Deadliest Tech (2012) s01e05 Episode Script
Explosives
Narrator: MILITARY EXPLOSIVES -- DEAFENING DEVASTATION AND LETHAL DESTRUCTION UNLEASHED IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE.
SURGICALLY PRECISE MAYHEM OBLITERATING ENEMY OBSTACLES, ENEMY HARDWARE, AND THE ENEMY ITSELF.
IT PACKS A REALLY GOOD WALLOP.
Narrator: WE'LL EXPLORE THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN EXPLOSIVES DESIGN THAT ARE PUSHING THE EDGE OF HOW EXPLOSIVES ARE USED IN COMBAT GOING DEEP INSIDE WHAT THE EXPERTS CALL THE HURT LOCKER AND REVEALING STUNNING DETAILS ABOUT THE RAPIDLY EVOLVING WORLD OF COMBAT EXPLOSIVES CUTS JUST LIKE BUTTER.
Narrator: THAT WILL MAKE YOU REASSESS EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS SPECIALIZED ARENA OF WAR.
RANGING FROM BANGALORE TORPEDOES THAT BLAST THROUGH BARRIERS, TO ADVANCED CLAYMORES THAT UNLEASH HUNDREDS OF METAL PELLETS WITH REMARKABLE ACCURACY, TO SPIDER MINES THAT LAUNCH A WEB OF DISCRIMINATE DESTRUCTION.
NOW ON "DEADLIEST TECH: EXPLOSIVES.
" CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS AT ITS HEART, MODERN WARFARE IS ABOUT VIOLENT DESTRUCTION, AND NO MILITARY ASSET DESTROYS WITH MORE SUDDEN, SHOCKING, AND, IF NEED BE, SURGICAL PRECISION THAN EXPLOSIVES.
THE EXPLOSIVES USED IN COMBAT TODAY ARE THE MOST POWERFUL AND MOST DEADLY EVER DEVISED.
THEY COME IN MANY FORMS BUT SHARE A COMMON PURPOSE -- TO ANNIHILATE ANY MILITARY TARGE THAT THREATENS AN ARMY'S SOLDIERS OR STANDS IN THEIR WAY.
Nichols: EXPLOSIVES ON THE BATTLEFIELD REALLY SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A BUCKET OF ENERGY -- ENERGY THAT IS RELEASED ON YOUR SCHEDULE AGAINST THE ENEMY, MAYBE ON LAND, MAYBE UNDERWATER, MAYBE A BURST IN THE AIR.
Narrator: THE EXPERTS TRAINED TO HARNESS THIS DESTRUCTIVE ENERGY ARE THE COMBAT ENGINEERS.
BY DESTROYING ENEMY ASSETS, FROM BRIDGES TO ROADS TO AMMO DUMPS, THEY CAN BE THE CRUCIAL VARIABLE THAT HELPS SEIZE VICTORY ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
BLACKBURN, THIS IS THE MARINE CORPS ENGINEER SCHOOL REQUESTING TO OCCUPY E.
T.
A.
7.
OVER.
WORKING WITH EXPLOSIVES IN COMBAT ZONES DEMANDS THE ULTIMATE IN SELF-CONTROL AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE.
IN OPERATIONS LIKE THIS ONE, VETERAN ENGINEERS PASS THE DISCIPLINE FORWARD.
THE EXPLOSIVES THEY HANDLE ARE THE REAL THING.
Man: YOU DO NOT RUN FOR NO REASON.
DO NOT PULL THE SMOKE AND WORRY YOU'RE NOT GONNA HAVE TIME TO GET BACK TO THE BUNKER.
THE INSTRUCTOR'S GOT IT FIGURED OU AND WENT THROUGH THIS PLENTY OF TIMES TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE IN A SAFE AREA.
Narrator: A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT MILITARY EXPLOSIVES IS THAT ONE ENEMY BULLET OR A BUMP IN THE ROAD CAN SET THEM OFF.
BUT DECADES OF SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMEN HAVE ADAPTED THEM TO THE PERILS OF COMBAT CONDITIONS.
INGENIOUS ENGINEERING HAS MADE THEM REMARKABLY STABLE.
IN ALL THE MILITARY EXPLOSIVES, ONE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS IS IT HAS TO BE INSENSITIVE TO SHOCK AND FRICTION, SO ALL OF OUR EXPLOSIVES, YOU CAN TAKE THEM, YOU CAN DROP THEM, YOU CAN FALL ON THEM, AND THEY DON'T BLOW UP UNTIL YOU PU THE SENSITIVE BLASTING CAP ON THE INSIDE OF THEM.
IT TAKES HEAT AND PRESSURE TO MAKE THIS EXPLODE.
Narrator: THAT CRUCIAL PROPERTY APPLIES TO THIS CLAY-LIKE SUBSTANCE CALLED C4.
IT'S 30% MORE POWERFUL THAN TNT.
91% OF C4 IS AN EXPLOSIVE CALLED RDX.
THE REST IS A PLASTIC BINDING MATERIAL THAT ACTS AS A PROTECTIVE COATING, INSULATING THE EXPLOSIVE COMPONEN FROM HEAT AND FRICTION.
IT HAS BEEN THE EXPLOSIVE OF CHOICE FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS AND MARINES FOR YEARS.
PACKS A REALLY GOOD WALLOP.
Narrator: DESPITE ITS EXPLOSIVE POWER, C4 IS SO STABLE, IT CAN STAY VIABLE FOR DECADES ON AN ARMORY SHELF.
Man: WITH THIS STICK RIGHT HERE, IF YOU LOOK AT THIS DATE RIGHT HERE, SEPTEMBER 1970 IS WHEN THIS WAS ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED, SO WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT? 42 YEARS OLD RIGHT THERE.
PRETTY OLD PIECE OF EXPLOSIVE, AND IT WORKS GREAT.
Narrator: THE PLASTIC BINDER THAT MAKES C4 STABLE ALSO GIVES IT ANOTHER INVALUABLE TRAIT.
Man: ONE THING ABOUT C4 THAT'S SO BEAUTIFUL IS ALL THIS IS MOLDABLE.
YOU CAN CHANGE THE SHAPE OF IT, SO IF I WANT TO WRAP IT AROUND A STEEL BAR -- ANYTHING I WANT TO WRAP IT AROUND, THIS IS MOLDABLE TO THAT TARGET.
Narrator: CONFORMING C4 TO THE TARGE ENLARGES THE SURFACE AREA THAT THE EXPLOSIVE CONTACTS, MAXIMIZING THE DAMAGE.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, C4'S MALLEABILITY MEANS IT CAN BE SHAPED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT WILL DIRECT THE FORCE OF THE BLAST.
THIS TYPE OF EXPLOSIVE IS APTLY CALLED A SHAPED CHARGE -- ONE OF MANY THESE MARINES WILL PREP AND DETONATE.
Henson: SO, WHAT WE DO IS WE'LL TAKE THE C4, AND WE GIVE IT A CONICAL SHAPE, AND WHAT HAPPENS IS, IS WHEN THIS CONICAL SHAPE DETONATES, THE CONE IS GONNA INVERT, CREATING A MOLTEN JE THAT'S GONNA SHOOT THAT EXPLOSIVE DOWN THROUGH THE SURFACE, MAKING A HOLE IN THE SURFACE.
Narrator: THIS PHENOMENON IS CALLED THE MUNROE EFFECT, NAMED FOR THE CHEMIST WHO DISCOVERED IT IN 1885.
THE EFFECT ILLUSTRATES A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF EXPLOSIVES.
FROM THE POINT OF DETONATION, A BLAST FOLLOWS A DISTINCT PATH IN ONE DIRECTION.
Nichols: AN EXPLOSIVE RUNS FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER, AND, IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK A SLOW-MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY OF MILITARY-GRADE MUNITIONS, YOU WOULD SEE THAT THE EXPLOSIVE WOULD START, AND THEN THAT EXPLOSIVE TRAIN WOULD PASS.
Narrator: THE SHOCK WAVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME IS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT.
IN THIS VIRTUALLY INSTANTANEOUS MOMENT, THERE'S ONE VARIABLE -- THE EXPLOSIVE'S SPEED.
Nelson: EXPLOSIVES BURN.
THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.
IT'S JUST HOW FAST THEY BURN.
HIGH EXPLOSIVES BURN FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF SOUND.
LOW EXPLOSIVES -- SLOWER.
Narrator: C4 IS A HIGH EXPLOSIVE.
IT TRAVELS AT 18,000 MILES PER HOUR, OR FIVE MILES PER SECOND.
THAT'S IDEAL FOR CUTTING THROUGH HARD, METALLIC TARGETS, FROM STEEL DOORS TO BRIDGE SUPPORTS.
BUT SOME TACTICAL EXPLOSIONS DEMAND A LOW EXPLOSIVE WITH A SLOWER RATE OF SPEED.
ONE EXAMPLE IS A CRATERING CHARGE, WHICH THE MARINES WILL BURY INSIDE THIS HOLE.
A CHARGE LIKE THIS CAN BE USED TO BLAST DOWN TO AN ENEMY BUNKER OR CREATE AN IMPASSIBLE BARRIER ON AN ENEMY ROAD.
THE EXPLOSIVE OF CHOICE IS AMMONIUM NITRATE.
WHAT THAT BASICALLY IS, MORE OF A PUSHING CHARGE, SO WHEN IT BLOWS UP IN THE DIRT, IT'S GONNA LAST, LET'S SAY, A SPLIT SECOND LONGER TO BASICALLY PUSH ALL THAT DIRT OUT OF THE HOLE AND MAKE A VERY LARGE HOLE, WHICH MAKES A VERY BIG OBSTACLE.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST SHOT WE DO OUT HERE -- 40 POUNDS.
Narrator: SOMETIMES IT'S NOT THE WEIGHT OF THE EXPLOSIVE THAT MATTERS, BUT THE LENGTH.
A BANGALORE TORPEDO IS A SERIES OF LINKED TUBES TYPICALLY CONTAINING C4.
IT ALLOWS A COMBAT ENGINEER TO EXTEND HIS REACH INTO A ZONE TOO DEADLY TO ENTER.
ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD AND PUSH IT.
YOU CAN TAKE THESE, AND YOU CAN CONNECT ONE OF THESE, WHICH IS FIVE FOOT LONG, TO ANOTHER ONE, WHICH IS ANOTHER FIVE FOOT LONG, WHICH YOU CAN GO AS LONG AS YOU PRETTY MUCH WANT.
AND YOU BASICALLY CAN PUSH IT INTO THE TARGE UP TO 40 FEET LONG -- HOWEVER LONG YOU PRETTY MUCH WANT IT.
GOOD PIECE OF GEAR.
Nichols: BANGALORE TORPEDOES WERE DEVELOPED IN WORLD WAR II AND UTILIZED FOR BREACHING PRIOR TO ASSAULT FORCES OR DURING AN ASSAULT OF A BEACH, FOR INSTANCE.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS YOU'RE TRYING TO GIVE YOUR ASSAULT FORCE A SAFE WAY THROUGH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF REAL ESTATE.
Narrator: A BANGALORE, WHICH EXPLODES AT 360 DEGREES, IS TAILOR-MADE FOR BLASTING A PATH THROUGH A MINEFIELD OR A BARBED-WIRE BARRIER, LIKE THE ONE THE MARINES HAVE ASSEMBLED HERE.
Man: WHAT THEY'LL DO IS THEY'LL JUST TAKE THIS, SET IT ON THE GROUND.
THEY'LL JUST PUSH IT RIGHT ON THROUGH THERE, AND IT'S GONNA MAKE A BIG, GAPING HOLE WHERE ALL THE MARINES, OR WHOEVER'S BASICALLY THERE, CAN BASICALLY RUN THROUGH THERE AND GET TO WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO GET TO.
Narrator: INSERTING A BANGALORE INTO A LIVE MINEFIELD RISKS A PREMATURE BLAS THAT COULD SET OFF THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF C4 AND KILL THE ENGINEERS.
THE SOLUTION IS AS SIMPLE AS IT IS EFFECTIVE.
THERE'S A TRICK TO THAT.
BASICALLY, WHAT IT IS, YOU JUST PUT A STICK OF WOOD -- THAT'S CALLED A DUMMY SECTION -- AND THAT WAY, IF YOU DID HIT AN EXPLOSIVE, IT WOULD JUST BLOW UP THE PIECE OF WOOD AND WOULDN'T BASICALLY HURT YOU.
Narrator: AFTER SETTING SEVERAL CHARGES, THE MARINES INITIATE THE FIRING SEQUENCE WITH DELAYED ACTION FUSES.
THE FUSES WILL BURN TO BLASTING CAPS PLACED IN THE EXPLOSIVES, TRIGGERING SMALL BLASTS THAT WILL SET OFF THE MAIN CHARGES.
A NEARBY BUNKER PROVIDES COVER.
[ LOUD EXPLOSIONS .]
Man: RIGHT THERE IS YOUR SHAPED.
THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD JUST REGULAR BLAST AT THE SURFACE.
LISTEN TO THIS NEXT ONE.
IT'S GONNA BE JUST MORE OF A THUD.
THE CRATER CHARGE -- NOT GONNA BE AS LOUD.
YOU CAN TELL IT'S UNDERGROUND.
[ LOW EXPLOSIONS .]
HEAR THE DISTINCT DIFFERENCE IN THE TWO? ONE WAS LIKE, "WOW.
" IT'S LIKE, "WOW.
THAT WAS AN EXPLOSION.
" THAT ONE WAS ACTUALLY 40 POUNDS -- 25 MORE POUNDS OF EXPLOSION -- A LOT MORE.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WITH IT BEING A LOT MORE, IT DIDN'T EVEN REALLY MATTER BECAUSE IT WAS UNDERGROUND AND TAMPED.
[ EXPLOSIONS .]
AS YOU CAN TELL, WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE BIT LOUDER AND LOUDER.
YOU GUYS FEEL THE SHAKE? All: YES, STAFF SERGEANT.
PRETTY GOOD SHAKE.
Narrator: THE DEVASTATING EFFECT OF THE EXPLOSIONS IS EVIDENT.
THE BANGALORE TORPEDOES HAVE BLOWN A WIDE PATH THROUGH THE BARBED WIRE.
THE CRATERING CHARGE HAS CARVED A HOLE 8 FEET DEEP AND 10 FEET WIDE.
COMBAT ENGINEERS CAN ACHIEVE EQUALLY DESTRUCTIVE RESULTS EVEN IF THEIR SUPPLY LINES ARE CUT, AND THEY LACK MUCH OF THEIR PREFABRICATED EQUIPMENT.
IN A PARALLEL TO THE TACTICS USED BY IRAQI AND AFGHANI INSURGENTS, THEY ARE TRAINED TO CRAFT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES USING WHATEVER RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE.
Man: EVERYTHING THAT WE TEACH THE MARINES TO CREATE OUT HERE, IT'S ALSO BEING USED AGAINST US, SO WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE WHAT WE HAVE OVER THERE, USE THE EXPLOSIVES THAT WE HAVE, AND TURN IT INTO SOMETHING TO USE BACK AGAINST THEM.
Narrator: THE BOTTOM PORTION OF A WINE BOTTLE MAKES AN IDEAL RECEPTACLE FOR A SHAPED CHARGE.
TO SEPARATE IT CLEANLY FROM THE TOP HALF, A THIN LAYER OF PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE, CALLED A DETASHEET, IS APPLIED TO THE BOTTLE THEN BURNED OFF.
ONCE THE EXPLOSIVE'S COMPLETELY BURNED OFF OF THE BOTTLE, HE'S GONNA DIP IT DOWN IN THE WATER AND SUPER-COOL IT, AND THEN IT'S GONNA GIVE IT A NICE, CLEAN CUT.
