The document provides an overview of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), defining them as modified explosive devices that pose significant threats due to their accessibility and cost-effectiveness for terrorists. It discusses various types of IEDs, their mechanisms, and evolving tactics used by bombers, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in identifying potential threats. The presentation also highlights safety precautions and the critical role of individuals in preventing IED incidents.

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Office for Bombing Prevention
Improvised Explosive Device Awareness
prepared for:
Bomb Making Materials Awareness Program

2. Madrid, Spain
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3. IED Awareness
You represent the first line of defense!
You may be the first one to identify the presence of an IED.
Your vigilance can make a difference!
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4. What is an IED?
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Improvised Explosive Device
U.S. Federal Statutes define an IED as:
 A modified explosive device built with available materials to achieve
specific results, to destroy, kill, incapacitate, harass or distract.
 A “Destructive Device” means any explosive, incendiary, or poison
gas bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge more than four
ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more
than one-quarter ounce, mine or similar device
The federal term for IED is “Destructive Device (DD)” and can be found
in 26 USC section 5845(f).

5. What are we up against?
IED attacks remain the primary tactic for bombers, terrorists and criminals seeking
relatively uncomplicated, inexpensive means for inflicting
mass casualties and maximum damage.
The use of IED’s represents the most likely domestic threat to the United States,
our citizens, and our way of life.
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6. Explosives
Probability of Threat
Industrial Chemicals
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Biological
Radioactive / Nuclear

7. 2005 London Subway Plot
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Developments
AQ-AP
Hasan
Zindani
al islah-Political Movement
Anwar al-Awlaki
Lindh
Radical Cleric
Mubin Shaikh, 2006 Tronoto
Bomb Plot
2007, Ft. Dix Plot
Al Qaeda

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Surveillance
Citicorp Bank Plot
• Financial Sector targeted
• Duration 1 year +
• Hidden amongst the population
ˉ Dhiren Barot (Issa al Britani)
Known Associates
• Khalid Shaikh Mohammed
•(AQ #2, 911Mastermind)
• Qaisar Shaffi (WMD Conspirator)
• Hambali (JI Operations Chief)

9. The Threat: Progression of IED Sophistication
Home Made Explosives
(HME)
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Vehicle Borne
Improvised
Explosive Device
(VBIED)
Simple Mechanical
Devices
Sophisticated Devices:
Radio/Remote Controlled/DTMF
Digital circuitry
Anti-Disturbance Features
Internet search engine:
Suicide Bombers
Results 1-10 of about 6,980,000 for bomb making. (0.17 seconds)
Terrorist’s tactics are progressing as well!

10. The IED as a Weapons System
Ahmed, age 14, calls on cell
phone
F-16 Delivery Platform Mohammed’s Truck
AGM-65 Maverick Warhead IED
Pilot Key Enabler The Bombmaker
$$$,$$$,$$$ Cost $$$
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LANTIRN Pod, Radar Target Acquisition
Jamal, age 18, records
convoy movements and
patterns in notebook
JSTARS & AWACS Target Movements
Mansour, age 12, checks
trucks
Target
Identification
Intelligence, Surveillance, &
Reconnaissance Assets
Wafik, coordinates attacks
Command and
Control
Military Chain of Command

11. Types of Explosives
What’s the Difference?
High Explosives (HE): Detonating – Above 3300 fps.
A High Explosive is a compound or mixture of compounds which, when subject to
heat, shock, friction or impact undergoes a very rapid self propagating, heat
producing decomposition.
Examples include TNT, C-4, Tetryl, Composition B, ANFO and many more.
Low Explosives (LE): Deflagrating – Below 3300 fps.
Low Explosives create a subsonic explosion and lack HE’s overpressure wave.
Examples include gun powders (black powder, smokeless powder), propellants and most
pyrotechnic materials .
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12. The Fire Triangle!
Elements to support combustion
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13. Deflagration vs. Detonation
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14. Types of Explosions
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1. Mechanical
2. Chemical
3. Fuel Air
4. Nuclear

