We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Improvised Explosive Devices?

Michael Anissimov
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,520
Share

Improvised explosive devices (IED) are small homemade bombs, made famous recently by the occupation of Iraq by the United States, used to kill soldiers and damage vehicles. In contrast to land-mines, improvised explosive devices are usually manufactured from off-the-shelf components using simple tools and commonly triggered using a mobile phone. The use of improvised explosive devices may be regarded as a form of guerilla warfare, employed by fighters of a poor nation being invaded or occupied by a more technologically advanced force. Improvised explosive devices are responsible for approximately one third of U.S. military deaths in Iraq, a figure which has remained relatively constant with the continued occupation.

The appeal of improvised explosive devices lies in the fact that they can be made from just about anything that explodes coupled with a remotely activated detonator. They are especially useful in urban areas, where it is difficult for the occupying forces to distinguish between innocent civilians and enemy combatants, and the perpetrator can escape into a crowd in the confusion of the explosion. Improvised explosive devices may be cleverly concealed under garbage or positioned in unsuspected places like behind trees or signs.

In the chaos of an invasion, a defeated army generally leaves behind many tons of explosive material to be looted by insurgents. Though these insurgents might lack the necessary technology to make use of the explosives as originally intended, improvised explosive devices can be made from nearly anything. A conventional high explosive payload may be accompanied by toxic chemicals or biological weaponry such as anthrax, adding to the psychological fear factor. With the right knowledge and tools, high explosive can be formed into a shaped charge, like the type used in rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), which creates a lethal plasma jet that no current armor can stop. As of 2006, the U.S. military is pumping many millions of dollars into emergency research programs for finding effective countermeasures to these insidious devices.

IEDs have been used by the guerilla forces of Spain during their civil war, against the Nazis by Belarusians during WWII, and by the radical Islamist militias in Iraq and Afghanistan following the U.S. military invasions there. It is known that foreign specialists sometimes arrive in these hotspots to assist the natives in constructing IEDs, compounding the severity of risk in the area. Perhaps with the right detection or neutralization mechanisms, improvised explosive devices will no longer pose a risk, but today they result in the death or maiming of many unfortunate soldiers.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Anissimov
By Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated WiseGeek contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism to his articles. An avid blogger, Michael is deeply passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. His professional experience includes work with the Methuselah Foundation, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and Lifeboat Foundation, further showcasing his commitment to scientific advancement.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated WiseGeek contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology,...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-improvised-explosive-devices.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.