Man: ALL RIGHT, SO THAT SHOULD BE GOOD.
HEAR THE LITTLE CRACK ON IT.
ALL RIGHT.
CUTS RIGHT OFF.
Narrator: THE BASE OF THE BOTTLE'S INTERIOR HAS A CONICAL SHAPE.
C4 WILL BE MOLDED ON TOP OF IT.
WHEN DETONATED, THE FORCE OF THE BLAS WILL BE DIRECTED DOWNWARD, ACCORDING TO THE MUNROE EFFECT.
Henson: WE TRY TO FIND THE WINE BOTTLES THAT HAVE THE DEEPEST CONE IN IT, SO IT GIVES THAT 60-DEGREE ARC.
THE 60-DEGREE ARC IS WHAT'S GONNA MAKE THAT EXPLOSIVE TURN INTO A SHAPED CHARGE.
Narrator: ATTACHING NAILS TO THE BOTTLE OFFSETS THE MOLDED C4 FROM ITS TARGET -- A CINDER BLOCK.
THIS WILL MAKE THE DIRECTED CHARGE MORE EFFECTIVE.
Henson: THE EXPLOSIVES WERE SO POWERFUL THAT IT ACTUALLY JUST DISINTEGRATED THE BLOCK AND BLEW IT OUT OF THE WAY.
Narrator: COMBAT ENGINEERS CAN CRAF ANOTHER IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE CALLED A SLAM.
METALLIC LIDS FROM EQUIPMENT CANISTERS ARE TAPED TOGETHER TO FORM A PROJECTILE.
Henson: I'M GONNA TAKE SOME PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE.
THIS IS C4 RIGHT HERE.
AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS THEY'RE GONNA CUT THE C4, AND THEY'RE GONNA PACK IT ONTO THE BACK SIDE OF THESE LIDS.
WHAT THEY'RE ATTEMPTING TO DO IS THEY'RE GONNA TRY TO TAKE THIS METAL, TURN IT INTO A SLUG, AND THEY'RE GONNA TRY TO SHOOT THROUGH THAT PIECE OF WOOD RIGHT THERE.
Narrator: THE METALLIC FRAGMENTS HAVE STRUCK THE HALF-INCH PLYWOOD BOARD AT 27,000 FEET PER SECOND.
THE INJURY TO AN ENEMY SOLDIER WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.
Henson: OBVIOUSLY, FLESH IS A LOT MORE WEAK THAN THIS.
CUTS JUST LIKE BUTTER.
SO, THIS RIGHT HERE WOULD ACTUALLY PENETRATE THE PERSON AND POSSIBLY GO COMPLETELY THROUGH THEM, AS WELL.
Narrator: A SIMILAR IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE MIMICS AN ANTIPERSONNEL DIRECTIONAL MINE CALLED A CLAYMORE.
NAILS ARE ADDED TO THE ASSEMBLY THAT ACT AS SHRAPNEL.
Henson: WHEN THE EXPLOSIVE DETONATES, IT'S GONNA SHOOT ALL THESE NAILS IN THAT DIRECTIONAL PATTERN TO TRY TO TAKE OUT PERSONNEL, JUST LIKE A CLAYMORE MINE WOULD.
Narrator: AGAIN, IT'S DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE AN ENEMY SOLDIER SURVIVING THE BLAST.
Henson: THIS RIGHT HERE IS THE WORST PART RIGHT HERE, BECAUSE ALL THESE LITTLE METAL PIECES, ONCE THEY ENTER THE BODY, THEY JUST START BOUNCING AROUND OFF OF BONE AND STUFF, SO THEY END UP SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE TORSO.
Narrator: WHETHER THEIR TARGETS ARE THE ENEMY'S PERSONNEL OR MATERIAL ASSETS, THE COMBAT ENGINEERS ARE AN INTEGRAL PAR OF ANY ARMED FORCES' STRATEGIC GAME PLAN.
ONE TIMELY BLAST COULD BE THE PIVOTAL ACTION ENSURING VICTORY.
NEXT, THE GIANT MINE-CLEARING MARVEL THAT USES EXPLOSIVES TO DESTROY EXPLOSIVES.
WE'LL REVEAL HOW ONE PUSH OF A BUTTON BY THE OPERATOR IS MAKING A GAME-CHANGING DIFFERENCE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
Narrator: SURGICALLY PLACED EXPLOSIVES ARE AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS, DEPLOYED AS BOTH OFFENSIVE WEAPONS AND DEFENSIVE PERIMETERS.
THEY'RE A CRITICAL ELEMENT OF A SOUND MILITARY STRATEGY.
EXPLOSIVES ARE AN EVEN MORE FUNDAMENTAL ASSE FOR REBEL AND INSURGENT FORCES WAGING NON-TRADITIONAL WARFARE.
IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ARE THE LARGEST KILLER OF AMERICAN TROOPS.
I.
E.
D.
s ARE MADE FROM EVERYTHING FROM FERTILIZER TO DIESEL FUEL TO OLD MORTAR SHELLS AND MINES.
THEY CAN BE DETONATED WHEN A VEHICLE OR SOLDIER PASSES OVER A PRESSURE PLATE OR BLOWN UP BY REMOTE CONTROL.
THEY CAN BE AS DANGEROUS FOR THE MAKER AS THEY ARE TO THE INTENDED VICTIM.
Glenn: YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU CAN ACTUALLY TRIGGER AND SET OFF THAT DEVICE AND KILL AND HURT YOURSELF AND/OR THOSE AROUND YOU.
MAN: There's two individuals, and they're digging around in the ground.
Narrator: THIS ELEMENTAL TRUTH ABOUT EXPLOSIVES WAS ALL TOO EVIDENT IN AFGHANISTAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2009.
APACHE GUNSHIPS WERE READY TO ATTACK AS THEY OBSERVED TWO INSURGENTS PLACING A ROADSIDE I.
E.
D.
MAN #2: Is that a kid? Damn it! The kid appears to be carrying something over into the vicinity.
Okay, go away, kid.
Go away, kid.
Go away, kid.
WHEN THE TWO INSURGENTS ARE LEFT ALONE, THE APACHES HAVE THEIR TARGETS ISOLATED, BUT FATE INTERVENES.
An individual is moving.
Roger.
Good copy.
Whoa! Never mind.
Break.
Break.
It just detonated by itself.
They just blew themselves up.
They apparently just blew themselves up.
THE PERVASIVE THREAT OF EXPLOSIVE BOOBY TRAPS LIKE THIS HAS COMPELLED THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE NEW COUNTERMEASURES.
THE HUSKY IS ONE OF THE MOS BLAST-SURVIVABLE VEHICLES IN AFGHANISTAN.
USING GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR, IT DETECTS AND IDENTIFIES MINES AND I.
E.
D.
s.
SINCE MANY I.
E.
D.
s ARE MADE FROM NONMETALLIC AND NONMAGNETIC COMPONENTS, THE HUSKY FINDS THE EXPLOSIVES THAT STANDARD MINE DETECTORS CANNOT.
THE NEWEST HUSKIES ARE DESIGNED IN SECTIONS.
IN THE EVENT OF AN I.
E.
D.
EXPLOSION, THE FRONT SECTION IS DESIGNED TO BREAK AWAY.
THE CREW CAN THEN REBUILD THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITH MINIMAL EFFOR AND CONTINUE THEIR MISSION.
ANOTHER INNOVATIVE VEHICLE, THE BUFFALO, IS ALSO BATTLING THE THREAT OF ENEMY MINES AND I.
E.
D.
s.
THE SIX-WHEELED BUFFALO IS FULLY PROTECTED FOR THE JOB.
WRAPPED IN CAGE ARMOR TO STOP RPGs, IT HAS A V-SHAPED HULL TO PROTECT IT FROM ROADWAY I.
E.
D.
s, BALLISTIC GLASS FOR SHRAPNEL AND SMALL-ARMS FIRE, AND AN INFRARED CAMERA TO DETEC THE HEAT SIGNATURE OF ENEMY ORDINANCE.
THE BUFFALO IS A VARIATION OF THE MILITARY'S MINE-RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED ARMORED VEHICLE, OR MRAP.
IT WEIGHS MORE THAN 22 TONS AND COMES EQUIPPED WITH A 30-FOOT ROBOTIC ARM AND CLAW.
THE CREW OPERATES THE ARM FROM WITHIN THE ARMORED HULL, USING A CAMERA AND SENSORY EQUIPMENT.
THE BUFFALO ENABLES ITS CREW TO DIG UP EXPLOSIVES FROM ROADWAYS, THEN USE ROBOTS OR CALL IN ORDINANCE-DISPOSAL TEAMS TO DETONATE THEM AT A SAFE DISTANCE.
THE SYSTEM IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE, BUT CLEARING A SINGLE EXPLOSIVE CAN TYPICALLY CONSUME AN HOUR OR MORE.
IT'S A PROCEDURE PRACTICAL ONLY IN AN AREA THAT'S REASONABLY SECURE OR WHERE TIME IS NOT OF THE ESSENCE.
DURING AN INTENSE COMBAT OPERATION, THE CHALLENGE OF CLEARING ENEMY EXPLOSIVES DEMANDS A REVOLUTIONARY NEW TECHNOLOGY.
THIS HEAVILY-ARMORED 72-TON ROLLING TITAN IS CALLED THE ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE, OR A.
B.
V.
Hubbard: WE'RE ABLE TO DO THE WORK WITH ONE VEHICLE AND JUST A FEW MARINES OF THE SAME AMOUNT THAT IT WOULD TAKE AS A SQUAD, POSSIBLY, OR MORE DISMOUNTED MARINES TO DO THE SAME WORK.
Narrator: PART TANK, PART BULLDOZER, IT IS CRAMMED WITH 7,000 POUNDS OF EXPLOSIVES.
THE A.
B.
V.
FIGHTS EXPLOSIVES WITH EXPLOSIVES.
IT'S TAILOR-MADE FOR DESTROYING MINEFIELDS AND I.
E.
D.
s, PROTECTING INSURGENT STRONGHOLDS.
IN AFGHANISTAN, A.
B.
V.
s WITH NICKNAMES RANGING FROM "THE JOKER" TO "ICEMAN" ARE REWRITING THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.
THE A.
B.
V.
CAN CLEAR A ROUTE FASTER THAN DISMOUNTED PATROLS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE TO ACTUALLY FIND THE I.
E.
D.
s.
ALL IT HAS TO DO IS RUN THROUGH THEM.
IT KEEPS THE ENGINEERS SAFER INSIDE OF AN ARMORED VEHICLE, AND IT SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS ALMOST TENFOLD.
Narrator: THE ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE'S KEY EXPLOSIVE MECHANISM IS CALLED THE MINE-CLEARING LINE CHARGE, OR MCLC.
WHAT'S UP HERE -- WE HAVE THE ROCKET, AND WHAT THESE ROCKETS DO IS THEY SHOOT OUR EXPLOSIVE LINE CHARGE.
OUR EXPLOSIVE LINE CHARGE SHOOTS, I WOULD SAY, A SAUSAGE LINK OF C4 IN ABOUT 100 METERS, SO ESSENTIALLY, WE CAN CLEAR A ROUTE ABOUT THE LENGTH OF A FOOTBALL FIELD.
Narrator: THE MCLC'S FLEXIBLE TUBE IS ABOUT ONE FOOT THICK AND FILLED WITH NEARLY ONE TON OF C4.
A NYLON ROPE ATTACHES THE TUBE TO A 5-INCH ROCKET.
A PUSH OF A BUTTON LAUNCHES THE ROCKET, WHICH PROPELS THE EXPLOSIVE LINE OVER THE TARGETED AREA.
THEN THE A.
B.
V.
's OPERATOR SENDS AN ELECTRICAL PULSE TO THE CHARGE, DETONATING IT.
THE MASSIVE EXPLOSION SETS OFF ANY MINES OR I.
E.
D.
s WITHIN A SECTOR 45 FEET WIDE AND MORE THAN 100 YARDS LONG.
Murray: WHEN IT DETONATES, IT SENDS A PRESSURE WAVE INSIDE OF AN ARMORED VEHICLE.
IT'S LIKE SOMEBODY WALKED UP TO YOU AND SHOVED YOU.
Narrator: AND NO ONE FEELS THE FORCE OF A BLAST MORE THAN THE DRIVER, WHO SITS IN FRONT.
BEING IN THE FRONT, I MIGHT FEEL THE BOAT HARDER, BUT THEN AGAIN, WE HAVE THE PLOW, WHICH IS BASICALLY PROTECTING ME, AS WELL.
THAT'S EXTRA PROTECTION FOR ME, SO I FEEL PRETTY SAFE IN HERE.
Narrator: AS THE A.
B.
V.
MANEUVERS THROUGH THE DANGER ZONE, IT OFTEN SETS OFF MINES AND I.
E.
D.
s DIRECTLY IN ITS PATH.
THIS 15-FOOT-WIDE PLOW DEFLECTS THE FORCE OF THOSE EXPLOSIONS AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE.
IT BURROWS 14 INCHES BENEATH THE GROUND, DIGGING A SAFETY LANE, THROUGH WHICH THE A.
B.
V.
AND GROUND TROOPS CAN PASS.
THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM SHOVES POLES INTO THE GROUND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LANE TO MARK IT CLEARLY.
THIS IS THE LANE-MARKING SYSTEM.
HERE, WE HAVE A GREEN SIDE AND AN ORANGE SIDE.
AFTER WE PROOF A LANE, THE L.
M.
S.
POLES ARE SHOT INTO THE DECK TO LET THE FOLLOWING FORCES BEHIND US KNOW THAT THE ROUTE'S BEEN CLEARED.
THEY DON'T WANT TO GET OUTSIDE THIS POLE.
THEY GOT TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY INSIDE OF IT, 'CAUSE OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S THE LANE THAT'S BEEN PROOFED.
Narrator: THE ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE IS AN INGENIOUSLY DESIGNED ASSET, TAILORED FOR 21st-CENTURY WARFARE.
AS LONG AS AMERICA'S ENEMIES USE EXPLOSIVES AS THEIR PRIMARY WEAPONS, EXPLOSIVES WILL LIKELY BE USED IN THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES INTENDED TO NEUTRALIZE THEM.
NEXT, A COMPUTER-CONTROLLED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE AS SMART AS IT IS DEADLY.
WE'LL REVEAL HOW IT CAN KILL ONE ENEMY SOLDIER, THEN BE PRIMED REMOTELY TO TAKE OUT ANOTHER.
Narrator: FEW OF WAR'S WEAPONS HAVE AS SUDDEN, SHOCKING, AND DESTRUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES AS EXPLOSIVES.
FOR FOOT SOLDIERS, THE MOST FEARSOME OF ALL COMBAT EXPLOSIVES ARE ANTIPERSONNEL LAND MINES.
THEY MAKE THE BATTLEFIELD ONE BIG EXPLOSIVE BOOBY TRAP.
THEY CAN BE TRIGGERED IN MANY WAYS, BUT MOST COMMONLY, THEY USE THE PRESSURE OF A PERSON'S FOO TO INITIATE THE FIRING SEQUENCE.
Nelson: LAND MINES ARE USED FOR AREA DENIAL.
IF THERE'S A MINEFIELD, PEOPLE ARE NOT GONNA GO THROUGH IT.
THEY'RE GONNA AVOID IT.
SO, IF YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE COMING INTO AN AREA, YOU MINE IT.
