29 April 2014 DEALING WITH CBRN IEDs

1. 29 April 2014DEALING WITH CBRN IEDs Andy Oppenheimer AIExpE MIABTI Editor, CBNW (Chemical, Biological & Nuclear Warfare) Author, IRA: The Bombs and the Bullets

2. Andy Oppenheimer AIExpE MIABTIAnalyst, author and lecturer in CBRNE www.andyoppenheimer.comhttp://www.chembio.biz/ • Editor, CBNW (Chemical, Biological & Nuclear Warfare) • Author, IRA: The Bombs and the Bullets: A History of Deadly Ingenuity - seminal work on the military campaign of the Irish republican movement • Associate Member, UK Institute of Explosives Engineers • Member, International Association of Bomb Technicians & Investigators • Author of CBRN Weapons in Terrorism and IEDs: Threats & Countermeasures Modules for Certificate in Terrorism Studies course, St Andrews University, UK • Former Editor, Jane’s Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Defence • 13 years as a civilian defence analyst specialising in CBRN weapons, IEDs and explosives, counterterrorism, counter-IED and first response

3. Today: • Special challenges in response to and rendering safe CBR IEDs • How to identify CBRN materials in the device • Disrupting the device safely – equipment: disruptors and robotics • Training materials and programmes in CBRN IED training

4. IMPROVISED CBR DEVICES The threat of use by insurgents and terrorists of CBR materials in IEDs in military and civilian arenas may increase Lack of precedent – few civilian examples supply ‘lessons learned’ Common + Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs) widely available Improvised weapons appear crude but are no less lethal Attacks + sabotage - nuclear, chemical facilities and shipments Terrorist expertise – home-knitted from open sources, Internet, the ‘deep Web’ ‘Lone wolves’ – Breivik considered CBRN, recent ricin + abrin cases Infiltration of labs, universities, industrial plants, intelligence, police “Having a scientist that can do it on a lab bench is one thing; the challenge is in creating a large enough quantity and being able to disperse it effectively to cause a considerable number of casualties”

5. CBRN response • Small-scale attacks as well as weapons of mass effect – still require multi-agency response • Non-explosive attacks on chemical/nuclear plants + shipments – Mexico theft of cobalt-60 • Multiple attacks + combination CBR -improvised devices + decontamination • Response in uncontrolled environments and variable sites - in full PPE • Cost and capability thresholds compete these days when fielding and integrating new systems • Two shells containing 481 g powdered enriched uranium seized by Slovak Police after attempted sale in Nov 2007 • CBR IED = • Initiation system/fuse • Explosive charge (+ booster) • Detonator • Power supply (+ timer) • Container • + CBR toxic/radioactive ingredient • Mock-up of a RDD

6. CBRN IEDs: special effects • Large devices or explosion at a nuclear or chemical facility or sabotaged shipment will cause mass casualties and complex injuries • Decontamination of citizens: people escaping the scene will spread contamination into transit systems and public places • First responders and EOD teams may be targeted - need extra protection • Radiation is forever: varied half-lives of emitted radioisotopes force decisions to decontaminate buildings or seal them off for long periods, or demolish them • Long-term health effects from ALL types of radioactivity – alpha, beta, gamma • Chemicals also produce long-term health effects – thousands of victims from industrial accidents and warfare • Short- and long-term psychological effects on a population • Economic damage and disruption

7. Variables in improvised CBR devices • Type, toxicity and amount of agent within the device • Incident size • Type of explosive - may contain an unstable homemade explosive (HME) • Initiation and detonator system – may be unstable components • Physical size of the package • Container, vehicle – or suicide bomber • Estimated response duration • Surrounding area – whether inside a building, vehicle or transit train or in the open air • Temperature and wind direction which will determine dispersal and deposition of material • Wind direction vital in selecting Incident Control Point • Explosion can burn up CWAs + BWAs

8. CBRN EOD – complex challenges • Prime aim = identify CBRN agent enclosed in the device • Devices often sealed - presents varied challenges • May require different render-safe procedures (RSPs) to IEDD • Increased PPE makes EOD more difficult • Moving a device could release contents or if booby-trapped, could set it off • Device may be leaking if not well sealed • RDDs may be heavily shielded or shielding removed • Increased cordon for containment and decontamination • Transit system attacks and other enclosed spaces hamper rescue operations

