Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

The Navy Reveals Secret Device to Defeat IEDs
Popular Mechanics ^ | 6/23/2010 | David Hambling

Posted on 06/27/2010 1:33:32 AM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld

Last week the Pentagon revealed the existence of a new weapon in the war against roadside bombs: a beam of radio-frequency energy that can detonate hidden Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) at a distance.

And its creators say the potential does not stop there—the beam could be also used to set off other types of warheads before they reached their target. In theory it might be used to set off ammunition before the enemy even has a chance to fire. "The capabilities are not limited to improvised devices," Lee Mastroianni, program manager at the Office of Naval Research (ONR), told Popular Mechanics.

There are many counter-IED devices that work by jamming the command signals to bombs that are triggered by a radio signal. These are collectively known as Counter Radio-controlled Electronic Warfare, or CREW. And there have also been some other technologies, such as the Army's Blow Torch, which use a high-powered beam of microwaves to damage the bomb's electronics. But the new device targets the explosive itself.

In one sense the technology is very old. As far back as 1895, the Indian scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose gave a demonstration in which he ignited gunpowder from a distance with microwaves. (A search on YouTube shows the modern version using gunpowder in a microwave oven—don't try that at home.) In 1924, British inventor Harry Grindell Matthews claimed that he had developed a weapon using the same principle, an antiaircraft ray that could set off explosives and blow up attacking bombers. "Death Ray Matthews" became a popular figure with the press, although he never convinced government scientists that the device worked.

(Excerpt) Read more at popularmechanics.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: ied; onr; pentagon; usarmy; usnavy
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last

1 posted on 06/27/2010 1:33:41 AM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

Well then, I’m assuming that it can’t be stopped! What kind of idiots would reveal this if it could be?


2 posted on 06/27/2010 1:39:06 AM PDT by Deagle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

brilliant... let the enemy know that you have the technology and how it works. brilliant.

do these people think wrapping the IED in a metal casing to block radio waves (tin foil? wire mesh?) would be beyond the capability of the enemy?

how long must i endure my country being run by idiots and teenagers... but i repeat myself. and don’t say november... once they pass the executive order for amnesty, there will be 20m+ new dem voters.


3 posted on 06/27/2010 1:45:52 AM PDT by sten
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

Science fiction becomes reality: http://www.amazon.com/Trigger-Arthur-Clarke-Michael-Kube-McDowell/dp/0002247127


4 posted on 06/27/2010 1:49:53 AM PDT by Spartan79 (Malo periculosam libertatem quam quietam servitutem.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

Aren’t many IED’s triggered by fine trip-wires and mechanical pressure plates?


5 posted on 06/27/2010 2:07:14 AM PDT by James C. Bennett
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sten

“how long must i endure my country being run by idiots and teenagers”

Agreed.

Can I check if you are putting in your 1 weekend a month to help a good candidate in your area?


6 posted on 06/27/2010 2:12:43 AM PDT by chuck_the_tv_out ( <<< click my name: now featuring Freeper classifieds)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: chuck_the_tv_out

I wish I had good candidates in my area.... I’m in Illinois.

Even when we get a good candidate, the RINO’s team up with the Dems to run them out of town.

Oberweiss was the last guy I did volunteer work for, and would do it again, but I don’t think he’ll get involved.


7 posted on 06/27/2010 2:42:52 AM PDT by esoxmagnum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

If you can detonate a roadside bomb underground I would think aiming the device at every house in every village would obtain some interesting results.


8 posted on 06/27/2010 2:56:04 AM PDT by Recon Dad ( Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sten
do these people think wrapping the IED in a metal casing to block radio waves (tin foil? wire mesh?) would be beyond the capability of the enemy?

If they're setting off normal IED’s then tin foil won't effect the device. Most IED’s are artillery shells a foot or more underground.

9 posted on 06/27/2010 3:00:48 AM PDT by Recon Dad ( Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

Clever and needed for a long time.


10 posted on 06/27/2010 3:04:21 AM PDT by Rapscallion (Obama - The anti-American dictator disguised as a President)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Recon Dad

True, but with the current ROE situation it would never be used.


11 posted on 06/27/2010 3:34:33 AM PDT by mazda77 (Rubio for US Senate - West FL22nd - JD Hayworth - US Senate)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Recon Dad
If they're setting off normal IED’s then tin foil won't effect the device. Most IED’s are artillery shells a foot or more underground.

I believe Sten is referring to the fact that this technology is generating Electromagetic Pulses designed to destroy the electronics of the IED.

The Faraday cage would work as a defense.

12 posted on 06/27/2010 3:46:03 AM PDT by sonofagun (Some think my cynicism grows with age. I like to think of it as wisdom!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: sonofagun

But the new device targets the explosive itself.


13 posted on 06/27/2010 3:53:07 AM PDT by Recon Dad ( Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: mazda77

No doubt there would be rules that you had to clear occupied buildings before you turn it on said building.

Would a verbal warning be sufficent. “Hello, anyone in there might want to leave....one, two, ect.


14 posted on 06/27/2010 3:56:21 AM PDT by Recon Dad ( Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

Not so secret anymore, is it?


15 posted on 06/27/2010 4:37:26 AM PDT by Slings and Arrows (You can't have IngSoc without an Emmanuel Goldstein.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sten
wrapping the IED in a metal casing to block radio waves (tin foil? wire mesh?) would be beyond the capability of the enemy?

Considering that it would also block their own detonation signal, I would say unlikely.

16 posted on 06/27/2010 4:41:41 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco (Peanut butter was just peanut butter until I found Free Republic.........)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Recon Dad; sten
But the new device targets the explosive itself.

I don't understand the technology other than Marx Generators are designed to produce EMP's which generally are used to disrupt electronics.

I take reporters' interpretation of anything with a large grain of salt.

17 posted on 06/27/2010 4:44:03 AM PDT by sonofagun (Some think my cynicism grows with age. I like to think of it as wisdom!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: sonofagun

I just hope it works and works at a distance.


18 posted on 06/27/2010 4:52:43 AM PDT by Recon Dad ( Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: esoxmagnum

All politics is NOT local. Find out which candidates around the country need your help. Do triage: avoid the sure winners and sure losers, and go for the battleground elections.

So much energy, time, and money is wasted by people slavishly adhering to Tip O’Neill’s maxim. Or are they in it for the personal gain in their local fairy-tale GOP establishment? Do that some other time. This year is too important.


19 posted on 06/27/2010 5:01:41 AM PDT by firebrand
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: sonofstrangelove

Why is this being spoken of, rather than implemented,
before the enemy makes countermeasures?


20 posted on 06/27/2010 5:07:55 AM PDT by Diogenesis (Article IV - Section 4 - The United States shall protect each of them against Invasion)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-35 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson