Electromagnetic pulse (EMP), Part I: Effects on field medical equipment

Journal Article · Thu Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Military Medicine; (United States)

OSTI ID:6501852

Vandre, R H; Klebers, J; Tesche, F M; Blanchard, J P ^[1]

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1. Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC (United States)

The electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from a high-altitude nuclear detonation has the potential to cover an area as large as the continental United States with damaging levels of EMP radiation. In this study, two of seven items of medical equipment were damaged by an EMP simulator. Computer circuit analysis of 17 different items showed that 11 of the 17 items would be damaged by current surges on the power cords, while two would be damaged by current surges on external leads. This research showed that a field commander can expect approximately 65% of his electronic medical equipment to be damaged by a single nuclear detonation as far as 2,200 km away.

• OSTI ID: 6501852
• Journal Information: Military Medicine; (United States), Journal Name: Military Medicine; (United States) Vol. 158:4; ISSN 0026-4075; ISSN MMEDA9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450200 -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Nuclear Explosions & Explosives
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
550600* -- Medicine
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
END EFFECTS
EQUIPMENT
EXPLOSIONS
MEDICINE
NUCLEAR DAMAGE
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
PULSES
RADIATIONS
SURGES
WARFARE