15. Mechanical Explosion
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16. Flash Powder Pipe Bomb
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17. Fuel Air Explosive (FAE)
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18. Fuel Air Explosive (FAE)
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20. Types of Detonations
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 High Order
 Low Order

21. The Explosive Train
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A Three Stage
Explosive Train

22. Explosive Effects
There are three effects associated with a detonation of an explosive device.
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1. Thermal
2. Blast
3. Fragmentation

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Thermal
Temperatures reach thousands of degrees
High explosives – short duration
Low explosives – long duration

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Blast

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Blast
Shock front

26. Blast ReflectionBl a&st Re fAlectimon &p Amlpilifficiactioan tion
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27. Positive & Negative Phase
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Fragmentation
Primary (1000’s fps)
Container
Munitions case
Shrapnel
Secondary (100’s fps)
Includes the above
Any debris located near the seat of
the blast

29. Combination of Blast & Frag
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31. Critical Components
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Power Source
Initiator
Explosive
Container
Switch

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Electrical
Mechanical
Chemical
Power Source

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Initiator

34. Explosive Main Charge
“…there is enough uncontrolled SEMTEX to support terrorism
throughout the world for 150 years.”
President Vaclav Havel, Czech Republic, 1990
TNT Equivalent: 1.35 (Semtex-H)
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Switch
Arming
Firing

36. Switches/Sensors
Biostatic Microwave Ultrasonic
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AIR
Passive Infrared (PIR)

37. Switches/Sensors
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PIR IMAGES

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Container
•Used to conceal
•Transport
•Increase lethality

39. Type by Function
Three typical type by function categories of IED
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are most commonly used.
1.Time fired
2.Victim operated
3.Command initiated

40. IED detonates after pre-set time delay.
Mechanical, analog, igniferous, digital or electronic
timing mechanisms can be utilized.
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Time Fired
1. Clock 4. Timers
2. Watches 5. Burning fuse
3. Integrated circuits

41. Victim Operated
IED detonates by actions of unsuspecting individuals
1. Disturbance 6. Light
2. Pressure 7. Acoustic
3. Pressure release 8. Magnetic
4. Tension/Pull 9. Passive infra red (PIR)
5. Tension release/Push 10. Active infra red (AIR)
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42. Command Initiated
Bomber to choose optimum moment to detonate IED
1. Cell phones 6.Any combination of
2. Radios transmitter/receiver
3. Doorbells 7. Mechanical (Pull/Release)
4. Keyless entry system 8. Car Alarms
5. Pagers 9. Command wire
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Command Initiated device

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45. IED Threats
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1. Vehicle Borne IED (VBIED)
2. Suicide Bombs (PBIED)
3. Remote Controlled (RCIED)
4. Maritime (WBIED)
5. Multiple/Simultaneous Incidents
6. Soft Target/High Risk Re-Capture
7. Secondary Device

46. IED Standoff Distance (Front)
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47. IED Standoff Distance (Back)
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48. VBIED being counter-charged.
If you can see it, It can see you!
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49. Safety precautions!
1. Do not touch or move suspicious items
2. Move away to a safe distance
3. Prevent others from approaching
4. Communicate safely to staff, visitors and the public
5. Don’t use radios/cell phones in the immediate vicinity of a
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suspect item
6. Notify proper authorities
7. Ensure that whoever found the item or witnessed the incident
remains on hand to brief the police
8. Always be aware of secondary devices
ALWAYS SUSPECT THE DEVICE IS ARMED AND READY TO FIRE

50. Secondary Devices
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Eric Rudolph
Beslan
IRA

51. Things NOT to do with a suspect IED!
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52. Another example of what NOT to do
with a suspect IED
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53. Are there any questions?
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Improvised Explosive Device Awareness
For more information on IED security programs and initiatives contact:
DHS Office for Bombing Prevention
(703) 235-5723
OBP@dhs.gov