Narrator: LAND MINES ARE UNIQUE AMONG ALL COMBAT WEAPONS AND ALL THE MORE TERRIFYING BECAUSE THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED NOT TO KILL.
MILLIONS WERE USED DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.
Nichols: THE ANTIPERSONNEL LAND MINE'S PURPOSE IS NORMALLY TO MAIM RATHER THAN TO KILL, BECAUSE IT CAUSES MORE OF A PROBLEM FOR THE ENEMY TO TAKE CARE OF A WOUNDED COMRADE THAN IT DOES TO TAKE CARE OF SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN KILLED.
Nelson: WHEN YOU HAVE A MINE THAT BLOWS SOMEBODY'S FOOT OFF OR, YOU KNOW, IT TAKES A LIMB OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT'S JUST THE NATURAL IMPULSE OF HIS TEAMMATES TO RUN TO HIS AIDE.
AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'D LIKE YOU TO DO -- TO RUN INTO THE MINEFIELD, AND YOU TAKE OUT MORE PEOPLE.
Narrator: ANOTHER FACTOR SETS LAND MINES APAR FROM ALL OTHER COMBAT WEAPONS.
WHEN WARS END, THE LAND MINES REMAIN.
Nichols: THE DANGER WITH LAND MINES AND THE REASON THAT, IN MANY WAYS, THEY ARE JUST SO INSIDIOUS, IS BECAUSE THEY REMAIN THERE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
Narrator: A CENTURY OF MODERN WARFARE HAS LITTERED THE GLOBE WITH 110 MILLION LAND MINES, PRIMED TO KILL OR MAIM INNOCENT CIVILIANS.
ANOTHER 2.
5 MILLION ARE LAID EVERY YEAR.
HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS HAVE COMPELLED THE PENTAGON TO ABANDON TRADITIONAL LAY-AND-FORGET LAND MINES.
ITS ANSWER IS THE M18 CLAYMORE MINE, WHICH CAN BE FIRED REMOTELY BY A SOLDIER IN THE FIELD.
THE CLAYMORE IS A DIRECTIONAL MINE.
WHEN DETONATED, A LAYER OF C4 BLASTS OUT 700 STEEL PELLETS IN A DEADLY 60-DEGREE ARC.
ANY ENEMY WITHIN 100 YARDS OF THE MINE IS IN THE KILL ZONE.
IN AN EFFORT TO DEVELOP AN EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE, SMARTER MINE, THE MILITARY IS DEVELOPING A REVOLUTIONARY MUNITION SYSTEM, CALLED THE XM7 SPIDER.
THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE SPIDER SYSTEM SO UNIQUE.
IT IS THE FIRST NETWORKED MUNITION SYSTEM.
IT ALLOWS THE SOLDIER, A MAN IN THE LOOP, TO ALWAYS CONTROL THE MUNITION FIELD, JUST LIKE HE MIGHT BE USING HIS PERSONAL WEAPON -- HIS M14 OR HIS M16 OR HIS CARBINE.
Narrator: LIKE ALL LAND MINES, THE SPIDER IS DESIGNED TO DELIVER FEARSOME EXPLOSIVE FORCE IN COMBAT, BUT IT'S ALSO ENGINEERED TO BE EASILY RECOVERED OR SELF-DEACTIVATING SO IT DOESN'T POSE A THREAT AFTER HOSTILITIES END.
EACH SPIDER MUNITIONS CONTROL UNIT FEATURES SIX CANISTERS ARRANGED IN A CIRCLE AND AIMED OUTWARD.
EACH IS LOADED WITH AN EXPLOSIVE CHARGE.
LIKE THE CLAYMORE, EACH CHARGE COVERS A 60-DEGREE ARC, SO THE SPIDER'S KILL ZONE IS A FULL 360-DEGREE SPREAD.
A TRIP WIRE EXTENDS TO OVER 30 FEE FROM EACH OF THE SIX CANISTERS, LAID TO CORRESPOND WITH THE EXPLOSIVE'S TRAJECTORY.
Johnson: WHEN AN INTRUDER COMES IN, HE WILL CATCH THE TRIP LINE, WHICH ARE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE, WITH HIS BOOT, AND THAT WILL SEND A SIGNAL THROUGH THE TRANSCEIVER TO THE REMOTE-CONTROL STATION, SO THE SOLDIER GETS THE ALERT THAT SOMEONE IS IN HIS FIELD AND HAS TRIPPED THE TRIP LINE.
WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT NOW IS THE ICON OF THE MUNITION CONTROL UNI THAT'S OUT IN THE FIELD, AND YOU SEE THAT'S BLINKING, WHICH SAYS THAT A TRIP LINE HAS BEEN TRIPPED.
Narrator: A KEY ELEMENT OF THE SPIDER IS THAT TRIGGERING A TRIP WIRE DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY FIRE AN EXPLOSIVE.
ONLY THE OPERATOR, STATIONED AS FAR AWAY AS 1,000 METERS, CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE.
HE WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT IT'S A COMBATANT, A NONCOMBATANT, AN ANIMAL, A FRIENDLY SOLDIER, OR A CIVILIAN, AND THEN HE WILL MAKE A DECISION TO IGNORE IT OR TO ENGAGE IT.
Narrator: THE SPIDER CAN ENGAGE A TARGE USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXPLOSIVES, INCLUDING CLAYMORE-LIKE CHARGES THAT FIRE DIRECTIONALLY.
Johnson: IN THIS CASE, WE HAVE SET UP A PERIMETER.
WE'RE TRYING TO PROTECT THE FRIENDLIES THAT ARE ON THIS SIDE OF THE SANDBAGS, AND THE ENEMY IS ASSUMED TO BE COMING FROM THIS OTHER DIRECTION.
Narrator: THREE OF THE SPIDER MODULES' CLAYMORES ARE PRIMED WITH BLASTING CAPS, WHICH ARE LINKED TO LONG WIRES, LEADING TO THE SPIDER MODULE.
THE OPERATOR THEN ARMS THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES.
Johnson: SO, WE'VE JUST GONE INTO BATTLE ENGAGEMENT MODE, AND WHAT YOU NOTICE, THAT THE VISUAL SAFE INDICATOR HAS GONE FROM GREEN TO RED.
WE ARE NOW PREPARED TO DETONATE THE THREE CLAYMORES.
THESE TRIANGLES HERE ARE THE RANGE FANS.
THAT'S THE AREA OF INFLUENCE OF THE CLAYMORE WHEN IT DETONATES.
HE CAN ENGAGE ONE CLAYMORE, TWO CLAYMORES, THREE CLAYMORES, OR ALL THREE AT THE SAME TIME, AND HE HAS CHOSEN TO FIRE ALL THREE OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME.
Narrator: ALL IT TAKES TO UNLEASH THE CLAYMORE'S EXPLOSIVE MIGH IS ONE CLICK OF A MOUSE.
IN A TYPICAL COMBAT SCENARIO, A BLAST LIKE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN PRECEDED BY ONE OR MORE OF THE SPIDER MODULES' TRIP WIRES BEING TRIGGERED.
AN INGENIOUS DESIGN FEATURE ENABLES THE SPIDER'S OPERATOR TO REDEPLOY THE UNIT'S TRIP WIRES REMOTELY, WHICH PROPELS A NEW SET 10 TO 12 METERS AWAY FROM THE MODULE, WHERE THEY SECURE THEMSELVES TO THE TERRAIN.
Johnson: IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE ANCHOR, YOU SEE FOUR SMALL BARBS, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO CATCH IN THE VEGETATION OR EVEN ONTO THE INTRUDER'S BOOT.
Narrator: THIS FEATURE NOT ONLY READIES THE SPIDER RAPIDLY TO RE-ENGAGE THE ENEMY, BUT ALSO HELPS KEEP THE OPERATOR FROM HARM'S WAY.
REARMING THE SPIDER REQUIRES A VISIT TO THE MODULE IN THE COMBAT ZONE.
BUT IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO INSTALL A DIFFERENT TYPE OF EXPLOSIVE.
Johnson: ONE OF THE THINGS YOU CAN INSTALL IS A MINIATURE GRENADE LAUNCHER.
THIS DEVICE HAS INSIDE OF IT A SMALL GRENADE ABOUT THE SAME SIZE THAT A SOLDIER MIGHT THROW.
Narrator: IN THIS DEMONSTRATION, USING THE GRENADE LAUNCHERS, THE SPIDER'S DESIGNERS HAVE ADDED CUTOUT TARGETS POSITIONED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MODULE.
A CONTROL-STATION OPERATOR WILL FIRE ALL SIX OF THESE GRENADES.
THEY WILL FIRE OUT FIVE TO SEVEN METERS AND ABOUT TWO METERS OUT.
AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE SPIDER SYSTEM IS MADE FOR IS TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE AN ENEMY FORCE THAT MIGHT BE APPROACHING A POSITION.
ALL RIGHT, READY? 3, 2, 1.
FIRE.
Narrator: WATCH AGAIN AND NOTE THE SLIGHT DELAY BETWEEN THE INSTANT THE GRENADES ARE FIRED AND WHEN THEY EXPLODE.
THE GRENADES HAVE JUST BEEN DEPLOYED, LOBBED INTO THE AIR IN FRONT OF THE TARGETS, AND NOW THEY DETONATE.
THE SPIDER XM7 IS NOT JUST AN INGENIOUSLY LETHAL WEAPON, BUT ALSO AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL LAND MINES THAT ADDRESSES GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS.
A GPS REPORTS THE MODULES' LOCATION OVER AN ENCRYPTED LINK SO IT CAN BE RECOVERED LATER OR SO THAT FRIENDLY TROOPS CAN AVOID IT.
IF, FOR SOME REASON, IT ISN'T RECOVERED, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY DISABLE ITSELF WITHIN 30 DAYS, WHEN ITS BATTERY FAILS.
AWESOME FIREPOWER AND SMART TECHNOLOGY COMBINE TO MAKE THE SPIDER XM7 A QUANTUM LEAP FORWARD IN COMBAT EXPLOSIVES.
ITS REVOLUTIONARY CAPABILITIES PROMISE TO EXPAND LETHAL NEW STRATEGIES ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
NEXT, THE MOST MONUMENTAL GAUNTLET OF EXPLOSIVES EVER DEPLOYED, AND THE FATEFUL DAY WHEN ONE DETERMINED TASK FORCE RISKED EVERYTHING TRYING TO PENETRATE IT.
YOU'VE HEARD THE STORY OF D-DAY, BUT NEVER LIKE THIS.
Narrator: IN MODERN WARFARE, EXPLOSIVES ARE AN ESSENTIAL ASSET IN ANY ARMY'S ARSENAL.
DEPLOYED AS DEFENSIVE BARRIERS OR AS OFFENSIVE WEAPONS, THEY PLAY A KEY ROLE THAT HELPS DETERMINE WHO WINS AND WHO LOSES.
SEPTEMBER 2010 -- EXPLOSIVES TAKE CENTER STAGE IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN AS COALITION AND AFGHAN FORCES LAUNCH A MAJOR OFFENSIVE CALLED OPERATION DRAGON STRIKE.
THEIR OBJECTIVE -- DRIVE TALIBAN FIGHTERS FROM THEIR STRONGHOLDS IN THE PROVINCE OF KANDAHAR.
HEY, ROGER, WE HAVE ENEMY PINNED DOWN HERE IN THE SOUTH.
THEY KEEP TRYING TO FIRE TO MANEUVER OUT.
BREAK.
WE NEED TO MANEUVER ON THEM, OR WE NEED SOMEBODY ELSE TO MANEUVER ON THEM.
THE AREAS THE COALITION MUST BREACH ARE WELL DEFENDED BY BELTS OF I.
E.
D.
s.
TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR GROUND TROOPS, THEY RELY ON ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLES, WHICH METHODICALLY DESTROY THE TALIBAN'S EXPLOSIVES WITH EXPLOSIVES OF THEIR OWN.
BUFFALOS AND HUSKIES ASSIST IN THE CLEARING OPERATION.
THE PAINSTAKING PROCESS LEAVES COALITION FORCES VULNERABLE TO INSURGENT GUNFIRE.
BUT BLAST BY BLAST, THE TALIBAN'S HOLD ON KANDAHAR WEAKENS UNTIL FINALLY, COALITION FORCES HAVE GAINED CONTROL.
OPERATION DRAGON STRIKE'S HEAVY RELIANCE ON EXPLOSIVES TO COUNTER THE ENEMY'S EXPLOSIVE DEFENSES HAS MANY PRECEDENTS IN WARFARE.
THE MOST EPIC OF ALL OCCURRED ON THE MOST PIVOTAL DAY OF WORLD WAR II -- JUNE 6, 1944, D-DAY.
THE ALLIES' CHALLENGE -- LAUNCH AN INVASION OF NAZI-OCCUPIED EUROPE BY STORMING THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY IN FRANCE.
THE GERMANS' COUNTER STRATEGY -- STOP THE INVASION AT ITS OUTSET -- AT THE SHORELINE.
LOOMING BEFORE THE ALLIES WAS HITLER'S ATLANTIC WALL, THE MOST FORMIDABLE BARRIER OF FIREPOWER AND OBSTACLES EVER CREATED.
ON ITS LEADING EDGE WAS HISTORY'S MOST TERRIFYING GAUNTLET OF EXPLOSIVES.
Schmitman: IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE CHALLENGE FACING THE INVASION FORCES AT NORMANDY.
THE GERMANS HAD PLACED, BY SOME ESTIMATES, SOME 6.
5 MILLION EXPLOSIVES ALONG THE ATLANTIC WALL.
Glenn: THE ATLANTIC WALL WAS LIKE A HUGE TRAP.
PSYCHOLOGICALLY, THE THOUGHT OF THESE GERMAN MINES ON THE BEACHES FOR YOUR SOLDIER COMING TO SHORE IS COMPLETELY DEBILITATING, LET ALONE HAVING TO DEAL WITH ALL THE GERMAN MORTARS AND MACHINE GUNS GOING OFF.
Narrator: THE GERMAN EXPLOSIVES AT NORMANDY WERE AS VARIED AS THEY WERE INTIMIDATING.
ANTIPERSONNEL LAND MINES DOMINATED THE BEACHES, BURIED BENEATH THE SANDS.
ANTI-TANK MINES, CALLED TELLER MINES, EACH CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 12 POUNDS OF TNT, WERE SET ATOP LOGS ANGLED SEAWARD, READY TO MAKE EASY PREY OF ALLIED LANDING CRAFT.
OTHER OBSTACLES WERE ARMED WITH FRENCH ARTILLERY SHELLS SCAVENGED FROM THE MAGINOT LINE.
THE MOST TERRIFYING OF THE GERMAN EXPLOSIVES WERE CALLED S-MINES.
WHEN ACTIVATED, A SMALL CHARGE IGNITED, PROPELLING THE MAIN CHARGE UP ABOUT THREE FEE BEFORE IT EXPLODED.
AMERICANS NICKNAMED THEM BOUNCING BETTIES.
INSTEAD OF JUST STEPPING ON IT AND HAVING IT BLOW OFF YOUR LEG, THE BOUNCING BETTY, WHEN IT'S TRIGGERED, WILL EXPLODE AT ABOUT YOUR MID-SECTION, BASICALLY RIPPING YOU AND YOUR STOMACH AND LOWER REGIONS APART, AND THEREFORE, ANYONE ELSE WITHIN A CLOSE PROXIMITY OF YOU.
Narrator: BEFORE THE ALLIES COULD HIT THE BEACH, THEY HAD TO CONTEND WITH THOUSANDS OF SEA MINES FLOATING OR ANCHORED CONTACT MINES EXPLODED WHEN STRUCK BY A SHIP.
