The evolution of IEDs

摘要

Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been, and continue to be, the main threat facing troops in theatre, counter-insurgency forces, and civilian victims of terrorist acts. The IRA waged the biggest terrorist bombing campaign in history, with an unparalleled level of ingenuity in the crafting and deplozment of a multiplicity of IEDs. Lessons are being learned by current EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) squads from dealing with over 30 years of IRA terrorism. UK EOD squads are applying their expertise and experience to current theatres of war where IEDs are prevalent, particularly to US EOD squads. But today's threats differ in many ways from the challenges faced by the British Army ATO (ammunition technical officer) teams, who were engaged in a 30-year cat-and-mouse arms race with the IRA, but faced with threats that, although constantly changing in operational detail, were more quantifiable than the ones they and their colleagues around the world face today.