9. EOD preparation: basic rules • Do not disturb the device • Evacuate the area immediately + establish cordon • Ensure no-one re-enters the area • Establish the Incident Control Point (ICP) • Establish an initial ‘exclusion area’ which can be adjusted, considering the type of explosive, size of the package and the surrounding area • Primary in response: stop people leaving the scene and spreading contamination onto transit systems • Premature detonation is a common hazard in construction of any homemade bomb • Timed devices and multiple devices complicate response • ‘Come-ons’ targeting 1st responders, diverting them + citizens into area where secondary bigger IED detonates

10. Remotely controlled vehicles (RCVs) Using RCVs have long allowed bomb techs to stay safely away from a hazard and also provide data about it more quickly than if handled manually Allow operatives to be positioned away from the hazard for survey pre- and post-RSP Many RCVs have detectors to survey and identify any CBRN agents enclosed in the device, which may be sealed, or it may be leaking hazardous material if not well-sealed Robots can capture, collate and relay information back to ICP RCVs for CBRN incidents may have to be decontaminated - means building radiation hardening into the robot Other limitations - limited mobility of larger RCVs in tough terrain Allen Vanguard BombTec Defender –disruptors, cameras, ECM, video, X-ray, and CBRN sensors Robot design built on EOD experience

11. The Generation IV Talon EOD/CBRNE robot • Equipped with 3 high-resolution, infrared-assisted cameras, a 300:1 pan/tilt/zoom camera mounted on a power mast and two-way comms • CBRNE sensors can be monitored from the safe zone by EOD unit • In many RCVs the robot sends video footage back to the operator at a safe distance enabling troops to assess a situation prior to moving forward or entering a structure • The surveillance camera can be mounted on the arm (low to the ground, high in the air, close or far from the gripper) or on an articulated boom

12. Detection and sensors Sensors are designed to be used in a Hot Zone for transmitting data back to the IP Non-intrusive analytical high-resolution X-rays on RCV Takes 10 seconds to produce a 16-bit picture IR spectroscopy – but may not identify contents of opaque containers or molecular structure – systems can be cumbersome Liquid or powder fill may indicate CB or liquid explosive Compact CWA/TIC detector is pre-positioned close to the entry ‘spy’ point made by a small cordless rotary tool RDDs: ruggedised microprocessor-controlled radiation detector with integrated sensors for all types of radiation – alpha, beta, gamma Remote X-ray with X-ray source enclosed to facilitate decontamination Pixium and Logos Imaging system

13. Environics ChemPro Detector Module • Compact detection package mounted on a RCV for ICD identification • Multi-sensor CWA and TIC detection array with 10 sensing channels and an open-loop Ion Mobility Spectroscopy (IMS) sensor • Provides CWA sensitivity below military-grade levels - likely to be used in ICDs • Robot can integrate the digital output into the vehicle’s displays • Can replicate the display of a hand-held chemical detector

14. Intrusive methods - disruption • Disruptors or controlled explosions have to be balanced against the risk of puncturing the IED casing • Must be capable of drilling into device without toxic release • Samples collected for vital forensic work as part of weapons intelligence • FORENSICS VITAL to identify bomb-maker signatures to bring about prosecutions and trace links in the terrorist supply chain MMIC-EOD Monica remote case entry and sampling system • Drills through casings of IEDs – above left shows a chemical munition • Inserts a gas-tight, self-sealing probe, allowing safe sample removal • Provides access for sampling, extraction and neutralisation of the contents in situ within 2 minutes • Can be carried by two operators and used while wearing full PPE • Insertion and sampling can be completed from 500 m with the system providing feedback to the IP

15. Midas CBRN Manual Sampling System • No non-invasive technique can precisely establish the true chemical composition of the contents of a sealed container – need a physical sample • MMIC EOD’s Midas disposable sampler allows access to CWA/TIC contents of a container without leaks • Drilling probe assembly - 10mm cutter can penetrate a 8-mm thick stainless steel, plastic or wooden case and installs an integral seal which prevents leakage once the target is breached • Sample e.g. can be drawn using a MMIC Mk3 syringe clipped onto the drive shaft - drip flat couplers reduce contamination • For simple analysis the barrel of the syringe is compatible with Raman spectroscopy equipment – result within 3 mins - Powered using a standard electric screwgunor drill, or manual drill • Prototype sealed and extracted liquid from a ‘soft drinks’ bottle Invasive technology for any target – small packages, large aircraft IEDs, deployed weapons, lab equipment

