Naked Science Forum

On the Lighter Side => New Theories => Topic started by: Expectant_Philosopher on 17/01/2015 22:57:46

Title: Can nuke power plants use EMP generators to clear their airspace of drones?
Post by: Expectant_Philosopher on 17/01/2015 22:57:46

Would it be effective at stopping nefarious drone flights over nuclear power plants if the nuclear power plant had automated defenses against drones that included an EMP generator? Could the sensitive equipment at the power plant be shielded from the EMP blasts?

Title: Re: Can nuke power plants use EMP generators to clear their airspace of drones?
Post by: alancalverd on 18/01/2015 01:44:43

What's the problem with a drone in particular? Since everyone knows the location of nuclear power plants, and they don't move much, they are susceptible to ballistic bombardment - or even a decent tsunami.

Title: Re: Can nuke power plants use EMP generators to clear their airspace of drones?
Post by: Expectant_Philosopher on 18/01/2015 07:14:25

A few things precision placement of detonation material and/or reconnaissance and/or diversion for a ground assault.

Title: Re: Can nuke power plants use EMP generators to clear their airspace of drones?
Post by: alancalverd on 18/01/2015 11:33:34

You need one hell of a big bang to damage a nuke. The reactors are designed to withstand 9/11 and all conventional munitions. You can shut the system down by damaging the cooling plant, but that would be better done with a ballistic or cruise missile.

The defence problem is that a ballistic missile will appear at Mach 5 or thereabouts, and a cruise missile is indistinguishable from a lost civilian pilot: the prohibited zone around nuclear plant is only a couple of miles radius and many of them have rather inviting runways: you get a bollocking for unauthorised penetration but you don't expect to get blown up every time you fumble with the map or forget your clearance code.