CLOUDS

Precise ionosphere-destabilizing methods, by which the simple flick of a switch could effectively disrupt radio conununications with great accuracy, demanded testing. Experimental tests to determine the relative worth of these schemes commenced in 1963. Controlled from gromid-based stations, beam projectors attempted the modulation of ionospheric states through the application of momentary and sustained blasts of RADAR energy. These initial tests were performed at various launch angles, producing EMP phenomena beneath the aerial plasma focus. The more prominent effects were the radio blackouts. Energies of specific frequency were found especially effective in targeting specific ionospheric layers. The EMP effect were made to spread along the geomagnetic meridians north and south along the field, but needed great power to do so. Beamed electrical inductions wee best applied to the ionosphere when aligned with the geomagnetic field. In this manner the super-high fi-equency alternations, beamed from the ground base, would form successive “clustres” in the plasma. These progressive pulsation propagated as a communications disturbance which flowed effordessly along the geomagnetic lines. Control of the projected beam aperture could effect a weak degree of precision in the subsequent meridian path and width of the EMP. The natural sidethrusts, the result of gradually divergent geomagnetic field lines, tended to “smear” the effect out into an ever widening arc. Unless the apphed power was excessive therefore, only a blackout effect would be laimched.

First experiments with RADAR EMP revealed that plasma density and concentration were necessary for the production of strong EMP effects. Who could have supposed that it would be possible to simulate what Nature was forever doing to shortwave transmissions? Those who were familiar with the problems of such wave radio systems and the devious distortions played on them by ionospheric winds, were called into the study program. The use of existing RADAR power alone proved incapable of effecting the highly deranged, high density conditions required before EMP effects made their appearance. But now, how to synthetically create such ionization states? In attempts to assist the process, several different schemes were tested. These tests were very much in the public eye, being the subject of intense popular attentions and discussions.

PROJECT WESTFORD (1962) employed a payload of some 350,000 short copper wires. Once in orbit, the payload was designed to burst and spill out the wire cargo. Distributed in orbit, the wires were to form a metallic veil. This veil could be used as a resonant target for ground based pulsed RADAR beams. The idea was to limit the required amount of beam wattage and increase the attainable ionization states. Loudly proclaimed by Network Media as a means for establishing television communications across the ocean. In order to justify and rationalize this ridiculous cover story, military persormel had MIT bounce a television signal off the layer. The horribly distorted images appeared in every major newspaper the very next day. This supposed precursor to orbital communications satellites was nothing of the kind. In fact, the test was a dismal and much derided failure. The wires clumped together and never dispersed as intended. PROJECT WESTFORD did establish a precedent along a specific trend of thought which the military did not abandon.

A new regime of methods was developed to produce high plasma conductivity cuid density before application of the RADAR pulse. Aerobee rockets with chemical payloads were launched into the ionosphere. The concentrated solutions were exploded at specific aerial sites, where they dispersed. School children were directed by Media to watch the night skies for the pretty glowing color blooms. These colorful clouds of barium, strontium, lithium, and caesium salts behaved as absorptive RADAR focal points. Such chemical clouds proved stable, the dynamic ionosphere rapidly dispersing the initial cloud concentrations along the assigned geomagnetic route in a steady stream. Despite these cloud-assisted effects, the more prominent phenomena concentrated themselves as communications blackouts.

Thus, the success of the super highpower RADAR wave tests remained in demonstrating that a potent and long lasting communications “blackout” period could be arranged when needed. In this deft exercise of electronic warfare, one could at least waste an enemy’s reliance on the natural continuum for communications. And here is precisely where the excessive research attentions refocused. Every available geophysicist and RADAR engineer was called in to develop this new breed of jamming technology. And in this new awareness came a sudden liberation in thought process, one which began to show a bit more promise in the quest to create a new and nonnuclear weaponry. It was here that military vision began to appreciate the possibility that an entirely new regime of electronic weapons might be the key to their quest. The military directed its efforts to this singular tactical advantage, perfecting the skill.