16. The .357 Magnum Disrupter Precise-aim EOD weapon for disrupting an IED without causing toxic dispersal - includes tools for cutting and removing the fuzing system components The Proparms 12.5 mm Recoilless Disrupter Recoilless, waterjet disrupter used as a surgical tool for an accurate hit on the initiator in the CBR device Shoot the bomb • Surgically precise disrupters on RCVs avoid releasing contents • Ultra-high-speed projectile/waterjet weapons “to hit - with one shot - an item the size of a playing dice which can be anywhere within a 1m cube”

17. Disposal of CBR IEDs Intrusive techniques can allow agent to be drained and isolated IED can then be rendered safe Agent will be disposed of and samples used for forensics But for some devices only BIP (blow in place) is possible Containers, covers, foam fills need to be decontaminated

18. Containment When a device cannot be dismantledor rendered safe or threatens downwind contamination or is located where damage is unacceptable: • Bomb suppressant foams and blast containment tents help to suppress the explosive force and may neutralise CBAs and contain radiological particles • A ballistic blanket over the tent provides an extra barrier against the blast • A device could be placed in a mobile explosion containment vessel to confine the spread of contamination within the vessel Allen-Vanguard Air Foam Dolly System (AFDS) Rugged portable unit CASCAD foam for CBRN decon + blast mitigation • NABCO Model 42-GT-SCS • Contains a chem/bio hazard within an IED up to the unit's maximum-rated explosive charge • Sampling system can identify a biochemical hazard pre- or post-detonation

19. Training: special challenges • Competing demands on training budgets for funding and time - CBRN is heavy on both • Counter-IED training programmes include CBRN, but time and resources limited • Use of simulants in CBRN IED training builds confidence in the equipment and TTPs • Media interest - enliven scenario with fake news bulletins before or during training • C-IED training not confined to simulated explosives -field scenarios may use live agent Rarity of CBRN incidents makes it difficult to maintain effective levels of CBRN training • You do everything you do for IEDs but now you have to do it in full PPE

20. Training courses • Many private EOD courses include training on CBRN devices and scenarios • The UK Defence CBRN Centre runs courses and conducts scenario training - Red Team/Blue Team exercises and tabletop exercises for Sampling and Identification of Biological, Chemical or Radiological Agents (SIBCRA) teams Joint US-Qatar EOD team clean a ‘RDD’ Wrapping ordnance to seal a ‘RDD’ to prevent leaks

21. International School for Security & Explosives Education (ISSEE) • Part of the UK Centre for Homeland Security • Commercial explosives and counter-terrorism training for students from military, police and civil agencies • Externally validated as a qualified training centre • Until ISSEE such courses were only available through military training schools and without academic qualification CBRN IEDD Course • 15-day course - theory of CBRN materials, introduces students to CBRN equipment and practices them in RSP options in dealing with a simple device • Can be used by national organisations as basis for issuing of licences to qualified Technicians • Licenses should be renewed every 6 months at the school or at the students’ home location • On completion the student will be able to carry out safe reconnaissance and to conduct simple CBRN/IEDs RSPs

22. CBRN-EOD training exercise December 2013- EOD US Marine Corps + Combat Logistics Battalion Boondocker Training Area, Hawaii 9.00–16.30 hrs • Marines given scenario - had to establish plan to secure the threat and ensure safe environment • EOD team arrives at barracks - a Marine suspected to have terrorist ties, reported unauthorized absence • EOD informed that Marine’s dead body was found in the barracks room and had sustained several burns on his exposed skin • EOD told everyone entering barracks room suffered nausea, vomiting and dizziness • They send a CBRNE kit into barracks room to identify C + B agents, detonators, isotopes and chemical reactions • They found a detonator strapped to an ammo can containing Strontium-90 - an RDD • EOD Marine dealt with threat on-scene in level-C Tyvek PPE suit AND a bomb suit - in 29° C heat “Wearing both the Tyvek suit and the bomb suit will test anyone’s ability to cope with the intense physical output and mental endurance... Many people think all EOD handles is explosive. Although we are trained to disarm explosives very well, we have the ability to manage any threatening CBRN hazard and this training exercise helped us perfect those skills.” - Staff Sgt. Dan Noll, EOD Tech

23. Future CBRN attacks:EXPECT THEUNEXPECTED AumShinrikyo cult – Sarin in Tokyo 1995 [bags not bombs] Lone individual – Anthrax in US 2001 [letters not bombs] Assassination – Po-210 in London 2006 [teapot not bombs] Thank you for listening! Stay Safe…

24. …always cut the red one.. www.andyoppenheimer.com http://www.chembio.biz/