Past terrorist attacks have indicated increased use of Improvised Explosives (IE’s) based on fuel/oxidizer mixtures to include home-made explosive (HME). Studies have shown that these types of IE’s exhibit extreme blast and thermal outputs that can be significantly different from that of conventional high explosives. Certain mixtures have been well characterized, but there was otherwise little data pertinent to the blast and thermal effects of the HME and, in particular, HME-based large-scale Improvised Explosive Devices (IED’s).

ARA was hired to complete the objectives of this effort and test the project ideas.

• Conduct a comprehensive characterization and evaluation of the hazard properties, mix processing, handling, initiation methods, performance, and blast effects of the HME-based IED’s.

• Develop safe ingredient mixing and handling procedures, charge element configurations and initiation methods for the liquid explosive mixtures for small-scale hazard testing.

• Provide a thorough characterization of the handling, detonation, and blast effects of the HME devices for open air and vehicle bomb configuration testing.

• Establish safe handling procedures for large bomb configurations.