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    Re: DOD HAARP EXPLANATION, 1/3
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From: ur-valhalla!vms.aurora.alaska.edu!FTMAL
Subject: DOD HAARP Explanation, 1/2
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Date: Sun, 04 Dec 1994 16:51:22 -0900

HAARP FACT SHEET

"HAARP", an acronym for "High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program",
is a project having the goal of studying fundamental physical principles
which govern the region of the earth's atmosphere known as the ionosphere.
It is through this region that earth-based communications and radar
transmissions must travel to reach satellites or to probe solar and
planetary bodies; and conversely, for radio signals from outside the
immediate environment of the earth to reach its surface. It also is from
these ionized layers that radio waves reflect to achieve over-the-horizon
communication and radar systems. The proposed research will be undertaken
using high power radio transmitters to probe the overhead ionosphere,
combined with a complement of modern scientific diagnostic instruments to
investigate the results of the interactions.

HAARP would be constructed at auroral latitudes in Alaska. A unique feature
of the research facility would be a high power high- frequency radio
transmitter with the capability of rapidly steering a narrow beam of energy
toward a designated region of the sky. Similar, though less capable,
research facilities exist today at many locations throughout the world and
are operated routinely for the purpose of scientific investigation of the
ionosphere. In the US such systems are located at Arecibo, Puerto Rico and
Fairbanks, Alaska. Other installations are at Tromso, Norway; Moscow,
Nizhny Novgorod and Apatity, Russia; Kharkov, Ukraine and Dushanbe,
Tadzhikistan. None of these existing systems, however, have the combination
of frequency capability and beam steering agility required to perform the
experiments planned for HAARP.

A congressionally initiated effort, HAARP is being managed cooperatively by
the Air Force and Navy. The Air Force is responsible for oversight of the
environmental process, site acquisition, and implementation of scientific
instruments associated with the facility. The Navy is responsible for
procurement of the primary contract to design and construct the high power,
high-frequency radio transmitter. Users of the HAARP research facility
would include civilian entities such as universities and the National
Science Foundation (NSF) as well as military agencies such as the Air
Force, Navy, and Advanced Research Programs Agency (ARPA).

Value of Ionospheric Research

The layer of earth's atmosphere called the ionosphere begins approximately
35 miles above the surface and extends out beyond 500 miles. In contrast to
the atmosphere close to the earth which is composed of neutral atoms and
molecules, the ionosphere contains both positively and negatively charged
particles known as ions and electrons. These ions and electrons are created
naturally as a result of the action of the sun's radiation.

This ionized gas of the ionosphere behaves much differently from the
neutral atmosphere closer to the earth. A major difference is that radio
signals passing through the ionosphere may be distorted, totally reflected
or absorbed. For example, communication links from the ground to
earth-orbiting satellites can experience fading due to ionospheric
distortion; an AM radio signal sometimes can reflect, or "skip , from the
ionosphere and be heard at locations hundreds of miles distant from the
broadcasting radio station; the characteristic fading on the high-frequency
(HF) or "shortwave" band is due to ionospheric interference. Because of its
strong interaction with radiowaves, the ionosphere can interfere with
communications and radar surveillance systems, which depend on sending
radiowaves from one location to another.

Investigations to be conducted at the HAARP facility are expected to
provide significant scientific advancements in understanding the
ionosphere. The research facility would be used to understand, stimulate
and control ionospheric processes that might alter the performance of
communication and surveillance systems. This research would enhance present
civilian capabilities because it would facilitate the development of
techniques to mitigate or control ionospheric processes. Ionospheric
disturbances at high latitudes also can act to induce large currents in
electric power grids: these are thought to cause power outages.
Understanding of these and other phenomena is important to maintain
reliable communication and power services. Other civilian applications from
the program's research could lead to improved local and world-wide
communication such as satellite communication. Furthermore, and possibly
more significant, is the potential for new technology that could be
developed from a better understanding of ionospheric processes.

