Sandia National Laboratory develops anti-IED water disruptor

Oct. 7, 2010
Sandia National Laboratory develops anti-IED water disruptor.

Resources:Sandia National Laboratory, www.sandia.gov Team Technologies Inc., http://www.team-technologies.com/

Soldiers in Afghanistan have a new weapon in their battle against improvised explosive devices (IED) which kill and injure more troops in that country than any other weapon. The device, dubbed the Stingray, is made of clear plastic and carries water with an explosive in it. When that explosive is detonated, it creates a shock wave that travels through the water and accelerates it inward toward a concave opening. This forms a thin blade of high-speed water with enough power to slice through a steel IED. And behind the blade of water is a slug of water that penetrates the IED and tears apart its inner workings.

These events happen in microseconds, so developers had to rely on computer simulations and high-speed photography to ensure the disruptor would create the right shape for the water blade. The final version need not be placed in direct contact with the IED to work. It comes with plastic legs that can attach in various ways, letting it be placed correctly to disable a bomb. It’s also built so robots can easily place it near IEDs or other targets.

The technology was licensed to Team Technologies Inc. in Albuquerque. It sent 3,000 of the disruptors to Afghanistan this past summer. In the future, the device could be used by law enforcement and airport security agencies.

For a video of the water disruptor in action, go to: http://tiny.cc/oi9dh. md

© 2010 Penton Media, Inc.

Sponsored Recommendations

April 16, 2025
Clean. Compact. Less heat.
April 16, 2025
SEW-EURODRIVE Introduces DR2C motor, IE5 Ultra-Premium Efficiency Motor
March 31, 2025
Unlike passive products - made of simple carbon springs - the bionic prostheses developed by Revival Bionics are propulsive, equipped with a motor and an artificial Achilles tendon...
March 31, 2025
Electric drives are a key technology for the performance of machines, robots, and power tools. Download this guide for an introduction to high-quality mechatronic drive systems...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Machine Design, create an account today!