Improvised Munitions Handbook - noblogs.org

1 TM 31-210 Department of the Army Technical ManualIMPROVISEDMUNITIONSHANDBOOK(Improv ised Explosive Devices or IEDs)Headquarters, Department of the Army1969 original publication2007 Thanks-to-Feinstein's Electronic Edition ( ) Improvised Munitions Handbook ( Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs)Table of ContentsSection 0 Purpose and Safety and User CommentsSection 1 Explosives and Propellants (including igniters) Plastic Explosive Potassium Improvised Black Nitric Initiator for Dust Fertilizer Carbon Tet Fertilizer AN-Al Red or White Powder Nitric Acid/Nitrobenzene ( Hellhoffite ) Optimized Process for Cellulose/Acid Methyl Nitrate Urea Nitrate Preparation of Copper Sulfate (Pentahydrate) Reclamation of RDX from TACC (Tetramminecopper (II) Chlorate) Potassium or Sodium Nitrite and Litharge (Lead Monoxide) Preparation of Lead Preparation of Picric Acid from Double Sodium Mercury Sodium Chlorate and Sugar or Aluminum ExplosiveSection 2 Mines and Pipe Hand Nail Wine Bottle Cone Grenade-Tin Can Land Mortar Scrap Coke Bottle Shaped Cylindrical Cavity Shaped Not Funnel Shaped Linear Shaped ChargeSection 3 Small Arms Weapons and Pipe Pistol for 9 mm Shotgun (12 gauge) Shotshell Dispersion Carbine ( mm Standard Rifle Ammunition) Reusable Pipe Pistol for.

2 45 Caliber Match Rifle Pipe Pistol for .38 Caliber Pipe Pistol for .22 Caliber Ammunition Long or Short Low Signature SystemSection 4 Mortars and Recoilless Shotgun Grenade Grenade Launcher (57 mm Cardboard Container) Fire Bottle Grenade 60 mm Mortar Projectile LauncherSection 5 Incendiary Chemical Fire Igniter from Book Mechanically Initiated Fire Gelled Flame Lye Lye-Alcohol Soap-Alcohol Egg White Latex Wax Animal Blood Acid Delay Improvised White Improvised Iron Improvised Yellow Improvised White Smoke Improvised Black Smoke MunitionSection 6 Fuses, Detonators & Delay Electric Bulb Fuse Igniter from Book Delay Igniter from Watch Delay No-Flash Fuse Dried Seed Fuse Fast Burning Slow Burning Clothespin Time Delay Time Delay Can-Liquid Time Short Term Time Delay for Long Term Time Delay for DetonatorSection 7 Clothespin Mousetrap Flexible Plate Metal Ball Altimeter Pull-Loop Knife Improvised Rope Grenade Launching Bicycle Generator Power Automobile Generator Power Improvised Battery (Short Lasting)

3 Improvised Battery (2 Hour Duration) Armor MaterialsAppendix 1 Primary High Mercury Lead Lead DDNPA ppendix 2 Secondary High Commercial Military Blasting Composition Composition Ammonium Version Version (1969) Version (1970s) Version (2007 Thanks-to-Feinstein's Electronic Edition) Copyright InformationFrankford ArsenalPhiladelphia PennsylvaniaFor Official Use OnlyFor further information or additional inserts, contact:Commanding OfficerFrankford ArsenalATTN: SMUF A-U3100, Special Products Division Small Caliber Engineering DirectoratePhiladelphia, Pa. 19137 Additional inserts will be made available as evaluation tests are completed. Please notify the aboveagency of any change of address so that you may receive Munitions Handbook ( Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs)Section Purpose and ScopeIn Unconventional Warfare operations it may be impossible or unwise to use conventional militarymunitions as tools in the conduct of certain missions.

4 It may be necessary instead to fabricate therequired Munitions from locally available or unassuming materials. The purpose of this manual is toincrease the potential of Special Forces and guerrilla troops by describing in detail the manufactureof Munitions from seemingly innocuous locally available , precision devices almost always will be more effective, more reliable, and easier touse than Improvised ones, but shelf items will just not be available for certain operations for securityor logistical reasons. Therefore the operator will have to rely on materials he can buy in a drug orpaint store, find in a junk pile, or scrounge from military stocks. Also, many of the ingredients andmaterials used in fabricating homemade items are so commonplace or innocuous they can be carriedwithout arousing suspicion. The completed item itself often is more easily concealed orcamouflaged. In addition, the field expedient item can be tailored for the intended target, therebyproviding an advantage over the standard item in flexibility and manual contains simple explanations and illustrations to permit construction of the items bypersonnel not normally familiar with making and handling Munitions .

