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Updated Monday, July 25, 2011 0:15 am TWN, CNA

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China developing EMP 'assassin's mace': report

WASHINGTON--China is developing electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapons that it plans to use against U.S. aircraft carriers in any future conflict over Taiwan, the Washington Times reported Friday.

The paper said the arms are part of China's so-called “assassin's mace” arsenal — weapons that could give a technologically inferior China a chance of defeating U.S. military forces.

The report was based on newly de-classified intelligence released by the U.S. National Ground Intelligence Center on the lethal effects of EMP and high-powered microwave (HPM) weapons.

EMP weapons mimic the gamma-ray pulse caused by a nuclear blast that can knock out all electronics, including computers and automobiles, over wide areas, the paper said. The phenomenon was discovered in 1962 after an above-ground nuclear test in the Pacific disabled electronics in Hawaii.

“For use against Taiwan, China could detonate at a much lower altitude (30 to 40 kilometers) to confine the EMP effects to Taiwan and its immediate vicinity and minimize damage to electronics on the mainland,” according to the intelligence report that was produced in 2005.

China's electronic weapons are part of what are called “trump card” or “assassin's mace” weapons “based on new technology that has been developed in high secrecy,” the report said.

According to the report, China has conducted EMP tests on mice, rats, rabbits, dogs and monkeys, causing eye, brain, bone marrow and other organ injuries.

China's EMP capability could be used in two different ways: as a surprise measure after China's initial strike against Taiwan and U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups moved into a vulnerable position, and as a bluff intended to dissuade the United States from defending Taiwan with a CVBG, the Pentagon acronym for carrier strike groups, the report added.

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Comments

July 25, 2011 f@

China is developing the EMP for defense. It is not a threat unless US carriers are positioned to attack who else but PLA forces. The US can say what it likes. Any weapon that can be used to attack US forces in self defense is deemed a threat.
What about US forces which are configured for attack? They are the greatest threat to China. So the PLA is doing exactly what any US defense secretary would do if the US were under threat of attack. The US must know the world has changed. .
In the Korea, Vietnam and Iraq war US forces could rain destruction without fear of their bases coming under retaliation.
Well in any war with China, the US cannot expect to be untouched. By that I mean the bases which launch the attack and US homeland as well will come under Chinese attack.
Get real. Yes the US will prevail any war with China but it will have to get used to the idea the Chinese can wreak unacceptable damage. The % of damage is growing every minute as each day ticks by. By the way the PLA ain’t itching for a fight.
They just want to be prepared for any eventuality.

November 16, 2011 presto@

I would rather watch who will win in the future conflict btw the US and China. Actually I think a lot of people expect to see how America as a superpower falls off its throne. But I would foresee that the US won’t have direct war with China, probably only a proxy war.

December 17, 2011 matthew@

US threatens the whole world with its aircraft carriers. I hope China will be successful in deterring US aircraft carriers at least within 2000 km radius. And 4000 km radius, taking into account US bases in Australia in the future.
Taiwan should simply surrender and not fight.