2.3.VICTIM OPERATED IED s (VOIED s ) Due the associated humanitarian impact of VOIEDs on communities, they are regularly the focus of MA operations. The reason for this is that they have been deliberately designed to function when a normally safe act is conducted such as walking on the ground or opening a door.
Principle advantages:
• Provides a persistent effect, day and night;
• No requirement for members of the armed group to remain in location or to observe;
• Can remain viable for many years after they are emplaced.
Principle disadvantages:
• Can cause accidental casualties, even long after the conflict has ended;
• Can reduce the mobility of the armed groups that placed the IEDs, unless they have the ability to arm and disarm;
• Can be particularly hazardous to emplace;
VOIEDs can remain concealed for many years after the conflict has ended and can be split into two main subcategories:
• Contact
• Influence
Each of these subcategories can be further subdivided.
2.3.1.CONTACT VOIED s Contact VOIEDs require a physical interaction from a victim (person or vehicle) in order to function. In general, there are four subgroups of contact VOIEDs that are commonly encountered by MA organisations:
• Pressure
• Pressure release
• Tension (pull)
• Tension release
2.3.1.1. PRESSURE
Pressure switches are amongst the most common methods used to initiate a VOIED. There are many types and this section describes the following in more detail:
• Pressure plate – high metal content
• Pressure plate – low metal content
• Syringe
• Crush wire (bead)
IED tactics
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