WHY NEMP IS A THREAT TO ELECTRONICS?
Pande DC
Electronics & Radar Development Establishment
CV Raman Nagar, Bangalore
pande.dc@gmail.com
Abstract
Nuclear ElectroMagnetic Pulse (NEMP)
threat to electronics is well recognised from the time of
the 1.4 Mega ton exoatmospheric nuclear weapon
detonation – STARFISH in July 1962. What makes
NEMP so important that all electronic designers are
always concerned about this subtle threat? An attempt
has been made to bring out those features of NEMP in
this paper. The paper discusses the generation
mechanisms of NEMP from surface, mid-altitude and
exoatmospheric bursts, the amplitude, time domain
and frequency domain characteristics of these pulses
and spatial coverage of NEMP in various locations of
the burst. The NEMP spectrum comparison has been
carried out with other natural & man-made
electromagnetic environment. The System Generated
EMP (SGEMP), Internal EMP (IEMP), Magneto
Hydro Dynamic EMP (MHD-EMP) and Dispersed
EMP (D-EMP) have also been discussed. The threat
scenario has been shown how the surface burst,
exoatmospheric and system generated EMP will effect
the electronics.
1. Introduction
Everyone is aware of major effects of a
nuclear weapon; these are light flash, blast, thermal
radiation, blast, atmospheric disturbances, fall out and
initial nuclear radiation (INR). The INR results in
Transient Radiation Effects on Electronics (TREE) and
Nuclear ElectroMagnetic Pulse (NEMP), which is the
subject of this article.
Planners now consider NEMP as a possible
threat to many sophisticated military and civilian
systems. How this has come about will be discussed in
very brief here.
Sources NEMP Nearby Radar
exoatmospheric
EM Field Intensity 50,000 V/m 200 V/m
Fig. 1: Comparison of EM Field Intensity From Various Sources
pulse could have an intensity of 50 kV/m. This is 250
times more intense than a radar beam of sufficient
power to cause biological damage such as blindness or
sterilization. It is five million times as intense as
fields created by sources in a typical metropolitan area.
Under the proper circumstances a significant
portion of the energy released during a nuclear
detonation (~ 4x1012J/kT) appears as an NEMP
(.001% i.e. 4x107J/kT). The spectral content of this
pulse contains the frequencies or wavelengths of many
of our commercial radio and military electronic
systems.
NEMP effects depend on several factors
among which are the weapon, the burst location, and
the point of observation with respect to the burst
location. In this article we will be concerned with the
surface, mid altitude and the exoatmospheric (or high
altitude) burst. Emphasis will be placed on the
exoatmospheric burst because it has two unique
properties, which are of crucial significance.
These unique properties are its extreme area
of coverage, NEMP being capable of disrupting
electrical and electronic systems as far as 5,000 km
from the site of the detonation; and the fact that NEMP
can cause severe disruption and sometimes damage
when other prompt weapon effects, such as nuclear
radiation effects on electronics, blast, thermal effects,
dust, debris and biological effects are all absent. This
means that a high-yield nuclear weapon, burst above
the atmosphere, could be used to knock out improperly
designed electrical and electronic systems over a large
area of the earth’s surface without doing any other
significant damage. The range of coverage of NEMP
is diminished if the weapon is detonated within the
atmosphere.
An idea of the magnitude of the NEMP threat
can be realized by comparing its electric field
amplitude with the electric fields produced by man-
made sources as shown in Fig. 1. A typical high-level
NEMP
Nearby Metropolitan City
Communication
50 V/m 0.1 V/m
NEMP has been recognised as a potential
threat to our electronic and electrical systems since the
1960’s. It happened one July evening during an atomic
test in 1962. A rocket lifted off from Johnston. Atoll, a
speck in the Pacific 800 miles southwest of Hawaii. At
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a point in space 248 miles above the earth, the rocket
turned into a ball of nuclear fire. “All of sudden a
greenish – white light flash lit up all of Hawaii”
recalled a witness. “ The sky started turning pink, then
orange, then red. The heavens were filled with a
ghastly light. Not just the heavens inspired awe that
