US Air Force Moves Forward with High-Power Microwave Weapon
Ron Czapala
Posts: 2,418
http://defense-update.com/20150516_champ.html#.VVdp9PlVhBc
The research laboratory tested the counter-electronics device on the cruise missile at a military test range in Utah, where it successfully shut down a room full of computers.
The effect similar to the electromagnetic pulse from a high-altitude nuclear explosion.
Comments
To support their claims, they use testimonials by Boeing people I don't recognize, animations, and some video clips of a room full of old CRT monitor computers with failed screens. If anything has really been achieved, Boeing certainly doesn't want to let us in on any real details.
Seems like a WWII propaganda film for the troops that would be inserted as an intro or trailer to an entertaining film.
For the actual test, we get shots of grassy desert, radio towers, and an old unclassifed clip of CRT computers. Listen to what each person actually says... not much content.
I guess you need to updated who you know at Boeing!
Jimmy Dodd was VP of Weapon and Missile Systems at the time of this video according to his LinkedIn page.
(unless that's more smoke and mirrors and misdirection by someone who created a fake LinkedIn page......hmmm, the conspiracy deepens!!!)
Yes, I was expecting a corporate video from Boeing on YouTube demonstrating the full capabilities of the weapon and also maybe even providing some possible countermeasures.
I did like the one PC Tower in the back row that popped out its CD in response to the attack. The only other thing I've seen have that effect on a CD drive was a Justin Bieber CD!!
The principle behind this has been around for many decades. Putting on a cruise missle would be mostly a minaturization enhancement. But, my neighbors over here do listen and might get annoyed by the implication and I might go up in smoke never to be heard from again.
Any military likes to put out this stuff. I am not so comfortable with it. It is purely polictical posturing. The link to the website offers more tangible clues, but the video is really a silly production... perhaps the Air Force hopes to use it in recruitment offices to impress.
Yes, I can see it now in recruiting offices around the country,
Potential Recruit: "I want to join up and work with the engineer with the ugly shirt who needs a shave!"
Recruiting Officer: "Hold on there, I think you'll need to be a little more specific than that."
"When the that computer went out...when we fired...it actually took out the cameras as well, we took out everything on that."
No it did not, that is not how it plays out in the video. Which clearly shows the old CRT monitors going down and the camera still running.
This does not add up.
Not saying they don't have some power there but this demo is not convincing.
Anyway, my old tube gear does not care about your silly microwaves...
In the video (showing the CRTs) at 00:43 the narrative states that was from an EARLIER test - apparently not the most recent test.
Directionalized variant of a EMP bomb. The interesting thing about it is that it's small enough to be put inside a cruise missile, which also means it could be put in a suitcase as well. It's only real application is against fixed civilian targets, bring down a control station for a dam, power plant, stock exchange, etc. Since conflicts today have taken a localized and mobile approach they would be almost useless. It would be cheaper to fly over a area with a EW bird and just jam the OP FOR into silence.
In regards to the camera that still runs, it's simply shielded.
Yes, an "earlier" test. Presumably ten or twenty years ago judging by the video screens shown!
BUT that does not change anything, the computers went out, the camera did not, the guy was speaking bull ****.
I think I'm going to have to fix up a microwave oven to blast a mobile phone or tablet from a few meters and see what happens.
Anyway, stop frikken drone striking everybody.
You are incorrect - the statement about the cameras going out refers to the latest test not the video segment (from an earlier test) following his statement. The video and story line were not presented very well but you can NOT disprove his claim that the cameras went out on the LATEST test.
Does not add up.
Given the advancement in EMI regulations in modern times perhaps none of this works so well any more.
As I say, this calls for an experiment...
http://www.popsci.com/congress-wants-air-force-finish-its-cyber-missile
CONGRESS PRESSURES AIR FORCE TO FINISH ITS CYBER MISSILE
CHAMP is a missile that uses microwaves to knock out electronics near where it hits, completely shutting down the cyber infrastructure of an area while leaving people and buildings unharmed. CHAMP blasts targeted bursts from a microwave emitter, frying local electronics. The effective range is not clear, but CHAMP appears to require some degree of proximity. The project began in 2009, and went as far as being tested in the Utah desert in 2012. But after that successful test, the program stalled.
Late in 2013, Congress included a deadline for CHAMP in their 2014 defense budget authorization, asking for a deliverable weapon by 2016 and giving it $10 million in additional funding. At a hearing last week, Florida Representative Richard Nugent asked a panel of experts before the House Armed Services Committee about converting surplus cruise missiles to CHAMP-carrying weapons.
“At this point in time, the Air Force is still looking at the technology and where the right point is to transition it," responded David Walker, the Air Force's deputy assistant secretary of the for science, technology, and engineering.
It’s unlikely that CHAMP will meet its 2016 deadline, but with increased congressional pressure, the Air Force may get closer to having the anti-computer missile of its dreams.
The history of weapon development is littered with such ideas.
Still, sounds like they only wasted a few tens of millions on it. A drop in the ocean.
Or maybe the camera actually used Kodak B/W movie film. But that is off into trivia.
I just get a Dr. Strangelove vibe out of this Department of Defence funded stuff.
I suppose the next Navy Seals Black Op might find this handy, but war is not Monday night NFL where we cheer the home team with undying loyalty. We seem to be embarking on a less certain period in global politics.
@Ron Cz
I am sorry but we are edging toward this being out of forum guidelines when we get off into Federal funding battles and who does and doesn't support a new weapons system. This is adware for funding Boeing's military contracts if nothing else.
...oops! Rick already noted this.