Improvised explosive device : directionally focused charge casing

Directionally focused charge for an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) which was transported on a bicycle (REL46089.001). The charge casing is an open cylinder of 2mm rolled plate mild steel with a single weld running the length of object. The base plate is secured by four screwbolts and there is a hole in the centre of the base for the detonator. A matrix of ball bearings set in concrete (REL46089.003) sat in the lower third of the casing.

This charge casing is from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), the first Directionally Focused Fragmentation Charge (DFFC) recovered in Uruzgan Province. The device was captured in September 2010 in Tarin Kot together with an improvised detonator, a 6 D cell battery power source and a radio control dual tone multi frequency decoder. The main charge was a home made explosive designed to project fragments of metal in a focused direction, most probably towards vehicles. It was transported on the back of a bicycle that was abandoned by its rider when he approached a security check point.

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have caused more casualties to Australian service personnel in Afghanistan than any other weapon. They usually consist of four principal components arranged in an electrical circuit: a trigger or switch, a power source, a detonator, and a main explosive charge. The main charge often contains metal fragments to increase the blast effect.