evening. Something so unexpected happened that
today, two decades later, military planners still ponder
its dark implications for the fighting of the nuclear
war. A second or so after the flash, the Hawaiian
island were plagued by problem with things electrical.
In widely separated parts of Oahu, 300 streetlights
winked out, their fuses blown, Burglar alarms started
ringing and power lines went dead. Honolulu
headlines the next day attributed the breakdown to a
nuclear “Shock Wave”. The nuclear weapon was a 1.4
Mton and known as STARFISH. The Nuclear Pulse
That Can Paralyze a Nation – Dr William J Broad
(Science 83).
Recently two factors have greatly increased
the significance of this threat:
a. Increased sophistication in nuclear strategy
and weapons.
b. Increased susceptibility of electronic systems
due to the broad introduction of
semiconductors and newer electronic
technologies and the ever-greater dependence
on complex operational hardware.
The results developed from laboratory NEMP
sensitivity tests on components and electromagnetic
coupling analysis further confirm the experimental
data collected on electronic 7 electrical damage during
the nuclear detonations. The situation has changed so
much that the central issue today is NEMP
PROTECTION.
• how to protect your system against the
potentially-massive disruptive logic upset
type effects of NEMP -- such as locking out
the launch control or missile guidance
subsystems during a critical period, etc; --
• how to protect your system against the
sometime capricious-type NEMP permanent
damage – such as destroying the front ends of
HF communications receivers.
2. Technical Activities
The technical activities in the field of NEMP
can be classified in the following areas:
• NEMP characterisation (types of detonation
& environment it generates)
• Analysis of NEMP coupling to electronic &
weapon systems
• Assessment of system vulnerability &
incorporation of protection technique
• Development of appropriate tests, sensors &
simulation facilities
• Identification of systems to be protected and
NEMP hardness maintained
To understand how to protect our systems
requires some understanding of the NEMP generation
mechanisms and characteristics, the susceptibility
characteristics of electrical and electronic systems, and
the various means to counter the NEMP effects.
3. Generation & Characteristics
Three basic weapon detonation locations are
of interest; the surface burst (0 - 2 km), the mid
altitude burst (2 - 40 km) and the exoatmospheric burst
(> 40 km). While the basic mechanism is the same, the
atmospheric density results in significantly different
interaction and source region characteristics. The
NEMP environment is classified as the deposition
region and radiation region. In the deposition region
known also as close-in source region other than non-
radiating electromagnetic field the other ionising
radiations such as α, β, γ, X-ray and neutrons are
present. In radiation region only the plane uniform
electromagnetic transient field is only available.
3.1 NEMP Generation
The basic mechanism for NEMP generation is
electron scattering due to the collision of the prompt γ
with the molecules of the media exposed to the γ flux.
When the collision is with air molecules of the
atmosphere resulting in a radiated wave, we have the
classic NEMP. Collisions of the γ flux or X-rays with
a system enclosure (such as a satellite system), results
in an NEMP which is termed close-in or source region
NEMP. A simple mechanism of NEMP generation is
shown in Fig. 2. The NEMP generation from surface,
mid-altitude and exoatmospheric bursts is shown in
Fig. 3.
The collision between the γ flux and the air
molecules results in electrons being scattered in
approximately the same direction as the γ. The result
is a charge separation, positively charged centre due to
the parent molecules and a negatively charged electron
cloud. This separation of charges, occurring on a
wholesale basis, creates intense source region electric
and magnetic fields. This build-up of fields is
ultimately limited by secondary conduction electrons,
which flow back to the positively charged region and
tend to neutralise it. These source region fields are
non-radiating fields.
2
Nuclear Prompt γ Energy Compton
Energy Nuclear Burst
4 * 1012 J/kT 4 * 109 J/kT Scattering

