Threat Assesstment

[Bottomfeeder 244]

High Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse

Terrorist Use of HPM

A smaller-scale HPM weapon requires a relatively simple design, and can be

built using electrical materials and chemical explosives that are easy to obtain. It is

estimated that a limited-range suitcase-sized HPM weapon could be constructed for

much less than $2,000, and is within the capability of almost any nation, and perhaps

many terrorist organizations.50 Recently, DOD recruited a scientist to create two

small HPM weapons for testing using only commercially available electrical

components, such as ordinary spark plugs and coils. One device was developed that

could be broken down into two parcels so it could be shipped by regular mail, for

example, from one terrorist to another. The second HPM device was constructed to

fit inside a small vehicle.51 Aside from specially-trained dogs, experts reportedly say

there are no scientific methods that currently allow easy detection of an explosive

device hidden in a vehicle or inside a suitcase before it can explode.52

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32544.pdf