Following the study defining the continuum between burning, deflagration, and detonation (BDD), Roland Alford et al released a second paper applying this science to a critical field: Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).
This paper builds on the concepts introduced in the first to precisely define the outcomes of EOD techniques, which are designed to safely neutralise munitions, emphasising a vital distinction between a munition going ‘high order’ versus ‘low order’.
What’s the Difference Between High Order and Low Order Results?
The terms clarify what happens to a munition during different disposal procedures:
- High Order Procedure: The explosive material inside the munition detonates, causing the entire device to explode.
- Low Order Procedure: The explosive material burns or deflagrates without detonating, resulting in a much less violent event that destroys the munition safely.
In short, when attempting Low Order, the goal of EOD is to force a low order result and prevent a high order one.
A New Standard for Measurement
Building on this clear distinction, the paper proposes a new munition reaction scale. This scale is based on physical, observable evidence, allowing EOD professionals to correctly and consistently categorise the results of their interventions for the first time. This moves the assessment of EOD outcomes from subjective description to objective scientific measurement.
Learn about the proposed scale and its implications for EOD.
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