U.S. Army's handy EFP
(Credit:
Defense Tech)
The jury is still out on whether the EFPs (explosively formed projectiles) wreaking havoc in Iraq are home-brewed or made in Iran. But one thing's certain: The U.S. military is no slouch when it comes to meting out the molten metal.
The M2 Selectable Lightweight Attack Munition (SLAM) has been mass-produced by Alliant Techsystem for the U.S. Army since 1990. Like its jihadi counterpart, the M2 consists of a circular explosive with a shallow cavity fitted within a thin metallic liner at the business end. Upon detonation, the liner morphs into a lethal, molten slug that can pop through a BMP like a hot skewer through Khaled's kabob. You can bet China and Russia have there own versions, though nowhere as slick as the M2.
The SLAM can be triggered by the heat or magnetic signature of a passing vehicle or by a timer--or it can be detonated by an operative sitting across the street sipping his tea. Perfect for special ops, combat engineers or anyone else who needs to sneak up on an enemy vehicle, parked aircraft, ammo/fuel dump in a hit-and-run mode.
Mark Rutherford is a West Coast-based freelance writer. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Email him at markr@milapp.com. Disclosure. 
- Agreed.... what does this have to do with CNET?
- by rgonzruiz February 26, 2007 10:12 PM PST
- So what's next? www.digg.mil?
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