The CIApossesses a secret system capable of secretly and non-violently disabling large shipsat sea, according to a recent report by Wired magazine. This revelation, which emerged from a detailed account of the Trump administration’s failed attempt to overthrow Venezuelan PresidentNicolás Maduro between 2018 and 2020, has sparked speculation about the nature of this mysterious ship-disabling weapon.
The Trump administration reportedly considered using the system against oil tankers traveling between Venezuela and Cuba, aiming to disrupt the flow of oil and cripple both nations. The CIA, however, hesitated due to the limited availability of the system and its deployment inanother hemisphere.
While Wired’s report lacks specifics about the weapon, various possibilities have been proposed. One leading contender is a high-powered microwave weapon, capable of emitting high-energy electromagnetic waves that disrupt critical ship systems, includingradar, navigation equipment, communication systems, steering systems, and engine control systems. This disruption could effectively disable a ship without harming its crew.
The Pentagon’s High-Powered Joint Electromagnetic Non-Kinetic Effects program, unveiled in 2023, provides detailed insights into the principles behind such weapons.These weapons generate invisible electromagnetic energy within specific frequency ranges, inducing high voltage and current surges within electronic components through antennas, cables, and openings. This can lead to signal errors, system lockups, malfunctions, and even physical damage.
The US Navy reportedly conducted at least one successful test of this type of weapon at theChina Lake Naval Air Weapons Station in 2022. The Pentagon has also developed smaller versions of these weapons for rapid countermeasures against suicide car or boat attacks.
However, the size and complexity of high-powered microwave weapons raise questions about their suitability for covert operations against oil tankers. The CIA might be exploringother options, such as cyberattacks targeting ship control systems or non-lethal chemical agents capable of temporarily disabling engines or navigation equipment.
The CIA’s mysterious ship-disabling weapon remains shrouded in secrecy, but its existence raises significant concerns about the potential for unintended consequences and escalations ininternational tensions. Further investigation is needed to understand the full capabilities of this weapon and its potential implications for maritime security.
References:
- Wired: The Secret Plot to Overthrow Maduro, and the CIA’s Mysterious Ship-Disabling Weapon
- The Drive: The Pentagon Wants to Build aHigh-Powered Microwave Weapon That Can Fry Electronics
- The Drive: The US Navy Has Been Testing a New Microwave Weapon That Could Fry Electronics
Note: This article is based on available information and speculation. The CIA has not publicly confirmed the existence or details of the mysterious ship-disabling weapon.
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