Those who studied both Nuclear EMP and RADAR EMP recognized the inherent differences between the two techniques. In nuclear stimulated EMP, the power was enormous, and highly concentrated. But nuclear weapons were the very thing which researchers were attempting to eradicate, devices not permissible for use. The central causative agency in both was plasma formation. Plasma represented a conductive agency which had superior characteristics, almost superconductive attributes. Terrestrial dielectricity seemed to accrete into volumes of highly concentrated plasma with greater affinity than it did for metals. Nuclear EMP had the power and brevity of energy release to produce that kind of dense plasma fireball to stimulate terrestrial dielectric focussing. The earth dielectric field, vertically disposed, from ground to space, was pulled into the nuclear fireball with incredible fury. Part of the blackening of a nuclear blast area was a direct result of this dielectric focussing effect Some believed this effect to be a film artifact, the result of burning.
The RADAR induced EMP method had inherent limitations, limitations imposed by the natural behavior of RADAR beams in atmospheric immersion. The air did not normally absorb RADAR energies enough to produce this kind of high density plasma near the ground. In order for this condition to be established, RADAR energies had to be focussed and potent RADAR installations of this kind were large and not portable. They would have limited effectiveness in direct conflict Ground battle would be out of the question. So a ground directed EMP effect while possible, would not be available in battle theatres unless mounted on large seagoing vessek. But another though occurred to the designers. Were it possible to direct a RADAR beam of sufficient power to a point in the sky, producing a plasma volume in a lower atmospheric pressure, then it might be possible to direct either EMP effects or blackout effects from a fixed station. The concept of producing high altitude plasma bursts derived from several factors. First, lower air pressure meant faster plasma formation under focussed RADAR energy. Second, higher aerial placement of the plasma would permit RADAR direction of the effect, far from the transmit site. Were this method perfected, one would literally have a directable EMP source.
Researchers considered the atmospheric layers available for this kind of treatment, selecting first the D-Layer which is just above the Stratosphere. Some experimenters, largely geophysicists working under government sponsorship, believed they could create special precursory EMP conditions at these lower-than-ionospheric levels with pulsed RADAR beams alone. Once it could be demonstrated that a higher than normal RADAR reflective layer could be produced in th D-Layer, these systems would be given a far greater “reach”. Angular direction of the RADAR beam would send the focussed plasma over any coastal or border threat. The high altitude aerial plasma would follow the beam focus, dragging the EMP effect along any determined route.
The problem of producing such a powerful pulse was solved by the design and construction of very large Multigigawatt Magnetrons and new power pulse thyratrons. Closely modelled after Poulsen Arc switches, and forming the heart of many superhigh power RADAR systems, Gammatrons and other such high power thyratron tubes Good the hterature. Having greater effectiveness and further effective range, these highpower rapid pulse RADAR beams were given a greater than line-of-sight reach to a potential target zone. The concept of producing active ionizing paths in the atmosphere had become more than a working hypothesis. The conditions had been achieved early in the Century by several individuals. In each of these early demonstrations, methods perfected before 195, a conductive path was produced in the air by intensely collimated beams of hard ultraviolet hghL Producing a preliminary ionized path in the atmosphere, enormous bursts of high voltage current were then applied directly into this conductive path. Only capable of projecting several hundred feet from the power source, these systems scarcely dehvered sufficient penetrating energy to achieve their claimed objectives: the destruction of airplane engines, explosion of aerial bombs, and the shearing open of airships. These effects were subject to atmospheric variables and other hazardous problems ctssociated with deadly arc effects.
H. Grindell-Matthews (1917) used combination of intense UV and X-ray beams to establish a conductive aerial path, a weakly ionized path in die air. His device interfered with airplane engines, causing furtive piston misfire, and munitions eruptions. J. Hettinger used the intense UV from tighdy focussed carbon arcs to produce a transmission system for borough wide power distribution. Hettinger also utilized these conductive UV beacons and high voltage pulsations to create nonmaterial aerials of great vertical extent Made of ionized air, he synthetically produced “ionized atmospheric aerials”. The total length of the conductive channel permitted signalling capabilities, intensified and stabilized by focussed hght and applied electrical alternations. Both individuals patented their designs, although those of Grindell-Matthews remain curiously classified until today.
Later, university researchers succeeded in producing small snapping plasma “points” in across-the-room laboratory demonstrations; the application of focussed RADAR pulses being coupled with focussed ultraviolet light beams. Though achieved with difficulty, the demonstration proved feasible the central notion. An artificially aerial plasma discharge would resist the RADAR source beacon enough to absorb energy from it Once substantially absorptive, the plasma would focus dielectric lines. Ultraviolet hght was available in great quantities in high altitudes. This energetic presence would add to the plasma formative process. The concept that EMP productive RADAR could be reflected from the sky to a distant point began to gather much support. The RADAR apphcation of troposcatter and ionoscatter techniques seemed a simple conclusion. EMP effects would literally be drawn over intended target areas, wreaking havoc with both electrical and electronic systems. These would necessarily be target zones hmited by the line-of sight Though limited in this parameter, these systems could serve in guarding borders and coastlands. Clearly, the reach of any RADAR beam system becomes its chief advantage in such an apphcation. Any means found to effectively increase this range, beyond the line-of-sight limits, would effectively release the system to work its apphcation beyond the “horizon limit”. Recalling the fact that Projects ARGUS and STARFISH demonstrated just this very phenomenon, liberated research from its hmited consideration, to a major mihtary focus of interest Ionospheric EMP would require a detailed knowledge of both geoelectric and geomagnetic field natures. It was the combine fields which seemed to glide EMP effects in ARGUS along geomagnetic fines, throughout given world sectors. One could strike terror into distant enemy forces from a local ground station.
Rapidly pulsed RADAR beams of sufficient strength could be aimed into a specific ionospheric layer, producing an instantaneous plasma burst which would ghde of its own accord along the geomagnetic sector. This would not secure pinpoint accuracy, but would effect EMP all along any given sector. Terrestrial dielectricity would provide the power. One could theoretically “guide and glide” disruptive EMP energies toward any ground point from a high density plasma layer. The efficiency of each RADAR burst would be determined by charge density and stability. Using the thrust of the natural geomagnetic field, one could theoretically extend the “reach” of EMP effects over the fiteral horizon. With this capabihty, the controlled, nonnuclear EMP method might find its liberation from the normahy fixed sweep perimeter. The development of super powerful RADAR systems commenced. With such powerful beams, pointed directly into the zenith, highly localized ionization states should be produced. RADAR engineers were now directed to develop a means for beaming RADAR energy bursts of very great intensity directly into the ionosphere.
The possibilities of “zone limited” battles greatly appealed to mihtary hierarchy. This regime of research attracted a tremendous military response, the obvious employment of the method would represent controllable EMP and communications blackout techniques. Controlled EMP conditions could be assigned to any quadrant or sector of the geomagnetic field. Placed near the poles, and with properly directed RADAR beams, one could sweep across the polar sky, the controlled EMP effects being assigned on a worldwide basis if needed. One could literally spray the ionosphere with RADAR energy, predetermining the length of time for the EMP. Small additional impulses could prolong the effects for as long a time as desired. Control was therefore acquired over potential EMP and communications blackout effects.
World History