PRESSURE MINES SAT ON THE BOTTOM AND EXPLODED WHEN THEY DETECTED A CHANGE IN THE WATER PRESSURE EXERTED BY A PASSING SHIP.
Glenn: YOU HAVE OTHERS THAT ARE ENCASED IN A CEMENT BLOCK, IF YOU WILL, WITH A METAL ROD STICKING UP FROM IT.
WHEN YOU'RE A BOAT AND YOU MAKE CONTACT WITH THAT METAL ROD, THAT ROD THEN SETS OFF THE BURIED ARTILLERY SHELL OR MINE INSIDE THAT CONCRETE CASING, WHICH THEN BLOWS UP AND DESTROYS YOUR SHIP.
Narrator: IF THE ALLIED INVADERS FAILED TO BREACH OR SAFELY NAVIGATE THE LABYRINTH OF EXPLOSIVES, D-DAY WOULD END IN CATASTROPHE.
THE NAVY LED THE WAY ON JUNE 5th, AS 255 MINESWEEPERS CLEARED LANES THROUGH THE SEA MINES.
Glenn: THE JOB OF THE MINESWEEPER WAS TO GO THROUGH AND DROP CHARGES THAT WOULD THEN BLOW A PATH THROUGH THE MINES.
YOU SET OFF ONE MINE IN HOPES THAT IT WILL TRIGGER OTHER MINES THAT WILL THEN EXPLODE ALL AROUND YOU, AND THEN YOU AND YOUR CONVOY HAVE A CLEAR PATH TO PASS THROUGH.
THE PROBLEM WITH MINESWEEPING USING A SHIP IS YOU'RE KIND OF LEADING WITH YOUR CHIN.
YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE CREW ON A SHIP GOING OUT FORWARD, AND YOU'RE TOWING YOUR MINESWEEPING EQUIPMENT BEHIND THE SHIP.
Narrator: ON D-DAY, ALLIED COMMANDERS KNEW THE ONLY WAY TO RUN THE GAUNTLET OF EXPLOSIVES ON THE SHORES WAS TO COME HEAVILY ARMED WITH EXPLOSIVES OF THEIR OWN.
NEARLY A QUARTER OF THE TROOPS THAT HIT OMAHA BEACH ON D-DAY WERE ENGINEERS.
Glenn: EXPLOSIVES WERE THE NAME OF THE GAME THAT DAY FOR PUNCHING A HOLE THROUGH HITLER'S ATLANTIC WALL.
Narrator: THE ENGINEER'S ORDERS WERE TO DEMOLISH OBSTACLES, BLOW UP LAND MINES, AND CLEAR CHANNELS FOR LANDING CRAFT, AND THEY HAD TO DO IT ALL EXPOSED TO A DEADLY TRIPLE CROSSFIRE -- MACHINE GUNS AND HEAVY ARTILLERY FROM THE SIDES, SMALL ARMS FROM THE FRONT, AND MORTARS DROPPING FROM ABOVE.
SO, NOT ONLY WOULD A COMBAT ENGINEER ON D-DAY HAVE THE UNBELIEVABLE TASK OF DISASSEMBLING AND DESTROYING THE GERMAN DEFENSES, THEY WERE ALSO BEING SHOT AT IN THE PROCESS.
Narrator: THE HEROIC ENGINEERS AT NORMANDY MADE SLOW AND STEADY PROGRESS.
IN ONE INCIDENT THAT EXEMPLIFIED THEIR BRAVERY, A TEAM WAS PREPPING A BANGALORE TORPEDO WHEN IT'S COMMANDING OFFICER WAS CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE.
AS HE OBSERVED THEM PUTTING THE BANGALORE SECTIONS TOGETHER WITH THE CONNECTORS, HE TOOK A ROUND IN HIS SHOULDER AND THEN A SECOND ROUND THAT BASICALLY PASSED THROUGH HIS JAW AND JUST GOES ABOUT HIS BUSINESS.
Narrator: AS D-DAY WORE ON, SO DID THE EXPLOSIONS.
TRIGGERED BY EACH SIDE, INCESSANT BLASTS CONTINUED TO DECIMATE ALLIED LANDING CRAFT, GROUND VEHICLES, AND THE ENGINEERS THEMSELVES.
BUT SLOWLY, THEY MADE HEADWAY, BLOWING UP THE BURIED MINES, THE DEVILISH OBSTACLES, AND THE CONCRETE BARRIERS.
BY DAY'S END, THE EXPLOSIONS BELONGED MOSTLY TO THE ALLIES, AS DID THE BATTLE ITSELF.
Schmitman: THOUGH THEY RARELY GOT THE SORT OF PUBLICITY AND GLAMOUR OF OTHER FORCES, THE COMBAT ENGINEERS AT D-DAY HAD A CRITICAL ROLE.
WITHOUT THE HOLES THAT THEY CREATED IN THE BARBED WIRE AND OTHER EMPLACEMENTS, ALLIED FORCES COULD NOT POUR THROUGH.
Glenn: AND THINKING THAT EVEN BEFORE THEY GOT TO THE BEACH THEY WERE ALREADY DRAINED AND EXHAUSTED OF ENERGY, AND HAVING TO DO THAT AND CARRY ALL THAT EQUIPMENT, THEIR WEAPON, THEIR AMMUNITION, WHATEVER ELSE THEY HAD WITH THEM, WAS A TREMENDOUS TASK.
UNBELIEVABLE.
SO, FAST-FORWARD TO TODAY.
Schmitman: THE ENGINEERS FROM D-DAY AND THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY ARE NOW THE FOLKS THAT ARE DOING BOMB DISPOSAL AND DEALING WITH THE I.
E.
D.
s IN THE THEATERS OF COMBA OUR FORCES FIND THEMSELVES IN ALL OVER THE WORLD RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: AMONG SUCH ENGINEERS ARE THOSE THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN OPERATION DRAGON STRIKE -- MASTERS OF EXPLOSIVES WHO REVERSED TALIBAN MOMENTUM IN THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.
COMING UP, THE NEW BREED OF EXPLOSIVES THAT ARE EMPOWERING AMERICA'S ENEMIES AND THE INGENIOUS TECHNOLOGIES DESIGNED TO DETECT AND DISARM THEM.
YOU'LL BE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION IS SOMETIMES THE SIMPLEST.
Narrator: OVER THE PAST HOUR, WE'VE REVEALED DETAILS ABOUT TODAY'S DEADLIEST COMBAT EXPLOSIVES AND HOW EXPLOSIVES IN AMERICA'S ARSENAL ARE PLAYING A KEY ROLE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
IN THE NEW LANDSCAPE OF WAR, EXPLOSIVES ARE ALSO A MAJOR ASSET FOR AMERICA'S ENEMIES.
FOR REBELS AND INSURGENTS, WHOSE ARMORIES ARE LIMITED, IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ARE AN INEXPENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE MEANS TO WREAK HAVOC ON A MORE POWERFUL FOE.
THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF CONSTRUCTING AN I.
E.
D.
IS PROCURING THE EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS.
THE DEADLY PROJECTILES THEY FIRE ARE COMMONPLACE.
Frick: THEY CAN USE NUTS, BOLTS.
THEY CAN EVEN GO AS FAR AS USING ROCKS OR MAYBE SOME CONCRETE -- ANYTHING THAT'S GONNA GIVE THEM THAT SHRAPNEL PUSH.
A LOT OF THE STUFF CAN BE THE CONTAINER ITSELF.
IF IT'S A METAL CONTAINER, ONCE THAT METAL CONTAINER DETONATES, IT'S GONNA CAUSE THE SHRAPNEL IN ITSELF FOR THE CASUALTY.
Narrator: IN AFGHANISTAN, MANY OF THE FIRST I.
E.
D.
s WERE REMOTE-CONTROLLED.
U.
S.
FORCES RESPONDED BY DEPLOYING SOPHISTICATED JAMMERS TO BLOCK RADIO SIGNALS.
INSURGENTS ANSWERED WITH I.
E.
D.
s DETONATED BY PRESSURE-SENSITIVE PLATES AND WIRE TRIGGERS.
THIS HAS FORCED THE PENTAGON TO PLACE MORE EMPHASIS ON TRAINING SOLDIERS TO DETECT AND IDENTIFY EMPLACED I.
E.
D.
s.
BUT SPOTTING ONE CAN BE A DAUNTING CHALLENGE.
Frick: THE I.
E.
D.
s COULD BE ANYWHERE.
IT'S A 360-DEGREE BATTLEFIELD, SO NOT ONLY COULD THE I.
E.
D.
s BE LAID INTO THE GROUND, THEY CAN ALSO BE IN ELEVATED POSITIONS.
THEY COULD BE ON WALLS.
THEY COULD BE IN TREES.
A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES THAT AN I.
E.
D.
CAN BE PLACED, AND WE GIVE THEM THAT INFORMATION ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR, HOW TO LOOK FOR IT, AND THE THINGS TO BE LOOKING FOR, SO THIS TRAINING IS VERY RELEVANT FOR THAT.
Narrator: THE GENIUS OF I.
E.
D.
s USED CURRENTLY IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ IS THAT THEY DEFY HIGH-TECH COUNTERMEASURES, SO TRAINING SOLDIERS TO SAFELY LOCATE THEM IS LIMITED TO RUDIMENTARY TOOLS AND METHODICAL PROCEDURES, LIKE SCANNING SUSPECT AREAS WITH METAL DETECTORS.
Frick: AS YOU CAN SEE, HE'S GOT A HIT HERE, SO WHAT HE'S GONNA DO, HE'S JUST GONNA RECONFIRM THAT THAT IS A HIT, AND HE'S GONNA GO AHEAD AND DO WHAT WE CALL EDGE DETECTION.
HE'S CHECKING THE RIGHT AND LEFT LATERAL LIMITS OF WHERE HE'S GETTING THAT HIT AT.
Narrator: INSURGENT I.
E.
D.
MAKERS HAVE COUNTERED METAL DETECTORS WITH EXPLOSIVE DEVICES WITH LOW METALLIC CONTENT.
EXPOSING THEM SAFELY IS MORE DIFFICULT.
THIS 15-FOOT FIBERGLASS POLE, CAPPED WITH A HOOK, CALLED A HOLLY STICK, EXHIBITS HOW THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED MILITARY FORCE CAN GO DECIDEDLY LOW-TECH IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.
Frick: PERHAPS WHEN I'M GOING INTO A BUILDING WHERE THERE'S PERHAPS BEEN I.
E.
D.
s LAID IN THE PAST, IF I'VE GOT AN IDEA THAT THERE MAY BE ONE OR I'VE GOT A BAD FEELING ABOUT THAT AREA, I'LL GO AHEAD AND PULL THIS OUT, DOUBLE-CHECK IT BEFORE I WALK INTO I TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M SAFE BEFORE I GO AHEAD AND PUSH ENTRANCE.
Narrator: THESE BOARDS SIMULATE A DOORWAY, A COMMON LOCATION WHERE I.
E.
D.
s ARE PLANTED.
Frick: AS THEY'RE PULLING THAT HOOK BACK, IF THEY SEE THE DIRT AROUND IT PULLING BACK WITH IT, THEN THEY KNOW THAT THERE'S SOMETHING LAID THERE, SO AS SOON AS THEY SEE THAT, THEY'RE GONNA STOP.
THEY'RE GONNA PUSH THAT HOOK FORWARD, GET IT OFF OF IT, LIFT IT UP, AND GO AHEAD AND MOVE OUT OF THAT AREA.
THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR WHAT WE CALL SHELF EFFECT.
AS THEY PULL THAT HOOK BACK, IF THAT HOOK PULLS BACK AND IT DROPS, THEN THEY KNOW THERE'S A SPACE THERE, AND IN THAT SPACE, THERE DEFINITELY COULD BE SOMETHING LAID IN.
Narrator: WHEN A SOLDIER LOCATES AN I.
E.
D.
IN A WAR ZONE, PROTOCOL CALLS FOR ALERTING AN EXPLOSIVES ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TEAM, OR E.
O.
D.
THESE SPECIALISTS ARE TRAINED TO NEUTRALIZE I.
E.
D.
s BY RENDERING THEM INOPERATIVE OR DETONATING THEM.
THEIR HAZARDOUS DUTY, DEPICTED IN THE AWARD-WINNING 2008 FILM "THE HURT LOCKER," IS AMONG MODERN WARFARE'S MOST DANGEROUS.
THEY MUST SOMETIMES WORK IN UNSECURED ZONES, EXPOSED TO ENEMY FIRE.
Nelson: YOU REALLY DON'T THINK ABOUT THE DANGER INVOLVED.
YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN.
YOU JUST HAVE A JOB.
YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT A JOB TO DO, AND YOU GO FORWARD, AND YOU DO YOUR JOB, AND THEN YOU GO TO THE NEXT JOB.
A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT IT AND GO, "THAT'S CRAZY.
" Narrator: E.
O.
D.
TECHS OWE MUCH OF THEIR STOIC DISCIPLINE TO TRAINING, TACTICS, AND PROCEDURES THAT HELP MINIMIZE RISK.
THEY RELY ON THOSE ADVANTAGES WHENEVER THEY TAKE ON ONE OF THEIR MOST HAZARDOUS CHALLENGES DISARMING AN I.
E.
D.
WITHOUT TRIGGERING I SO THAT VITAL INTELLIGENCE CAN BE GAINED.
Nichols: THEY UNDERSTAND THAT BY GETTING THAT DEVICE INTACT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, WE CAN UNDERSTAND A LITTLE MORE ABOUT WHAT THE ENEMY WANTED TO DO AND THE TOOLS THAT THEY'RE UTILIZING.
WE DO THAT, WE BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW TO PROTECT OUR OWN FORCES.
Narrator: IN MANY CASES, E.
O.
D.
TEAMS CAN FIND PROTECTION OF THEIR OWN.
WHEN A REMOTE OPERATED VEHICLE, OR R.
O.
V.
, ROLLS IN TO KEEP THEM FROM HARM'S WAY, AN E.
O.
D.
TECHNICIAN MANS THE CONTROLS IN A BETTER-DEFENDED POSITION -- AS FAR AWAY AS ONE MILE.
WITH FIVE LIVE-FEED CAMERAS AND A GRIPPER THAT ROTATES 360 DEGREES, R.
O.
V.
s ACT AS THE HUMAN OPERATOR'S EYES AND HANDS, DIFFUSING I.
E.
D.
s OR BLOWING THEM UP.
AS THE TECHNOLOGY OF MILITARY EXPLOSIVES EVOLVES, SO WILL ITS TACTICAL APPLICATIONS.
Nichols: THE FLAVOR OF EXPLOSIVE MAY CHANGE OVER TIME, AND THE SPECIFIC EFFECT THAT IT HAS AND THE WAY THAT IT IS UTILIZED MAY CHANGE, BUT EXPLOSIVES THEMSELVES ARE NOT GONNA LEAVE THE BATTLEFIELD ANYTIME SOON.
Narrator: THE MORE POWERFUL AND PRECISE THE EXPLOSIVES BECOME, THE MORE THEY CAN BE LETHALLY INTEGRATED WITH GROUND, SEA, AND AIR FORCES.
THE DEVASTATING ENERGY UNLEASHED WITH EVERY BLAS IS AN INVALUABLE PREREQUISITE FOR VICTORY.
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
SURGICALLY PRECISE MAYHEM OBLITERATING ENEMY OBSTACLES, ENEMY HARDWARE, AND THE ENEMY ITSELF.
IT PACKS A REALLY GOOD WALLOP.
