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EFFECTS ON SHIPS AND SHIPBOARD SYSTEMS
SURVEY TEAMS

Basic Military Requirements (BMR) - Requirement for military advancement
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machinery  and  radar  antennas;  and  the  cracking  of seams above and below the waterline. Damage from Underwater Shock The pressure pulse created in water by an explosion on or below the surface is called an underwater shock. It travels much faster than an air blast and can inflict damage to ships at a distance of several miles. Possible effects include damage to the hull, heavy machinery, gun mounts, and electronics systems. Damage from Water Waves An underwater nuclear burst may result in waves over a hundred feet in height, but water waves are seldom the primary source of ship damage. The impact o f  wa t e r  wave s  m a y  c a u s e  d i s t o r t i o n  o f  t h e superstructure, carry away deck gear, or flood through damaged weather doors. Damage to Ships Tactical Systems Nuclear detonation can cause considerable damage to tactical systems, including electrical and electronic systems,  sonar,  radar  and  communications.  Such damage can be a result of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP),  transient  radiation  effects  on  electronics, blueout, or blackout. ELECTROMAGNETIC  PULSE  (EMP).— Shipboard damage occurs when metal conductors, such as electrical cables, antennas, and sensors, absorb EMP. Computers  and  other  equipment  using  solid-state components are most vulnerable to EMP. Vacuum-tube equipment is less susceptible. Personnel aren’t directly injured by EMP, but they may suffer electrical shock if they are in contact with a large conductor of electrical energy. Preventive  measures  to  protect  or    h a rd e n equipment  against  damage  by  EMP  include  metal shielding, good grounding, use of surge arresters, and the proper arrangement of electrical wiring. TRANSIENT  RADIATION  EFFECTS  ON E L E C T RO N I C S  ( T R E E ) . — T R E E  o c c u r s  i n electronics systems as a result of exposure to gamma or neutron radiation. The actual effects are determined by the  characteristics  of  the  circuits  in  the  electronics package,  the  components  in  the  circuits,  and  the construction techniques and materials used to make the components.  In  general,  radios,  radar,  computers, cables and wiring, and inertial guidance systems are susceptible to TREE. The response of such systems to radiation depends on the nature of the radiation and on the specific components and operating status of the systems. B L U E O U T . — B l u e o u t    i s    t h e    p r o l o n g e d disturbance of an underwater nuclear detonation and is caused  by  ocean  basin  shock  reverberations  that interfere  with  passive  sonar  systems.  The  noise resulting from the initial nuclear weapon detonation (the interaction of steam and water and the pulsations of the steam bubble) masks out all other sound for a short period of time making it impossible for sonar operators to listen for target data. The effects of blueout are temporary. B L AC KO U T . — B l a c k o u t ,    c a u s e d    b y    a n atmospheric nuclear explosion, is the interference of radio  transmissions  through  ion  fields  formed  in  a detonation.  In  a  tactical  situation,  straight-line communications  (radar  and  radio  transmissions) between ships on opposite sides of the fireball will be lost.  Following  a  high  altitude  detonation,  satellite communications  may  be  affected  or  lost.  Blackout alters or inhibits radar or radio waves and affects all frequency bands. Procedures to counteract the effects of blackout include providing alternate paths for communications, shifting  radio  operating  frequencies,  changing transmission modes, and waiting for blackout effects to diminish. REVIEW 3 QUESTIONS Q1.  List the four types of nuclear weapon explosion classification. a. b. c. d. 13-12 Student Notes:







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