Improvised explosive device : concrete matrix with ball bearings

A matrix of ball bearings in concrete that sat in the lower third of the charge casing for a directionally focused improvised explosive device (REL46089.002). It has fragmented and a number of the ball bearings are no longer embedded in the concrete.

This object 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.