Differences between lightning and nuclear electromagnetic pulse interactions

Some important differences between the system interactions of electromagnetic transients from lightning (LEMP) and from high-altitude nuclear explosions (HEMP) are discussed. Interactions with small systems, such as aircraft, and large systems, such as electric power grids, are considered. Effects of factors like lightning channel attachment and the relatively local nature of the lightning excitation are contrasted with the broad-area effect of the HEMP interaction. It is concluded that although protective approaches and techniques for LEMP and HEMP are often similar, the two phenomena are sufficiently different that protection against one does not necessarily imply protection against the other