Based on my limited knowledge, the military has become highly
dependent on electronic devices to carry out its operations. Global
positioning systems require satellites and the ability to interpret the data
via computer. Aircraft need computers to fly as their designs are purposefully
made aerodynamically unstable. Ground troops rely on computers to help
aim and fire their guns. So what can the military do to save themselves
from something like an electromagnetic pulse (EMP)?
Faraday cages: A Faraday cage is a metal cage that acts as a shield
for electronic equipment. It essentially uses a metal box, metal mesh, or
layers of each to block electromagnetic radiation from reaching the object
inside. Essentially, this is a form of shielding from EMP, and other
similar waves that may disrupt or destroy electronic equipment. Certain
military facilities are sure to have and use this technology already, but is
enough of their facilities equipped with this shielding to protect the
equipment inside? Basically, can we take a tank and encase its most
sensitive components in a Faraday cage to protect it so that in the event of a
nuclear blast that it can still turn on and function. All this is
possible so as to protect all combat equipment in the Army, Navy, Air-force and
Marines (and the rest of the defense industry and power grid as well).
The military needs this high tech equipment to coordinate tactics and strategy
along with coordinate logistics. Without this tech, our military and the
defense infrastructure of the United States would be brought back to the
1800's. In short, without such protection, the U.S. would be helpless.
Alternative
GPS/communications Satellites: One other essential system that is required by our military
to function is GPS and other satellites. Without these, our precision
munitions, location tracking and communications would be limited. Yes, I
said we can protect them with a Faraday cage, but the other military's of the
world are also looking into missiles that strike these communication and
guidance systems to remove them by shooting them down and the capabilities of
the United States to defend itself along with it. So there are two
options. One is to create man portable communication towers and aircraft
that can hoover above the battlefield providing these very same capabilities,
while at the same time networking via internet with other systems and surviving
ones. The other is to try and use stealth technology. For option
one, you can have a series of small blimps/aircraft that can stay aloft for
days at a time to provide all the observation, recon photos you want along with
GPS and communications ability. Towers equipped to command vehicles will
receive date to transmit it to forces, or said forces will have their own
methods of communicating with these flying systems. The other option
which uses stealth technologies will invest in creating satellites invisible to
enemy sensors, or have a defense system to either overload the incoming
missiles guidance system, or shoot it down entirely. These are the main
options here.
Passive: The final piece that will help the
military to protect itself is to use passive sensor and communications
technology. Here, in order to detect and target the enemy, the military
uses a system to locate the source of the enemy's radar, or communications
equipment. By finding the source the military can target the enemy nearly
undetected. In addition, they can use other satellites and communications
equipment owned by other countries by hacking in and using it to replace lost
systems. This will force the enemy to even destroy their own satellites
or face them being turned against them. In this way, the military can
adapt to their situation.
Conclusion: While these solutions present real
possibilities, they will not solve the overall problem. As such, the
military will still need to train in augmented training scenarios to
communicate and fight without certain equipment being available to them.
As such, being able to fight primitively has its advantages. So as long
our military learns to adapt, and takes steps to protect itself, it can
continue protecting us.
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