Website Glossary

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.

HMA addresses the humanitarian impact of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). Humanitarian Mine Action encompasses a range of efforts focused on mitigating the threat posed by these explosive hazards and assisting affected communities in their clearance, risk education, victim assistance, and advocacy efforts. HMA plays a critical role in addressing the humanitarian consequences of landmines, UXO, and ERW and in contributing to peacebuilding, development, and the protection of human rights in affected communities.

A homemade explosive device constructed and deployed in a non-conventional manner, IEDs are created using readily available materials, such as explosives, triggering mechanisms (such as timers, remote controls, or pressure plates), and containers (such as pipes, cans, or vehicles) to conceal and deliver the explosive charge. Often used by insurgent groups, terrorists, or other non-state actors in asymmetrical warfare, terrorism, or guerrilla tactics, IEDs pose a significant threat to military personnel, civilians, and infrastructure, as they can be easily concealed, deployed remotely, and targeted at specific locations or individuals. 

IEDD is the specialised field of operations dedicated to the detection, neutralisation, and disposal of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). IEDD operators are highly trained personnel, often military or law enforcement professionals, possessing expertise in explosives, bomb disposal techniques, and advanced detection technologies. Their primary objective is to safely locate, assess, and render safe improvised explosive devices to minimise the risk of harm to civilians, military personnel, or infrastructure. IEDDs play a crucial role in counter-terrorism efforts and in mitigating the threat posed by IEDs in conflict zones, urban areas, and other environments where hostile actors may employ these devices.

Jetting is the directional force produced by the detonation of explosives.

Kilonewton is a unit of force, equivalent to one thousand newtons, used to measure explosive force

Landmines are explosive devices designed to be detonated by a person’s presence, proximity, or contact. Landmines are typically buried underground and can cause injury or death to civilians long after a conflict has ended.

A class of explosive materials characterised by a slower rate of decomposition or combustion compared to high explosives. In low explosives, the chemical reaction occurs at a subsonic speed, resulting in a slower release of energy. This slower reaction makes low explosives suitable for applications where a sustained, controlled release of energy is required, such as in propellants for firearms, fireworks, or blasting agents for mining and construction. Low explosives are typically less sensitive to shock and friction than high explosives, making them safer to manage and transport.

Handheld tools, such as metal detectors and probes, are used by qualified deminers to locate and safely remove landmines and UXO.

Heavy machinery, such as flails, tillers, and excavators, is used to clear vegetation and unearth buried landmines and UXO.

Mine action is the coordinated efforts by governments, international organisations, and NGOs to address the threat of landmines and UXO through clearance, survey, risk education, victim assistance, and advocacy.

Mine clearance systematically locates, identifies, and neutralises landmines and UXO to render an area safe for civilian use.

MRA is an area identified as contaminated with landmines or UXO, requiring clearance or other risk mitigation measures to protect civilians.

A complete device charged with explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, initiating composition, or nuclear, biological, or chemical material for use in military operations, including demolitions.

Naval mines are explosive devices specifically designed for deployment in water to deter, damage, or destroy enemy ships, submarines, or underwater infrastructure. Either anchored to the seafloor or free-floating, naval mines are equipped with sensors or triggers that activate the explosive charge upon contact or proximity with a vessel.

NEQ is the amount of explosive material in a device or storage facility. The NEQ considers the explosive power of the material and is used to determine safety regulations, storage requirements, transportation restrictions, and other safety considerations. It is essential to ensure the safe handling, storage, and transportation of explosives to minimise the risk of accidents or unauthorised use.

The first stage of mine clearance operations, non-technical surveys, aim to identify, access, collect, report, and use information to discover where mines/ERW are. They are also used to identify Suspected Hazardous Areas (SHA) and Confirmed Hazardous Areas (CHA) where further investigation or clearance may be required. 

Overpressure refers to the increase in pressure caused by the detonation of explosives, measured in pounds per square inch (psi).

A type of malleable high-explosive material, plastic explosives are composed of a mixture of explosive compounds, plasticisers, and stabilisers, resulting in a pliable and versatile substance. Unlike traditional explosives, which are often granular or powdery, plastic explosives are shaped and formed to fit specific needs, such as fitting into tight spaces or sticking to surfaces. Due to their flexibility and stability, plastic explosives are used in various military applications, such as demolition, sabotage, and explosive ordnance disposal. They are also used in civilian contexts for construction, mining, and controlled demolitions. Notable examples of plastic explosives include C-4 and Semtex.

Crewless underwater vehicles operated remotely by a team or individual, ROVs are used for numerous tasks in underwater environments that may be impractical, dangerous, or impossible for humans to go.

The step-by-step process of making an explosive device safe without causing it to detonate.

Seismic monitoring uses sensors to measure ground vibrations produced by explosive demolition.

Shaped charges are explosive devices designed to focus the energy of an explosion in a specific direction or shape. Consisting of an explosive material arranged in a conical or hemispherical shape, typically with a metal liner or casing shaped to concentrate the explosive force, when shaped charges detonate, the explosive energy is directed inward toward a central point, creating a high-velocity jet of hot gases and molten metal. This jet can efficiently penetrate armour, concrete, or other materials. Shaped charges are used in military applications for anti-tank operations and in industrial settings for cutting or piercing thick materials. They can be tailored to specific targets or applications, requiring precise engineering and careful design to achieve the desired effect.

The standoff distance is the designated safe distance from an explosive device or hazardous area to minimise the risk of injury from detonation.

Tamping is the packing of inert material around an explosive charge to direct the force of the explosion.

A detailed assessment of suspected hazardous areas using specialised equipment and techniques to confirm the presence of landmines and ERW before mine clearance operations begin.

Military munitions that have been deployed but failed to explode as intended. UXO can include bombs, grenades, artillery shells, and other explosive devices.

Wireless detonators are triggered remotely without the need for physical wiring.

An examination technique that uses X-ray technology to inspect structures for hidden weaknesses before demolition.

Yield refers to the energy released by an explosive charge – generally measured in tons of TNT equivalent.