| 摘要 |
<p>Attacks from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are one of the major causes of soldiers being killed in action (KIA) and wounded in action (WIA). Such improvised explosive devices can cause considerable damage, disability and death from a device as small as a cellular telephone, to several thousand pounds of explosive material, and linked military artillery munitions, capable of cutting armored vehicles in half, to completely destroying the vehicle and killing all occupants within. A wide range of protective wear/gear or garments, have been designed to shield against a percentage of explosive blast effects of smaller less lethal improvised explosive devices and munitions, in an effort to reduce human casualties associated with explosive ordnance disposal. However, such protective wear/gear or garments have failed to keep pace with the evolution of improvised explosive devices, their destructive capabilities, and the technical sophistication of those responsible for their creation and fabrication. Improvised explosive devices (IED), and Vehicle borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), are increasingly being used to the determent of the explosive ordinance personnel sent out to respond and either disarm or destroy the explosive devices. Additionally, with the rise in relay or remote control detonation, the EOD technicians face the threats of pre- detonation approaching the device(s), or subsequent detonation to the EOD technician departing the disarmed primary threat only to have a secondary IED threat detonated fatally injuring or killing him. Approach and departure from purposely designed, manufactured, disguised and concealed IED threats and the methods of their deployment are increasing in their complication of designs, performance capabilities and modes of utilization to the extreme detriment of soldiers, law enforcement and EOD technician personnel. These increasingly common events translate into a greater need for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians and a greater risk incurred by the EOD technicians employed by the military and law enforcement agencies. In the past, the use of bomb disposal protective equipment has meant an overwhelming weight burden, restrictive internal movement space, minimum fragmentation velocity resistance, absence of ballistic resistant capabilities, the loss of dexterity and eye- hand coordination to the detriment of the render-safe mission though reduced flexibility and overheating. The advent of newer materials with greater protective capabilities, flexibility, cooler to operate within, increased visibility through the helmet, and lighter weight, coupled with increased levels of protection, represents a significant improvement for EOD technician personnel, and explosive blast detonation defeat protection.</p> |
