Website Glossary

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 blast wave is generated by the rapid expansion of hot gases in the atmosphere after an explosion. It starts as a shock wave and then decays into a sound wave.

A Blasting Cap is a small detonator that initiates detonation in the main explosive charge. There are two types: regular delay and short-interval, or millisecond delay. 

A bomb is a munition containing an explosive or other destructive agent designed for delivery by hand, gravity (from aircraft), or a low-velocity launch system (such as a mortar), to cause destruction, damage, injury, or death.

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.

A booby trap is a device, either explosive or non-explosive, specifically designed to cause harm when a seemingly harmless object is disturbed or when a typically safe action is taken.

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.