The US Airforce's powerful new missile that doesn't go boom

The US Airforce could soon have the capability of blanketing a city in darkness if tests of experimental missile technology prove successful.

Inspired by the after effects of a nuclear strike, the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) missiles will effectively deactivate any electronic device within range, without the destructive consequences.

The Counter-electronics High-power microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) which began as a pipe dream by Boeing was validated when the aeronautical giant successfully launched a prototype from a B-52 bomber in 2012.

Realising the weapon's potential, the US Airforce offered up a $4.3 million contact to modify two cruise missiles capable of testing the powerful EMP weapons.

If the development of the weapon was successful, it would have the capability of flying over a city or populated area and deactivating phones, computers, power grids, cars and any other objects predetermined by programmers.

It would enable the military to effectively 'turn off' an enemy's means of defence without the need to use force.

While the technology will likely be useless against advanced military with shielded technology, it should prove successful against smaller targets like ISIL forces.

During an Air Warfare Symposium in Florida last month, US Air Combat Command chief Gen Herbert Carlisle said the Military wants a weapon capable of disabling technology.

"Our real goal is to take what we learnt in CHAMP and apply it to the next weapon," he said.

"Our intent is to move that to the next weapon, a more advanced weapon, and continue to modernise it."

Despite inspiring the project, Boeing were not awarded the grant which instead went to missile development firm Raytheon.

Raytheon confirmed the systems inside the refurbished missiles have been improved since the 2012 tests.