[PDF]USA TM 31 210 Improvised Munitions Handbook

TM 31-210
Department of the Army Technical Manual


IMPROVISED
MUNITIONS
HANDBOOK


(Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs)





Headquarters, Department of the Army
1969 — original publication
2007 — Thanks-to-Feinstein's Electronic Edition (v3.0)


Improvised Munitions Handbook (Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs)


Table of Contents


Section 0 — Introduction
0.1 Purpose and Scope
0.2 Safety and Reliability








0.3 User Comments


Section 1 — Explosives and Propellants (including igniters)





1.1 Plastic Explosive Filler





1.2 Potassium Nitrate
1.3 Improvised Black Powder
1.4 Nitric Acid





1.5 Initiator for Dust Explosions
1.6 Fertilizer Explosive





1.7 Carbon Tet — Explosive





1.8 Fertilizer AN-Al Explosive
1.9 “Red or White Powder” Propellant


1.10 Nitric Acid/Nitrobenzene (“Hellhoffite’) Explosive








1.11 Optimized Process for Cellulose/Acid Explosives
1.12 Methyl Nitrate Dynamite





1.13 Urea Nitrate Explosive

1.14 Preparation of Copper Sulfate (Pentahydrate)

1.15 Reclamation of RDX from C4

1.16 TACC (Tetramminecopper (II) Chlorate)

1.17 HMTD

1.18 Potassium or Sodium Nitrite and Litharge (Lead Monoxide)
1.19 DDNP














1.20 Preparation of Lead Picrate
1.21 Preparation of Picric Acid from Aspirin


1.22 Double Salts
1.23 Sodium Chlorate
1.24 Mercury Fulminate











1.25 Sodium Chlorate and Sugar or Aluminum Explosive











Section 2 — Mines and Grenades
2.1 Pipe Hand Grenade
2.2 Nail Grenade
2.3 Wine Bottle Cone Charge
2.4 Grenade-Tin Can Land Mine
2.5 Mortar Scrap Mine

















2.6 Coke Bottle Shaped Charge





2.7 Cylindrical Cavity Shaped Charge
2.8 Not Available

2.9 Funnel Shaped Charge

2.10 Linear Shaped Charg
Section 3 — Small Arms Weapons and Ammunition
3.1 Pipe Pistol for 9 mm

3.2 Shotgun (12 gauge)




















3.3 Shotshell Dispersion Control





3.5 Reusable Primer
3.6 Pipe Pistol for .45 Caliber Ammunition








3.7 Match Gun

3.8 Rifle Cartridge
3.9 Pipe Pistol for .38 Caliber Ammunition
3.10 Pipe Pistol for .22 Caliber Ammunition — Long or Short Cartridge






















Section 4 — Mortars and Rockets





4.1 Recoilless Launcher
4.2 Shots
4.3 Grenade Launcher (57 mm Cardboard Container)
4.4 Fire Bottle Launcher


zun Grenade Launcher











4.5 Grenade Launchers


4.6 60 mm Mortar Projectile Launcher








5.1 Chemical Fire Bottle




















5.2 Igniter from Book Matches








5.3 Mechanically Initiated Fire Bottle





5.4 Gelled Flame Fuels
5.4.1 Lye Systems
5.4.2 Lye-Alcohol Systems
5.4.3 —— System





























ses, Detonators & Delay Mechanisms








6.1 Electric Bulb Initiator








6.6 Dried Seed Timer











6.7 Fuse Cords








6.10 Can- vevagiad Ti ne Delay
ol 11 Short Term Time Delay f for Grenade























72 aimee Switch
7.3 Flexible Plate Switch
7.4 Metal Ball Switch




















7.6 Pull-Loop Switch


7.5 Altimeter Switch








Z 18 a salle








. .9 Rope Grenade Launching Technique





Ai Antomebitet Generator iene’ Sou








7.12 Improvised Battery (Short Lasting)














Al.3 Lead igtes
AL4 DDNP

Appendix 2 — Secondary High Explosives
A2.2 Nitrostarch








Se
A2.10 Blasting Gelatin





























Frankford Arsenal
Philadelphia Pennsylvania


For Official Use Only


For further information or additional inserts, contact:


Commanding Officer

Frankford Arsenal

ATTN: SMUF A-U3100, Special Products Division
Small Caliber Engineering Directorate

Philadelphia, Pa. 19137











Additional inserts will be made available as evaluation tests are completed. Please notify the above
agency of any change of address so that you may receive them.


