UK and US testing EMP warhead

EMP stands for electromagnetic pulse and its effect was accidentally discovered when nuclear weapons were initially tested in the Forties. A nuclear explosion creates a series of electromagnetic waves -- pulses -- that damage or destroy electronics. And, with electronics getting ever smaller and more densely packed, vulnerability to EMP likewise increases.

The new weapon, reportedly developed by the UK and the US, is intended for use in cruise missiles and similar payload delivery vehicles. Rendering command-and-control facilities useless -- without necessarily harming civilians -- would seem to be the overriding goal...


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