Improvised Explosive Devices (IED)

Improvised Explosive Devices (IED). . , IEDs are low-technology explosive devices, which are usually homemade. Materials used to make these devices vary widely and include locally sourced switches, power supplies, initiators, explosive devices, and charge containers. IEDs are commonly hidden beside and underneath sections of roadway or under roadside debris. They can be set off using a variety of remote trigger mechanisms, such as a cell phone, pager, hand-held radio, garage door opener, or even simply by pressure. , , In order to increase the effectiveness of IEDs, they can be stacked on top of one another or linked together through methods known as coupling and daisy-chaining (shown in this exhibit). When a vehicle passes into the blast zone, the linked devices are then detonated underneath or around it. Insurgents use IEDs to disrupt or distract coalition patrols and convoys, and thereby cause confusion in order to gain some superiority in a potential…