Improvised Munitions Handbook (Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs)


Section 0
Introduction


0.1 Purpose and Scope


In Unconventional Warfare operations it may be impossible or unwise to use conventional military
munitions as tools in the conduct of certain missions. It may be necessary instead to fabricate the
required munitions from locally available or unassuming materials. The purpose of this manual is to
increase the potential of Special Forces and guerrilla troops by describing in detail the manufacture
of munitions from seemingly innocuous locally available materials.


Manufactured, precision devices almost always will be more effective, more reliable, and easier to
use than improvised ones, but shelf items will just not be available for certain operations for security
or logistical reasons. Therefore the operator will have to rely on materials he can buy in a drug or
paint store, find in a junk pile, or scrounge from military stocks. Also, many of the ingredients and
materials used in fabricating homemade items are so commonplace or innocuous they can be carried
without arousing suspicion. The completed item itself often is more easily concealed or
camouflaged. In addition, the field expedient item can be tailored for the intended target, thereby
providing an advantage over the standard item in flexibility and versatility.


The manual contains simple explanations and illustrations to permit construction of the items by
personnel not normally familiar with making and handling munitions. These items were conceived
in-house or, obtained from other publications or personnel engaged in munitions or special warfare
work. This manual includes methods for fabricating explosives, detonators, propellants, shaped
charges, small arms, mortars, incendiaries, delays, switches, and similar items from indigenous
materials.


0.2 Safety and Reliability


Each item was evaluated both theoretically and experimentally to assure safety and reliability. A
large number of items were discarded because of inherent hazards or unreliable performance. Safety
warnings are prominently inserted in the procedures where they apply but it is emphasized that
safety is a matter of attitude. It is a proven fact that men who are alert, who think out a situation, and
who take correct precautions have fewer accidents than the careless and indifferent. It is important
that work be planned and that instructions be followed to the letter; all work should be done in a neat
and orderly manner. In the manufacture of explosives, detonators, propellants and incendiaries,
equipment must be kept clean and such energy concentrations as sparks, friction, impact, hot objects,
flame, chemical reactions, and excessive pressure should be avoided.


These items were found to be effective in most environments; however, samples should be made and
tested remotely prior to actual use to assure proper performance. Chemical items should be used as
soon as possible after preparation and kept free of moisture, dirt, and the above energy
concentrations. Special care should be taken in any attempt at substitution or use of items for
purposes other than that specified or intended.


0.3 User Comments


It is anticipated that this manual will be revised or changed from time to time. In this way it will be
possible to update present material and add new items as they become available. Users are
encouraged to submit recommended changes or comments to improve this manual. Comments
should be keyed to the specific page, paragraph, and line of the text in which changes are
recommended. Reasons should be provided for each comment to insure understanding and complete
evaluation. Comments should be forwarded directly to Commandant, United States Army, Special
Warfare School, Fort Bragg, North Carolina 28307 and Commanding Officer, United States Army,
Frankford Arsenal, SMUFA-J8000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19137.


Improvised Munitions Handbook (Improvised Explosive Devices or IEDs)


Section 1
Explosives and Propellants (including
igniters)


1.1 Plastic Explosive Filler


A plastic explosive filler can be made from potassium chlorate and petroleum jelly. This explosive can
be detonated with commercial #8 or any military blasting cap.


Petoleum jelly (Vaseline)
JUODTICAa





Procedure


1. Spread potassium chlorate crystals thinly on a hard
surface. Roll the round stick over crystals to crush into a
very fine powder until it looks like face powder or wheat
flour.





2. Place 9 parts powdered potassium chlorate and 1
part petroleum jelly in a wide bowl or similar
container. Mix ingredients with hands (knead)
until a uniform paste is obtained.








