Website Glossary

Air Blast is the shockwave produced by the detonation of explosives, which can cause damage to nearby structures.

An airburst is the explosion of a bomb or projectile above the surface, as opposed to an explosion on contact with the surface or after penetration.

An explosive charge used primarily in military operations to clear obstacles, such as barbed wire, minefields, or other barriers. Originally devised in 1912, it consists of a long metal tube filled with explosives, typically connected in sections to create a more extended device. The term ‘Bangalore’ originates from its use by the British Indian Army in Bangalore, India, during World War I.

Binary liquid explosives are composed of two components that are stable when stored separately but become highly explosive when mixed in the correct proportions. The components of binary liquid explosives are usually non-explosive or minimally explosive independently, making them safer to manage and transport than traditional explosives. However, when mixed they undergo a chemical reaction rapidly producing a highly explosive compound.

The blast radius is the area around an explosive device within which the effects of the detonation, such as blast pressure, heat, and fragmentation, can cause damage or injury.

A Blasting Cap is a small detonator that triggers the main explosive charge.

Bomb suits are protective ensembles worn by EOD technicians to shield them from the effects of a potential explosion. They typically consist of a helmet, visor, body armour, and gloves.

The tactical operation of creating an opening or entry point in a barrier, such as a wall, door, fence, or obstacle, typically to gain access to a structure or area during military, law enforcement, or emergency response operations. Breaching techniques may involve the use of various tools and methods, including explosives, cutting charges, mechanical breaching tools (such as hydraulic rams or saws), ballistic breaching (using firearms), or manual methods (such as battering rams or sledgehammers). Breaching is critical to many tactical operations, including hostage rescue, building clearance, and urban warfare scenarios.

efforts are essential in modern conflict environments and asymmetric warfare scenarios, where IEDs are commonly used as weapons of choice by non-state actors to target military forces, civilians, and infrastructure. Effective C-IED measures require coordination, collaboration, and integration across multiple agencies and organisations to address the complex and evolving threat of IEDs.

 is a highly specialised and hazardous operation that requires expertise in explosives handling, safety protocols, and environmental protection. Military bomb disposal units, specialised demolition teams, or contracted explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) companies perform CMD operations, following strict procedures and regulations to mitigate risks to personnel and the surrounding environment.

The process of safely and effectively neutralising and disposing of conventional munitions, which are military weapons and ordnance designed for use by armed forces, including artillery shells, bombs, grenades, rockets, missiles, and small arms ammunition.

The strategies, tactics, technologies, and operations employed to detect, prevent, neutralise, and mitigate the threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs). C-IED encompasses a range of activities conducted by military, law enforcement, and security agencies to counter the use of IEDs by insurgents, terrorists, or other adversaries.

An explosive device specifically designed to slice through materials such as metal, concrete, or other structural components. Used in applications where precision cutting or breaching is required, cutting charges are typically composed of a shaped explosive charge that focuses the force of the explosion in a specific direction to achieve a clean and controlled cut. They are often used in conjunction with other demolition or breaching tools to create openings in structures or obstacles. Cutting charges vary in size and design depending on the intended application and target material. 

Deflagration is a rapid combustion process in which a substance burns swiftly, propagating through a material at a subsonic speed. Unlike detonation, which involves a supersonic shockwave, deflagration occurs when a flame front moves progressively through a substance, consuming it as it goes. While deflagration is a rapid process, it is less violent and destructive than detonation.

Explosive devices specifically designed to destroy or dismantle structures, vehicles, obstacles, or other targets in a controlled manner. Demolition charges vary in size, shape, and explosive power, depending on the nature of the target and the desired outcome.

A flexible, tubular explosive device consisting of a core of high explosives – usually PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) or RDX (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine) – encased in a waterproof outer covering. Det cord rapidly transmits a detonation wave along its length with high velocity for applications where precise and controlled initiation of explosive materials is required, such as in demolition, quarrying, and military operations. It is ideal for initiating large charges of high explosives simultaneously or in situations where conventional detonators may not be suitable. Det cord is highly regulated, requiring specialised training for handling and use. 

