In 1976, the Royal Armaments Research & Development Establishment (RARDE, later DSTL) at Fort Halstead  arranged for Wallop Industries to provide facilities for Dr. Sidney Alford to develop one of his inventions, the water-lined and water-filled shaped charge, which he initially made in his house and tested in his garden.

Dr. Alford’s groundbreaking findings were among the first demonstrations of using water-tamped charges to counter the emerging IED threat.

One of his early experiments involved a cucumber carved into a prism with a longitudinal V-shaped groove and a strip of sheet explosive behind, which generated a crude linear liquid jet capable of cutting steel.

This innovation led to the development of a family of thin-walled plastic containers in which explosive was sandwiched between a grooved, water-filled projectile and a rear water-filled component that acted as a tamper and flash suppressor.

The production models derived from the cucumber innovation include:

• MiniMod
• MLVD (Modular Large Vehicle Disruptor)
• BootBanger

Dr. Sidney Alford founded his own company, Sidney Alford Ltd., initially focusing on explosive demolition operations

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) recognised Dr. Alford’s invention and ownership of water-lined and water-projecting shaped charge technology, reaching a settlement that allowed the MOD to develop their water-based charge technology incorporating his ideas.

Also in 1987, inspired by his work during the ‘Tanker War‘, Dr. Alford developed the Dioplex user-filled linear cutting charge kit and the Vulcan point focal shaped charge.

Dr. Alford was invited to attempt the cutting operations of the deformed hulls, which, by the time he got on the scene, were either floating or running up on the shore of Sirri Island. He designed linear cutting charges consisting of strips of plywood glued into rectangular boxes with a 90º steel liner inside. He closed each charge with glued-on end pieces, holes for detonators or detonating cord, and a plywood lid

These primitive, user-filled charges successfully cut the steel hulls in the air and underwater, following which there was a huge demand for large quantities to deal with many other wrecked tankers. Soon, demand exceeded supply, so the company established a faster method of manufacture.

The early Dioplex (Do It Oneself Pliable Explosive) used a flat-packed, foldable plastic body. This immediately went into service with the British Army.

The need for point-focal penetration led to the development of the Vulcan-shaped charge system.

After initial experiments using the precursor of the Vulcan to inject liquids that reacted hypergolically with the explosive fill of steel-cased munitions, Dr. Alford realised that a magnesium cone, which he found much more manageable than the liquids the hypergolic reaction required, formed a jet that ignited as the cone formed it.

This innovation was a simple, reliable way of achieving relatively gentle deflagration of small and large steel-cased munitions with a low probability of causing detonation. Now, there is a range of projectiles for the Vulcan for various applications.

Roland Alford, Dr. Alford’s son, became the managing director, and Sidney became the company chairman.

2002 also saw the development of the Vulcan Counter Limpet Mine System (VCLMS), which enables rapid, reliable delivery of Vulcan shaped charges against maritime targets.

VCLMS was developed to support Mine Countermining (MCM) activities and the safe disposal of conventional munitions found on the sea bed, such as World War II bombs.

Sidney Alford Ltd. becomes Alford Technologies Ltd. and wins a Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation for the Vulcan shaped charge system.

Alford Technologies received a second Queen’s Award for Outstanding Innovation for developing User-Filled High Explosive Charges for the Neutralisation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)

Dr. Sidney Alford received the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to explosive ordnance disposal.

The company successfully demolished the remaining boiler house at Didcot Power Station, marking a significant return to the demolition sector using its remote capabilities.

On 26 January 2021, Dr Sidney Alford received the US Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.

The U.S. Navy established the Distinguished Public Service Award – its highest civilian honour – in 1951, and the Secretary of the Navy presents it to civilians who have performed specific acts of courage or heroism or whose actions or service have provided long-term, substantial benefits to the Department of the Navy and Department of Defence (DoD).

The Secretary of the Navy (or The U.S. Navy) recognised Sidney for his significant contribution to the joint service EOD community and for risking his inventions and life to support EOD personnel.

From 2001, he trained countless US military EOD personnel in explosive-driven tools, tactics, techniques, and IED render safe procedures. Sidney also delivered comprehensive chemistry classes on homemade explosives threats in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and Syria.

The award also acknowledged his prolific support of global humanitarian demining efforts, including developing low-cost render-safe tools used throughout the DoD and State Department’s humanitarian demining activities.

Sadly, the following day (27 January 2021) Dr. Sidney Alford died. This prestigious award a fitting final tribute to a wonderfully unique life.

Alford Technologies awarded £1.5 million contract with the UK MOD to supply Gladius off-route mine systems to the British Armed Forces.