1.2 Potassium Nitrate


Potassium nitrate (saltpeter) can be extracted from many natural sources and can be used to make nitric
acid, black powder and many pyrotechnics. The yield ranges from 0.1 to 10% by weight, depending on
the fertility of the soil.


| Materials | Source


Nitrate bearing earth or other material, about 3-1/2 |Soil containing old decayed vegetable or animal
gallons (13-1/2 liters) matter

Old cellars and/or farm dirt floors

Earth from old burial grounds

Decayed stone or mortar building foundations


| : : Ea burned whitish wood ash powder
Fine wood ashes, about 1/2 cup (1/8 liter) Totally burned paper (black)

Bucket or similar container, about 5 gallons (19

liters) in volume (plastic, metal, or wood)

2 pieces of finely woven cloth, each slightly larger

than bottom of bucket

Shallow pan or dish, at least as large as bottom of

bucket

eae heat resistant container (ceramic, metal, |

etc.)


[Water — 1-3/4 gallons (6-3/4 liters) |


Awl, knife, screwdriver, or other hole producing
instrument

Alcohol about | gallon (4 liters) (whiskey, rubbing
alcohol, etc.)


[Heat source (fire, electric heater, etc.) |
[Paper |
[Tape |


Note: Only the ratios of the amounts of ingredients are important. Thus, for twice as much potassium
nitrate, double quantities used.
















Procedure


1. Punch holes in bottom of bucket. Spread one piece of cloth over holes inside of bucket.


Cloth





Bottom of bucket ~SiLee





2. Place wood ashes on cloth and spread to make a layer
about the thickness of the cloth. Place second piece of
cloth on top of ashes.





Cloth
Wood
Ashes
| ‘hapeauee®
eT Lad
Cloth


3. Place dirt in bucket.





4. Place bucket over shallow container. Bucket
may be a ported on sticks if necessary.


. Bucket


Stick





Shallow
Container


5. Boil water and pour it over earth in bucket a little at a time. Allow water to run through holes in
bucket into shallow container. Be sure water goes through all of the earth. Allow drained liquid
to cool and settle for 1 to 2 hours.


Note: Do not pour all of the water at once, since this may cause stoppage.


6. Carefully drain off liquid into heat resistant container. Discard any sludge remaining in bottom
of the shallow container.


7. Boil mixture over hot fire for at least 2
hours. Small grains of salt will begin to
appear in the solution. Scoop these out
as they form, using any type of
improvised strainer (paper, etc.). Strainer









Improvised


Resistant
Container


Heat Source


8. When liquid has boiled down to approximately half
its original volume, remove from fire and let sit.
After half an hour add an equal volume of alcohol.
When mixture is poured through paper, small white
crystals will collect on top of it.





9. To purify the potassium nitrate, redissolve the dry crystals in the smallest possible amount of
boiled water. Remove any salt crystals that appear (step 7); pour through an improvised filter
made of several pieces of paper and evaporate or gently heat the concentrated solution to
dryness.


10. Spread crystals on flat surface and allow to dry. The potassium nitrate crystals are now ready for
use.


1.3 Improvised Black Powder


Black powder can be prepared in a simple, safe manner. It may be used as blasting or gun powder.





Note: The above amounts will yield two pounds (900 grams) of black powder. However, only the ratios
of the amounts of ingredients are important. Thus, for twice as much black powder, double all quantities
used.


Procedure


1. Place alcohol in one of the buckets.


2. Place potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur in the heat resistant bucket. Add | cup water and
mix thoroughly with wooden stick until all ingredients are dissolved.


3. Add remaining water (2 cups) to mixture. Place bucket on heat source and stir until small
bubbles begin to form.





4. Remove bucket from heat and pour mixture
into alcohol while stirring vigorously.





Alcohol


5. Let alcohol mixture stand about 5 minutes. Strain mixture through cloth to obtain black powder.
Discard liquid. Wrap cloth around black powder and squeeze to remove all excess liquid.





6. Place screening over dry bucket. Place
workable amount of damp powder on
screen and granulate by rubbing solid
through screen.


Damp Black
Powder






Screen


Granulated
Black
Powder


Note: If granulated particles appear to stick together and change shape, recombine entire batch


of powder and repeat steps 5 and 6.


7. Spread granulated black powder on flat dry surface so that layer about 1/2 inch (1-1/4 cm) is
formed. Allow to dry. Use radiator, or direct sunlight. This should be dried as soon as possible,
preferably in one hour. The longer the drying period, the less effective the black powder.


