2018 Report of the Electromagnetic Defense Task Force (EDTF) - New Evaluation of EMP Threat from Nuclear Weapons and Solar Storms, Urgently Needed Protection of the Electromagnetic Spectrum (EMS‪)‬

This vital late 2018 report covers the serious threat posed by EMP and electromagnetic spectrum attacks. On 20-22 August 2018, the Electromagnetic Defense Task Force (EDTF) hosted an inaugural summit in the National Capital Region (NCR). The summit was designed to aid and encourage actions to recover footing where our technological lead in EMS is being challenged. The summit was also designed to address direct EMS threats to the United States and its allies. While some issues have existed since the 1960s, the window of opportunity to mitigate some electromagnetic threats is closing. Meanwhile, many existing threats have gained prominence due to almost universal integration of silica-based technologies into all aspects of modern technology and society.

During the opening remarks of the inaugural summit, R. James Woolsey, former Director Central Intelligence, stated, "The time for research is running out; we have the data we need. IT'S TIME FOR BOLD ACTION." In the spirit of this challenge, EDTF seeks to inspire action based upon an array of research spanning more than six decades. Such actions and exploits are needed to immediately deepen the defense and resilience of the United States and its allies.

Since World War II, holding an edge in the EMS has provided the United States and its allies distinct military and economic advantages. Nevertheless, as technology has become diffused during the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), our ability to maintain the advantage within this spectrum has diminished as peers gain capability. At present, the United States and its allies are at an EMS crossroads. In some areas, if timely actions fail to advance allied EMS capabilities, there is a likelihood adversaries can achieve parity or even dominance of the spectrum in a matter of years.

EMS is arguably the one domain that can rule them all. Failure to maintain technological dominance or freedom of operations in EMS can diminish or stop a modern nation's broad civil and defense activities. Based on the totality of available data, the task force contends the second- and third-order effects of an EMS attack may be a threat to the United States, democracy, and the world order.