IN FLIGHT IED MITIGATION

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a number of fluid filled compartments constructed in such a manner to mitigate the explosive effects of a small improvised explosive device (IED). This IED constructed to resemble an everyday electronic device such as a mobile phone. These fluids will be generally be but not limited to water and air. The invention known as IFIM will provide a scientific approach to the rendering safe of an IED by non explosively trained personnel. It will replace or support the current Least Risk Option which requires a level of technical skill and expertise to deal with an IED threat effectively. It will provide a quicker and more practical solution to the rendering safe of an IED threat till Bomb Disposal personnel can attend. The IFIM will be particularly effective when dealing with an IED threat on domestic aircraft.

Description

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to Counter Terrorism measures and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD. The invention will supplement or replace the Least Risk Option (LRO) currently employed to reduce the risk from the detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED's) aboard in- flight civil Aircraft. Such IED's are commonly integrated into everyday personal electronic equipment such as mobile phones, PDA's, laptop computers & etc. Footwear, such as shoes, can also be used to secrete IED's aboard civil aircraft and the effects from said devices can also be mitigated by the use of this invention.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The invention relates to the mitigation of the effects of an explosive event occurring onboard an aircraft or within an environment which is not accessible by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (E.O.D) operatives.

The deployment of the invention could replace and or enhance the Least Risk Option (LRO). The invention will allow a more scientific response to the effects of an explosive device secreted aboard an aircraft or within a restricted environment. The invention will also provide quantifiable results from explosive events within the pressurised cabin of an aircraft. The confidence provided by the inventions deployment can if so desired be communicated to the passengers thus alleviating some of the stress encountered in such situations.

THE INVENTION

The invention employs the use of water (or a chosen fluid) and air in a specifically layered construction and is employed to mitigate the effects of an explosive event emanating from small Improvised Explosives Devices secreted aboard civil aircraft. The invention is nominally spherically in shape and will attenuate the effects of 3½ oz of high performance explosives. Said Explosive quantity being that considered feasible to be malevolently introduced into every day electronic devices without said explosives material being detected.

The invention will allow documented trials data in relation to the mitigating effects of the invention. The results of the experiments will be 100% repeatable within any situation. This data can be considered in as far as the effects on the aircraft and persons on board. This in turn will allow the aircraft to proceed to an airport suitable for landing and will increase the confidence of personnel who are obliged to deal with this type of emergency. The use of the invention will allow such emergency situations to be dealt within a controlled and pre-designated manner.

DETAILS OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention by way of a section through the center line of the approximately spherical shape. It shows the critical elements required for the invention to function correctly that being three concentric spheres the inner and outer being completely fluid filled and the sandwiched central layer filled with a gas by way of a spirally wound length of tubing. It shows the positing of the IED as well as the means of locating the IED in the center of the spherical shape by way of a reinforced tube that also controls the pole to pole distance (i.e. top to bottom).

The invention includes a pocket or sleeve (1) to accommodate the potential IED (2). Said pocket may if desired be opened and closed by the used of a compressed gas. The source of the gas inflation will be remote from the deployment site of the invention. This pocket (1) will allow access to the central section for insertion of the suspect item. This will aid the positioning of the object within the center section of the invention when filled with water. The pocket will be deformable to accommodate the shape of the suspect item. The pocket or sleeve will also increase the effectiveness of the ability of the device to mitigate explosives effects by allowing the water (or chosen fluid) to become ‘close coupled’ with the suspect device.

The invention will include loops (3) to suspend the invention from either a pre-installed anchorage mechanism or bespoke poles placed through the loops. The bespoke poles would be supported, for example, by spanning between two adjoining aircraft seats. The supporting poles will also allow the eventual EOD operatives to remove the invention and the enclosed suspect device from the aircraft or other restricted site to a safe disposal area.

The main body of water (4&5)(or chosen fluid) will be maintained in a spherical shape by a non stretch triangular mesh or spherical net (6). This mesh will retain the water or fluid filled components providing a uniform thickness of water or fluid around the suspect device.

The spherical shape of the invention will be further maintained by a cylindrical or tube-like section of rectangular mesh (7). This mesh will maintain and determine the diameter of the invention in the vertical plane and assist in the securing of the suspect device within the central section of the invention. The nature of the mesh will not limit its movement in the horizontal direction.

The main body of the invention will comprise of three fluid filled cavities (4,5&8). The first cavity (4) being in intimate contact with suspect device, the next cavity (5) forms the outermost section of the invention and is bounded by a plastic skin and the remaining cavity (8) is sandwiched between the two.

The outer (5) and inner cavities(4) will be filled with an aqueous liquid. It is assumed this liquid will be water although other fluids would also be effective.

The cavity (8) formed between the inner and outer cavities would be filled with a gas. It is assumed this gas would be air but any other inert non volatile gas would be effective. This gas filled cavity would be formed by a helically wound soft walled tube (9) around the inner cavity (4). This tubing terminating in the bottom of the invention to allow ingress of air during deployment. This will also reduce the waters ability to penetrate into the tubing. Alternatively this cavity can be formed by ‘bubble pack’—a commercially available packaging—said material incorporating pre-sealed pockets or cells of air held at atmospheric pressure. The use of soft walled tubing will allow the invention to be flat packed within in a suitable container by the process of vacuum packaging thus making for easier storage aboard an aircraft. On removal from the hermetically sealed container the ends of the tubing terminating at the bottom of the invention will allow for natural re-inflation of said tubing with air.

The gas filled cavity (8) due to it obvious buoyancy in a aqueous environment will be maintained in situ by an elasticized supporting structure (10). This supporting structure is formed to oppose the buoyancy force within the invention. This will also maintain the gas filled cavity concentric with the two water (or fluid) filled cavities as well as the suspect device.

Claims

1. An explosive mitigating device employing the use of a layered construction of a fluid and a gas.

2. An explosive mitigating device as claim 1 and being of a nominal spherical shape with the layers being concentric with the suspected IED.

3. An explosive mitigating device as claim 2 the spherical nature of the invention maintained by a triangular mesh or net.

4. An explosive mitigating device as claim 3 the vertical dimension of the device controlled by the use of a rectangular mesh. This mesh not restricting the horizontal movement within the invention.

5. An explosive mitigating device as claim 4 the device having a pocket or sleeve to accommodate the suspected item.

6. An explosive mitigating device as claim 5 where the pocked maybe opened by way of compressed gas.

7. An explosive mitigating device as claim 6 the device designed to mitigate the effects of 3½ oz of high performance explosives.

8. An explosive mitigating device as claim 7 the detail of which is described herein and by way of FIG. 1.