No, this time it is not some advance by those endlessly inventive Israeli weapons scientists. The long-awaited Iron Beam, a laser-based anti-missile defense from Israel, which will cost only $2 for each strike, will not be ready until 2025. This new weapon is not even a missile or a drone, nor a deep-penetration bunker buster bomb to hit Iran’s nuclear sites deep underground at Natanz and Fordow, but a microwave weapon that can destroy the electronics that control the Islamic Republic’s nuclear facilities. And this remarkable advance comes not from Israel but from the United States. More on this new weapon can be found here: “Report: US deployed microwave missiles that can disable Iran’s nuclear facilities,” Israel Hayom, April 20, 2024:
According to an exclusive report from DailyMail.com, the US Air Force has quietly deployed a new type of missile that can destroy the electronics of Iran’s nuclear facilities using high-power microwaves, without causing any fatalities.
The missiles, known as the Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), were developed by Boeing’s Phantom Works for the US Air Force Research Laboratory. After successful testing in 2012, around 20 of these microwave missiles became operational and were deployed to various locations around the globe in 2019.
As DailyMail.com reports, the CHAMP missiles are air-launched cruise missiles fitted with an electromagnetic pulse cannon that generates a concentrated beam of high-power microwave energy. This energy can fry the computer chips and electronic systems of targeted facilities, rendering them inoperable.
“We hit every target we wanted to,” said Boeing’s CHAMP Program Manager Keith Colman after the successful 2012 test, adding “Today we made science fiction into science fact.”
Mary Lou Robinson, former chief of the Air Force’s High Power Microwave Division, confirmed to DailyMail.com that the missiles are “ready to take out any military target, including nuclear facilities.”
The key advantage of these microwave weapons is that they can penetrate buried bunkers and command centers through electrical and communications connections, disabling electronics without causing structural damage or loss of life. “The beauty of the HPM missile is that its microwave beam can penetrate bunkers where facilities are hidden without harming humans inside,” DailyMail.com reports.
They also have the ability to disable defensive radar systems, striking their targets undetected. “Most amazing of all, the missile renders inoperable any radar that might detect it as it flies to and from a target. Thus, a country cannot take out CHAMP before it strikes and has no way of knowing why its facilities have suddenly gone dead,” according to DailyMail.com.
There is no defense against this microwave weapon that can penetrate through the earth and disable nuclear facilities deep underground without being detected. Any radar that might possibly detect it can at once be disabled. The only question is: will the Americans provide the IDF with such a weapon, so that it can put paid to the Iranian dream of producing nuclear weapons, or will they prefer, instead, to stymie the Iranian effort themselves?
Patrick Kelley says
What a fantastic Israeli weapon to defeat Islamic weapons systems, totally disabling them. Thank God for American ingenuity.
MD Anthony says
The weapon is actualy a Mini EMP weapon – it is the micro miniatur architecture that makes it so effective.The technology was actualy invenyed in England befor WWII. The difference is that the pulse generator is smaller and deliverable,, as compared the locomotive sized generator of the 1930’s
Westman says
Not buying it. Microwaves do not penetrate conductive metal sheets. All that is required for protection from vertical exposure is an overlapping metal roof as part of the underground supporting structure of the facility and an emergency full-simultaneous physical disconnect for all power and data lines entering the structure – effectively, a sizable air gap on demand.
I think we can assume that Iran has gone a step further and created an effective Faraday Cage within the complex to avoid lateral exposure.
That there are only 20 of the targeted-EMP missiles is a good indication the tests were only successful under ideal target conditions.
Westman says
On the other hand, if the device creates extremely high energy the emissions would be X-rays and Gamma-rays which can penetrate metals and are very harmful to humans. That also would likely mean these devices employ nuclear detonation – in other words powered by small nuclear bombs.
Any nation experiencing this could declare before the UN that a tactical nuclear device was employed.
Joe says
You were right the first time. A Faraday shield would work. High frequency doesn’t penetrate, so it would only fry a few things. While X-rays and Gamma-rays will penetrate metal (some times), it is not good at getting into buildings or enclosures. For example, about half of a 3 GHz signal will penetrate the human body. But almost none of a 10 GHz signal will get through. Our military is counting on wire conductors to carry the storm into the enclosure, but fiber optics is being used more. The systems that use older methodologies could be vulnerable. However, a maser is a good weapon to have in your arsenal.
Mick says
Iran saw the destructive power of German / Iraqi bio-bombs in the early 80s.
ORRN31 says
Has the U.S, given this technology to the Chinese yet?
࿗Infidel࿘ says
They probably have it, or had stolen it before it could be given to them
Hank says
Company executives probably outsourced it already
Ade Fegan says
Too bad for Iraq