Counter-IED equipment


Counter-IED equipment are created primarily for military and law enforcement. They are used for standoff detection of explosives and explosive precursor components and defeating the Improvised Explosive Devices devices themselves as part of a broader counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency, or law enforcement effort.

Requirements

Detection techniques and specific systems with assessed Technological Readiness Levels are described by both capabilities and characteristics.
A list of detection techniques and systems' capabilities include:
  • detection rate of explosives and/or explosive precursor components
  • the false positive rate
  • the effective range
  • the detection depths in various soils
  • foliage penetration capability
  • type of explosive and/or explosive precursor component that the system is capable of detecting
  • impacts of different types of weather
  • processing time
  • day/night capability
A description of the characteristics includes:
  • size
  • weight
  • power
  • directionality
  • approximate cost
  • reliability
  • mean time to repair
  • availability of components
  • intellectual property issues
Also of concern are any hazard identifications, the impact of each system and/or technique on DOTMLPF-P, and acquisition recommendations.

Robots

Talon: The TALON transmits in color, black and white, infrared, and/or night vision to its operator, who may be up to 1,000 m away. It can run off lithium-ion batteries for a maximum of 7 days on standby independently before needing recharging. It has an 8.5 hour battery life at normal operating speeds, 2 standard lead batteries providing 2 hours each and 1 optional Lithium Ion providing an additional 4.5 hours. It weighs less than 100 lb or 60 lb for the Reconnaissance version. Its cargo bay accommodates a variety of sensor payloads. The robot is controlled through a two-way radio or a Fiber-optic link from a portable or wearable Operator Control Unit that provides continuous data and video feedback for precise vehicle positioning. The TALON Carries sensors and a robotic manipulator, which is used by the U.S. Military for explosive ordnance disposal and disarming improvised explosive devices.
Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle : SUGVs are lightweight, rugged, specialized systems suitable for military applications in congested urban settings to give users the ability to see around corners and into tight spaces.
Packbot: The PackBot is a series of military robots by iRobot.
Throwbots: Throwbots are rugged, highly portable, and instantly and easily deployable reconnaissance robots.

Soldier-worn protection

Body Armor: Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines have a large assortment of wearable protection against the effects of blasts and shrapnel. There have been many advancements made in ergonomics, blast resistant material and infection prevention over the last couple decades. Currently there are many options available for dismounted troops to protect them from all types of danger. Below are a few of the currently-fielded systems and what is to come.
E-SAPI/X-SAPI ballistic plates: Armored plates that provide protection from explosively-formed projectiles.
Pelvic Protection System: To reduce casualties and minimize damage to vital areas of the body the U.S. Army teamed with other organizations and the industry to develop and rapidly field the Pelvic Protective System. The system is currently composed of two layers: an inner layer, and outer layer.

Armored/mine-resistant and counter-IED vehicles

Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles

The MRAPV program was prompted by U.S. deaths in Iraq. MRAP vehicles are designed specifically to withstand improvised explosive device attacks and ambushes.
As recently as 2007, the U.S. military has ordered the production of about 10,000 MRAPs at a cost of over $500,000 each, and planned to order more MRAPs. Currently there are many different variants produced by several different manufacturers. Similar vehicles have been built and are in active service with military, police and private sector security companies worldwide.
The Husky VMMD is a South African configurable counter-IED MRAP designed for route clearance and demining. It is designed to assist in the disposal of land mines and improvised explosive devices.
The Husky was initially deployed in the 1970s. The South African Defense Force used the Husky extensively to clear mines from military convoy routes in Namibia and Angola during the South African Border War.
In the mid-1990s, Husky underwent a two-year foreign comparative test program within the United States Department of Defense that resulted in additional follow-on modifications and testing. In 1997, production systems were delivered under the U.S. Army Interim Vehicle Mounted Mine Detection Program.
Over the next twenty years, the Husky went through a number of iterations and upgrades. U.S. and International military' route clearance units currently employ Husky vehicles as IED detection and clearance vehicles.
Husky VMMD

Modified construction equipment

The Israel Defense Forces Combat Engineering Corps uses an armored version of the Caterpillar D9, called IDF Caterpillar D9 "Doobi", to clear paths and operational terrain from landmines and a various IEDs. The heavy armor and durable construction of the IDF D9 enable it to withstand very heavy "belly charges" which are capable of destroying main battle tanks. The IDF also have a remote-controlled version of the D9N and the D9T to clear IEDs in very dangerous environments.
The United States Army uses an armored version of the Caterpillar D7 to clear landmines. A remote version of the D7 exists.

