What is an IED but the new buzz word for command detonated mine?
IED is for IMPROVISED, which means not built in a factory like a "mine" is. It is composed of parts originally intended for other purposes (garage door openers, walkie-talkies, etc).
Does anyone know the percentage of remotely detonated devices that are sophisticated and done by a pro vs the percentage that are done by amateurs?
The anecdotal reports imply both exist in Iraq. I see no way of preventing terrorists from developing additional expertise in this area of remote control.
On the other hand, our problem is not development of the technology, our problem is chair warmers in the Pentagon grasping the changing nature of war. For example, they were late, but now recognize the role of large unmanned drones for birds-eye surveillance.
But they still don't grasp the fact that modern picture on your cellphone technology is best put on a commercial version of a 12" hobby plane and not on a 30 foot version of a beechcraft.
Especially in urban warfare, the 12" hobby size plane with a camera can maneuver between buildings, around corners, into alleys, into windows. We should be able to fly a plane into the window of the place where snipers are holed up and see what is there... and then if the plane can't return for the next mission, explode that plane... and anyone within 20 feet of it.
If we don't develop that technology, the other side will. For example, what is to prevent a "fleet" of such hobby size planes with explosives from flying into a sports stadium or rock concert of other large group of people?
There is no way a F11* AF finest can take out such small targets without also taking out half the spectators at the sports event.
We have yet to fully comprehend THE POWER OF SMALL.