Antipersonnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS)
APOBS is an explosive line charge system that allows Soldiers to conduct safe breaching through enemy antipersonnel minefields and multi-strand wire obstacles. It is light enough to be carried by two Soldiers with backpacks and can be deployed within 30 to 120 seconds. Once set in place, the APOBS rocket is fired from a 35-meter standoff position, sending the line charge with fragmentation grenades over the minefield and/or wire obstacle. The grenades neutralize or expose any hazards, and sever wire, effectively clearing a footpath for troops up to 45 meters in length.
Bangalore Torpedo
The M1A3 Bangalore Torpedo Demolition Kit is a man-portable device used to clear paths 3 to 4 meters wide through barbed wire entanglements creating a narrow foot path. Bangalore torpedoes have also been used successfully for clearing heavy undergrowth of bamboo and may also be used as a cratering charge against reinforced concrete targets, especially in connection with shaped charges.
Blasting Caps (Electric and Non-Electric)
DODIC M131, NSN 1375-01-315-1335, Cap, Blasting, Non-Electric, M7 Assembly consists of an aluminum alloy cup containing an ignition charge of lead styphnate, an intermediate charge of lead azide and a base charge of RDX. It is used to detonate all military explosives. When initiated by time-blasting fuse, primer or detonating cord, the ignition charge detonates the intermediate charge which detonates the base charge, which initiates the explosive charge.
DODIC M130, NSN 1375-01-316-1229, Cap, Blasting, Electric, M6 Assembly also has an aluminum alloy cup containing an ignition charge but the charge consists of smokeless powder, potassium chlorate and lead salt of dinitro, ortho cresol and a base charge of RDX. Two 12-foot lead wires, connected by a bridge wire in the ignition charge, extend through a rubber (or rubber and sulfur) plug assembly in the open end of the cup. Two circumferential crimps secure the plug assembly in the cup. The M6 Electric Blasting Cap is used to initiate high explosives with a blasting machine or other suitable source of electric power to detonate all standard military explosives.
Blasting Demolition Kit (BDK)
The Blasting Demolition Kit (BDK) contains a variety of inert items that are field loaded by the user to make charges that can be used against numerous targets and mission scenarios. With this dynamic system developed for the Special Operations Forces and Army Combat Engineers, the Soldier has the capability to tailor charges to the target by using a variety of inert charges. The Soldier assembles a charge for a specific target using BDK components and C4 or other moldable explosives. The kit provides several methods of attaching charges/munitions to targets. The BDK allows the Soldier to construct the smallest, lightest charge feasible with the greatest standoff distance attainable, and maximum precision for numerous types of targets and mission scenarios.
Block Explosive
The M112 block demolition charges are prepackaged, high-explosive charges for general demolition operations, such as cutting, breaching, and cratering. Block charges are rectangular in form except for the 40-pound Composition H6 Cratering charge, M1 military dynamite and the 1/4-pound TNT block demolition charge, which are all cylindrical.
C-4, or composition 4, is a type of plastic explosive that has a plastic binder material coating the explosive chemical. This makes the chemical less sensitive to shock and heat so it is safer to handle, as well as highly malleable so Soldiers can easily change the direction of the explosion. Due to the stabilizer elements of the C-4, it requires a considerable shock to set off. Only a detonator or blasting cap will do the job properly.
Bulk Charges
Bulk demolition charges are prepackaged, high-explosive charges for general demolition operations such as cutting, breaching and cratering. Examples of these are the M112 Demolition Block 1¼ lb. C4, the 40 lb. Cratering Charge and the ¼, ½ and 1 lb. TNT demolition blocks.
Claymore
The M18A1 Claymore Mine is used when a directional, fixed, fragmentation mine is required for the defense of bivouac areas, outposts, and against infiltration tactics. It is also used against thin- skinned vehicles. The main charge may be initiated by electrical or nonelectrical methods. The electrical method is by manual initiation of the electric blasting cap. The nonelectric method makes use of a pull type firing device operated by an observer or by trip wires. The firing device initiates a length of shock tube attached to a non-electric blasting cap.
