Package-Type Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

Concealed Mortar/Artillery Projectiles

The enemy in Iraq has used IEDs consisting of mortar and artillery projectiles as the explosive device. The most common explosives used are military munitions, usually 122 mm or greater mortar/tank/artillery.

The use and characteristics of these have included the following:

• Thrown from overpasses.
• Thrown in front of approaching vehicles from roadside.
• Usually thrown by males-who are not always adults.
• Emplaced in potholes (covered with dirt).
• Emplaced along MSRs and alternate supply routes (targeting vehicles).
• Employed along unimproved roads (targeting patrols).
• Employed with 120-mm and larger artillery or mortar projectiles.
• Found alone or in groups.
• IEDs behind which are placed cinder blocks or piles of sand to direct blast into the kill zone.
• Command detonated-either by wire or remote device.
• Time-delay triggered IEDs. IEDs that can be detonated by cordless phone from a car (allows for mobile firing platform and prevents tracing or triangulation).

Modified Conventional Munitions

The examples below are all IEDs that have been recovered in Iraq.

Anti-Tank Mine encased in concrete and command detonated via remote control	Improvised Off-Route Antitank Mine
500lbs bomb rigged as IED

Artillery shells rigged as IEDs

Artillery shell-based IEDs hidden in bags along roads

Artillery shell-based IED hidden in plaster made to look like a concrete block

Other