Fission Asymmetry
Energy Interaction NE M P

4 * 107 J/kT
(0.001%)
Fig. 2: NEMP Generation Mechanism

During a nuclear weapon is detonated within

To produce a radiated electromagnetic field
the proper conditions of asymmetry or interaction with
the earth’s geomagnetic field must exist. These
conditions exist for both the high altitude and surface
burst, but the dominant phenomena is different from
different burst locations.
the atmosphere, the γ can travel only relatively short
distances between collisions and total absorption. This
confines the γ (and therefore the source region) to a
volume perhaps 6 km or so in diameter. Increase in
weapon yield has relatively little effect upon the size of

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 nuclear weapons effects.

On the other hand, if the weapon is detonated

outside the atmosphere, usually termed
exoatmospheric burst, the γ rays can travel many miles
without encountering an air molecule. Thus, if a large-
yield weapon is detonated just above the ionosphere,
the source region can be about 1,600 km in diameter
and about 20 km thick. The extent of the
electromagnetic fields radiated onto the earth’s surface
is greatly augmented by the very large size of this
source region.

In the case of the symmetric interaction the

Fig. 4:
this intense field (or “source region”), and thus the
NEMP effects of an intra-atmospheric burst must be
considered within the context of other close-by prompt
net current is zero this results in no radiation. While in
case of asymmetry interaction the net current is not
zero and this current radiates the EM field. This is
shown in Fig. 4. In case of surface burst the air-earth
interface is the cause of asymmetry, in case of

Radial Shell of
Electric J
Compton
J
E E

E
E - (b)

(a) (c)

(d)
(e)

Fig. 5: (a) Charge Separation Model Non-radiating E-Field in Deposition Region, (b) & (c) Dipole Model for Radiating E-
Field in Surface & Mid-altitude bursts respectively, (d) Compton Electrons Deflection by Geomagnetic Field (e) Indicating
Current Elements due to Geomagnetic Turning and their Addition in Phase to give a large Outgoing Wave

mid-altitude burst the gradient of air density with b. Electric Dipole Model
altitude results in asymmetry. Space -Air interface is c. Phased Magnetic Dipole Array Model
the cause of asymmetry in exoatmospheric detonation.
3.2 NEMP Characteristics
The following three different models have
been used in estimating the NEMP field from surface
burst, mid altitude burst and exoatmospheric burst as The spectrum and waveform of NEMP differ
shown in Fig. 5: from those of any other natural or commonly used
man-made sources. The spectrum is broad and extends
a. Charge Separation Model

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from extremely low frequencies to the low end of the
UHF band.

In the case of the near surface (0-2 km) burst

within the deposition (source) region, non-radiating
electric fields on the order of ≥ 100 kV/m with rise
time ~ 50 ns are realized. Outside the deposition
region, a radiating EM wave is realized. The fields of
this radiating wave at a distance of 10 km from the
burst location are quite comparable to the close-by
fields of the lightning stroke. That is, rise times of
approximately 1 to 5 μs and peak amplitude of 1 kV/m
Fig. 6(c): Radiated NEMP Energy vs Frequency for
electric field. These fields fall off as 1/R (R being the
Surface Burst
distance from the burst point) with distance from the
burst. These fields are essentially vertical polarized
electric fields. The time domain characteristics of non- In the exo-atmospheric burst case, the fields
radiating and radiating NEMP fields are depicted in radiated onto the earth’s surface are of the order of 50
Fig. 6(a) & (b). The energy spectrum for radiated kV/m electric field with rise times ~ 2 ns and duration
NEMP field is shown in Fig. 6(c). The characteristics of 100 ns. The time and frequency domain
of mid-altitude burst radiated NEMP is similar to that characteristics of exo-atmospheric burst are shown in
of surface burst except with reduced magnitude. Fig. 7(a). The energy distribution is shown in Fig. 7(b).

The time waveform indicated a higher

amplitude and much faster rise time than, for example,
the fields generated by a nearby lightning stroke,
especially in the case of exoatmospheric burst. A
comparison of the waveform and spectrum of the high
altitude burst and the induction fields of a lightning
stroke are shown in the figure. Although a lightning
stroke can have a fast rise time, low energy precursor
before the main stroke, the main stroke is a high
amplitude (100 kV/m or greater), 1 to 5 μs rise time
and 100’s of μs fall time. An enormous amount of
energy is contained in the main stroke. The induction
field, however, which is of concern to systems nearby
Fig. 6(a): Generalized Time Waveforms of Radial
a lightning discharge is on the order of 1 kV/m electric
Electric field (Er) & Azimuthal Magnetic Field (Bϕ)
field. This induction field is non-radiating and
therefore a localized field. A comparison of frequency
spectrum of power, lightning, communication and
radar with NEMP is given in Fig. 8.

The time domain characteristics of various

electromagnetic threats to electronics by Lightning
EMP (LEMP), Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), High
Power Microwave (HPM) Weapon, Ultra Wide Band
Systems & their corresponding spectrum
characteristics are depicted in Fig. 9(a) & (b)
respectively. The detailed description is not given here,
as the figures are self-explanatory.

NEMP is sufficiently different from any other

Fig. 6(b): Generalized Time Waveforms of Surface Burst electromagnetic environment usually encountered that
Radiated Electric field (Eθ) protection practices and components for non-NEMP
environments -- EMI, lightning, radar, etc., are not
directly applicable for NEMP problems.

