder if sensitive circuits could be protected by powering down.

[Edited by sensop on 12-29-2000 at 01:20 AM]

Libertarian · December 28, 2000, 10:06 PM

Wouldn't a 155mm e-shell stop a fleeing car?

bedlamite · December 28, 2000, 11:45 PM

It would probably work pretty good against those new electronic Remingtons.

iso1 · December 29, 2000, 04:11 AM

Uh-oh. Bedlamite might have hit the nail on the head...

"Press Release
Washington, D.C.

President Richard Cranium's agreement with American gun manufacturers to have "smart gun" technology installed on all existing and all new firearms is hailed by HCI as "the most important step towards saving children since Bathtub Control Inc. helped pass the 2005 Tub Control Act."

Kinda makes you wonder, no?

Electronics in firearms, too small to be shielded.
One very large EMP or high powered RF signal could wipe them out......

johnr · December 29, 2000, 05:24 AM

For tons of more info on EMP weapons and a lot of other things, look here:
http://www.softwar.net
-Softwar!-- has tons of National Security info-treason? You call it... and thers's more:
http://gertzfile.com
-Bill Gertz's Site-- China/Panama/Treason & more

C.R.Sam · December 29, 2000, 11:08 AM

Time 1615. Place I-405 southbound. Officers Doright and Dimbulb of the CHP in close persuit of Late Mercedes (stolen). Traffic moderately heavy, five lanes each direction. Officer Dimbulb fires electronic discombobulator because suspect was pulling away and endangering others. Discombobulator shell scored. Twenty six vehicles lost engine power. Twenty two of these lost power steering. Eighteen cars lost braking control. Seven diesel powered vehicles did not lose power. All lanes traveling at average of 63mph prior to the incident. Average spacing between vehicles approximately 38 feet fore and aft, 7 feet laterally. Invesitgators determined that a total of 275 vehicles were involved in the resultant mega-accident. 300 serious injuries and 83 fatalities. The fire was declared out within 36 hours. It is estimated that the freeway will be re-opened within six weeks.

Sam....ECM can be fun

iso1 · December 29, 2000, 11:15 AM

It would be funny, if it weren't possible, Sam.

Mark King · December 29, 2000, 12:07 PM

Here's a link with some technical information on this theory. http://www.infowar.com/mil_c4i/mil_c4i8.html-ssi

From what I've read, this type of weapon has been around for several years. I've also read of a hand held device nicknamed a bloop gun which can emit a high EMG field to disable electronics in close proximity.

Mark / FL

Hard Ball · December 29, 2000, 02:09 PM

Most military electronics systems are hardened against EMP effects and have been for a long time. Civilian electronics systems usuall are not hardened.

Mark King · December 29, 2000, 02:21 PM

Hardball, you are correct. I worked for a company at one time that used only "tempest protected" laptop computers, and that was some 7 years ago. Check out the information in the link I provided. Even protected equipment isn't completely immune to this type of attack.

Mark / FL

RHarris · December 30, 2000, 05:44 AM

Electronic warfare is nothing new. It shouldn't be shocking that new things are constantly being developed. Simply jamming radar and radio has been going on for many decades. Aircraft such as the EA-6B are specificly designed for such purposes.

The use of cell phones is not allowed on airliners because of fear of interference of the airplanes electronics. Some hospitals and other such places have prohibited indoor cell phone use for the same reason. Those things are putting out milliwatts. It wouldn't take a whole lot to interfere with or even damage equipment.

Hard Ball · December 30, 2000, 12:48 PM

Nuclear weapons generate massive EMP. If four or five hydrogen bombs were detonated at very high altitude on a line running from the center of the east coast to the center of the west coast they would knock out most civilian electronics in the United States. Time to get started on an effective National Missile Defense system.

December 28, 2000, 09:07 PM	#1
Oatka Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 1999 Location: Nevada Posts: 3,119	Maybe a small, precise version of this would be useable to knock out those perps on their high-speed chases. STORY By PETER ALMOND LONDON, Dec 28 (UPI) -- British scientists have developed a non-explosive artillery shell that can put out such a powerful burst of radio-frequency energy it will destroy or disable electrical and electronic systems for miles around without killing anyone. The new so-called E-Bomb was developed privately by Matra BAe Dynamics and fits into US research efforts into matching and countering similar Russian systems, whose advanced development startled western intelligence officials when it was revealed two years ago. Particularly worrying to British intelligence officials were reports that the IRA has discussed using a version of the Russian bomb that can be carried in a briefcase. The target, according to the London Daily Telegraph on Wednesday, was the City of London. A meltdown of unprotected computer electronics in the heart of one of the world's primary financial centers is one of Britain's worst nightmares. But almost equally-alluring to British Ministry of Defense officials was the prospect of using such a weapon themselves. Last summer they issued a summary of requirements to companies for "radio frequency munitions delivered by 155mm shell or rocket", without saying what they would use it for. US cruise missiles and bombs are believed to be earmarked for similar radio frequency devices, but this is the first time one has been designed for close-in artillery systems that are cheaper and less easily shot down. "It's being looked at for peacekeeping operations, perhaps for hostage situations where you want to knock out someone's mobile phones, computers, electronic security devices and so on," said a BAe Systems spokesman Thursday. The company's work on the system won the scientists a gold award for innovation from the BAe Systems chairman. The E-Bomb works by being fired from a long-range 155mm artillery gun or MLRS rocket launcher and then breaking open its outer casing over the target. The shell or rocket then unfolds its radio transmitter aerials and the transmitter sends a high powered radio pulse of billions of watts that lasts just a few nanoseconds. Just how effective it would be against a modern military force remains uncertain, however. British, American and other Nato equipment is significantly "ruggedized", encased in extra layers of protective materials compared to that of off-the-shelf commercial electronics. The result of an E-blast could be, therefore, that the enemy military has the only functioning communication systems while the civilian infrastructure, including power plants, manufacturing, hospitals and transportation, stops working. NATO's military has been hardening its electronic systems for many years, primarily as a defense against nuclear warfare. It has long been known that the electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) of a nuclear blast severely damages electronic equipment. Up to now, however, EMP has only been considered a peripheral concern of the far more devastating consequences of nuclear war, not as a weapon on its own. "The theory and strategy of active electronic warfare in non-nuclear situations has still to be determined," said one senior British officer. "We are still sorting out some of the lessons of the air campaign on Serbia last year. But this is the first I've heard of a practicable, useable design for the artillery. It certainly tends to open up the discussion a bit." A Ministry of Defence spokesman said there is no contract for the Matra BAe device, and there is no funding commitment to the futuristic project. The Matra BAe spokesman said it could be ten years before it is deployed. -- Copyright 2000 by United Press International.

