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May 04, 2008
Explosively Formed Penetrators found in Baghdad
Explosively Formed Penetrators found in Baghdad
EFP cache found in Warij
KALSU, Iraq
Coalition forces found a weapons cache of explosively formed penetrators in the southern Baghdad community of Warij May 2.
Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were on patrol in Warij when they discovered four EFPs hidden in a closet shelf in a factory office. A brand new 107 mm rocket was also discovered. The EFPs were covered with foam and had wires leading from the back.
The cache also included 40 pounds of unknown bulk explosives, a rocket sled and blasting caps.
A guard at the factory was detained after it was determined he lied about having prior knowledge about the rocket and EFPs.
The cache was taken to a nearby forward operating base for investigation.
EFP is an explosively formed penetrator weapon. A high explosive behind a shallow cone of maleable metal (usually copper). When the high explosive detonates, the copper cone is instantly liquified. The now liquid copper forms a “slug” of molten metal flying towards the target at about 24,000 feet per second. The energy is enough to cut a small hole right through heavy armor. The molten metal ignites any flamable material it contacts on its way through the vehicle (preferred target is an armored vehicle such as a tank or armord fighting vehicle). It works like a LASER at ranges up to a couple of hundred yards, depending on the size of the copper disk and the type of explosive used. The Iranians have been making them and smuggling them into Iraq for use against our forces.
EFPs have been used in improvised explosive devices against armoured cars, for example[5] in the 1989 assassination of the German banker Alfred Herrhausen (attributed to the Red Army Faction)[citation needed], and by the Hezbollah in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict[citation needed]. A recent development is their widespread introduction in IEDs by insurgents in Iraq.[6] The charges are generally cylindrical, fabricated from commonly available metal pipe, with the forward end closed by a concave copper or steel disk-shaped liner to create a shaped charge. Explosive is loaded behind the metal liner to fill the pipe. Upon detonation, the explosive projects the liner to form a projectile at a speed well over 1 km/s, depending on the design and type of explosive used. Because they use explosives to form a molten (technically, a super-plastically formed, but still solid) copper penetrator, instead of using an explosive blast or solid metal penetrator, these charges are extremely dangerous, even to the new generation of MRAPs (which are made to withstand an anti-tank mine), and many tanks.[7] Often mounted on crash barriers at window level, they are placed along roadsides at choke points where vehicles must slow down, such as intersections and junctions. This gives the operator time to judge the moment to fire, when the vehicle is moving more slowly.[8] Detonation is controlled by cable, radio control (RC), or remote arming with passive IR (PIR) trigger. EFPs can be deployed singly, in pairs, or in arrays, depending on the tactical situation.source: WIKIpedia
Wild Thing's comment.......
This is bad news for our military vehicles and their occupants. I am sooo glad they found this and maybe they will find any others so they are not out there anymore. Damn Iran!
Posted by Wild Thing at May 4, 2008 12:47 AM
Comments
Compliments of Vlad? Shaped charges are a nasty lot, that is the basic premise behind the HEAT round, the High Explosive Anti Tank round, the detonator sets protruding in front of the charge initiating the blast as it enters the armor, blowing a hole through and detonating onboard explosives. The Sabot round punches a hole, spalling does the killing and ignition of the target load. This EFP is even deadlier, back in the 70's the MACV/SOG infiltrated enemy stockpiles of munitions, planted small arms and mortar rounds that would detonate during enemy use, the effect was to make the enemy uncertain of their sources and of their stockpiles. Tit for tat, a little salting like that under "project Eldest Son" needs to be done. Maybe a stockpile is found, doctored and left as if it were never seen, to be used by the enemy, boobytrapped or remotely detonated in their presence. It sure appears that Malaki needs to secure his borders, he's a lot like Jorge.
Posted by: Jack at May 4, 2008 01:37 AM
Isn't it interesting that all of the presidential candidates are so concerned and outraged about the water boarding of a very few detainees in Gitmo, but are totally silent showing no concern or outrage at the use of Iranian supplied IEDs and EFPs against American troops in Iraq? It makes one wonder why any of them should be Commander-in-Chief.
Posted by: Les at May 4, 2008 04:05 PM
Jack interesting, thank you for the information and for sharing about the EFP.
Yes both Malaki and Bush yep they just can't say no to open borders.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 4, 2008 07:44 PM
Les,I agree, the only one I have heard that is totally ticked off about Iran is VP Cheney. He has been upset with Bush and Condi about not doing something for awhile now.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 4, 2008 07:45 PM
It's way over due to PENETRATE some Iranian ayatollah assaholas >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at May 5, 2008 02:03 AM