5 These items were conceivedin-house or, obtained from other publications or personnel engaged in Munitions or special warfarework. This manual includes methods for fabricating explosives, detonators, propellants, shapedcharges, small arms, mortars, incendiaries, delays, switches, and similar items from Safety and ReliabilityEach item was evaluated both theoretically and experimentally to assure safety and reliability. Alarge number of items were discarded because of inherent hazards or unreliable performance. Safetywarnings are prominently inserted in the procedures where they apply but it is emphasized thatsafety is a matter of attitude. It is a proven fact that men who are alert, who think out a situation, andwho take correct precautions have fewer accidents than the careless and indifferent. It is importantthat work be planned and that instructions be followed to the letter; all work should be done in a neatand orderly manner.

6 In the manufacture of explosives, detonators, propellants and incendiaries,equipment must be kept clean and such energy concentrations as sparks, friction, impact, hot objects,flame, chemical reactions, and excessive pressure should be items were found to be effective in most environments; however, samples should be made andtested remotely prior to actual use to assure proper performance. Chemical items should be used assoon as possible after preparation and kept free of moisture, dirt, and the above energyconcentrations. Special care should be taken in any attempt at substitution or use of items forpurposes other than that specified or User CommentsIt is anticipated that this manual will be revised or changed from time to time. In this way it will bepossible to update present material and add new items as they become available. Users areencouraged to submit recommended changes or comments to improve this manual.

7 Commentsshould be keyed to the specific page, paragraph, and line of the text in which changes arerecommended. Reasons should be provided for each comment to insure understanding and completeevaluation. Comments should be forwarded directly to Commandant, United States Army, SpecialWarfare School, Fort Bragg, North Carolina 28307 and Commanding Officer, United States Army,Frankford Arsenal, SMUFA-J8000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Munitions Handbook ( Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs)Section 1 Explosives and Propellants (includingigniters) Plastic Explosive FillerA plastic explosive filler can be made from potassium chlorate and petroleum jelly. This explosive canbe detonated with commercial #8 or any military blasting RequiredHow UsedPotassium chlorateMedicineManufacture of matchesPetroleum jelly (Vaseline)MedicineLubricantPiece of round stickWide bowl or other container for mixing ingredientsProcedureSpread potassium chlorate crystals thinly on a hardsurface.

8 Roll the round stick over crystals to crush into avery fine powder until it looks like face powder or wheatflour. 1. Place 9 parts powdered potassium chlorate and 1part petroleum jelly in a wide bowl or similarcontainer. Mix ingredients with hands (knead)until a uniform paste is obtained. 2. Note: Store explosive in a waterproof container until ready to Potassium NitratePotassium nitrate (saltpeter) can be extracted from many natural sources and can be used to make nitricacid, black powder and many pyrotechnics. The yield ranges from to 10% by weight, depending onthe fertility of the bearing earth or other material, about 3-1/2gallons (13-1/2 liters)Soil containing old decayed vegetable or animalmatterOld cellars and/or farm dirt floorsEarth from old burial groundsDecayed stone or mortar building foundationsFine wood ashes, about 1/2 cup (1/8 liter)Totally burned whitish wood ash powderTotally burned paper (black)Bucket or similar container, about 5 gallons (19liters) in volume (plastic, metal, or wood)2 pieces of finely woven cloth, each slightly largerthan bottom of bucketShallow pan or dish, at least as large as bottom ofbucketShallow heat resistant container (ceramic, metal,etc.)

9 Water 1-3/4 gallons (6-3/4 liters)Awl, knife, screwdriver, or other hole producinginstrumentAlcohol about 1 gallon (4 liters) (whiskey, rubbingalcohol, etc.)Heat source (fire, electric heater, etc.)PaperTapeNote: Only the ratios of the amounts of ingredients are important. Thus, for twice as much potassiumnitrate, double quantities holes in bottom of bucket. Spread one piece of cloth over holes inside of Place wood ashes on cloth and spread to make a layerabout the thickness of the cloth. Place second piece ofcloth on top of ashes. 2. Place dirt in bucket. 3. Place bucket over shallow container. Bucketmay be a ported on sticks if necessary. 4. Boil water and pour it over earth in bucket a little at a time. Allow water to run through holes inbucket into shallow container. Be sure water goes through all of the earth. Allow drained liquidto cool and settle for 1 to 2 : Do not pour all of the water at once, since this may cause Carefully drain off liquid into heat resistant container.

10 Discard any sludge remaining in bottomof the shallow Boil mixture over hot fire for at least 2hours. Small grains of salt will begin toappear in the solution. Scoop these outas they form, using any type ofimprovised strainer (paper, etc.). 7. When liquid has boiled down to approximately halfits original volume, remove from fire and let half an hour add an equal volume of mixture is poured through paper, small whitecrystals will collect on top of it. 8. To purify the potassium nitrate, redissolve the dry crystals in the smallest possible amount ofboiled water. Remove any salt crystals that appear (step 7); pour through an Improvised filtermade of several pieces of paper and evaporate or gently heat the concentrated solution Spread crystals on flat surface and allow to dry. The potassium nitrate crystals are now ready Improvised Black PowderBlack powder can be prepared in a simple, safe manner.