December 28, 2000, 10:06 PM	#3
Libertarian Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 1999 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 2,123	Wouldn't a 155mm e-shell stop a fleeing car?

December 28, 2000, 11:45 PM	#4
bedlamite Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2000 Location: WI Posts: 576	It would probably work pretty good against those new electronic Remingtons.

December 29, 2000, 04:11 AM	#5
iso1 Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 581	Uh-oh. Bedlamite might have hit the nail on the head... "Press Release Washington, D.C. President Richard Cranium's agreement with American gun manufacturers to have "smart gun" technology installed on all existing and all new firearms is hailed by HCI as "the most important step towards saving children since Bathtub Control Inc. helped pass the 2005 Tub Control Act." Kinda makes you wonder, no? Electronics in firearms, too small to be shielded. One very large EMP or high powered RF signal could wipe them out......

December 29, 2000, 05:24 AM	#6
johnr Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2000 Posts: 698	For tons of more info on EMP weapons and a lot of other things, look here: http://www.softwar.net -Softwar!-- has tons of National Security info-treason? You call it... and thers's more: http://gertzfile.com -Bill Gertz's Site-- China/Panama/Treason & more

December 29, 2000, 11:08 AM	#7
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,876	Time 1615. Place I-405 southbound. Officers Doright and Dimbulb of the CHP in close persuit of Late Mercedes (stolen). Traffic moderately heavy, five lanes each direction. Officer Dimbulb fires electronic discombobulator because suspect was pulling away and endangering others. Discombobulator shell scored. Twenty six vehicles lost engine power. Twenty two of these lost power steering. Eighteen cars lost braking control. Seven diesel powered vehicles did not lose power. All lanes traveling at average of 63mph prior to the incident. Average spacing between vehicles approximately 38 feet fore and aft, 7 feet laterally. Invesitgators determined that a total of 275 vehicles were involved in the resultant mega-accident. 300 serious injuries and 83 fatalities. The fire was declared out within 36 hours. It is estimated that the freeway will be re-opened within six weeks. Sam....ECM can be fun

December 29, 2000, 11:15 AM	#8
iso1 Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2000 Location: Reno, Nevada Posts: 581	It would be funny, if it weren't possible, Sam.

December 29, 2000, 12:07 PM	#9
Mark King Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Location: FLA USA Posts: 362	Here's a link with some technical information on this theory. http://www.infowar.com/mil_c4i/mil_c4i8.html-ssi From what I've read, this type of weapon has been around for several years. I've also read of a hand held device nicknamed a bloop gun which can emit a high EMG field to disable electronics in close proximity. Mark / FL

December 29, 2000, 02:09 PM	#10
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,886	Most military electronics systems are hardened against EMP effects and have been for a long time. Civilian electronics systems usuall are not hardened.

December 29, 2000, 02:21 PM	#11
Mark King Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 1998 Location: FLA USA Posts: 362	Hardball, you are correct. I worked for a company at one time that used only "tempest protected" laptop computers, and that was some 7 years ago. Check out the information in the link I provided. Even protected equipment isn't completely immune to this type of attack. Mark / FL

December 30, 2000, 05:44 AM	#12
RHarris Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2000 Posts: 417	Electronic warfare is nothing new. It shouldn't be shocking that new things are constantly being developed. Simply jamming radar and radio has been going on for many decades. Aircraft such as the EA-6B are specificly designed for such purposes. The use of cell phones is not allowed on airliners because of fear of interference of the airplanes electronics. Some hospitals and other such places have prohibited indoor cell phone use for the same reason. Those things are putting out milliwatts. It wouldn't take a whole lot to interfere with or even damage equipment.

December 30, 2000, 12:48 PM	#13
Hard Ball Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 1999 Location: California Posts: 3,886	Nuclear weapons generate massive EMP. If four or five hydrogen bombs were detonated at very high altitude on a line running from the center of the east coast to the center of the west coast they would knock out most civilian electronics in the United States. Time to get started on an effective National Missile Defense system.