Protection Against an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Is More Important Than Ever
An electromagnetic pulse, referred to as an EMP, is a burst of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation that can occur naturally or be man-made. This powerful surge of energy can cause widespread damage to electronic devices, leading to permanent loss of data, malfunction, or complete failure of the affected equipment. With the increasing threat of EMP attacks and solar flares, protecting electronic devices from this harmful phenomenon is more important than ever.
Faraday bags, cages, and RF shielding enclosures are simple solutions to protect against EMP damage. These enclosures are made from conductive material, typically metal-coated fabric, that creates an electromagnetic shield around the contents of the bag. When a device is placed inside a faraday bag, the conductive material (such as TitanRF™ Faraday Fabric) blocks the EMP’s high-frequency waves from penetrating the bag, thus preventing damage to the device. Faraday bags come in different sizes and exterior materials, allowing you to choose the right bag to fit your device and provide the level of protection you need.
High-Shielding Performance That Is Lab Certified
Mission Darkness™ offers a growing selection of faraday bags, RF shielding enclosures, and DIY faraday cage supplies that have been lab-tested and certified MIL-STD 188-125 (compliant for high-altitude EMP resistance), as well as IEEE 299-2006 (shielding effectiveness standards).
The testing was completed by Keystone Compliance, an accredited regulatory compliance laboratory. This compliance measure not only ensures that the products shield against high-altitude electromagnetic pulses (HEMPs) and related occurrences, such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs), electrostatic discharges (ESDs), and solar flares, but provides concrete proof to the shielding ability and effectiveness of Mission Darkness products. It's important to be aware of the shielding specifications your faraday bag offers, to ensure it protects against EMPs, HEMPs, solar flares, and similar scenarios. Check out the most popular large faraday enclosures used to protect critical survival electronics against EMP damage below.
At-Risk Equipment
Solar panels are vulnerable to the effects of EMPs, as the surge of energy can destroy the delicate electronics in the panels and render them useless. Protecting solar panels from EMP damage is crucial for those who rely on them for their energy needs. Placing compact or foldable solar panels in a faraday cage or surrounding them with conductive material can help prevent EMP damage and ensure that the panels remain operational after an EMP event.
Generators are another critical piece of equipment that can be damaged by EMPs. These devices are often used in emergency situations, such as power outages, so it’s important to make sure they’re protected from EMP damage. Placing portable gas and electric generators inside faraday cages or fully enclosing them in conductive material can help prevent EMP damage and ensure that they’re available when they’re needed the most.
Radios, cell phones, and other similar electronics are also vulnerable to the effects of EMPs. These devices are often essential for communication in emergency situations, so protecting them from EMP damage is crucial.
It’s important to note that faraday bags and cages provide only partial protection from EMPs. In addition to using faraday bags, a comprehensive EMP protection strategy might also include other measures, such as surge protectors, backup power supplies, and physically shielding electronic equipment. For example, keeping electronic devices disconnected from the power grid and stored in a faraday bag during an EMP event can help ensure that the devices remain operational after the event.
Furthermore, faraday bags are an essential tool in protecting electronic devices from EMPs. With the threat of EMP attacks and solar flares growing, it’s crucial to implement an effective and comprehensive EMP protection strategy to safeguard your electronic devices and ensure their continued functionality. By using faraday bags, along with other EMP protection measures, you can minimize the risk of damage to your devices and ensure that you’re prepared for any electromagnetic threat.
The Mission Darkness Dry Shield Rapture Faraday Bag (pictured above) is an XL faraday cage with a waterproof exterior, offering protection for a wide range of disaster scenarios. It's large enough to fit commercial generators, multiple solar panels, and emergency preparedness equipment. Watch the video below to learn more about the product and capacity.
Current Threats of EMPs and Their Implications
An electromagnetic pulse is a phenomenon that has been attracting attention in recent years due to its potential to cause widespread damage to electronic devices and critical infrastructure. One of the main concerns with EMPs is their potential to disrupt critical infrastructure, including power grids, communication systems, and transportation systems. An EMP attack or a naturally occurring EMP from a solar flare could potentially leave entire cities without power for an extended period of time, causing widespread panic, chaos, and economic disruption. The effects of an EMP event could be catastrophic, and the threat of such an event is a growing concern for many countries and their governments.
One recent example of an EMP threat is the possibility that the Chinese surveillance balloons shot down by the military in the United States in February 2023 could have been testing its ability to deploy and launch weapons, including EMP devices.
“High-altitude balloons, such as the one China has floated over mountain state military bases this week, are considered a key ‘delivery platform’ for secret nuclear strikes on America’s electric grid, according to intelligence officials,” the Washington Examiner reported. “Spy balloons, used by Japan to drop bombs during World War II, are now far more sophisticated, can fly at up to 200,000 feet, evade detection, and can carry a small nuclear bomb that, if exploded in the atmosphere, would shut down the grid and wipe out electronics in a many-state-wide area. The threat of balloon-launched electromagnetic pulse attacks was warned about by a congressional EMP commission and inside the military several years ago."
Image of a suspected Chinese spy balloon flying over the U.S.
Image of the balloon debris captured by the Navy
Another example of the threat of an EMP is the situation in North Korea. In recent years, North Korea has been developing nuclear weapons and has made threats to use them in a preemptive strike against the United States. While the use of nuclear weapons in such a manner would likely result in significant casualties, it’s possible that the EMP produced by the explosion could have far-reaching and devastating effects on the United States’ electronic infrastructure.
An additional threat of EMPs is from solar flares. Solar flares are natural events that occur when the sun experiences an increase in magnetic activity. These flares can produce EMPs that can have a significant impact on electronic devices on Earth. The most recent solar flare occurred in 2013, causing widespread disruptions to communication systems and GPS signals. While the impact of this event was relatively limited, it serves as a reminder of the potential for EMPs from solar flares to cause widespread damage.
The threat of EMPs has led to increased research and investment in EMP protection technologies. Faraday bags and cages, surge protectors, and backup power supplies are some of the measures being developed to protect electronic devices and critical infrastructure from EMP damage. Governments and companies are also investing in EMP simulation and testing facilities to better understand the effects of EMPs and develop strategies to protect against them.
In addition to the development of EMP protection technologies, many countries are also working to develop EMP response and recovery plans. These plans outline steps that can be taken to minimize the impact of an EMP event and ensure that critical infrastructure is quickly restored. These plans typically include measures such as backup power supplies, emergency communication systems, and evacuation procedures.
In conclusion, the threat of EMPs is a growing concern for many countries and their governments. While the potential effects of an EMP event could be catastrophic, research and investment in EMP protection technologies and response plans are helping to mitigate the risk of damage and ensure that critical infrastructure can be quickly restored in the event of an EMP event. As the threat of EMPs continues to grow, it’s important for individuals, businesses, and governments to take steps to protect their electronic devices and critical infrastructure and ensure that they’re prepared for any electromagnetic threat.