DoD Involvement

Potential applications of the HAARP research include developing DoD
technology for detecting cruise missiles and aircraft and for communicating
with submarines. Although HAARP is being managed by the Air Force and Navy,
it is purely a scientific research facility which represents no threat to
potential adversaries and would therefore have no value as a military
target.

HAARP Transmissions

HAARP would transmit HF radiowaves in a narrow beam, pointed upward to
interact with the ionosphere. The beam would be several degrees wide,
depending on frequency, and thus would influence a region several miles in
diameter in the lower ionosphere, expanding to several tens of miles in the
upper ionosphere. The transmissions would be accomplished through the
design and construction of a world-class ionospheric research instrument
(IRI).

Ionospheric changes produced experimentally by the IRI would be similar to
phenomena which occur under natural conditions. However, nature operates on
a much larger scale, and for a much longer duration, than would the IRI.
The effect of the IRI would be temporary only; the ionosphere would return
to its original state within a matter of seconds and there would be no
lasting changes.

Because most of the energy of the high power radio beam would be emitted
upward rather than toward the horizon, potentially hazardous values of
radio field strength would not be present at ground level except possibly
very close to the IRI. To prevent human and large mammal exposure to these
near-in fields, an exclusion fence would be constructed.

The upward-directed IRI main beam could be sufficiently strong potentially
to interfere with electronic equipment in aircraft flying nearby. To
preclude this possibility, an aircraft detection radar would be interfaced
with the operations center of the IRI, to automatically turn-off the high
power transmissions should aircraft be detected flying on a route to pass
through the radiowave beam.

The IRI would be constrained to operate within the 2.8 - 10 megahertz (MHz)
band on a clear-channel, non-interference basis. Theoretical calculations
indicate that interference with television, AM and FM radio, ham radios,
cellular phones and/or satellite dishes possibly may be anticipated, in
addition to the possibility of interference with HAARP's own radio
equipment. The Air Force and Navy are committed to a mitigation program
that includes acquisition of equipment to minimize out-of-band
transmissions; properly orienting the IRI array to reduce signals emitted
toward local population centers; adoption of operating procedures,
including beam steering, to reduce the percentage of time large signal
levels would be transmitted toward large cities; employing special
techniques such as null placement; and working with complainants to reach a
mutually satisfactory solution. A smaller, less powerful, IRI will be
constructed as a demonstration prototype to ensure mitigation techniques
will alleviate possible interference.

HAARP Facilities

The major components of the main HAARP research facility would include the
IRI, the combined Operations Center & Diesel Power Building, and a number
of scientific instruments used for data- gathering, termed "diagnostics",
placed at various locations on the HAARP site. The IRI would consist of an
antenna array and associated transmitters, operated from a control room
within the Operations Center. The diagnostics would be used to observe the
natural parameters of the ionosphere as well as the experimental results
with the lRI operating.

The antenna would occupy a rectangular area roughly 1000 ft x 1200 ft and
would consist of a 12 x 15 array of antenna masts, each supporting two
horizontal crossed dipole antennas, stacked one above the other. The masts
would reach a maximum height of 72 ft and would be constrained by guy
wires. It is anticipated that the masts would sit on individual piles;
gravel fill between the rows and columns of masts would permit access by
maintenance vehicles.

While some of the diagnostic instruments would be collocated with the IRI
at the research facility, others, due to data collection requirements, must
be located off-site at some distance from the IRI. One of the primary
on-site diagnostics would be an incoherent scatter radar (ISR) which would
transmit radiowave signals in the 430 - 450 MHz band. The ISR would be a
120 ft diameter radar dish supported by a 25 ft diameter pedestal.

The combined power demands of the IRI and ISR would be roughly 12 megawatts
(MW). The method of power supply has not been finalized; however, the use
of diesel generators is under consideration.

Design and Construction

As the result of a competitive procurement the Air Force and Navy have
awarded a contract to ARCO Power Technologies, Inc. (APTI) for the design
and construction of the IRI and associated support facilities. The IRI
design was selected while considering both cost and environmental impacts.
The current schedule anticipates construction at the Gakona site would
begin November 1993 and conclude the fall of 1994 with the demonstration
prototype. Construction for the full-size IRI is anticipated to begin early
1995 and conclude late 1997.