Narrator: WE'LL EXPLORE THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN EXPLOSIVES DESIGN THAT ARE PUSHING THE EDGE OF HOW EXPLOSIVES ARE USED IN COMBAT GOING DEEP INSIDE WHAT THE EXPERTS CALL THE HURT LOCKER AND REVEALING STUNNING DETAILS ABOUT THE RAPIDLY EVOLVING WORLD OF COMBAT EXPLOSIVES CUTS JUST LIKE BUTTER.
Narrator: THAT WILL MAKE YOU REASSESS EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW ABOUT THIS SPECIALIZED ARENA OF WAR.
RANGING FROM BANGALORE TORPEDOES THAT BLAST THROUGH BARRIERS, TO ADVANCED CLAYMORES THAT UNLEASH HUNDREDS OF METAL PELLETS WITH REMARKABLE ACCURACY, TO SPIDER MINES THAT LAUNCH A WEB OF DISCRIMINATE DESTRUCTION.
NOW ON "DEADLIEST TECH: EXPLOSIVES.
" CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS AT ITS HEART, MODERN WARFARE IS ABOUT VIOLENT DESTRUCTION, AND NO MILITARY ASSET DESTROYS WITH MORE SUDDEN, SHOCKING, AND, IF NEED BE, SURGICAL PRECISION THAN EXPLOSIVES.
THE EXPLOSIVES USED IN COMBAT TODAY ARE THE MOST POWERFUL AND MOST DEADLY EVER DEVISED.
THEY COME IN MANY FORMS BUT SHARE A COMMON PURPOSE -- TO ANNIHILATE ANY MILITARY TARGE THAT THREATENS AN ARMY'S SOLDIERS OR STANDS IN THEIR WAY.
Nichols: EXPLOSIVES ON THE BATTLEFIELD REALLY SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A BUCKET OF ENERGY -- ENERGY THAT IS RELEASED ON YOUR SCHEDULE AGAINST THE ENEMY, MAYBE ON LAND, MAYBE UNDERWATER, MAYBE A BURST IN THE AIR.
Narrator: THE EXPERTS TRAINED TO HARNESS THIS DESTRUCTIVE ENERGY ARE THE COMBAT ENGINEERS.
BY DESTROYING ENEMY ASSETS, FROM BRIDGES TO ROADS TO AMMO DUMPS, THEY CAN BE THE CRUCIAL VARIABLE THAT HELPS SEIZE VICTORY ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
BLACKBURN, THIS IS THE MARINE CORPS ENGINEER SCHOOL REQUESTING TO OCCUPY E.
T.
A.
7.
OVER.
WORKING WITH EXPLOSIVES IN COMBAT ZONES DEMANDS THE ULTIMATE IN SELF-CONTROL AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE.
IN OPERATIONS LIKE THIS ONE, VETERAN ENGINEERS PASS THE DISCIPLINE FORWARD.
THE EXPLOSIVES THEY HANDLE ARE THE REAL THING.
Man: YOU DO NOT RUN FOR NO REASON.
DO NOT PULL THE SMOKE AND WORRY YOU'RE NOT GONNA HAVE TIME TO GET BACK TO THE BUNKER.
THE INSTRUCTOR'S GOT IT FIGURED OU AND WENT THROUGH THIS PLENTY OF TIMES TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE IN A SAFE AREA.
Narrator: A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT MILITARY EXPLOSIVES IS THAT ONE ENEMY BULLET OR A BUMP IN THE ROAD CAN SET THEM OFF.
BUT DECADES OF SCIENTIFIC DEVELOPMEN HAVE ADAPTED THEM TO THE PERILS OF COMBAT CONDITIONS.
INGENIOUS ENGINEERING HAS MADE THEM REMARKABLY STABLE.
IN ALL THE MILITARY EXPLOSIVES, ONE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS IS IT HAS TO BE INSENSITIVE TO SHOCK AND FRICTION, SO ALL OF OUR EXPLOSIVES, YOU CAN TAKE THEM, YOU CAN DROP THEM, YOU CAN FALL ON THEM, AND THEY DON'T BLOW UP UNTIL YOU PU THE SENSITIVE BLASTING CAP ON THE INSIDE OF THEM.
IT TAKES HEAT AND PRESSURE TO MAKE THIS EXPLODE.
Narrator: THAT CRUCIAL PROPERTY APPLIES TO THIS CLAY-LIKE SUBSTANCE CALLED C4.
IT'S 30% MORE POWERFUL THAN TNT.
91% OF C4 IS AN EXPLOSIVE CALLED RDX.
THE REST IS A PLASTIC BINDING MATERIAL THAT ACTS AS A PROTECTIVE COATING, INSULATING THE EXPLOSIVE COMPONEN FROM HEAT AND FRICTION.
IT HAS BEEN THE EXPLOSIVE OF CHOICE FOR SOLDIERS AND SAILORS AND MARINES FOR YEARS.
PACKS A REALLY GOOD WALLOP.
Narrator: DESPITE ITS EXPLOSIVE POWER, C4 IS SO STABLE, IT CAN STAY VIABLE FOR DECADES ON AN ARMORY SHELF.
Man: WITH THIS STICK RIGHT HERE, IF YOU LOOK AT THIS DATE RIGHT HERE, SEPTEMBER 1970 IS WHEN THIS WAS ACTUALLY MANUFACTURED, SO WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT? 42 YEARS OLD RIGHT THERE.
PRETTY OLD PIECE OF EXPLOSIVE, AND IT WORKS GREAT.
Narrator: THE PLASTIC BINDER THAT MAKES C4 STABLE ALSO GIVES IT ANOTHER INVALUABLE TRAIT.
Man: ONE THING ABOUT C4 THAT'S SO BEAUTIFUL IS ALL THIS IS MOLDABLE.
YOU CAN CHANGE THE SHAPE OF IT, SO IF I WANT TO WRAP IT AROUND A STEEL BAR -- ANYTHING I WANT TO WRAP IT AROUND, THIS IS MOLDABLE TO THAT TARGET.
Narrator: CONFORMING C4 TO THE TARGE ENLARGES THE SURFACE AREA THAT THE EXPLOSIVE CONTACTS, MAXIMIZING THE DAMAGE.
MORE IMPORTANTLY, C4'S MALLEABILITY MEANS IT CAN BE SHAPED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT WILL DIRECT THE FORCE OF THE BLAST.
THIS TYPE OF EXPLOSIVE IS APTLY CALLED A SHAPED CHARGE -- ONE OF MANY THESE MARINES WILL PREP AND DETONATE.
Henson: SO, WHAT WE DO IS WE'LL TAKE THE C4, AND WE GIVE IT A CONICAL SHAPE, AND WHAT HAPPENS IS, IS WHEN THIS CONICAL SHAPE DETONATES, THE CONE IS GONNA INVERT, CREATING A MOLTEN JE THAT'S GONNA SHOOT THAT EXPLOSIVE DOWN THROUGH THE SURFACE, MAKING A HOLE IN THE SURFACE.
Narrator: THIS PHENOMENON IS CALLED THE MUNROE EFFECT, NAMED FOR THE CHEMIST WHO DISCOVERED IT IN 1885.
THE EFFECT ILLUSTRATES A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF EXPLOSIVES.
FROM THE POINT OF DETONATION, A BLAST FOLLOWS A DISTINCT PATH IN ONE DIRECTION.
Nichols: AN EXPLOSIVE RUNS FROM ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER, AND, IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK A SLOW-MOTION PHOTOGRAPHY OF MILITARY-GRADE MUNITIONS, YOU WOULD SEE THAT THE EXPLOSIVE WOULD START, AND THEN THAT EXPLOSIVE TRAIN WOULD PASS.
Narrator: THE SHOCK WAVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME IS WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT.
IN THIS VIRTUALLY INSTANTANEOUS MOMENT, THERE'S ONE VARIABLE -- THE EXPLOSIVE'S SPEED.
Nelson: EXPLOSIVES BURN.
THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.
IT'S JUST HOW FAST THEY BURN.
HIGH EXPLOSIVES BURN FASTER THAN THE SPEED OF SOUND.
LOW EXPLOSIVES -- SLOWER.
Narrator: C4 IS A HIGH EXPLOSIVE.
IT TRAVELS AT 18,000 MILES PER HOUR, OR FIVE MILES PER SECOND.
THAT'S IDEAL FOR CUTTING THROUGH HARD, METALLIC TARGETS, FROM STEEL DOORS TO BRIDGE SUPPORTS.
BUT SOME TACTICAL EXPLOSIONS DEMAND A LOW EXPLOSIVE WITH A SLOWER RATE OF SPEED.
ONE EXAMPLE IS A CRATERING CHARGE, WHICH THE MARINES WILL BURY INSIDE THIS HOLE.
A CHARGE LIKE THIS CAN BE USED TO BLAST DOWN TO AN ENEMY BUNKER OR CREATE AN IMPASSIBLE BARRIER ON AN ENEMY ROAD.
THE EXPLOSIVE OF CHOICE IS AMMONIUM NITRATE.
WHAT THAT BASICALLY IS, MORE OF A PUSHING CHARGE, SO WHEN IT BLOWS UP IN THE DIRT, IT'S GONNA LAST, LET'S SAY, A SPLIT SECOND LONGER TO BASICALLY PUSH ALL THAT DIRT OUT OF THE HOLE AND MAKE A VERY LARGE HOLE, WHICH MAKES A VERY BIG OBSTACLE.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST SHOT WE DO OUT HERE -- 40 POUNDS.
Narrator: SOMETIMES IT'S NOT THE WEIGHT OF THE EXPLOSIVE THAT MATTERS, BUT THE LENGTH.
A BANGALORE TORPEDO IS A SERIES OF LINKED TUBES TYPICALLY CONTAINING C4.
IT ALLOWS A COMBAT ENGINEER TO EXTEND HIS REACH INTO A ZONE TOO DEADLY TO ENTER.
ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD AND PUSH IT.
YOU CAN TAKE THESE, AND YOU CAN CONNECT ONE OF THESE, WHICH IS FIVE FOOT LONG, TO ANOTHER ONE, WHICH IS ANOTHER FIVE FOOT LONG, WHICH YOU CAN GO AS LONG AS YOU PRETTY MUCH WANT.
AND YOU BASICALLY CAN PUSH IT INTO THE TARGE UP TO 40 FEET LONG -- HOWEVER LONG YOU PRETTY MUCH WANT IT.
GOOD PIECE OF GEAR.
Nichols: BANGALORE TORPEDOES WERE DEVELOPED IN WORLD WAR II AND UTILIZED FOR BREACHING PRIOR TO ASSAULT FORCES OR DURING AN ASSAULT OF A BEACH, FOR INSTANCE.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS YOU'RE TRYING TO GIVE YOUR ASSAULT FORCE A SAFE WAY THROUGH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF REAL ESTATE.
Narrator: A BANGALORE, WHICH EXPLODES AT 360 DEGREES, IS TAILOR-MADE FOR BLASTING A PATH THROUGH A MINEFIELD OR A BARBED-WIRE BARRIER, LIKE THE ONE THE MARINES HAVE ASSEMBLED HERE.
Man: WHAT THEY'LL DO IS THEY'LL JUST TAKE THIS, SET IT ON THE GROUND.
THEY'LL JUST PUSH IT RIGHT ON THROUGH THERE, AND IT'S GONNA MAKE A BIG, GAPING HOLE WHERE ALL THE MARINES, OR WHOEVER'S BASICALLY THERE, CAN BASICALLY RUN THROUGH THERE AND GET TO WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO GET TO.
Narrator: INSERTING A BANGALORE INTO A LIVE MINEFIELD RISKS A PREMATURE BLAS THAT COULD SET OFF THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF C4 AND KILL THE ENGINEERS.
THE SOLUTION IS AS SIMPLE AS IT IS EFFECTIVE.
THERE'S A TRICK TO THAT.
BASICALLY, WHAT IT IS, YOU JUST PUT A STICK OF WOOD -- THAT'S CALLED A DUMMY SECTION -- AND THAT WAY, IF YOU DID HIT AN EXPLOSIVE, IT WOULD JUST BLOW UP THE PIECE OF WOOD AND WOULDN'T BASICALLY HURT YOU.
Narrator: AFTER SETTING SEVERAL CHARGES, THE MARINES INITIATE THE FIRING SEQUENCE WITH DELAYED ACTION FUSES.
THE FUSES WILL BURN TO BLASTING CAPS PLACED IN THE EXPLOSIVES, TRIGGERING SMALL BLASTS THAT WILL SET OFF THE MAIN CHARGES.
A NEARBY BUNKER PROVIDES COVER.
[ LOUD EXPLOSIONS .]
Man: RIGHT THERE IS YOUR SHAPED.
THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD JUST REGULAR BLAST AT THE SURFACE.
LISTEN TO THIS NEXT ONE.
IT'S GONNA BE JUST MORE OF A THUD.
THE CRATER CHARGE -- NOT GONNA BE AS LOUD.
YOU CAN TELL IT'S UNDERGROUND.
[ LOW EXPLOSIONS .]
HEAR THE DISTINCT DIFFERENCE IN THE TWO? ONE WAS LIKE, "WOW.
" IT'S LIKE, "WOW.
THAT WAS AN EXPLOSION.
" THAT ONE WAS ACTUALLY 40 POUNDS -- 25 MORE POUNDS OF EXPLOSION -- A LOT MORE.
BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WITH IT BEING A LOT MORE, IT DIDN'T EVEN REALLY MATTER BECAUSE IT WAS UNDERGROUND AND TAMPED.
[ EXPLOSIONS .]
AS YOU CAN TELL, WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE BIT LOUDER AND LOUDER.
YOU GUYS FEEL THE SHAKE? All: YES, STAFF SERGEANT.
PRETTY GOOD SHAKE.
Narrator: THE DEVASTATING EFFECT OF THE EXPLOSIONS IS EVIDENT.
THE BANGALORE TORPEDOES HAVE BLOWN A WIDE PATH THROUGH THE BARBED WIRE.
THE CRATERING CHARGE HAS CARVED A HOLE 8 FEET DEEP AND 10 FEET WIDE.
COMBAT ENGINEERS CAN ACHIEVE EQUALLY DESTRUCTIVE RESULTS EVEN IF THEIR SUPPLY LINES ARE CUT, AND THEY LACK MUCH OF THEIR PREFABRICATED EQUIPMENT.
IN A PARALLEL TO THE TACTICS USED BY IRAQI AND AFGHANI INSURGENTS, THEY ARE TRAINED TO CRAFT IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES USING WHATEVER RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE.
Man: EVERYTHING THAT WE TEACH THE MARINES TO CREATE OUT HERE, IT'S ALSO BEING USED AGAINST US, SO WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TAKE WHAT WE HAVE OVER THERE, USE THE EXPLOSIVES THAT WE HAVE, AND TURN IT INTO SOMETHING TO USE BACK AGAINST THEM.
Narrator: THE BOTTOM PORTION OF A WINE BOTTLE MAKES AN IDEAL RECEPTACLE FOR A SHAPED CHARGE.
TO SEPARATE IT CLEANLY FROM THE TOP HALF, A THIN LAYER OF PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE, CALLED A DETASHEET, IS APPLIED TO THE BOTTLE THEN BURNED OFF.
ONCE THE EXPLOSIVE'S COMPLETELY BURNED OFF OF THE BOTTLE, HE'S GONNA DIP IT DOWN IN THE WATER AND SUPER-COOL IT, AND THEN IT'S GONNA GIVE IT A NICE, CLEAN CUT.
Man: ALL RIGHT, SO THAT SHOULD BE GOOD.
HEAR THE LITTLE CRACK ON IT.
ALL RIGHT.
