Just because you can does not mean you will. This would be a MAD strategy since the negative after effects would reach the launch site much sooner. To say nothing of the launch on detection protocol that would eliminate the source as well. Detecting the source of a dirty bomb is a great deal harder than detecting an ICBM. Even the source of a long range bomber is more uncertain than an ICBM and you need an ICBM to detonate at altitudes over 100,000 ft (20 mi). Slickem's (SLCM) or submarine launched cruise missiles are even harder to deal with and they certainly won't detonate at high altitudes.For EMP damage to be maximized you DO detonate at high altitude.
The article points out that they have both strategic and tactical applications as force multipliers.I can't see much use for NUC EMP as a strategic weapon but today Conventional Electromagnetic Bombs are part of the tactical weapons inventory.
http://www.ausairpower.net/ASPC-E-Bomb-Mirror.html
The use of them in a strategic strike won't stop ours or any major nuclear power from responding with a massive retaliatory strike as most systems are protected from NUC EMP and have 'dead hand' systems to respond if command and control are destroyed at the top levels..
The article points out that they have both strategic and tactical applications as force multipliers.
that sounds wonderful. At one point taking land from others made sense - need for resources. This is just complete self-destruction. There is no longer a way of killing the perceived enemy (who is it anyway?) without killing yourself in the process. But I guess money doesn't care (neither does Ayn Rand )The use of them in a strategic strike won't stop ours or any major nuclear power from responding with a massive retaliatory strike as most systems are protected from NUC EMP and have 'dead hand' systems to respond if command and control are destroyed at the top levels.
I wish it were only LeMay. In the distant past I had SIOP access due to my job (not on a sub) as a EAM decoder and authenticator. Once we (always with at least two people) had the Sealed Authenticator System codes our job was to find the selected target plan in the book with the CO and XO in concurrence ("Authentic" (i.e. the codes match)) for further transmission to nuclear delivery platforms. All the targets are listed in clear text so there is no mistake where the bombs are headed. Just to hold that doomsday thing in your hands during a drill was a chilling experience.M.A.D. was actually the acronym for Mutually Assured Destruction. Only a madman like Gen. Curtis LeMay even contemplated a first strike.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_LeMay
So, that wasn't when America was better than it is now? I'll look for that GREAT date, AGAIN.It was not a happy time and I feel no sense of nostalgia for it.
I can't think of a single reason to relive that era and several decades that followed. Only the future of my retirement looks promising to me.So, that wasn't when America was better than it is now? I'll look for that GREAT date, AGAIN.
All I can say is thank you for your service.I wish it were only LeMay. In the distant past I had SIOP access due to my job (not on a sub) as a EAM decoder and authenticator. Once we (always with at least two people) had the Sealed Authenticator System codes our job was to find the selected target plan in the book with the CO and XO in concurrence ("Authentic" (i.e. the codes match)) for further transmission to nuclear delivery platforms. All the targets are listed in clear text so there is no mistake where the bombs are headed. Just to hold that doomsday thing in your hands during a drill was a chilling experience.
http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,101361-1,00.html
http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,101361-3,00.html