MilitaryForums.co.uk

RC TOYS VS. IEDs

True account from an american soldier in iraq making use of there toys

How do you handle a roadside bomb, when there's no robot nearby? Simple: you use one of those remote-controlled cars that kids have been playing with for decades.

"Yesterday, I was 'outside the wire,' patrolling with the 2nd Platoon. We came upon a possible IED [improvised explosive device] in the middle of the road, and stopped all traffic to check it out," writes Sgt. Greg Papadatos, of the 69th Infantry Regiment.

A young private [named "E.S."] in that platoon has one of those radio-controlled toy cars. When they find unidentifiable debris in the road, E.S. sends out his little RC car and rams it. If it's light enough to be moved or knocked over, it's too light to be a bomb, so we can approach it and get rid of it. If it's heavy, we call EOD [explosive ordnance disposal -- the military's bomb squad]. At night, they duct tape a flashlight to the car.

Think the M.O.D would have to make another cut to afford toys like this for us....or maybe its in the pipeline.

We already have them. "Wheelbarrow" robots which Felix have used for 30 years to deal with IED's.

I've always liked a big bang myself Except for when I was on my search team course and the AI let a friggin IED off outside the window of the classroom.

It's always nice to be reminded of the colour of adrenalin.

I take it your adrenalin GD ran down your leg

Fortunately that was the first day of the course so I hadn't been to the Choggies yet. I merely 'touched cloth' as a result. Sort of like a hamster trying to escape and then thinking better of it.