Electromagnetic coupling of high-altitude, nuclear electromagnetic pulses

The vulnerability of complete military electronics systems to high-altitude electromagnetic pulses (HEMP) is assessed. Component and subsystem susceptibility is identified by focusing on one, two, and possibly three-dimensional computer models that include the major physical phenomena as represented, for example, by heat and electronic transport equations. Probabilistic failure analysis is applied to identify system vulnerabilities and to point the way to effective hardening. In order to assess system coupling with HEMP, an attempt is made to achieve a phenomenological understanding based on a multifaceted, complementary approach that combines analytical, computational, and experimental techniques, including scale-model tests. Current work on coupling phenomenology is described.