Reply #210: This has been around for decades. It's an EMP weapon.

[porkrind]

Google for "HERF gun". It's basically a high frequency electromagnetic pulse. Think of it this way: a transformer that you plug into a wall has windings that electricity flows through to create a magnetic field. The electricity is household alternating current, so the magnetic field is likewise alternating. This induces a current on the secondary winding, which can be used to power your electronics.

This idea can be used as a weapon, by creating one enourmous magnetic pulse. This pulse then causes large currents to flow in any nearby electrical conductors, such as wires in computers, etc. If the currents are large enough they damage the electronics. The problem is creating this large magnetic pulse. A nuke can do it, but other sources have been engineered by military scientists, such as conventional explosives couples to shorting charged solenoids.

This is not anything new. In fact, it was rumored that the U.S. was testing EMP cruise missiles in Iraq. This stuff has been around for many decades, the "internets" are full of info. Kind of an exotic weapon of limited usefulness, because of its limited range. To cause widespread damage, you really need a nuke.