CUTS RIGHT OFF.
Narrator: THE BASE OF THE BOTTLE'S INTERIOR HAS A CONICAL SHAPE.
C4 WILL BE MOLDED ON TOP OF IT.
WHEN DETONATED, THE FORCE OF THE BLAS WILL BE DIRECTED DOWNWARD, ACCORDING TO THE MUNROE EFFECT.
Henson: WE TRY TO FIND THE WINE BOTTLES THAT HAVE THE DEEPEST CONE IN IT, SO IT GIVES THAT 60-DEGREE ARC.
THE 60-DEGREE ARC IS WHAT'S GONNA MAKE THAT EXPLOSIVE TURN INTO A SHAPED CHARGE.
Narrator: ATTACHING NAILS TO THE BOTTLE OFFSETS THE MOLDED C4 FROM ITS TARGET -- A CINDER BLOCK.
THIS WILL MAKE THE DIRECTED CHARGE MORE EFFECTIVE.
Henson: THE EXPLOSIVES WERE SO POWERFUL THAT IT ACTUALLY JUST DISINTEGRATED THE BLOCK AND BLEW IT OUT OF THE WAY.
Narrator: COMBAT ENGINEERS CAN CRAF ANOTHER IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE CALLED A SLAM.
METALLIC LIDS FROM EQUIPMENT CANISTERS ARE TAPED TOGETHER TO FORM A PROJECTILE.
Henson: I'M GONNA TAKE SOME PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE.
THIS IS C4 RIGHT HERE.
AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS THEY'RE GONNA CUT THE C4, AND THEY'RE GONNA PACK IT ONTO THE BACK SIDE OF THESE LIDS.
WHAT THEY'RE ATTEMPTING TO DO IS THEY'RE GONNA TRY TO TAKE THIS METAL, TURN IT INTO A SLUG, AND THEY'RE GONNA TRY TO SHOOT THROUGH THAT PIECE OF WOOD RIGHT THERE.
Narrator: THE METALLIC FRAGMENTS HAVE STRUCK THE HALF-INCH PLYWOOD BOARD AT 27,000 FEET PER SECOND.
THE INJURY TO AN ENEMY SOLDIER WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.
Henson: OBVIOUSLY, FLESH IS A LOT MORE WEAK THAN THIS.
CUTS JUST LIKE BUTTER.
SO, THIS RIGHT HERE WOULD ACTUALLY PENETRATE THE PERSON AND POSSIBLY GO COMPLETELY THROUGH THEM, AS WELL.
Narrator: A SIMILAR IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE MIMICS AN ANTIPERSONNEL DIRECTIONAL MINE CALLED A CLAYMORE.
NAILS ARE ADDED TO THE ASSEMBLY THAT ACT AS SHRAPNEL.
Henson: WHEN THE EXPLOSIVE DETONATES, IT'S GONNA SHOOT ALL THESE NAILS IN THAT DIRECTIONAL PATTERN TO TRY TO TAKE OUT PERSONNEL, JUST LIKE A CLAYMORE MINE WOULD.
Narrator: AGAIN, IT'S DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE AN ENEMY SOLDIER SURVIVING THE BLAST.
Henson: THIS RIGHT HERE IS THE WORST PART RIGHT HERE, BECAUSE ALL THESE LITTLE METAL PIECES, ONCE THEY ENTER THE BODY, THEY JUST START BOUNCING AROUND OFF OF BONE AND STUFF, SO THEY END UP SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE TORSO.
Narrator: WHETHER THEIR TARGETS ARE THE ENEMY'S PERSONNEL OR MATERIAL ASSETS, THE COMBAT ENGINEERS ARE AN INTEGRAL PAR OF ANY ARMED FORCES' STRATEGIC GAME PLAN.
ONE TIMELY BLAST COULD BE THE PIVOTAL ACTION ENSURING VICTORY.
NEXT, THE GIANT MINE-CLEARING MARVEL THAT USES EXPLOSIVES TO DESTROY EXPLOSIVES.
WE'LL REVEAL HOW ONE PUSH OF A BUTTON BY THE OPERATOR IS MAKING A GAME-CHANGING DIFFERENCE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
Narrator: SURGICALLY PLACED EXPLOSIVES ARE AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE IN COMBAT OPERATIONS, DEPLOYED AS BOTH OFFENSIVE WEAPONS AND DEFENSIVE PERIMETERS.
THEY'RE A CRITICAL ELEMENT OF A SOUND MILITARY STRATEGY.
EXPLOSIVES ARE AN EVEN MORE FUNDAMENTAL ASSE FOR REBEL AND INSURGENT FORCES WAGING NON-TRADITIONAL WARFARE.
IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ARE THE LARGEST KILLER OF AMERICAN TROOPS.
I.
E.
D.
s ARE MADE FROM EVERYTHING FROM FERTILIZER TO DIESEL FUEL TO OLD MORTAR SHELLS AND MINES.
THEY CAN BE DETONATED WHEN A VEHICLE OR SOLDIER PASSES OVER A PRESSURE PLATE OR BLOWN UP BY REMOTE CONTROL.
THEY CAN BE AS DANGEROUS FOR THE MAKER AS THEY ARE TO THE INTENDED VICTIM.
Glenn: YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, YOU CAN ACTUALLY TRIGGER AND SET OFF THAT DEVICE AND KILL AND HURT YOURSELF AND/OR THOSE AROUND YOU.
MAN: There's two individuals, and they're digging around in the ground.
Narrator: THIS ELEMENTAL TRUTH ABOUT EXPLOSIVES WAS ALL TOO EVIDENT IN AFGHANISTAN ON SEPTEMBER 14, 2009.
APACHE GUNSHIPS WERE READY TO ATTACK AS THEY OBSERVED TWO INSURGENTS PLACING A ROADSIDE I.
E.
D.
MAN #2: Is that a kid? Damn it! The kid appears to be carrying something over into the vicinity.
Okay, go away, kid.
Go away, kid.
Go away, kid.
WHEN THE TWO INSURGENTS ARE LEFT ALONE, THE APACHES HAVE THEIR TARGETS ISOLATED, BUT FATE INTERVENES.
An individual is moving.
Roger.
Good copy.
Whoa! Never mind.
Break.
Break.
It just detonated by itself.
They just blew themselves up.
They apparently just blew themselves up.
THE PERVASIVE THREAT OF EXPLOSIVE BOOBY TRAPS LIKE THIS HAS COMPELLED THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE NEW COUNTERMEASURES.
THE HUSKY IS ONE OF THE MOS BLAST-SURVIVABLE VEHICLES IN AFGHANISTAN.
USING GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR, IT DETECTS AND IDENTIFIES MINES AND I.
E.
D.
s.
SINCE MANY I.
E.
D.
s ARE MADE FROM NONMETALLIC AND NONMAGNETIC COMPONENTS, THE HUSKY FINDS THE EXPLOSIVES THAT STANDARD MINE DETECTORS CANNOT.
THE NEWEST HUSKIES ARE DESIGNED IN SECTIONS.
IN THE EVENT OF AN I.
E.
D.
EXPLOSION, THE FRONT SECTION IS DESIGNED TO BREAK AWAY.
THE CREW CAN THEN REBUILD THE VEHICLE QUICKLY WITH MINIMAL EFFOR AND CONTINUE THEIR MISSION.
ANOTHER INNOVATIVE VEHICLE, THE BUFFALO, IS ALSO BATTLING THE THREAT OF ENEMY MINES AND I.
E.
D.
s.
THE SIX-WHEELED BUFFALO IS FULLY PROTECTED FOR THE JOB.
WRAPPED IN CAGE ARMOR TO STOP RPGs, IT HAS A V-SHAPED HULL TO PROTECT IT FROM ROADWAY I.
E.
D.
s, BALLISTIC GLASS FOR SHRAPNEL AND SMALL-ARMS FIRE, AND AN INFRARED CAMERA TO DETEC THE HEAT SIGNATURE OF ENEMY ORDINANCE.
THE BUFFALO IS A VARIATION OF THE MILITARY'S MINE-RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED ARMORED VEHICLE, OR MRAP.
IT WEIGHS MORE THAN 22 TONS AND COMES EQUIPPED WITH A 30-FOOT ROBOTIC ARM AND CLAW.
THE CREW OPERATES THE ARM FROM WITHIN THE ARMORED HULL, USING A CAMERA AND SENSORY EQUIPMENT.
THE BUFFALO ENABLES ITS CREW TO DIG UP EXPLOSIVES FROM ROADWAYS, THEN USE ROBOTS OR CALL IN ORDINANCE-DISPOSAL TEAMS TO DETONATE THEM AT A SAFE DISTANCE.
THE SYSTEM IS HIGHLY EFFECTIVE, BUT CLEARING A SINGLE EXPLOSIVE CAN TYPICALLY CONSUME AN HOUR OR MORE.
IT'S A PROCEDURE PRACTICAL ONLY IN AN AREA THAT'S REASONABLY SECURE OR WHERE TIME IS NOT OF THE ESSENCE.
DURING AN INTENSE COMBAT OPERATION, THE CHALLENGE OF CLEARING ENEMY EXPLOSIVES DEMANDS A REVOLUTIONARY NEW TECHNOLOGY.
THIS HEAVILY-ARMORED 72-TON ROLLING TITAN IS CALLED THE ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE, OR A.
B.
V.
Hubbard: WE'RE ABLE TO DO THE WORK WITH ONE VEHICLE AND JUST A FEW MARINES OF THE SAME AMOUNT THAT IT WOULD TAKE AS A SQUAD, POSSIBLY, OR MORE DISMOUNTED MARINES TO DO THE SAME WORK.
Narrator: PART TANK, PART BULLDOZER, IT IS CRAMMED WITH 7,000 POUNDS OF EXPLOSIVES.
THE A.
B.
V.
FIGHTS EXPLOSIVES WITH EXPLOSIVES.
IT'S TAILOR-MADE FOR DESTROYING MINEFIELDS AND I.
E.
D.
s, PROTECTING INSURGENT STRONGHOLDS.
IN AFGHANISTAN, A.
B.
V.
s WITH NICKNAMES RANGING FROM "THE JOKER" TO "ICEMAN" ARE REWRITING THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT.
THE A.
B.
V.
CAN CLEAR A ROUTE FASTER THAN DISMOUNTED PATROLS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAVE TO ACTUALLY FIND THE I.
E.
D.
s.
ALL IT HAS TO DO IS RUN THROUGH THEM.
IT KEEPS THE ENGINEERS SAFER INSIDE OF AN ARMORED VEHICLE, AND IT SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS ALMOST TENFOLD.
Narrator: THE ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE'S KEY EXPLOSIVE MECHANISM IS CALLED THE MINE-CLEARING LINE CHARGE, OR MCLC.
WHAT'S UP HERE -- WE HAVE THE ROCKET, AND WHAT THESE ROCKETS DO IS THEY SHOOT OUR EXPLOSIVE LINE CHARGE.
OUR EXPLOSIVE LINE CHARGE SHOOTS, I WOULD SAY, A SAUSAGE LINK OF C4 IN ABOUT 100 METERS, SO ESSENTIALLY, WE CAN CLEAR A ROUTE ABOUT THE LENGTH OF A FOOTBALL FIELD.
Narrator: THE MCLC'S FLEXIBLE TUBE IS ABOUT ONE FOOT THICK AND FILLED WITH NEARLY ONE TON OF C4.
A NYLON ROPE ATTACHES THE TUBE TO A 5-INCH ROCKET.
A PUSH OF A BUTTON LAUNCHES THE ROCKET, WHICH PROPELS THE EXPLOSIVE LINE OVER THE TARGETED AREA.
THEN THE A.
B.
V.
's OPERATOR SENDS AN ELECTRICAL PULSE TO THE CHARGE, DETONATING IT.
THE MASSIVE EXPLOSION SETS OFF ANY MINES OR I.
E.
D.
s WITHIN A SECTOR 45 FEET WIDE AND MORE THAN 100 YARDS LONG.
Murray: WHEN IT DETONATES, IT SENDS A PRESSURE WAVE INSIDE OF AN ARMORED VEHICLE.
IT'S LIKE SOMEBODY WALKED UP TO YOU AND SHOVED YOU.
Narrator: AND NO ONE FEELS THE FORCE OF A BLAST MORE THAN THE DRIVER, WHO SITS IN FRONT.
BEING IN THE FRONT, I MIGHT FEEL THE BOAT HARDER, BUT THEN AGAIN, WE HAVE THE PLOW, WHICH IS BASICALLY PROTECTING ME, AS WELL.
THAT'S EXTRA PROTECTION FOR ME, SO I FEEL PRETTY SAFE IN HERE.
Narrator: AS THE A.
B.
V.
MANEUVERS THROUGH THE DANGER ZONE, IT OFTEN SETS OFF MINES AND I.
E.
D.
s DIRECTLY IN ITS PATH.
THIS 15-FOOT-WIDE PLOW DEFLECTS THE FORCE OF THOSE EXPLOSIONS AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE.
IT BURROWS 14 INCHES BENEATH THE GROUND, DIGGING A SAFETY LANE, THROUGH WHICH THE A.
B.
V.
AND GROUND TROOPS CAN PASS.
THE AUTOMATED SYSTEM SHOVES POLES INTO THE GROUND ON BOTH SIDES OF THE LANE TO MARK IT CLEARLY.
THIS IS THE LANE-MARKING SYSTEM.
HERE, WE HAVE A GREEN SIDE AND AN ORANGE SIDE.
AFTER WE PROOF A LANE, THE L.
M.
S.
POLES ARE SHOT INTO THE DECK TO LET THE FOLLOWING FORCES BEHIND US KNOW THAT THE ROUTE'S BEEN CLEARED.
THEY DON'T WANT TO GET OUTSIDE THIS POLE.
THEY GOT TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY INSIDE OF IT, 'CAUSE OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S THE LANE THAT'S BEEN PROOFED.
Narrator: THE ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLE IS AN INGENIOUSLY DESIGNED ASSET, TAILORED FOR 21st-CENTURY WARFARE.
AS LONG AS AMERICA'S ENEMIES USE EXPLOSIVES AS THEIR PRIMARY WEAPONS, EXPLOSIVES WILL LIKELY BE USED IN THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES INTENDED TO NEUTRALIZE THEM.
NEXT, A COMPUTER-CONTROLLED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE AS SMART AS IT IS DEADLY.
WE'LL REVEAL HOW IT CAN KILL ONE ENEMY SOLDIER, THEN BE PRIMED REMOTELY TO TAKE OUT ANOTHER.
Narrator: FEW OF WAR'S WEAPONS HAVE AS SUDDEN, SHOCKING, AND DESTRUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES AS EXPLOSIVES.
FOR FOOT SOLDIERS, THE MOST FEARSOME OF ALL COMBAT EXPLOSIVES ARE ANTIPERSONNEL LAND MINES.
THEY MAKE THE BATTLEFIELD ONE BIG EXPLOSIVE BOOBY TRAP.
THEY CAN BE TRIGGERED IN MANY WAYS, BUT MOST COMMONLY, THEY USE THE PRESSURE OF A PERSON'S FOO TO INITIATE THE FIRING SEQUENCE.
Nelson: LAND MINES ARE USED FOR AREA DENIAL.
IF THERE'S A MINEFIELD, PEOPLE ARE NOT GONNA GO THROUGH IT.
THEY'RE GONNA AVOID IT.
SO, IF YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE COMING INTO AN AREA, YOU MINE IT.
Narrator: LAND MINES ARE UNIQUE AMONG ALL COMBAT WEAPONS AND ALL THE MORE TERRIFYING BECAUSE THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED NOT TO KILL.