Electronic countermeasures (jammers, ECM)

Duke Version 3 Vehicle mounted CREW system: Duke V3, manufactured by SRCTec, Inc., is a counter radio-controlled improvised explosive device electronic warfare system that was developed to provide U.S. forces critical, life-saving protection against a wide range of threats. It is a field deployable system that was designed to have minimal size, weight and power requirements while providing simple operation and optimal performance in order to provide force protection against radio-controlled IEDs. CREW Duke V3 consists of a primary unit known as the CREW Duke V2 and a secondary unit that features advanced electronic warfare subsystems to counter emerging advanced RCIED technologies. Advanced EW components and techniques are implemented to combat complex threat infrastructures in order to provide a maximum protection radius while minimizing the overall system cost and prime power consumption requirements.
To quote the manufacturer: "The Duke system was selected as one of the U.S. Army's Top 10 Greatest Inventions in both 2005 and 2009".
CVRJ U.S. Marines: The primary purpose of the CVRJ system is to defeat existing Radio Frequency threats and newly identified Hard-to-Kill RF threats. The CVRJ system accomplishes its primary mission by jamming each threat's transmitted RF signals. The secondary purpose of the CVRJ system is to add the capability to combine multiple internal RF signals and external RF inputs from other systems, and serve as the conduit for transmitting those RF signals while maintaining system interoperability. It accomplishes both missions via 15 waveform programmable RF channels. The system is software controlled to meet specific threats. Indicators on the CVRJ front panel and Remote Control Unit allow the operator to observe system health and diagnostic messages. Built-In-Test routines run during system initialization and operation that notify the operator of system faults by illuminating indicators referred to as "annunciators" and by displaying text messages on the RCU display. The system is highly automated which reduces operator interaction. The system draws up to 36 amps of vehicle power, weighs approximately 69 lbs, and measures 13″H × 14″W × 19″D.
Vehicle Jammer System STAR V: Protective modular jamming system STAR V 740 is intended for a protection against RCIED. The system either prevents the activation of RCIED or it can significantly reduce the distance for a bomb activation. The system is used to protect the special EOD teams or for a convoy protection.
The jamming is performed by random frequency sweeping in a few frequencies sub-bands at the same time. Each sub-band has a possibility to set up to two communication windows for mutual radio communication. The jamming system is equipped with 8 wideband transmitters, 3 low-pass filters, 1 combiner, 6 omni-directional antennas and 8 wide-band digital exciters. The higher level of jamming efficiency is accomplished by using more parallel subsystems and digital technology.
The jamming system is intended as a mobile system which is installed in the vehicle. It is equipped with the Omni-directional antennas that are part of the system. The output power of the jammer is up to 740 W. The jamming system is easily controlled and the failures are easily diagnosed. It is controlled on the front panel. The operator can switch on/off particular transmitting systems and subsystems, set up to three jamming sub-bands in each. Dwell time in each sub-band can also be modified. Jammer is equipped with IP, RS 485 and USB interface. System is also equipped with special SW which can be installed on a notebook or a PC. Special remote control box is also included. The system's voltage is from 22 to 30 Volts.
Convoy Jammer System HP 3260 H: Modular jamming system intended to protect surrounding vehicles and personnel against RCIED. Designed for maximum frequency coverage and protection range, the system is used for both, civilian and military motorcades. The modularity enables users to scale the system according to operational requirements and the software allows programming of all signal generators independently to ensure utmost configurability and maximising the effectiveness of the jamming signals.
Thor III dismounted CREW system: The Thor III system consists of three dismounted man-pack subsystems, one battery charger, and twenty-four batteries. Each subsystem contains a R/T, a Remote Control Unit, an integration/pack frame, an Rx/Tx Antenna, a GPS antenna, cables, and software. Each subsystem is housed in a separate transit case with protective covers. The purpose of the Thor III dismounted system is to provide the user in the field with a wearable Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device jammer that has been designed to counter an array of frequency diverse threats. The system is an expandable, active and reactive, scanning-receiver-based jammer with multiple jamming signal sources that allow it to counter multiple simultaneous threats.
Joint IED Neutralizer : In 2005, Ionatron attempted to develop an anti IED device that would "zap" IEDs from a distance by using lasers to ionize the air and allow man-made lightning to shoot towards the devices detonating them at a safe distance. By using femtosecond lasers light pulses that last less than a ten-trillionth of a second JIN could carve conductive channels of ionized oxygen in the air. Through these channels, Ionatron's blaster sent man-made lightning bolts.
Thor IED Zappers: The vehicular system is mounted on a remotely controlled weapon station, carrying the laser beam director and high-energy laser and coaxial 12.7 mm machine gun to neutralize improvised explosive devices from a safe, standoff distance. Restricted link
Ultra Wide Band High Powered Electro Magnetics: An UWB-HPEM system typically consists of the following components: a battery-based direct current power supply, an actuation system, a semiconductor-based ultra-wideband pulse generator and an ultra-wideband antenna. Depending on the type of threat, it can either set off a sensor-triggered IEDs in a controlled explosion or prevent it from being remotely detonated by radio or mobile phone. A UWB-HPEM system can be loaded onto a vehicle, creating an electromagnetic protection zone for a convoy, potentially in combination with other systems.
IED Countermeasure Equipment : In the fall of 2004, the Army Research Laboratory at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and New Mexico State University's Physical Science Laboratory developed a jamming system that uses low-power radio frequency energy to block the radio signals that detonate enemy IEDs. The IED Countermeasure Equipment is typically mounted on a vehicle and is used to neutralize IEDs when avoiding, disarming, or destroying them is not practical. So far, several thousand ICE systems have been deployed to U.S. military personnel.