ADVANTAGES OF DEMOLITION IN SITU
• Minimal interaction time in the immediate area of the IED;
• An efficient disposal procedure, requiring the fewest approaches to be made and the fewest actions conducted;
• IED main charges are not required to be subsequently moved to a final disposal site.
DISADVANTAGES OF DEMOLITION IN SITU
• Requires access to and permission to use high explosives;
• Potential to cause damage to surrounding property and infrastructure;
• Requires safe access to the IED main charge(s) for the placement of the donor charge;
• Can remove ground signs of further IEDs in the immediate area.
ׁ WARNING. IEDD operators should not be tempted to use any part of the IED’s firing circuit for demolition in situ. This is an unsafe practice. Serviceable explosives and accessories should be used.
When preparing the donor charge, consideration needs to be given to its size. The donor charge needs to be sufficiently large to propagate a detonation wave through the main charge container, but not so large as to enhance the effects of the main charge exploding. In some instances, it may be possible to remotely place the donor charge using an ROV, which then moves out of the explosive danger area before the charge is initiated. However, MA destruction in situ will normally require the IEDD operator to make a manual approach and place the donor charge by hand.
ׁ REMEMBER. The donor charge should be placed as close to the IED main charge as possible, but not touching it.
ׁ WARNING. IEDD operators must satisfy themselves that the IED main charge is not explosively linked to another unknown main charge. Potentially, multiple donor charges could be used if multiple main charges are located.
In order to achieve the best placement, the IEDD operator will need to know the location and position of the IED’s main charge and formulate a plan on how it can be safely accessed. Generally, for subsurface IEDs some form of excavation will be required to enable a donor charge to be correctly placed. Equally, IED main charges located on the surface or above the surface may mean that the donor charge needs to be elevated. There is no limit to how an IED main charge could be placed and therefore the IEDD operator may need to improvise to ensure correct placement of the donor charge.
IEDD techniques and procedures
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