MILLIONS WERE USED DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.
Nichols: THE ANTIPERSONNEL LAND MINE'S PURPOSE IS NORMALLY TO MAIM RATHER THAN TO KILL, BECAUSE IT CAUSES MORE OF A PROBLEM FOR THE ENEMY TO TAKE CARE OF A WOUNDED COMRADE THAN IT DOES TO TAKE CARE OF SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN KILLED.
Nelson: WHEN YOU HAVE A MINE THAT BLOWS SOMEBODY'S FOOT OFF OR, YOU KNOW, IT TAKES A LIMB OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT'S JUST THE NATURAL IMPULSE OF HIS TEAMMATES TO RUN TO HIS AIDE.
AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'D LIKE YOU TO DO -- TO RUN INTO THE MINEFIELD, AND YOU TAKE OUT MORE PEOPLE.
Narrator: ANOTHER FACTOR SETS LAND MINES APAR FROM ALL OTHER COMBAT WEAPONS.
WHEN WARS END, THE LAND MINES REMAIN.
Nichols: THE DANGER WITH LAND MINES AND THE REASON THAT, IN MANY WAYS, THEY ARE JUST SO INSIDIOUS, IS BECAUSE THEY REMAIN THERE FOR YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
Narrator: A CENTURY OF MODERN WARFARE HAS LITTERED THE GLOBE WITH 110 MILLION LAND MINES, PRIMED TO KILL OR MAIM INNOCENT CIVILIANS.
ANOTHER 2.
5 MILLION ARE LAID EVERY YEAR.
HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS HAVE COMPELLED THE PENTAGON TO ABANDON TRADITIONAL LAY-AND-FORGET LAND MINES.
ITS ANSWER IS THE M18 CLAYMORE MINE, WHICH CAN BE FIRED REMOTELY BY A SOLDIER IN THE FIELD.
THE CLAYMORE IS A DIRECTIONAL MINE.
WHEN DETONATED, A LAYER OF C4 BLASTS OUT 700 STEEL PELLETS IN A DEADLY 60-DEGREE ARC.
ANY ENEMY WITHIN 100 YARDS OF THE MINE IS IN THE KILL ZONE.
IN AN EFFORT TO DEVELOP AN EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE, SMARTER MINE, THE MILITARY IS DEVELOPING A REVOLUTIONARY MUNITION SYSTEM, CALLED THE XM7 SPIDER.
THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE SPIDER SYSTEM SO UNIQUE.
IT IS THE FIRST NETWORKED MUNITION SYSTEM.
IT ALLOWS THE SOLDIER, A MAN IN THE LOOP, TO ALWAYS CONTROL THE MUNITION FIELD, JUST LIKE HE MIGHT BE USING HIS PERSONAL WEAPON -- HIS M14 OR HIS M16 OR HIS CARBINE.
Narrator: LIKE ALL LAND MINES, THE SPIDER IS DESIGNED TO DELIVER FEARSOME EXPLOSIVE FORCE IN COMBAT, BUT IT'S ALSO ENGINEERED TO BE EASILY RECOVERED OR SELF-DEACTIVATING SO IT DOESN'T POSE A THREAT AFTER HOSTILITIES END.
EACH SPIDER MUNITIONS CONTROL UNIT FEATURES SIX CANISTERS ARRANGED IN A CIRCLE AND AIMED OUTWARD.
EACH IS LOADED WITH AN EXPLOSIVE CHARGE.
LIKE THE CLAYMORE, EACH CHARGE COVERS A 60-DEGREE ARC, SO THE SPIDER'S KILL ZONE IS A FULL 360-DEGREE SPREAD.
A TRIP WIRE EXTENDS TO OVER 30 FEE FROM EACH OF THE SIX CANISTERS, LAID TO CORRESPOND WITH THE EXPLOSIVE'S TRAJECTORY.
Johnson: WHEN AN INTRUDER COMES IN, HE WILL CATCH THE TRIP LINE, WHICH ARE VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE, WITH HIS BOOT, AND THAT WILL SEND A SIGNAL THROUGH THE TRANSCEIVER TO THE REMOTE-CONTROL STATION, SO THE SOLDIER GETS THE ALERT THAT SOMEONE IS IN HIS FIELD AND HAS TRIPPED THE TRIP LINE.
WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT NOW IS THE ICON OF THE MUNITION CONTROL UNI THAT'S OUT IN THE FIELD, AND YOU SEE THAT'S BLINKING, WHICH SAYS THAT A TRIP LINE HAS BEEN TRIPPED.
Narrator: A KEY ELEMENT OF THE SPIDER IS THAT TRIGGERING A TRIP WIRE DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY FIRE AN EXPLOSIVE.
ONLY THE OPERATOR, STATIONED AS FAR AWAY AS 1,000 METERS, CAN MAKE THAT CHOICE.
HE WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT IT'S A COMBATANT, A NONCOMBATANT, AN ANIMAL, A FRIENDLY SOLDIER, OR A CIVILIAN, AND THEN HE WILL MAKE A DECISION TO IGNORE IT OR TO ENGAGE IT.
Narrator: THE SPIDER CAN ENGAGE A TARGE USING DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXPLOSIVES, INCLUDING CLAYMORE-LIKE CHARGES THAT FIRE DIRECTIONALLY.
Johnson: IN THIS CASE, WE HAVE SET UP A PERIMETER.
WE'RE TRYING TO PROTECT THE FRIENDLIES THAT ARE ON THIS SIDE OF THE SANDBAGS, AND THE ENEMY IS ASSUMED TO BE COMING FROM THIS OTHER DIRECTION.
Narrator: THREE OF THE SPIDER MODULES' CLAYMORES ARE PRIMED WITH BLASTING CAPS, WHICH ARE LINKED TO LONG WIRES, LEADING TO THE SPIDER MODULE.
THE OPERATOR THEN ARMS THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES.
Johnson: SO, WE'VE JUST GONE INTO BATTLE ENGAGEMENT MODE, AND WHAT YOU NOTICE, THAT THE VISUAL SAFE INDICATOR HAS GONE FROM GREEN TO RED.
WE ARE NOW PREPARED TO DETONATE THE THREE CLAYMORES.
THESE TRIANGLES HERE ARE THE RANGE FANS.
THAT'S THE AREA OF INFLUENCE OF THE CLAYMORE WHEN IT DETONATES.
HE CAN ENGAGE ONE CLAYMORE, TWO CLAYMORES, THREE CLAYMORES, OR ALL THREE AT THE SAME TIME, AND HE HAS CHOSEN TO FIRE ALL THREE OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME.
Narrator: ALL IT TAKES TO UNLEASH THE CLAYMORE'S EXPLOSIVE MIGH IS ONE CLICK OF A MOUSE.
IN A TYPICAL COMBAT SCENARIO, A BLAST LIKE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN PRECEDED BY ONE OR MORE OF THE SPIDER MODULES' TRIP WIRES BEING TRIGGERED.
AN INGENIOUS DESIGN FEATURE ENABLES THE SPIDER'S OPERATOR TO REDEPLOY THE UNIT'S TRIP WIRES REMOTELY, WHICH PROPELS A NEW SET 10 TO 12 METERS AWAY FROM THE MODULE, WHERE THEY SECURE THEMSELVES TO THE TERRAIN.
Johnson: IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY AT THE ANCHOR, YOU SEE FOUR SMALL BARBS, WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO CATCH IN THE VEGETATION OR EVEN ONTO THE INTRUDER'S BOOT.
Narrator: THIS FEATURE NOT ONLY READIES THE SPIDER RAPIDLY TO RE-ENGAGE THE ENEMY, BUT ALSO HELPS KEEP THE OPERATOR FROM HARM'S WAY.
REARMING THE SPIDER REQUIRES A VISIT TO THE MODULE IN THE COMBAT ZONE.
BUT IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY TO INSTALL A DIFFERENT TYPE OF EXPLOSIVE.
Johnson: ONE OF THE THINGS YOU CAN INSTALL IS A MINIATURE GRENADE LAUNCHER.
THIS DEVICE HAS INSIDE OF IT A SMALL GRENADE ABOUT THE SAME SIZE THAT A SOLDIER MIGHT THROW.
Narrator: IN THIS DEMONSTRATION, USING THE GRENADE LAUNCHERS, THE SPIDER'S DESIGNERS HAVE ADDED CUTOUT TARGETS POSITIONED IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MODULE.
A CONTROL-STATION OPERATOR WILL FIRE ALL SIX OF THESE GRENADES.
THEY WILL FIRE OUT FIVE TO SEVEN METERS AND ABOUT TWO METERS OUT.
AND THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THE SPIDER SYSTEM IS MADE FOR IS TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE AN ENEMY FORCE THAT MIGHT BE APPROACHING A POSITION.
ALL RIGHT, READY? 3, 2, 1.
FIRE.
Narrator: WATCH AGAIN AND NOTE THE SLIGHT DELAY BETWEEN THE INSTANT THE GRENADES ARE FIRED AND WHEN THEY EXPLODE.
THE GRENADES HAVE JUST BEEN DEPLOYED, LOBBED INTO THE AIR IN FRONT OF THE TARGETS, AND NOW THEY DETONATE.
THE SPIDER XM7 IS NOT JUST AN INGENIOUSLY LETHAL WEAPON, BUT ALSO AN ALTERNATIVE TO CONVENTIONAL LAND MINES THAT ADDRESSES GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS.
A GPS REPORTS THE MODULES' LOCATION OVER AN ENCRYPTED LINK SO IT CAN BE RECOVERED LATER OR SO THAT FRIENDLY TROOPS CAN AVOID IT.
IF, FOR SOME REASON, IT ISN'T RECOVERED, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY DISABLE ITSELF WITHIN 30 DAYS, WHEN ITS BATTERY FAILS.
AWESOME FIREPOWER AND SMART TECHNOLOGY COMBINE TO MAKE THE SPIDER XM7 A QUANTUM LEAP FORWARD IN COMBAT EXPLOSIVES.
ITS REVOLUTIONARY CAPABILITIES PROMISE TO EXPAND LETHAL NEW STRATEGIES ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
NEXT, THE MOST MONUMENTAL GAUNTLET OF EXPLOSIVES EVER DEPLOYED, AND THE FATEFUL DAY WHEN ONE DETERMINED TASK FORCE RISKED EVERYTHING TRYING TO PENETRATE IT.
YOU'VE HEARD THE STORY OF D-DAY, BUT NEVER LIKE THIS.
Narrator: IN MODERN WARFARE, EXPLOSIVES ARE AN ESSENTIAL ASSET IN ANY ARMY'S ARSENAL.
DEPLOYED AS DEFENSIVE BARRIERS OR AS OFFENSIVE WEAPONS, THEY PLAY A KEY ROLE THAT HELPS DETERMINE WHO WINS AND WHO LOSES.
SEPTEMBER 2010 -- EXPLOSIVES TAKE CENTER STAGE IN SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN AS COALITION AND AFGHAN FORCES LAUNCH A MAJOR OFFENSIVE CALLED OPERATION DRAGON STRIKE.
THEIR OBJECTIVE -- DRIVE TALIBAN FIGHTERS FROM THEIR STRONGHOLDS IN THE PROVINCE OF KANDAHAR.
HEY, ROGER, WE HAVE ENEMY PINNED DOWN HERE IN THE SOUTH.
THEY KEEP TRYING TO FIRE TO MANEUVER OUT.
BREAK.
WE NEED TO MANEUVER ON THEM, OR WE NEED SOMEBODY ELSE TO MANEUVER ON THEM.
THE AREAS THE COALITION MUST BREACH ARE WELL DEFENDED BY BELTS OF I.
E.
D.
s.
TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR GROUND TROOPS, THEY RELY ON ASSAULT BREACHER VEHICLES, WHICH METHODICALLY DESTROY THE TALIBAN'S EXPLOSIVES WITH EXPLOSIVES OF THEIR OWN.
BUFFALOS AND HUSKIES ASSIST IN THE CLEARING OPERATION.
THE PAINSTAKING PROCESS LEAVES COALITION FORCES VULNERABLE TO INSURGENT GUNFIRE.
BUT BLAST BY BLAST, THE TALIBAN'S HOLD ON KANDAHAR WEAKENS UNTIL FINALLY, COALITION FORCES HAVE GAINED CONTROL.
OPERATION DRAGON STRIKE'S HEAVY RELIANCE ON EXPLOSIVES TO COUNTER THE ENEMY'S EXPLOSIVE DEFENSES HAS MANY PRECEDENTS IN WARFARE.
THE MOST EPIC OF ALL OCCURRED ON THE MOST PIVOTAL DAY OF WORLD WAR II -- JUNE 6, 1944, D-DAY.
THE ALLIES' CHALLENGE -- LAUNCH AN INVASION OF NAZI-OCCUPIED EUROPE BY STORMING THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY IN FRANCE.
THE GERMANS' COUNTER STRATEGY -- STOP THE INVASION AT ITS OUTSET -- AT THE SHORELINE.
LOOMING BEFORE THE ALLIES WAS HITLER'S ATLANTIC WALL, THE MOST FORMIDABLE BARRIER OF FIREPOWER AND OBSTACLES EVER CREATED.
ON ITS LEADING EDGE WAS HISTORY'S MOST TERRIFYING GAUNTLET OF EXPLOSIVES.
Schmitman: IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THE SCALE AND SCOPE OF THE CHALLENGE FACING THE INVASION FORCES AT NORMANDY.
THE GERMANS HAD PLACED, BY SOME ESTIMATES, SOME 6.
5 MILLION EXPLOSIVES ALONG THE ATLANTIC WALL.
Glenn: THE ATLANTIC WALL WAS LIKE A HUGE TRAP.
PSYCHOLOGICALLY, THE THOUGHT OF THESE GERMAN MINES ON THE BEACHES FOR YOUR SOLDIER COMING TO SHORE IS COMPLETELY DEBILITATING, LET ALONE HAVING TO DEAL WITH ALL THE GERMAN MORTARS AND MACHINE GUNS GOING OFF.
Narrator: THE GERMAN EXPLOSIVES AT NORMANDY WERE AS VARIED AS THEY WERE INTIMIDATING.
ANTIPERSONNEL LAND MINES DOMINATED THE BEACHES, BURIED BENEATH THE SANDS.
ANTI-TANK MINES, CALLED TELLER MINES, EACH CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 12 POUNDS OF TNT, WERE SET ATOP LOGS ANGLED SEAWARD, READY TO MAKE EASY PREY OF ALLIED LANDING CRAFT.
OTHER OBSTACLES WERE ARMED WITH FRENCH ARTILLERY SHELLS SCAVENGED FROM THE MAGINOT LINE.
THE MOST TERRIFYING OF THE GERMAN EXPLOSIVES WERE CALLED S-MINES.
WHEN ACTIVATED, A SMALL CHARGE IGNITED, PROPELLING THE MAIN CHARGE UP ABOUT THREE FEE BEFORE IT EXPLODED.
AMERICANS NICKNAMED THEM BOUNCING BETTIES.
INSTEAD OF JUST STEPPING ON IT AND HAVING IT BLOW OFF YOUR LEG, THE BOUNCING BETTY, WHEN IT'S TRIGGERED, WILL EXPLODE AT ABOUT YOUR MID-SECTION, BASICALLY RIPPING YOU AND YOUR STOMACH AND LOWER REGIONS APART, AND THEREFORE, ANYONE ELSE WITHIN A CLOSE PROXIMITY OF YOU.
