Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have long been one of the main threats to security forces and armies around the world. Terrorists and insurgents use modern technology, especially mobile phones and wireless communication devices, to remotely detonate these devices, making them a highly destructive weapon. Simple in design but powerful in nature, IEDs pose a serious threat not only to combatants but also to civilians and infrastructure.cell phone jammer

　　How telephone-controlled IEDs work

　　IEDs are dangerous not only because of the huge amount of explosives they carry, but also because of how they are remotely activated.signal jammer Using a mobile phone or other wireless communication device, an operator can remotely detonate an IED. Typically, these devices are designed by terrorists using simple circuits to connect a mobile phone signal to a detonator. GPS jammer When the operator calls a mobile phone connected to the IED, an electric current flows through the line to detonate the detonator, causing the explosive to explode. Wifi jammer

　　Terrorists often remove the vibrator or speaker from a mobile phone and connect the circuit of these devices to the detonator of the explosive. Once the call is connected, the circuit is closed and the current triggers the detonator to explode. The charge of IEDs ranges from tens of kilograms to hundreds of kilograms. Many IEDs are filled with mortar shells, howitzer shells, or even civilian demolition explosives. Their explosive power is enough to destroy armored vehicles and even tanks. Israel's Merkava main battle tank and Saudi Arabia's M1A2 main battle tank have been destroyed by this type of IED. The explosive power can directly blow the tank turret away for more than ten meters.

　　However, there are certain limitations to using a phone to remotely control IEDs. For example, any call to this mobile phone will trigger an explosion, including wrong dialing or advertising calls. This uncertainty increases the risk of operation. Therefore, terrorists often modify their mobile phones and set whitelists or blacklists to ensure that only specific numbers can detonate the bomb. More advanced terrorists will even modify the mobile phone software so that it can only trigger the explosion after receiving a specific text message, but this requires more technical investment and cost.

　　Defense challenges under the threat of IEDs

　　The frequent use of IEDs in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places has brought huge challenges to the US military and other international forces. In 2007, 37% of U.S. military casualties were related to IEDs. Faced with this threat, the military had to increase the protection of armored vehicles and develop specially designed mine-resistant personnel carriers. These vehicles are equipped with V-shaped explosion-proof chassis and thickened armor, which can resist the impact of explosions to a certain extent. However, these passive protection measures cannot completely eliminate the threat.

　　The U.S. military has also taken other methods to deal with the threat of IEDs. For example, before the convoy moves, helicopters and tanks are usually used to "clear the field" and scan for people who may be carrying wireless communication devices to prevent them from using mobile phones or walkie-talkies to detonate IEDs. However, these measures have limited effectiveness, especially in the face of evolving IED technology.

　　Application of jamming technology

　　As the threat of improvised explosive devices increases, the military of various countries has begun to develop and deploy various jamming devices designed to prevent the enemy from remotely detonating IEDs. Jammers send powerful radio frequency signals to cut off the radio communication between the IED detonator and the trigger device, thereby preventing the bomb from being detonated within the jammer's coverage. This method directly targets the radio control principle of IEDs and eliminates the explosion threat at the source.

　　For example, China's peacekeeping forces in South Sudan have adopted a low-cost and effective response method. They installed high-power mobile phone signal jammers on armored personnel carriers, which can block nearby mobile phone signals while the convoy is moving, preventing terrorists from remotely controlling IEDs through mobile phones. This method is not only low-cost, but also greatly improves the safety of the troops.

　　US military's IED jammers

　　In order to deal with the threat of IEDs, the US military has also actively developed and deployed a series of IED jammers. Among them, the most well-known include the "Chameleon" and "Duke" vehicle-mounted jammers, which can effectively shield radio communications and prevent mobile phone signal transmission. In addition, the US military has also developed a single-soldier "Guardian" active jammer, which is small in size, easy to carry, and can provide personal protection for individual soldiers.

　　It is reported that by the end of 2007, the US military had deployed more than 30,000 "Guardian" jammers, and the widespread use of these devices has significantly reduced the threat of telephone-controlled IEDs. With the advancement of jamming technology, terrorists have also begun to turn to other detonation methods, such as using wired control or timers to detonate IEDs, and even using suicide attacks. However, telephone-controlled IEDs remain one of the most commonly used weapons by terrorists, especially in asymmetric combat environments.