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Abstract: It is well-known that, high-power electromagnetic pulse generation techniques and high-power microwave (HPM) technologies have matured to the point where practical electromagnetic bombs (in fact, E-bombs) are becoming technically feasible, with new applications in non-nuclear confrontations. This paper presents in a short form some theoretical considerations about the technology base and applications of the electromagnetic bombs.
Keywords: softbomb, graphite bomb, carbon filaments, BLU-114/B
1. INTRODUCTION
Graphite bomb (also, known as the softbomb) is a non-lethal weapon which is used for shutting down the power supply systems of the enemy. The working mechanism of the graphite bomb is relatively simple and is based on making suspensions of air/clouds of carbon filament chemically treated extremely fine over the electrical components, causing short circuits and electrical discharges within the infrastructure of electricity supply (in especially on the power plants, transformer stations, air transportation facilities of electrical power etc.). In addition, the effective use of this unconventional electronic attack system is based on critical points identification and disruption philosophy. Carbon filaments used inside of graphite bombs are very small and may give rise to dense clouds, with a long persistence. Also, the name of softbomb it comes from that its basic destructive effects are centered only on the electricity supply facilities, with minimal risk of occurrence of some collateral damage and particularly over the human staff[1-3].
In other news, the effect of the graphite bomb is only over the equipment and facilities of uninsulated power supply. Figure 1 shows the effects of graffiti bombs launched by US Air Force, on 22 March 2003 on a 400 kV Transformer Station in the Electrical Power in Nasiriyya, which caused the power shortage in the city for 30 days [4].
2. BASIC MILITARY APPLICATIONS OF THE GRAPHITE BOMBS
Graphite bomb was used against Iraq in the first Gulf War (1990-1991), neutralizing about 85% of this country facilities supply electricity. Also, the graphite bomb (composed of submunitions BLU- 114/B, produced by USA) was used widely in the NATO military intervention in former Yugoslavia (1999), where its effect consisted in disabling of more than 70% national grid electricity supply.
Although initially in less than 24 hours, the Serbs have managed to restore their electrical systems operability, however, repeated use of the...