Narrator: BEFORE THE ALLIES COULD HIT THE BEACH, THEY HAD TO CONTEND WITH THOUSANDS OF SEA MINES FLOATING OR ANCHORED CONTACT MINES EXPLODED WHEN STRUCK BY A SHIP.
PRESSURE MINES SAT ON THE BOTTOM AND EXPLODED WHEN THEY DETECTED A CHANGE IN THE WATER PRESSURE EXERTED BY A PASSING SHIP.
Glenn: YOU HAVE OTHERS THAT ARE ENCASED IN A CEMENT BLOCK, IF YOU WILL, WITH A METAL ROD STICKING UP FROM IT.
WHEN YOU'RE A BOAT AND YOU MAKE CONTACT WITH THAT METAL ROD, THAT ROD THEN SETS OFF THE BURIED ARTILLERY SHELL OR MINE INSIDE THAT CONCRETE CASING, WHICH THEN BLOWS UP AND DESTROYS YOUR SHIP.
Narrator: IF THE ALLIED INVADERS FAILED TO BREACH OR SAFELY NAVIGATE THE LABYRINTH OF EXPLOSIVES, D-DAY WOULD END IN CATASTROPHE.
THE NAVY LED THE WAY ON JUNE 5th, AS 255 MINESWEEPERS CLEARED LANES THROUGH THE SEA MINES.
Glenn: THE JOB OF THE MINESWEEPER WAS TO GO THROUGH AND DROP CHARGES THAT WOULD THEN BLOW A PATH THROUGH THE MINES.
YOU SET OFF ONE MINE IN HOPES THAT IT WILL TRIGGER OTHER MINES THAT WILL THEN EXPLODE ALL AROUND YOU, AND THEN YOU AND YOUR CONVOY HAVE A CLEAR PATH TO PASS THROUGH.
THE PROBLEM WITH MINESWEEPING USING A SHIP IS YOU'RE KIND OF LEADING WITH YOUR CHIN.
YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE CREW ON A SHIP GOING OUT FORWARD, AND YOU'RE TOWING YOUR MINESWEEPING EQUIPMENT BEHIND THE SHIP.
Narrator: ON D-DAY, ALLIED COMMANDERS KNEW THE ONLY WAY TO RUN THE GAUNTLET OF EXPLOSIVES ON THE SHORES WAS TO COME HEAVILY ARMED WITH EXPLOSIVES OF THEIR OWN.
NEARLY A QUARTER OF THE TROOPS THAT HIT OMAHA BEACH ON D-DAY WERE ENGINEERS.
Glenn: EXPLOSIVES WERE THE NAME OF THE GAME THAT DAY FOR PUNCHING A HOLE THROUGH HITLER'S ATLANTIC WALL.
Narrator: THE ENGINEER'S ORDERS WERE TO DEMOLISH OBSTACLES, BLOW UP LAND MINES, AND CLEAR CHANNELS FOR LANDING CRAFT, AND THEY HAD TO DO IT ALL EXPOSED TO A DEADLY TRIPLE CROSSFIRE -- MACHINE GUNS AND HEAVY ARTILLERY FROM THE SIDES, SMALL ARMS FROM THE FRONT, AND MORTARS DROPPING FROM ABOVE.
SO, NOT ONLY WOULD A COMBAT ENGINEER ON D-DAY HAVE THE UNBELIEVABLE TASK OF DISASSEMBLING AND DESTROYING THE GERMAN DEFENSES, THEY WERE ALSO BEING SHOT AT IN THE PROCESS.
Narrator: THE HEROIC ENGINEERS AT NORMANDY MADE SLOW AND STEADY PROGRESS.
IN ONE INCIDENT THAT EXEMPLIFIED THEIR BRAVERY, A TEAM WAS PREPPING A BANGALORE TORPEDO WHEN IT'S COMMANDING OFFICER WAS CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE.
AS HE OBSERVED THEM PUTTING THE BANGALORE SECTIONS TOGETHER WITH THE CONNECTORS, HE TOOK A ROUND IN HIS SHOULDER AND THEN A SECOND ROUND THAT BASICALLY PASSED THROUGH HIS JAW AND JUST GOES ABOUT HIS BUSINESS.
Narrator: AS D-DAY WORE ON, SO DID THE EXPLOSIONS.
TRIGGERED BY EACH SIDE, INCESSANT BLASTS CONTINUED TO DECIMATE ALLIED LANDING CRAFT, GROUND VEHICLES, AND THE ENGINEERS THEMSELVES.
BUT SLOWLY, THEY MADE HEADWAY, BLOWING UP THE BURIED MINES, THE DEVILISH OBSTACLES, AND THE CONCRETE BARRIERS.
BY DAY'S END, THE EXPLOSIONS BELONGED MOSTLY TO THE ALLIES, AS DID THE BATTLE ITSELF.
Schmitman: THOUGH THEY RARELY GOT THE SORT OF PUBLICITY AND GLAMOUR OF OTHER FORCES, THE COMBAT ENGINEERS AT D-DAY HAD A CRITICAL ROLE.
WITHOUT THE HOLES THAT THEY CREATED IN THE BARBED WIRE AND OTHER EMPLACEMENTS, ALLIED FORCES COULD NOT POUR THROUGH.
Glenn: AND THINKING THAT EVEN BEFORE THEY GOT TO THE BEACH THEY WERE ALREADY DRAINED AND EXHAUSTED OF ENERGY, AND HAVING TO DO THAT AND CARRY ALL THAT EQUIPMENT, THEIR WEAPON, THEIR AMMUNITION, WHATEVER ELSE THEY HAD WITH THEM, WAS A TREMENDOUS TASK.
UNBELIEVABLE.
SO, FAST-FORWARD TO TODAY.
Schmitman: THE ENGINEERS FROM D-DAY AND THE BEACHES OF NORMANDY ARE NOW THE FOLKS THAT ARE DOING BOMB DISPOSAL AND DEALING WITH THE I.
E.
D.
s IN THE THEATERS OF COMBA OUR FORCES FIND THEMSELVES IN ALL OVER THE WORLD RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: AMONG SUCH ENGINEERS ARE THOSE THAT MADE THE DIFFERENCE IN OPERATION DRAGON STRIKE -- MASTERS OF EXPLOSIVES WHO REVERSED TALIBAN MOMENTUM IN THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.
COMING UP, THE NEW BREED OF EXPLOSIVES THAT ARE EMPOWERING AMERICA'S ENEMIES AND THE INGENIOUS TECHNOLOGIES DESIGNED TO DETECT AND DISARM THEM.
YOU'LL BE SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION IS SOMETIMES THE SIMPLEST.
Narrator: OVER THE PAST HOUR, WE'VE REVEALED DETAILS ABOUT TODAY'S DEADLIEST COMBAT EXPLOSIVES AND HOW EXPLOSIVES IN AMERICA'S ARSENAL ARE PLAYING A KEY ROLE ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
IN THE NEW LANDSCAPE OF WAR, EXPLOSIVES ARE ALSO A MAJOR ASSET FOR AMERICA'S ENEMIES.
FOR REBELS AND INSURGENTS, WHOSE ARMORIES ARE LIMITED, IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICES ARE AN INEXPENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE MEANS TO WREAK HAVOC ON A MORE POWERFUL FOE.
THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF CONSTRUCTING AN I.
E.
D.
IS PROCURING THE EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS.
THE DEADLY PROJECTILES THEY FIRE ARE COMMONPLACE.
Frick: THEY CAN USE NUTS, BOLTS.
THEY CAN EVEN GO AS FAR AS USING ROCKS OR MAYBE SOME CONCRETE -- ANYTHING THAT'S GONNA GIVE THEM THAT SHRAPNEL PUSH.
A LOT OF THE STUFF CAN BE THE CONTAINER ITSELF.
IF IT'S A METAL CONTAINER, ONCE THAT METAL CONTAINER DETONATES, IT'S GONNA CAUSE THE SHRAPNEL IN ITSELF FOR THE CASUALTY.
Narrator: IN AFGHANISTAN, MANY OF THE FIRST I.
E.
D.
s WERE REMOTE-CONTROLLED.
U.
S.
FORCES RESPONDED BY DEPLOYING SOPHISTICATED JAMMERS TO BLOCK RADIO SIGNALS.
INSURGENTS ANSWERED WITH I.
E.
D.
s DETONATED BY PRESSURE-SENSITIVE PLATES AND WIRE TRIGGERS.
THIS HAS FORCED THE PENTAGON TO PLACE MORE EMPHASIS ON TRAINING SOLDIERS TO DETECT AND IDENTIFY EMPLACED I.
E.
D.
s.
BUT SPOTTING ONE CAN BE A DAUNTING CHALLENGE.
Frick: THE I.
E.
D.
s COULD BE ANYWHERE.
IT'S A 360-DEGREE BATTLEFIELD, SO NOT ONLY COULD THE I.
E.
D.
s BE LAID INTO THE GROUND, THEY CAN ALSO BE IN ELEVATED POSITIONS.
THEY COULD BE ON WALLS.
THEY COULD BE IN TREES.
A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES THAT AN I.
E.
D.
CAN BE PLACED, AND WE GIVE THEM THAT INFORMATION ON WHAT TO LOOK FOR, HOW TO LOOK FOR IT, AND THE THINGS TO BE LOOKING FOR, SO THIS TRAINING IS VERY RELEVANT FOR THAT.
Narrator: THE GENIUS OF I.
E.
D.
s USED CURRENTLY IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ IS THAT THEY DEFY HIGH-TECH COUNTERMEASURES, SO TRAINING SOLDIERS TO SAFELY LOCATE THEM IS LIMITED TO RUDIMENTARY TOOLS AND METHODICAL PROCEDURES, LIKE SCANNING SUSPECT AREAS WITH METAL DETECTORS.
Frick: AS YOU CAN SEE, HE'S GOT A HIT HERE, SO WHAT HE'S GONNA DO, HE'S JUST GONNA RECONFIRM THAT THAT IS A HIT, AND HE'S GONNA GO AHEAD AND DO WHAT WE CALL EDGE DETECTION.
HE'S CHECKING THE RIGHT AND LEFT LATERAL LIMITS OF WHERE HE'S GETTING THAT HIT AT.
Narrator: INSURGENT I.
E.
D.
MAKERS HAVE COUNTERED METAL DETECTORS WITH EXPLOSIVE DEVICES WITH LOW METALLIC CONTENT.
EXPOSING THEM SAFELY IS MORE DIFFICULT.
THIS 15-FOOT FIBERGLASS POLE, CAPPED WITH A HOOK, CALLED A HOLLY STICK, EXHIBITS HOW THE WORLD'S MOST ADVANCED MILITARY FORCE CAN GO DECIDEDLY LOW-TECH IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.
Frick: PERHAPS WHEN I'M GOING INTO A BUILDING WHERE THERE'S PERHAPS BEEN I.
E.
D.
s LAID IN THE PAST, IF I'VE GOT AN IDEA THAT THERE MAY BE ONE OR I'VE GOT A BAD FEELING ABOUT THAT AREA, I'LL GO AHEAD AND PULL THIS OUT, DOUBLE-CHECK IT BEFORE I WALK INTO I TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M SAFE BEFORE I GO AHEAD AND PUSH ENTRANCE.
Narrator: THESE BOARDS SIMULATE A DOORWAY, A COMMON LOCATION WHERE I.
E.
D.
s ARE PLANTED.
Frick: AS THEY'RE PULLING THAT HOOK BACK, IF THEY SEE THE DIRT AROUND IT PULLING BACK WITH IT, THEN THEY KNOW THAT THERE'S SOMETHING LAID THERE, SO AS SOON AS THEY SEE THAT, THEY'RE GONNA STOP.
THEY'RE GONNA PUSH THAT HOOK FORWARD, GET IT OFF OF IT, LIFT IT UP, AND GO AHEAD AND MOVE OUT OF THAT AREA.
THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR WHAT WE CALL SHELF EFFECT.
AS THEY PULL THAT HOOK BACK, IF THAT HOOK PULLS BACK AND IT DROPS, THEN THEY KNOW THERE'S A SPACE THERE, AND IN THAT SPACE, THERE DEFINITELY COULD BE SOMETHING LAID IN.
Narrator: WHEN A SOLDIER LOCATES AN I.
E.
D.
IN A WAR ZONE, PROTOCOL CALLS FOR ALERTING AN EXPLOSIVES ORDNANCE DISPOSAL TEAM, OR E.
O.
D.
THESE SPECIALISTS ARE TRAINED TO NEUTRALIZE I.
E.
D.
s BY RENDERING THEM INOPERATIVE OR DETONATING THEM.
THEIR HAZARDOUS DUTY, DEPICTED IN THE AWARD-WINNING 2008 FILM "THE HURT LOCKER," IS AMONG MODERN WARFARE'S MOST DANGEROUS.
THEY MUST SOMETIMES WORK IN UNSECURED ZONES, EXPOSED TO ENEMY FIRE.
Nelson: YOU REALLY DON'T THINK ABOUT THE DANGER INVOLVED.
YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN.
YOU JUST HAVE A JOB.
YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT A JOB TO DO, AND YOU GO FORWARD, AND YOU DO YOUR JOB, AND THEN YOU GO TO THE NEXT JOB.
A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT IT AND GO, "THAT'S CRAZY.
" Narrator: E.
O.
D.
TECHS OWE MUCH OF THEIR STOIC DISCIPLINE TO TRAINING, TACTICS, AND PROCEDURES THAT HELP MINIMIZE RISK.
THEY RELY ON THOSE ADVANTAGES WHENEVER THEY TAKE ON ONE OF THEIR MOST HAZARDOUS CHALLENGES DISARMING AN I.
E.
D.
WITHOUT TRIGGERING I SO THAT VITAL INTELLIGENCE CAN BE GAINED.
Nichols: THEY UNDERSTAND THAT BY GETTING THAT DEVICE INTACT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, WE CAN UNDERSTAND A LITTLE MORE ABOUT WHAT THE ENEMY WANTED TO DO AND THE TOOLS THAT THEY'RE UTILIZING.
WE DO THAT, WE BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW TO PROTECT OUR OWN FORCES.
Narrator: IN MANY CASES, E.
O.
D.
TEAMS CAN FIND PROTECTION OF THEIR OWN.
WHEN A REMOTE OPERATED VEHICLE, OR R.
O.
V.
, ROLLS IN TO KEEP THEM FROM HARM'S WAY, AN E.
O.
D.
TECHNICIAN MANS THE CONTROLS IN A BETTER-DEFENDED POSITION -- AS FAR AWAY AS ONE MILE.
WITH FIVE LIVE-FEED CAMERAS AND A GRIPPER THAT ROTATES 360 DEGREES, R.
O.
V.
s ACT AS THE HUMAN OPERATOR'S EYES AND HANDS, DIFFUSING I.
E.
D.
s OR BLOWING THEM UP.
AS THE TECHNOLOGY OF MILITARY EXPLOSIVES EVOLVES, SO WILL ITS TACTICAL APPLICATIONS.
Nichols: THE FLAVOR OF EXPLOSIVE MAY CHANGE OVER TIME, AND THE SPECIFIC EFFECT THAT IT HAS AND THE WAY THAT IT IS UTILIZED MAY CHANGE, BUT EXPLOSIVES THEMSELVES ARE NOT GONNA LEAVE THE BATTLEFIELD ANYTIME SOON.
Narrator: THE MORE POWERFUL AND PRECISE THE EXPLOSIVES BECOME, THE MORE THEY CAN BE LETHALLY INTEGRATED WITH GROUND, SEA, AND AIR FORCES.
THE DEVASTATING ENERGY UNLEASHED WITH EVERY BLAS IS AN INVALUABLE PREREQUISITE FOR VICTORY.
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