Site Location

As part of the environmental decision making process, Gakona and Clear AFS
were considered as alternative sites for the HAARP facility. On 18 October
1993, a Record of Decision (ROD) was signed by the Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, selecting Gakona, Alaska as
the site for the HAARP Ionospheric Research Facility. The ROD signing
follows the Air Force preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement
evaluating the potential environmental effects of the HAARP facility.

Use of Local Resources

The prime contractor, APTI, has indicated that they anticipate use of
Alaska-based companies in constructing the facility. Green Alaska, ARCO
Alaska, Inc. and AHTNA, Inc., are among the companies bang considered.

Postconstruction Operations of the HAARP Research Facility

Since HAARP is to be devoted to ionospheric research, which typically is
conducted during a series of research campaigns, it would be used
periodically rather than continuously. Campaigns would be scheduled four or
five times a year, and typically would involve 10-15 visiting scientists
conducting experiments at the site over a two-week period. During research
campaigns the scientists will depend on the local economy for food, lodging
and other necessities. Maintenance and security functions would be
performed by local personnel, who would reside off-site. The HAARP research
site is being planned for a life of approximately 20 years.

Environmental Process

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) the Air
Force has prepared an environmental impact statement (EIS), with the Navy
as a cooperating agency, to evaluate the consequences of constructing and
operating the HAARP research facility in Alaska. State and federal
environmental regulatory agencies were consulted to identify issues which
are addressed in the EIS. Additional input was solicited from the public
during scoping meetings held in Alaska in August 1992. Topics addressed in
the EIS include, but are not limited to, electromagnetic and radio
frequency interference, vegetation, wetlands, wildlife, air quality,
subsistence, cultural resources and the ionosphere.

The Air Force prepared and distributed to the public and to specific
organizations a draft EIS on 12 March 1993. During the subsequent 45-day
public review period the Air Force held public hearings, at both Glennallen
and Anderson, Alaska to solicit input on the draft EIS. All reasonable
questions and comments received by 25 April 1993, the end of the public
review period, were addressed in writing in the final EIS, which was
released to the public on 15 July 1993. The Air Force signed a Record of
Decision on 18 October 1993 selecting Gakona, Alaska as the site for the
HAARP Ionospheric Research Facility.

In addition to the NEPA process described above, the Air Force and Navy
would comply with all applicable state and federal regulations for
construction and operation of the HAARP facility.

Additional Information

An updated version of this fact sheet will be issued as often as program
changes warrant to keep interested parties apprised of significant
developments in regard to HAARP. Any individual seeking additional
information about HAARP, or wishing to provide comments regarding HAARP,
can contact any one of the individuals listed below.

Mr. John Heckscher
PL/GPIA
Phillips Laboratory
29 Randolph Road
Hanscom AFB, MA 01731-3010

Mr. Ralph Scott
3rd Wing Public Affairs Division
Elmendorf AFB, AK 99506

Mr. Guy McConnell
Alaska District Corps of Engineers, Planning
NPAEN-PL-ER
Anchorage, Alaska 99506-0898

November 4, 1993

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  Date: 12/04/94 at 16:02
    Re: HAARP (LONG)
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From: ur-valhalla!vms.aurora.alaska.edu!FTMAL
Subject: HAARP (long)
Message-ID: 
Date: Sun, 04 Dec 1994 16:02:23 -0900

IS HAARP A STARWARS WEAPON?

Defending against enemy missile attacks and other imagined threats has
generated futuristic and science fiction sounding proposals better known as
Starwars. Concepts and ideas circulated wildly throughout government,
military and civilian circles. As the former Soviet Union broke up, the
backing for U.S. Starwars efforts evaporated and the spending on such
projects was dropped. But not soon enough. Many experimental starwars
research projects are still funded and being pursued by the military.

HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program), being constructed
for the Air Force and Navy by an ARCO subsidiary, is such a project. Touted
as scientific research, HAARP is a thinly disguised project to "perturb"
the ionosphere with extremely powerful beams of energy to see what military
uses it can serve. According to the HAARP RFP, these energy beams will be
used to "control ionospheric processes in such a way as to greatly enhance
the performance of C3 systems (or, to deny accessibility to an adversary)."
That sounds like a weapon to this writer. Other such projects go by the
code names BIME, RED AIR, CRRES, EXCEDE, CHARGE IV, WISP, ACTIVE, HIPAS,
RADC, AIM, etc..

Nuclear bombs exploded in high altitude tests in the late fifties and early
sixties by both the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. caused weather and jet stream
changes that lasted almost 20 years. Do the HAARP heaters offer the same
potential as they "perturb" the ionosphere? The ionosphere is home to many
beneficial natural phenomena among them filtering the sun's harmful rays
and reflecting radio waves used for communications. Although not totally
understood, the ionosphere also directly effects the weather systems and
the jet streams.

HAARP, "the most powerful facility (of its kind) in the world" is currently
under construction near Gakona, Alaska. Other smaller ionospheric heaters
of this type are already in operation in Norway, Ukraine, Russia,
Tadzhikistan, Puerto Rico and Fairbanks (yes, right here in Alaska). Could
tests and experiments with these ionospheric heaters already be changing
global weather systems? Could they be a contributing cause for the floods
in the U.S.? Could this be the kind of secret weapon that Zhirinovsky
speaks of? Can these heaters change the earth's magnetic fields as well and
cause equal reactions half-way around the globe? Will we need to protect
ourselves from the sun's rays due to new holes in the ionosphere? What will
happen to the individuals living near HAARP when it operates, will they be
exposed to unnecessary risk of electromagnetic radiation?

Some of the specific language in the HAARP documents is quoted below and on
the next page:

"The HAARP is to ultimately have a HF {High Frequency} heater with an ERP
{Effective Radiated Power} well above 1 gigawatt {1,000,000,000 watts} (on
the order of 95-100 dBW); in short, the most powerful faci!ity in the world
for conducting ionospheric modification research."

"The Soviets, operating at higher powers than the West, now have claimed
significant stimulated ionization by electron-impact ionization. The claim
is that HF energy, via wave-particle interaction, accelerates ionospheric
electrons to energies well in excess of 20 electron volts (eV) so that they
will ionize neutral atmospheric particles with which they collide. Given
that the Soviet HF facilities are several times more powerful than the
Western facilities at comparable midlatitudes, and given that the latter
appear to be on a threshold of a new "waveparticle" regime of phenomena, it
is believed that the Soviets have crossed that threshold and are exploring
a regime of phenomena still unavailable for study or application in the
West."

"A key goal of the program {HAARP} is the identification and investigation
of those ionospheric processes and phenomena that can be exploited for DoD
purposes, such as outlined below.

Geophysical probing to identify and characterize natural ionospheric
processes ... so that techniques can be developed to mitigate or control
them.

Generation of ionospheric lenses to focus large amounts of HF energy ...
thus providing a means for triggering ionospheric processes that
potentially could be exploited for DoD purposes.

Electron acceleration for the generation of IR (infrared) and other optical
emissions ... that could be used to control radio wave propagation
properties.

Generation of geomagnetic-field aligned ionization to control the
reflection/scattering properties of radio waves.

Oblique heating to produce effects on radio wave propagation at great
distances from the heater, thus broadening the potential military
applications of ionospheric enhancement technology.

Generation of ionization layers below 90 km to provide radio wave
reflectors ("mirrors") which can be exploited for long range,
over-the-horizon, HF/VHF/UHF surveillance purposes ....

Why are the citizens of the United States being asked to pay for such a
project? Why do those associated closely with the project reference its use
as submarine communications and other apparently innocuous purposes?

--- NetMgr 0.95
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