EOD Basics, Explosive Theory

Question 1

Describe the EO threat.

Answer 1

The EO threat refers to the existence of EH, not to the physical effects of the threat. The threat lies in all operational theatres likely to be encountered by Australian forces

Question 2

Define EOD

Answer 2

The detection, identification, field evaluation, render safe, recovery and final disposal of Explosive Hazards (EH). Also dealing with UXOs beyond the scope of personnel normally assigned.

Question 3

What are the requirements for EOD authorisation?

Answer 3

Complete ADF Module 2 EOD course.

Question 4

How often are you to requalify to maintain EOD currency?

Answer 4

every 3 years.

Question 5

Define IED

Answer 5

• Improvised Explosive Device
• Placed or fabricated in an improvised manner with a destructive, lethal, noxious, pyrotechnic or chemical designed to harass, destroy or disfigure a target

Question 6

What is IEDD?

Answer 6

• Improvised Explosive Device Disposal

- The disposal or render safe

Question 7

What are the Tri service EOD assets and responsibility?

Answer 7

Navy

• AUSCDT
• Responsible for disposal of EH found underwater up to and including the high water mark, on HMAS, where diving or salvage is required and on maritime bases. Does not include inland waterways unless diving is required.

Army

• RAE (Combat Engineers)
• RAAOC (Ammunition Technician)
• Responsible for disposal of conventional EH on land and inland waterways (RAN assistance maybe required). Maintains C2 primacy for the joint environment on land operations.

Air Force

• Combat Support Group (CSG)
• EOD services on all RAAF bases and deployed air bases, air weapon ranges and ADF aircraft crash sites.

Question 8

What are the 4 main elements of command and control (C2) for EOD operations?

Answer 8

Decision making
Intelligence
Deployment of resources
proven procedures

Question 9

Name the Decision making options for EOD

Answer 9

• Ignore
• Avoid
• Blow in place
• Remove
• Render safe and remove

Question 10

What are the 4 EOD catergories?

Answer 10

CAT A
-Incidents that constitute a grave, immediate threat.

CAT B
-Incidents that constitute a threat to equipment, facilities or infrastructure but only an indirect threat to life. May also have an intelligence value.

CAT C
-Incidents that constitute little threat

CAT D
-Incidents that constitute no threat at the present time

Question 11

What are some of the different reports you can log?

Answer 11

• EOD 1 (Initial Report/Tasking, may include 10 liner)
• EOD 2 (Confirmed EO report, Continuation of EOD 1)
• EOD 3 (EOD intelligence report)
• GI-017 (Domestic disposal action report)

Question 12

What is the doctrine composition of and EOD team?

Answer 12

No1 - Leads and conducts task including the RSP/disposal. Primary EOD technician.
No2 - Backup EOD technician can step up. In control while No1 is down on task.
No3/4 - Usually have some EOD qualification for on site support.
An additional 2 personnel to provide team mobility in PMV

Question 13

What is an EOR technician (to be phased out) responsible for?

Answer 13

-EO Recon, to include detailed categorisation, measure and draw on all types of EO

• Detection, ID, evaulation and destruction in place of foreign and domestic EO including:
  1. Conventional LSO up to 160mm
  2. Submunitions
  3. FFR (unguided) up to 160mm
  4. Open booby traps

Question 14

What is an EOR tech (to be phased out) prohibited from disposing in place?

Answer 14

• CBRN munitions
• IED/Closed booby traps/Specialist explosive device
• ADW
• GW

Question 15

What are the categories of explosives?

Answer 15

• Mechanical
• Atomic (fusion and fission)
• Chemical

Question 16

What is an explosive?

Answer 16

Any mixture or chemical compound which under the influence of heat or mechanical action undergoes a sudden chemical change to produce the liberation of energy and the development of heat and high pressure gas.

Question 17

What are the 3 categories of of chemical explosions?

Answer 17

• Combustion - Temperature is raised to ignition point and uses the substance and oxygen in the air to generate heat. If ignition is maintained the substance is consumed by burning.
• Explosion - Combustion where oxygen is supplied by an oxidiser. Much faster than combustion. Maximum burning rate approx 300m/s.
• Detonation - Instantaneous decomposition between atoms in the molecules rather than between substances. A shock wave is generated between 3000 and 9000 m/s.

Question 18

What are the types of detonation?

Answer 18

• Full detonation - High order, Max velocity of detonation
• Partial detonation or deflagration- some explosive is chemically unchanged (likely disintegrated and thrown around)
• Sympathetic detonation
• Burn to detonation

Question 19

What is detonation?

Answer 19

Detonation is the instantaneous decomposition of molecules resulting in a violent and rapid combustion. The rate of decomposition is limited only by the velocity at which the material can transmit the shock wave.

Question 20

What are the classification of explosives and some of their types?

Answer 20

• High explosive

1. Primary Explosive (Lead styphaniate, Lead Azide, Mercuy Fulminate, DDNP)
2. Secondary
   a. Primers or Boosters (CE primer, RDX, PETN)
   b. Main charge (TNT, amatol, HMX, Tritnil, Comp-B)

• -Low explosives are propellants and pyrotechnics. (gunpowder, thermite, cordite)

Question 21

What is the velocity of detonation?

Answer 21

Rate of a shockwave passing through an explosive substance, causing a breakdown of molecules

Question 22

What are the two basic methods of initiating an detonation?

Answer 22

• Burning to detonation
• Shock to detonation

Question 23

How can VoD be measured?

Answer 23

• Speed of the shockwave passing through the material
• Speed at which the explosive is transformed into gases

Question 24

What does VoD typically range from?

Answer 24

2000-9000m/s

Question 25

What are the two types of explosive train?

Answer 25

- Igniferous (low explosive) - Explosive (high explosive)

Question 26

What is the monroe effect?

Answer 26

When detonating an explosive with a cavity at the target end, a jet of gases is formed which concentrates energy onto the target adjacent the charge. Improved with a liner and stand-off

Question 27

What is the misnay-schardin effect

Answer 27

A dish shaped liner at the end of a cylindrical explosive that forms an Explosive Formed Projectile, the projectile does the penetration

Question 28

What are the 4 types of solid propellants?

Answer 28

- Single (NC - Double (NC, NG) - Triple (NC, NG, Nitroguanidine) - Condensed (polymer matrix)

Question 29

What are the two types of liquid propellants their their subcatergories?

Answer 29

Monopropellants - Monergols - Catergols Bipropellants - Hypergolic - Non hypergolic

Question 30

What are some pyrotechnic functions? (DIISSST)

Answer 30

- Delays - Incendiaries - Illumination - Signalling - Sound - Smoke - Tracking

Question 31

What is exudation?

Answer 31

Impurities in the explosive filling which melt and exude from the body of the filling. Crystals or residue formed are extremely sensitive.

Question 32

What is extrusion?

Answer 32

The thermal expansion of HE filling which forces the sealing composition out through the body. Can be sensitive in tropical environments.

Question 33

What are some HE fill techniques?

Answer 33

- Cast - Poured - Pressed - Block fitted

Question 34

What are the 6 critical factors in shape charges?

Answer 34

- Stand off - Initiator Placement - Uniform explosive fill - Cone material - Cone angle - Angle of attack