A Marine lobs a grenade during a September 2007 exercise in Iraq. Photo: U.S. Marine Corps
Electromagnetic pulse grenades are a favorite of sci-fi storytellers and videogame designers, a la Halo and Call of Duty. The Army evidently doesn’t want to be left out: It’s seeking a real-life version that can blast electromagnetic signals and fry insurgent bombs.
To be specific, the Army wants “High Power Microwave (HPM) grenades” to “generate an electromagnetic pulse that could be used to defeat the electronics used to activate [homemade bombs] or that could be used to attack blasting caps,” according to its latest round of research contracts with small businesses. In theory, the electrical components on improvised explosive devices, like radio transmitters, could be overwhelmed by surging electromagnetic radiation emitted by such a weapon.
If the Army can actually develop this kind of Halo weapon, it’ll take a step toward making each of its soldiers a kind of one-man bomb squad.
Read more at - http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/11/emp-grenades/
