What is the exact intended purpose of China’s intelligence collection balloons: electronic warfare or reconnaissance? Neither of these should be dismissed, but there was another, nefarious goal as well: Electro-Magnetic Pulses (EMPs) threatened US grid security.
The possibility of such an attack is growing as EMP technology is evolving. The Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from EMP Attacks, alongside military officials, warned years ago of the possibility of balloon-based EMP attacks. Given that our grid infrastructure is weak, aging, and lacks resilience, EMP attacks could become the choice weapons of America’s enemies, and not just China.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.