Comparison of EMP and HERO programs

Abstract

Because of the unique features of electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and Hazardous Electromagnetic Effects on Ordnance (HERO), much research and money has gone into protecting weapon systems and ordnance against it. The EMP and HERO phenomena do have a variety of differences and require differences of hardening technique to protect against it. However, they both involve radiation effects and can prematurely initiate ordnance via the electroexplosive device (EED). Protection of weapon systems and ordnance against electronic damage and upset plus EED initiation takes on more of an art form rather than science once basic principles are applied. Nevertheless by relating these two programs via the initiating temperature of the EED. they can be accurately compared with each other. Because of this observation, the two programs can be effectively combined to work jointly on ordnance hardening and protection including all forms of radiation type hazards, present and future.