Projected IEDs (mortars)
Body filled with explosives
Detonating cord booster where fuze will be attached
Image 1. Four projected IEDs abandoned prior to use. Note how readily-available gas cylinders have been used to make the body for the explosive fill, each capable of holding 20 to 30 kg of HME. Two fuzes have been utilised to reduce the possibility of a blind.
2.6.3.METHODS OF DEPLOYMENT Projected IEDs can be launched in a variety of ways. In their simplest form they can be fired from a sloped piece of ground like the bank of a ditch. Clearly this can only be achieved by a rocket and not something which requires a tube, etc. A ground-based system can be used, either completely fabricated or incorporating parts of a military launch system. They can also be mounted on a vehicle giving the armed group the ability to move the system to the desired location. Projected IEDs can be deployed singularly or in multiples up to a reasonable number. They may be deployed covertly to hide their presence until the point of firing, or overtly if there is no requirement to disguise their location from the local population. It depends on the armed group’s intent, capability and opportunity.
Front-end loader
Projected IEDs (mortars)
Multiple launch tube base plate
Image 2. Improvised launch system mounted on a front-end loader. This allows the aim to be easily changed and also allows for the system to be readily moved. The launch system consists of multiple launch tubes.
IED tactics
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