In nuclear warfighting, I recollect there's a concept called X-ray
pindown. It's supposedly an offensive strategy whereby
the attacker maintains frequent nuclear detonations at a certain
altitude, and the resultant X radiation inhibits launch by the other
side.
Could someone explain in more detail how this works, and the
exact physical processes involved? Is it direct radiation or secondary
radiation from the atmosphere? Does it affect radar, or missile electronics?
What frequency, size, and type of warheads would be used?
I also recollect one problem with the Sentinel/Safeguard ABM system
was radiation from defensive low altitude Sprint warhead detonations would
prevent radar tracking of subsequent launches. Was that a type
of self-induced X-ray pindown?
-- Joe D.
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