An investigation into the use of a vehicle for improvised blast mitigation

The Problem. Improvised explosive devices (IED) and/or vehicle borne IEDs (VBIED) are a worldwide threat and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Once located, the immediate response of the local security personnel would be to evacuate the area whilst specialists are called in to deal with the device. However, there may be circumstances that mean that bystanders cannot be moved, such as through prior injury, and therefore there is a need to investigate methods of rapid improvised blast mitigation. One such option is a vehicle as it could be moved quickly into position. But as there are a wide variety of vehicle shapes and sizes, as well as the need to optimise the positioning for maximum mitigation effectiveness, Hertfordshire Constabulary approached Cranfield University to assist in studying the feasibility of this tactic. The project was allocated to a syndicate undertaking the Addressing EOE Capability Caps (AECG) Module of the Explosive Ordnance Engineering (EOE) MSc. The four-person syndicate consisted of both civilian and serving military personnel, two of whom were on the first phase of their Ammunition Technical Officers Course.