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Fig. 7 (a): Time & Frequency Domain Characteristics of
Exo-atmospheric Burst
Fig. 7(b): Radiated vs Frequency for Exo-atmospheric
Burst
Fig. 8: A comparison of frequency spectrum of EMP,
Lightning, Power, Communications & Radar
Fig. 9(a): Time Domain Characteristics of various
Electromagnetic Threat Environments
Fig. 9(b): Frequency Domain Characteristics of various
Electromagnetic Threat Environments
3.3 NEMP Spatial Distribution
In case of surface burst NEMP the spatial
variation of the radial electric field component (Er) is
confined to deposition region and it depends upon the
yield of the weapon. The radiated field is ~ 10 kV/m at
the boundary of the deposition region and falls 1/R
times as shown in Fig. 6(b). NEMP peak values on the
ground from 100 kT contact surface burst is shown in
Fig. 10. The NEMP radiated field variation for a 20 kT
nuclear detonation for the height of burst (HoB) at
ground zero and 500 m along with the coverage of
other nuclear effects are shown in Fig. 11(a) & (b)
respectively.
In case of mid-altitude detonation the NEMP
field at the deposition region boundary is ~ 1 kV/m
and falls off 1/R times there after.
Fig. 10: NEMP peak values on the ground from a 100 kT
contact surface explosion
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Fig. 11(a): 20 kT Surface Burst (HoB ground zero)
Fig. 11(b): 20 kT Surface Burst (HoB 500 m)
The NEMP field from exoatmospheric burst
coverage is an extremely large on the surface of earth
in contrast to the localized nature of surface burst and
lightning. The estimation of the NEMP wave coverage
on the earth’s surface can be made from the Fig. 12.
For a burst over the India, the fields on the surface are
predominantly horizontally polarized E-fields. Since
the burst location is outside the ionosphere, the line-of-
sight tangent radius to the earth’s surface limits the
coverage on the earth’s surface. Fig.13 shows the
approximate coverage on the earth for a 100 km (small
circle) and 200 km (large circle) HoB over the central
India.
⎛ Re ⎞ atmospheric burst the photons interaction with the
RT = ReCos −1⎜⎜ ⎟ km
⎟
⎝ e
R + HoB ⎠
2πRe 2 HoB
AT = km 2
Re + HoB
Fig. 12: NEMP Coverage from an Exoatmospheric Burst
These fields are not uniform in amplitude or
waveform over the entire area but depend on burst
location and the earth’s geomagnetic field. It should
also be recognized that no other weapons effects
accompany the NEMP from an exoatmospheric burst.
Therefore this burst is known as EMP-Baum.
Fig. 13: NEMP Coverage for 100 & 200 km HoB
4. Other Types NEMP
4.1 System Generated EMP (SGEMP)
The SGEMP results from an interaction
between the emitted photons and the material
comprising the system enclosure. In case of Surface
burst the SGEMP is concerned for the equipment
present in deposition or source region while for an exo-
satellites.
The photons incident on enclosure scatters
electrons into outside of the enclosure. These electrons
in turn, generate EM fields, which can couple to
internal cables and circuitry in the same manner as EM
wave. The SGEMP fields and voltages depend on the
cavity dimensions and photon dose rate. The γ-dose
rate is very important in case of surface burst and
space systems will be exposed to x-ray fluence. The
field can reach ≥ 10 kV/m. SGEMP fields must be
considered in a tactical system interaction and coupling
analysis. The SGEMP generation is depicted in Fig.
14.
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4.2 Internal EMP (IEMP)
The IEMP also known as “Compton
Charging” results from the direct impingement of
energetic photons on cables, etc. resulting in the
ejection of Compton electrons from cable. These
exciting electrons leave a net charge on the cable,
resulting in induced currents.
Fig. 14: System Generated EMP (SGEMP)
4.3 Dispersed EMP (DEMP)
From the exo-atmospheric detonation the
NEMP generated at the deposition region (source
region) between 20-40 km can propagate directly to
satellite altitudes by line of site propagation or through
the reflection from the earth’s surface. In either case,
the NEMP propagates through ionosphere. Since
ionosphere is ionised medium, the transmissivity
characteristics exhibit both attenuation and phase shift,
which are frequency dependent. The result is the
amplitude and spectrum of the exo-atmosphere EMP
drastically modified. For this region, EMP at satellite
altitude is often referred to as Dispersed EMP
(DEMP). A typical DEMP signal resembles as
amplitude modulated swept frequency signal. The
maximum amplitude of DEMP electric field is of the
order of 10’s V/m. The frequency spectrum is ~ 15
MHz to 250 MHz. DEMP environment is relatively
benign as compared to other type of NEMP. It must,
however be considered as interference source since the
impact of any EM source is highly dependent as the
irradiated system characteristics.
4.4 Magneto Hydrodynamic EMP
(MHD-EMP)
Hydrodynamic motions in the ionosphere,
caused by an exo-atmosphere nuclear detonation,
generate MHD-EMP. Due to the detonation the
perturbations in the geomagnetic field are induced, and
the time variation of magnetic field generates electric
field. These electric field observed at the earth’s
surface, are weak (10’s of V/m), but they occur over
long time (100’s of seconds). MHD-EMP covers large
geographical areas (~100’s of km). Because of long
time history, these fields contain only extremely low
frequency components and in many situations can be
considered dc field. Hence, MHD-EMP fields are of
possible significance only for long electrical lines (>
10 km) such as long communication lines. There are
two hypothetical models for MHD-EMP generation are
proposed namely (a) rising fireball or magnetic bubble
model (b) beta tube currents model.
5. Threat Scenarios
As shown in Fig. 15 during ground based
nuclear detonations, cases were recorded where the
oscilloscope were put out of action, the protective units
were burned out, the capacitors and communication
lines isolations were punctured, the semiconductor
apparatus and electromagnetic relays were put out of
action.
In case of exo-atmospheric burst the
communication line damage was observed over 100’s
of km away from detonation. It has been reported that
all the protective units has been damaged in all rods of
suspended communication lines over a distances of
500 km. The power has been shut down in a hundred
km length line. The scenario is shown in Fig. 16. For
an exo-atmospheric burst NEMP the effect on ground
based and aerial objects is depicted in Fig. 17. The
body current induced on the aircraft can reach as high
as several kA. In case of antennas on the ground based
system the induce voltage will be 10’s of kV. The
voltage induced on the electrical transmission lines is
of the order of 100’s of kV. In the shielded cables, the
induced shield current can be of the order of few kA.
Fig. 15: Ground Surface NEMP Effect
8

Fig.16: Exo-atmospheric NEMP Effect
Fig.17: NEMP Effect on Ground-based and Aerial
Objects
A ballistic missile which is submitted to exo-
atmospheric NEMP, the interaction of the NEMP can
be divided into four parts depending upon the flight
altitude: a) upto 20 km b) from 20 – 60 km c) from 60
– 100 km d) beyond 100 km. Refer Fig. 18. During the
first part the missile is under action of NEMP emitted
from the source region (deposition region). During the
second part the missile undergoes the interaction with
source region NEMP, SEMP and IEMP. During the
third part of the path, the missile comes into the zone
of plasma oscillations generated by the soft x-rays.
During the fourth part, all the SGEMP are formed over
the missile. As shown in Fig. 18, in first part the
missile body current varies between 1 to5 kA and it is
damped sinusoid. In second part the missile current can
reach 2 to 3 kA as a double exponential. In third part,
missile current can reach 10 to 20 kA current in a
double exponential. In case of fourth part, the current
can go 0.5 to 1 kA having damped sinusoid waveform.
In case of satellites, the SGEMP and IEMP
are the most important threat from a nuclear
detonation. The DEMP magnitude is so small that it
may not be of concern. The SGEMP effect on a
satellite is shown in Fig. 19.
Fig.18: Missile NEMP Interaction
For a silo NEMP from exo-atmosphere and
surface nuclear burst are of concern as shown in Fig.
20. In the case of surface burst, the fields formed near
the silo are of the amplitude in order of 100 kV/m and
1 kA/m. The fields inside the silo are upto 100’s of
kV/m and 100’s of kA/m. The current induced on the
outside cable lines are of 100’s kA.
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 Fig. 20: EMP Effect on a Silo Launcher
Fig. 19: SGEMP Effect on a Satellite
5. Conclusion
In this paper the generation mechanism and
time/frequency domain characteristics of the different
types of NEMP have been discussed. The
characteristics of the NEMP show that it is one of the
most formidable threats to the modern electronics
systems. The proliferation of electronics in all walk of
life has made to address this threat at national level.
Few of the situations have also been discussed to
highlight the level of threat, so that the methodologies
to mitigate the NEMP problem can be designed.
Dr DC Pande: Did his Ph D in 1982 from
Allahabad University. Since 1981, he is with
LRDE, where he is involved in Design &
Development of Electromagnetic Interference
Control Techniques for Ground Based,
Airborne and Ship-borne equipments and
systems. Currently he is heading Antenna
Division in LRDE. He was awarded the MN
Saha Memorial Award of IETE in 1994,
“EMC Engineer of the Year 1998 “ of Society
of EMC Engineers (India) and “Lab Scientist
of the Year 2003” by DRDO, “DRDO
Scientist of the Year Award 2005”. Presently
he is Scientist ‘G’ & Director Technology at
LRDE, DRDO, Bangalore
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