EFPs and MRAPs

Various sources are reporting recent deaths in MRAPs related to explosively formed projectiles, or EFPs.

This should come as no surprise although it appears to be to some of the "main stream" media. More EFP information may be found below.

• 2 more U.S. soldiers' deaths in Iraq raise doubts about MRAP vehicle - Yahoo News
• Superbombs 101 - Danger Room
• Explosively formed penetrator - Wikipedia

Sources: As cited

Some reading to begin the week ...

Here are some items of general interest that we have found or have brought to our attention by readers. Thank you!

• The Birth of the Combined Explosives Exploitation Cell (Small Wars Journal, pdf)
• Forces see spike in IEDs in April (USA Today)
• Developments in Zimbabwe including Chinese arms shipment returning home ( New York Times)
• A look at Empire Challenge 2008 (Military Geospatial Technology)
• Loopholes keep Windows XP alive (BBC)

Sources: As cited

DNA, a nose for explosives?

"Solid-State, Dye-Labeled DNA Detects Volatile Compounds in the Vapor Phase" is the title of a paper out of Tufts University.

The technology attached a fluorescent dye to a strand of DNA. Different vapours are passed over the DNA changing the dye's fluorescence. In the experiments one of the chemicals successfully detected by the DNA "nose" was toluene.

Source: As cited.