The role of jammers and their effectiveness against telephone-controlled improvised explosive devices

In modern warfare, the prevalence of wireless communications has provided terrorists with a powerful tool that allows them to remotely activate improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This "dial-up bomb" method of operation has posed an unprecedented threat to the military. https://www.silencejammer.com/mobile-jammer-cell-phone-blocker Using wireless devices such as mobile phones, terrorists can prepare and place IEDs in different locations and detonate them at specific times through telephone commands. https://www.silencejammer.com/This method can greatly increase the success rate and lethality of the explosion by selecting the best time to detonate based on the target's actions and surrounding conditions. https://www.silencejammer.com/gps-jammer-blocker-car-signal
  As the number of IEDs has increased around the world, terrorists have also evolved in their use of these weapons, using more advanced trigger devices. https://www.silencejammer.com/wifi-jammer-bluetooth-blocker-device This allows them to activate explosive devices with amazing timing and accuracy, breaking through passive and active protection measures, such as armored vehicles. To counter this threat, the military of various countries has begun to adopt electronic countermeasures, including jamming, pre-activation and neutralization schemes.
  In this context, jammers came into being. Initially, these devices were called "bomb jammers" and were mainly used by bomb disposal teams to prevent the enemy from detonating IEDs. When emergency personnel arrive at the scene, they will also use jammers to prevent secondary explosions and ensure the safety of the rescue team. Jammers can effectively cut off the radio communication between the detonator and the bomb, thereby temporarily preventing the explosion within the effective range of the jammer.
  Telephone-controlled roadside bombs are particularly common in turbulent areas such as the Middle East, and are often used by anti-government forces to attack government military convoys or infantry patrols. IEDs are often very powerful and filled with a large amount of TNT explosives. Terrorists often use mortar shells, howitzer shells, etc. to make IEDs, which often have a charge of dozens to hundreds of kilograms. Even main battle tanks, such as Israel's Merkava and Saudi Arabia's M1A2, have been severely damaged by this weapon, and even the turrets have been blown away for more than ten meters.
  The detonation method of this telephone-controlled bomb relies on electric detonators. In this device, the detonator is ignited by an electric current, which then detonates the explosives. Terrorists usually disassemble the speaker or vibration motor in the mobile phone and connect it to the detonator. When the mobile phone receives an incoming call, the current passes through the wires, causing the detonator to explode, and then detonate the explosives. However, this method has certain risks: any incoming call will trigger the bomb to explode, increasing the uncertainty of the operation. Therefore, manufacturers usually choose to set up whitelisted mobile phones, allowing only specific numbers to call, in order to reduce the risk of accidental explosions.
  In the face of this threat, the US military has continuously strengthened the protection of existing equipment, but it still faces severe challenges. In 2007, about 37% of US military casualties were related to IEDs, so they had to rely on high-tech equipment, such as personnel carriers with V-shaped chassis and thickened armor, to clear the battlefield. Before departure, the US military often cleared the field by helicopters and tanks, detaining or expelling civilians holding mobile phones or walkie-talkies, but this measure has limited effect.
  To solve this problem, China's peacekeeping forces in South Sudan have adopted an economical and practical defense strategy-installing high-power mobile phone signal jammers on armored personnel carriers. This jammer can block radio signals within a certain range, thereby fundamentally preventing the conditions for the detonation of remote-controlled bombs. This innovative defense method not only reduces risks, but also effectively protects the safety of the troops.
  The US military has also introduced a number of vehicle-mounted IED jammers, such as Chameleon and Duke, and has also developed a portable "Guardian" active jammer. The use of these jammers has significantly reduced the use of mobile phone remote control IEDs, but at the same time has also caused terrorists to turn to other detonation methods, such as wired control and timed detonation. It can be said that in the face of the evolving IED threat, countermeasures still need to be continuously improved.