FM/C69 - Equipment - Explosives

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The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.

Engineering roles require deliberate equipment selection based on mission tasking. Unlike fixed combat loadouts, engineering equipment can be tailored to the objectives outlined in the OPORD. Likely tasks may include mobility (breaching, clearance), counter-mobility (mines), or explosive disposal (EOD).

If specific equipment is not prescribed, you and your element leader are responsible for selecting the tools required to accomplish the assigned tasks. Base your decisions on mission phase, likelihood of use, and available transport.

Prioritize equipment as follows:

• Mission-critical items required to complete assigned objectives.
• Secondary items supporting likely follow-on tasks.

Avoid overloading with low-probability tools.

If required equipment exceeds your carrying capacity, inform your element before removing any FM/BP-387 - Core Combat Load (CCL) items. Engineering supplies may be redistributed within the element or transported via vehicle support.

Detonators are used to initiate explosive charges on command. Depending on configuration, a detonator may trigger individual charges or simultaneously detonate all linked explosives.

Available detonator types may vary by mod, FM/BP-386 - Era's and technological capability, or conflict setting, and may include functional limitations based on range or terrain.

Common detonators used in UNITAF include:

• M57 Firing Device: 250 m effective range; signal affected by terrain.
• M152 Firing Device: 5000 m effective range; signal affected by terrain.

Above: Selection of a Detonator when arming an explosive charge

Defusal equipment is required to safely disarm explosives and mines. The defuse interaction will not be available unless the appropriate equipment is equipped.

Engineering personnel must ensure required defusal tools are carried when explosive hazard tasks are anticipated.

Above: Default defusal Kit

Mine detectors and sweepers are used to locate armed explosives prior to clearance or defusal. Different device types exist depending on the FM/BP-386 - Era's and technological capability setting of the mission.

Two common categories are:

Manual Sweepers (e.g., VMH3, VMM3)
These devices are equipped in the secondary weapon slot and must be actively used to detect explosives. They emit an audible tone when an armed explosive is within approximately 5 meters. The tone changes as the sensor head moves closer to the device, allowing the user to refine the location and identify the explosive’s position in three dimensions.

Mine Detector Panels (e.g., handheld detectors, vehicle or drone-mounted systems)
Typically present in more modern or future settings, these systems provide a visual detection interface in addition to an audible cue. Armed explosives are highlighted on a small radar-style display when within detection range.

If using a detector panel system, remove any equipped helmet camera prior to operation, as it will disable the regular detector panel's operation.

When encountering explosive hazards, clear and consistent marking is essential to protect follow-on elements. Engineers are responsible for communicating both danger areas and verified safe paths.

Two primary marking tools are available: EOD stencils and flag markers.

EOD Stencils
Stencils use text and standardized shapes for rapid recognition. Three color-coded statuses apply:

• DEFUSED: Indicates the area or device has been cleared of all threats. Overrides any nearby DANGER markings.
• DANGER: Indicates a confirmed threat. Overrides any SAFE or CLEAR markings in the vicinity.
• SAFE / CLEAR: Indicates a verified safe path or cleared area.

Markings should be placed clearly and unambiguously to prevent conflicting signals.

Flag Markers
When ground tags are not visible (e.g., tall grass, debris, uneven terrain), use flag markers instead:

• Red flags: Mark confirmed danger areas.
• Green flags: Mark safe lanes or cleared areas.

If a danger area marked by a red flag is later cleared, replace or supplement it with a green flag to ensure clarity for follow-on elements.

Placement Standard
Markers must be visible from a distance. Safe lanes should be marked at regular intervals, with each marker visible from the next to create a continuous path. Danger markers should be positioned at eye level when ground visibility is limited to ensure they are not overlooked.

Above: Markings available with the EOD Stencil

AP devices are small and low-profile, designed to be difficult to notice during normal movement. They are commonly placed at foot level and may appear as compact charges, plates, or concealed objects positioned along likely dismounted routes to deny dismounted movement or shape movement into a kill zone.

AP devices are typically victim-activated. Common trigger mechanisms include pressure activation or proximity-based activation (including trip wires) intended to detonate when infantry moves into the device’s effective area. AP devices are often used in clusters or integrated into broader defensive setups.

AT devices are larger than AP devices and positioned to engage vehicles. They may appear as heavy charges, mines, or reinforced objects placed on or near vehicle routes, intersections, or choke points.

AT devices are usually pressure-activated by vehicle weight or remotely initiated. Some may be command-detonated to allow engagement of specific vehicles rather than the first contact. AT mines can generally not be set off by dismounts.

IEDs vary widely in size and construction. They may appear as modified objects, containers, ordnance or placed charges that blend into the environment. Their inconsistent appearance makes them difficult to identify without deliberate inspection or the use of a mine detector. IEDs may be integrated into deliberate defensive systems or employed to target predictable movement and are used to reduce morale, delay movement, or disrupt operations..

IEDs may be victim-activated, command-detonated, or time-based. This flexibility allows them to be used against both personnel and vehicles and to be triggered at a chosen moment.

UXO appears as intact or partially damaged munitions that failed to detonate as intended. These may include shells, rockets, or dropped ordnance and are often visually recognizable as military munitions.

UXO does not have an intended trigger but remains unstable. Detonation may occur due to movement, interaction, or secondary effects, making it unpredictable and hazardous. UXO is commonly encountered in areas subjected to indirect fire or air-delivered munitions and may remain a threat long after initial contact.

Recognize potential explosive devices and initiate immediate protective actions.

• Identify suspicious objects, munitions, or placed charges inconsistent with the surrounding environment.
• Assume live: Treat all suspected AP, AT, IED, or UXO as armed and hazardous.
• Warn others: Clearly announce the hazard to nearby elements.
• Halt movement: Immediately stop personnel and vehicles in the affected area.
• Establish standoff: Maintain distance appropriate to the suspected device type.
• Mark and report: Mark the location if possible and report through the chain of command.
• Await clearance: Do not disturb or attempt to neutralize unless tasked and equipped to do so.

• Ensure the danger area is clear of friendlies
• Announce "Fire in the hole! Fire in the hole! Fire in the hole!" five seconds before detonating
• Cancel the detonation on any calls or change of the situation that may indicate the area is no longer clear
• When using a timed trigger, give an additional 1 minute warning before the expected detonation time

Arm explosive devices in a way that ensures a safe exit for all personnel in the area and make sure nearby elements are aware of the danger area.

When using a timed trigger, note down and communicate the selected duration and the expected time of detonation.

Place an explosive device to ensure effectiveness against one or multiple targets, taking into account those factors :

• Distance to target(s)
• Direction of the explosion
• Protection of the target against the explosive from certain angles
• Concealment of the device

Recognize an object as a:

• Anti-personnel mine
• Anti-tank mine
• IED

After spotting or being alerted to an explosive device:

• Stand still
• Communicate to those around you by shouting: “Mine” or “IED”
• Move outside the danger area of the explosive device

• Use a red diamond to mark a danger area
• Use a green cross to mark a safe area
• Apply a green cross or diamond to over a red cross or diamond after the area it marked as dangerous has been made safe

• Ensure the surrounding area is cleared so that the explosive device can detonate without causing injuries or property damage
• Detonate the explosive device by either:
  • Planting a small charge next to it and detonating it
  • Shooting it

• Ensure the surrounding area is cleared in case the explosive device detonates
• Disarm the explosive device using a defusal kit (or another specialized tool)
• Pick up the disarmed explosive device

• Open the mine detector panel
• Activate the mine detector
• While walking, cover the entire area by sweeping the mine detector over every patch