Electromagnetic pulse

Anelectromagnetic pulse (EMP) ormagnetic bombard was a powerfulburst of electromagnetic radiation. It was often used in weaponry designed to suppress technological systems.

They were primarily used to disable droids and electronics; however, a sufficiently powerful EMP could also kill organic life through electrocution.

Electromagnetic pulse weaponry[]

Electromagnetic pulse weaponry delivered a powerful EMP which overloaded most electronic systems not specifically hardened against such an attack. The effect was somewhat similar to anion cannon blast.

Military magnapulse weapons were available in several different forms, which were first deployed by theGalactic Republic during theClone Wars, and were refined by theGalactic Empire some time before theBattle of Yavin.

Though they were able to reduce an entire planet to a pre-technological state, even destroying enemy shields with one blast, these weapons were used only in relatively small numbers during theGalactic Civil War.

Operational history[]

Clone Wars usage[]

EMP weaponry was favored by theGrand Army of the Republic because of the inherently technological nature of their enemy. TheDroid Army was particularly vulnerable to weaponry which suppressed electronics.

Portable EMP devices such as theEMP grenade and theEMP Launcher were used byclone troopers to deactivate thebattle droids of theConfederacy of Independent Systems.

Air-deployed magnetic pulse bombs known as "magpulse busters" were also used during the Clone Wars. They were only able to deactivate the enemydroids for brief periods, so they were usually used in concert withstarfighters to destroy large groups of droids.

Imperial developments[]

Merr-Sonn produced a weapon known as theDEMP gun for the Empire. These weapons were effective against droids, small vehicles, and powered armor. Sufficient exposure to DEMP pulses could harm living beings. This weapon was later refined into theDEMP 2, which was seen in use around13 ABY.

In the form of a magnepulse weapon mounted on astarship of mediumcruiser class or above, a magnetic pulse could delivered from orbit. This type of magnetic pulse device carried the risk of being reflected against the attacker, and this risk led to the development of magnapulse bombs.

The magnepulse cluster bomb was approximately the size of a starfighter and could be dropped from orbit by any ship capable of launchingTIE Series fighters. The early versions of the magnepulse cluster bomb were vulnerable to enemy fire, so they were redesigned to integrateshields and evasive flight computers. These devices continued to be used as late as11 ABY, as part of the equipment included with theModular taskforce cruiser's Inquisition Module.

Planetary magnapulse cannons were surface-to-space weapons, used much likeplanetary ion cannons.

Later refinement[]

After theBattle of Hoth, magnetic pulse ordnance became available in the form of a projectile weapon similar to aproton torpedo. Themag pulse warhead was able to suppress the weapon systems of acapital ship for a short period.

Around7 ABY,WarlordZsinj deployedempion mines, which contained both an ion projector and an electromagnetic pulse device.

TheShadow Droids used duringOperation Shadow Hand in10-11 ABY carried a small EMP gun.

Appearances[]

Sources[]

• Imperial Sourcebook
• Dark Empire Sourcebook
• The New Essential Chronology
• Star Wars: Empire at War: Prima Official Game Guide
• Star Wars: Empire at War: Forces of Corruption Expansion: Prima Official Game Guide
• Star Wars: The Clone Wars Comic 6.46
• Star Wars: Imperial Handbook: A Commander's Guide

External links[]

• Electromagnetic pulse onWikipedia