Detonation Cord
The Type I, Class E Detonating Cord consists of a core of high velocity explosive in a seamless textile tube. The tube is covered with a thin layer of asphalt, and sheathed in an outer cover of plastic coated textile. The plastic outer cover is smooth and colored olive drab. Type I, Class M Detonating Cord, also known as Reinforced Detonating Cord consists of a core of high velocity explosive covered in synthetic textile and encased by a plastic sheath. The outer layer is synthetic textile and finished with a wax coated surface.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Munitions
EOD munitions provide the capability to conduct controlled detonations to destroy explosive hazards seized in raids and those found in weapons caches.
Flexible Sheet Explosive
These demolitions are available both in multi layer block and roll form in various thicknesses. Some sheet explosive has a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape attached to one surface. The demolition charge is designed for cutting, especially against steel targets. The sheets of explosive are easily and quickly applied to irregular and curved surfaces and are easily cut to any desired dimension. The sheets can also be applied in layers to achieve desired thickness.
Fuse Blasting Time
A time-blasting fuse transmits a delayed spit of flame to a non-electric blasting cap, allowing a Soldier to initiate a charge and get to a safe distance before the explosion. The fuse consists of a continuous delay of black powder, tightly wrapped and enclosed by an inner cover of jute yarn counter-wound with cotton yarn and covered with bitumen and a plastic sheath. Once ignited, the burn rate of the fuse is 36 to 44 seconds per foot.
Mine Clearing Line Charge (MICLIC)
MICLIC is a mine clearing device used to clear a path for tanks, vehicles and personnel through minefields and other obstacles. The line charge is propelled over the minefield by a Mk22 5-inch rocket motor and detonated, clearing a one vehicle wide lane 100 meters long and eight meters wide.
Modern Demolitions Initiator (MDI)
MDI is a suite of initiating components used to activate all standard military demolitions and explosives. It gives Soldiers the most modern pieces of equipment in the demolition inventory and ensures that they have the competitive edge required on the battlefield. MDI consists of non-electric blasting cap assemblies with an integral time delay initiator, a time fuse or shock tube and a “J” hook that can be attached to a detonating cord. The recent addition of a pair of booster assemblies makes it possible to safely initiate underground charges. With MDI, Soldiers can successfully complete demolition missions in a safe, quick and easy manner.
M152 Radio Frequency Remote Activation Munition System
The M152 Radio Frequency Remote Activation Munition System (RF RAMS) is a secure, radio-controlled system designed to provide dismounted soldiers/sailors wireless initiation capability of explosives, demolition charges and munitions. The system was initially designed for and fielded to U.S Special Operations Forces personnel as a direct replacement for the M122 Firing Device. The M152 consists of one transmitter and a family of receivers which enables the user to remotely employ and detonate explosives while avoiding direct enemy contact. Prior to engagement, operators can perform a full power range data link test to make sure all signals are active through an automatic self-test that is built into the transmitter and receivers. All operations are verified to the user via light-emitting diode (LED).
Selectable Lightweight Attack Munition and Training Kit
The Selectable Lightweight Attack Munition (SLAM) is a multipurpose munition designed to be readily portable and hand-emplaced against lightly armored infantry vehicles, parked aircraft and petroleum storage sites. It can operate day or night during all weather conditions, and at close range or at a standoff distance of up to 25 feet to defeat selected targets using an explosively-formed penetrator warhead. SLAM has four operating modes: bottom- attack, side-attack, timed-detonation and command-detonation.
SLAM will self-destruct at the end of a set time selected by the operator during its employment. Variants exist for both regular Army and U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF).
Shaped Charges
These charges are shaped so as to concentrate their explosive force in a particular direction. They use high explosives to form a metallic or glass liner into a high velocity jet of molten material with the ability to stretch several times its original length. They can obtain tip velocities that can exceed 8km/second. PM CCS manages two shape types of Demolition Charges: Linearly Shaped, which are used to remotely low-order initiate (blow apart rather than detonate) or cut open explosive ordnance devices in order to render them safe to handle or transport and Conically Shaped, which are used for boring holes in earth, metal, masonry, concrete and paved and unpaved roads.
M153/M316 Time-Delay Sympathetic Detonator
The M153 Time Delay Sympathetic Detonator (TD-SYDET) provides U.S. Special Forces the capability of time delay functioning of explosive charges or sympathetic simultaneous detonation of numerous explosive charges/munitions in the same general vicinity through the command and control of only one charge, eliminating the necessity of physically linking them together. The TD-SYDET also consists of the M316 Inert Trainer.