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Author: Subject: Common Chemicals as Precursors of Improvised Explosive Devices: The Challenges of Controlling Domestic Terrorism
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[*] posted on 6-8-2011 at 12:21
Common Chemicals as Precursors of Improvised Explosive Devices: The Challenges of Controlling Domestic Terrorism


Accession Number : ADA439597

Title : Common Chemicals as Precursors of Improvised
Explosive Devices: The Challenges of Controlling Domestic
Terrorism
Descriptive Note : Master's thesis
Corporate Author : NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY
CA DEPT OF NATIONAL SECURITY AFFAIRS
Personal Author(s) : Rostberg, James I.
Handle / proxy Url : http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA439597
Report Date : SEP 2005
Pagination or Media Count : 91

Abstract : During the past decade the world has witnessed an
increase in the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Explosives in the hands of terrorists continue to pose a
significant threat. Lessons learned indicate that when
traditional explosives become difficult to obtain, bomb makers
turn to common chemicals as precursors to manufacture
explosives. Only the imagination and the availability of certain
chemicals limits the number explosives which can be
manufactured with relative ease utilizing common chemicals
readily available in our communities. Availability of precursor
chemicals and ease by which explosives can be manufactured,
increase the potential that IEDs will be deployed in the
Homeland and requires a careful study of the options necessary
to defeat IED deployment. This thesis analyzes various options,
policies and procedures to ascertain which would be most
appropriate to defeat explosives manufactured from common
chemicals. Options include removing, restricting, and tracking
certain chemicals available to the public as well as increasing
awareness to emergency responders and the public. State and
federal legislation pertaining to methamphetamine laboratories
is analyzed to identify potential crossover legislation to counter
explosives manufacture. Intelligence gathering and information
sharing technologies and procedures are assessed for
effectiveness as law enforcement tools.

Descriptors : *EXPLOSIVE CHARGES, *TRACKING, *LAW
ENFORCEMENT, *DOMESTIC TERRORISM, *CHEMICAL BOMBS,
TERRORISTS, POLICIES, LESSONS LEARNED, THESES,
FEDERAL LAW, RADAR BEACONS, AMPHETAMINES, HANDS,
LEGISLATION, LABORATORIES, COMMUNITIES, INFORMATION
EXCHANGE, TOOLS, PRECURSORS.

Subject Categories : SOCIOLOGY AND LAW MILITARY
OPERATIONS, STRATEGY AND TACTICS
AMMUNITION AND EXPLOSIVES

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franklyn
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[*] posted on 13-8-2011 at 10:43


Non-Traditional Explosives: Potential Detection Problems
http://energetics.chm.uri.edu/?q=system/files/UKTERROR-1.pdf

A problem of detection not said is that of investigators competent for the task ,
starting with this author.

Caution ! this paper appears to have factual errors
Heat of explosion of NH4NO3 is 346 cal/g - not 627 cal/g
as it states on page 6.

and flights of fancy such as this on page 12 _

" A possible scenario for terrorists would be a sealed ice chest containing two open containers,
one of N2O4 (m.p. -11 ºC) and one of Methylhydrazine (m.p. -52 ºC). If these containers
were surrounded with dry ice (m.p. -78 ºC), the oxidizer and fuel should remain solid for
sometime. Hours after the terrorists departed the scene, the dry ice would evaporate enough
to allow the two components to thaw. When they mixed, an explosion would occur."

My comment : if a ball of fire can be considered an explosion. Mixing cannot occur , as the
reaction on mutual contact is hypergolic. The only exception could be if at 11 ºC when the
N2O4 thaws it would have to be miscible without reacting in the now liquid Methylhydrazine.
If there is a reference for this I do not know of it.

References citing many well known crap books listed at the end are quoted with no
critical assessment of the factual merit of their assertions.

Some are just scary dangerous , on page 18 _

" Acetylene can be generated by addition of water or hydrogen peroxide to calcium carbide (CaC2) "
Oh ! that should be good. Better be wearing safety glasses.

.
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Nicodem
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14-8-2011 at 00:49
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[*] posted on 14-8-2011 at 09:19
Characterists of Non-Military Explosives


Characteristics of Non-Military Explosives
R Liepens, et al
February 1974
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/778207.pdf

INTRODUCTION

In the gathering of data on commercial explosives and explosive materials
used for clandestine bomb fabrication, in principle, three sources of
information exist: 1) the manufacturers of the various explosives, 2) the
organizations that are known to employ violence and explosives to gain
their ends, and 3) the open literature.

For up-to-date compositional information on presently manufactured
explosives an attempt was made to obtain such information from all known
U. S. manufacturers of explosives. The list of manufacturers contacted
and the types of explosives they manufacture is given in Appendix A.
This approach, however, proved to be futile on several grounds. Most of
the manufacturers indicated that compositional data were proprietary and
could not be revealed. It was also pointed out that "just because a
composition is patented it does not mean that it is actually being used"
and, finally, it was stated that "it is highly likely that there are
many compositions that are used today and are not patented". Thus,
except for two manufacturers, none indicated what the actual composition
of the explosives they manufactured.

For some general information on the techniques and explosives used
by organizations and individuals known to employ violence to gain their
ends, the bcoo by Stoffel on "Explosives and Homemade Bombs" [Ref. 1] is
helpful. Certain parts of it have been summarized in the section "Homemade
Bombs" of this report. Probably a more complete information
could be obtained from major metropolitan police intelligence units and the FBI.

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[*] posted on 11-6-2013 at 10:46
Shoulder fired missile control


http://news.yahoo.com/mali-manual-suggests-al-qaida-feared-w...
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