TM 31-210 Department of the Army Technical Manual ...

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)

2 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 .45 Caliber Match Rifle Pipe Pistol for.

3 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.

4 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) 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.

5 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. It may be necessary instead to fabricate therequired munitions from locally available or unassuming materials.

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

9 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. 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.

10 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 .