Originally posted by LadyEagle:
Yes, if memory serves me correctly, I believe this is what happened when the eastern seaboard went black. Only a couple of years ago, there was a similar situation & the source was in Canada, I think they said.
Not only that, but the electromagnetic bomb would crash everything that is on line (which everything is) and the government has admitted safeguards are not in place to harden those targets.
Also, right after 09/11, nuclear reactors were made no fly zones. The FAA and the other agency (can't remember the name) lifted the ban after only a few weeks.
The blackout on the Eastern seaboard was a fluke caused by extreme heat and air-conditioner use along with hot temperatures causing breakers to become more sensitive--that could happen again, but with changes to the grids it is very unlikely. Besides, many new transmission lines are using Direct Current, which isolates them from the main power grids.
Finally, a reactor is covered with many feet of reinforced concrete. You will NOT find an electromagnetic bomb (non-nuke) with the power to take down a power grid--I can guarantee that. You might as well get some explosives and blow down a few powerline towers.
A nuke which puts out an EMP has to be set off in near space in order for the neutrons to strip off electrons from the rarified air. Unlike urban legend, ground bursts put out very little EMP.
Finally, in order to destroy a nuclear reactor from an airplane, at least one, if not more bunker-busters would be required. With today's security and only one government manufacturer left building BBs it is doubtful to see someone steal one.
Believe it or not, Bunker-busters are a lot more complex than most people realize and consist of a lot more than just a delayed fuse with a titanium (or uranium 238) penetrator on the nose-cone of the weapon.
Nothing commercial I know would penetrate a reactor enough to cause major reactor damage and the penetration of bunker-busters is classified, but I can say they can penetrate in excess of 25 feet of reinforced concrete.
I'm not trying to argue with you here, but there is a lot of confused information going around.