A device used to initiate the detonation of an explosive material, typically consisting of a small, sensitive explosive charge or other mechanism that, when activated, generates a shockwave or ignition source to trigger the main explosive charge. Detonators play a crucial role in controlling the timing and sequence of explosive events, ensuring safety and precision in explosive operations. Detonators can be electrically, mechanically, or chemically activated, depending on the application’s specific requirements.

Disrupters are devices or technologies used by EOD operators as bomb mitigation solutions. Their primary purpose is to remotely detonate or disable explosive devices from a safe distance.

Highly trained personnel responsible for identifying, assessing, and disposing of explosive threats, often working in high-stress and dangerous environments.

Explosive material or substance designed to detonate upon activation, typically composed of a chemical mixture that rapidly releases gasses and heat, resulting in a sudden and intense expansion of pressure, often accompanied by heat, light, sound, and the release of debris.

The quantity or amount of explosive material in a device, container, or area. The measure of the explosive power or potential contained within the explosives.

Law enforcement, military, and specialised security personnel use EMoE techniques to enter secured or barricaded structures or vehicles. In EMoE operations, trained personnel use precisely placed explosives to breach doors, windows, walls, or other barriers obstructing entry. The explosives are strategically deployed to create a controlled breach, allowing entry into the target location while minimising collateral damage and ensuring the safety of the team and any individuals inside the structure.

Explosive devices that remain in a post-conflict area after the cessation of hostilities. These remnants pose a threat to civilians and can cause death, injury, and property damage. ERW encompass a variety of explosive items, including unexploded ordnance (UXO), abandoned explosive ordnance (AXO), and other explosive hazards such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and booby traps.

Technology used to detect microscopic traces of explosives on surfaces, clothing, or other items.

EFPs are a type of munition for penetrating armour, hardened targets, bunkers, and other fortified structures. They use an explosive charge to form and propel a high-speed projectile. Unlike traditional shaped charges that focus their explosive energy into a directed metal jet, EFPs use a concave metal liner that deforms upon detonation, shaping into a projectile that travels at high velocity towards the target.

Explosives Engineering is a specialised field of engineering that focuses on the design, development, testing, and application of explosive materials and devices. It is a discipline that requires understanding the principles of explosive chemistry, physics, and mechanics to harness the energy released by explosives safely and effectively for specific applications. Explosives engineers work in diverse industries, including mining, construction, demolition, military, and law enforcement. 

Explosive engineering demands a solid foundation in maths, physics, chemistry, engineering principles, and specialised knowledge of explosives and their behaviour. Professionals in this field must adhere to strict safety protocols and regulations to minimise the risk of accidents and protect personnel, property, and the environmen

Explosives management involves the systematic handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of explosive materials to ensure safety, security, and regulatory compliance. It involves protocols, procedures, and technologies to minimise the risks associated with explosives, such as accidental detonations, unauthorised access, theft, or diversion for illicit purposes. Effective explosives management typically includes measures for risk assessment, training, monitoring, and enforcement of relevant laws and regulations to safeguard people, property, and the environment.

The electrical circuit used to initiate the detonation sequence.

High explosives are a class of explosive materials characterised by rapid and violent decomposition, resulting in supersonic shockwave propagation. Compared to low explosives, high explosives undergo a detonation process in which the chemical reaction occurs at speeds faster than the speed of sound. This rapid reaction releases tremendous energy in a fraction of a second, producing a powerful shockwave, heat, light, and gas expansion. Common examples of high explosives include TNT (trinitrotoluene), RDX (cyclo trimethylene trinitramine), PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate), and HMX (cyclo tetramethylene tetra nitramine). Due to their highly reactive nature, high explosives require careful handling, storage, and expertise to ensure safety and effective use.

An HME is an explosive material made using commonly available or improvised ingredients. It is typically produced by individuals or small groups using simple methods and equipment, often without formal training or expertise in explosives chemistry.

HMEs are made from various substances, including household chemicals, agricultural fertilisers, industrial solvents, and other readily available materials. These substances are often mixed and processed to create a volatile explosive compound. Due to their improvised nature, HMEs vary widely in composition, potency, and stability. Their potential for accidental detonation or unintended consequences may pose significant safety risks to the individuals manufacturing them and others in the vicinity.