1.4 Nitric Acid


Nitric acid is used in the preparation of many explosives, incendiary mixtures, and acid delay timers. It
may be prepared by distilling a mixture of potassium nitrate and concentrated sulfuric acid.





Important: If sulfuric acid is obtained from a motor vehicle battery, concentrate it by boiling it until


white fumes appear. Do not inhale fumes.


Note: The amount of nitric acid produced is the same as the amount of potassium nitrate. Thus, for 2
tablespoonfuls of nitric acid, use 2 tablespoonfuls of potassium nitrate and 1 tablespoonful of
concentrated sulfuric acid.


Procedure
1. Place dry potassium nitrate in bottle or jug. Add


sulfuric acid. Do not fill bottle more than 1/4
full. Mix until paste is formed.


Bottle or

Jug, less

than lj Paste of

Full Potassium
*itrale and
Concentrated


Sulfurie Acid








2. Wrap paper or rags around necks of 2 bottles. Securely tape necks of bottles together. Be sure
bottles are flush against each other and that there are no air spaces.


Paper





Necks of Bottles
Flush Against Each Other


3. Support bottles on rocks or cans so that empty bottle is slightly lower than bottle containing
paste so that nitric acid that is formed in receiving bottle will not run into other bottle.


Receiving
Bottle






Tape Seal


Rocks or
Can Supports


4. Build fire in pot or frying pan.

5. Gently heat bottle containing mixture by moving fire in and out. As red fumes begin to appear
periodically pour cool water over empty receiving bottle. Nitric acid will begin to form in the
receiving bottle.








Heat Resistant Container


= ae Filled with Sand or Gravel


6. Continue the above process until no more red fumes are formed. If the nitric acid formed in the
receiving bottle is not clear (cloudy) pour it into cleaned bottle and repeat steps 2-6.





1.5 Initiator for Dust Explosions


An initiator which will initiate common material to produce dust explosions can be rapidly and easily
constructed. This type of charge is ideal for the destruction of enclosed areas such as rooms or
buildings.


Materials Required








Note: Plastic explosives (Composition C4, etc.) produce better explosions than cast explosives
(Composition B, etc.).


Procedure


1. Using the nail, press a hole through the side of
the tuna can 3/8 to 1/2 inch (1 to 1-1/2 cm)
from the bottom. Using a rotating and lever
action, enlarge the hole until it will
accommodate the blasting cap.





2. Place the wooden rod in the hole and
position the end of the rod at the center of
the can.


3. Press explosive into the can, being sure to
surround the rod, until it is 3/4 inch (2 cm)
from top of the can. Carefully remove the
wooden rod.


4. Place the aluminum metal on top of the
explosive.






Aluminum


5. Just before use, insert the blasting cap into the Metal
cavity made by the rod. The initiator is now


ready for use.


Cap


Note: If it is desired z ;
to carry the initiator Cardboard Disk Insert


some distance, For Handling Purposes
cardboard may be

pressed on top of the

aluminum to insure

against loss of

material.





How to Use


This particular unit works quite well to initiate charges of five pounds of flour, 1/2 gallon (1-2/3 liters)
of gasoline or two pounds of flake painters aluminum. The solid materials may merely be contained in
sacks or cardboard cartons. The gasoline may be placed in plastic coated paper milk cartons, plastic or
glass bottles. The charges are placed directly on top of the initiator and the blasting cap is actuated
electrically or by fuse depending on the type of cap employed. This will destroy a 2,000 cubic feet
enclosure (building 10 x 20 x 10 feet).


Note: For larger enclosures, use proportionately larger initiators and charges.


5 Lb. Solid
Charge in Carton







Initiator


1.6 Fertilizer Explosive


An explosive munition can be made from fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate and either fuel oil or a
mixture of equal parts of motor oil and gasoline. When properly prepared, this explosive munition can
be detonated with a blasting cap.





Procedure


1. Spread a handful of the ammonium nitrate on the large flat
board and rub vigorously with the other board until the large
particles are crushed into a very fine powder that looks like
flour (approximately 10 minutes).





Note: Proceed with step 2 as soon as possible since the powder may take moisture from the air
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