Mortar Shells Research Articles

Chersonesus: public archaeology on the Black Sea coast

The ancient city of Chersonesus on the Crimean peninsula was founded by Greek colonists in the fifth century BC. Today it is part of an enormous multi-period archaeological site where Greek, Roman and Byzantine ruins mingle with mortar shells and soldiers' skeletons of the Crimean and Second World wars. Aspiring to become a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is now the focus of intense local, national and international interest in its future, as the editor of Public Archaeology explains.

Phantom Pain, Phantom Sensation, and Spine Pain in Bilateral Lower Limb Amputees: Results of a National Survey of Iraq-Iran War Victims' Health Status

In Brief To determine the prevalence and characteristics of phantom limb pain, phantom limb sensation, and spine pain and to evaluate their relevance to the various levels of amputation. This is a retrospective, cross-sectional survey. All bilateral lower limb amputees with war-related amputations sustained from 1980 to 2006 were invited by Janbazan Medical and Engineering Research Center to participate in a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Most of them participated (n = 335) and, after giving consent, underwent thorough assessment and examination by three physiatrists, including completion of a detailed questionnaire. Information was analyzed and compared with other literature. Prevalence, intensity, patient's perception of the impact on their quality of life, phantom sensation, prevalence of various levels of spine pain (neck, back, and low back), characteristics of amputation, and prosthetic use are the main outcome measures. The majority of participants were men (97.6%), who aged from 18 to 70 years (mean = 42); 97.6% were married, and 73.1% had a job. The most common cause of injury leading to amputation was trauma, suffered from artillery and mortar shells. The most common level of amputation was transtibial (53%), with 94% being prosthesis users. Low back pain was the most common complaint (53%) relative to spine involvement. The overall prevalence of phantom limb pain and phantom sensation was 64% and 83%, respectively. Phantom limb pain or sensation is highly prevalent in war-related amputees; however, only a minor proportion experience severe pain or sensation. There was not any relevance of phantom limb pain or sensation to the level of limb amputation. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of phantom limb pain, phantom limb sensation, and spine pain, and evaluate their relevance to the various levels of amputation. Phantom limb pain/sensation is highly prevalent in war-related amputees; however, only a minor proportion experience severe pain or sensation. There was not any relevance of phantom limb pain/sensation to the level of limb amputation.

Non-Solid Explosives for Shaped Charges. Part III. Metal Liner Devices Used in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Operations

Disposal of time-expired and unexploded ordnance has proved problematical in the past because of the procedures adopted; i.e., attach an explosive charge and cause the munition to function or long-range projectile attack. Improvements used explosively driven metallic liners to impact on the munition but detonation occurred with the standard plastic explosive fillings. If the munition can be persuaded to burn or at worst deflagrate, then the region of collateral damage could be reduced, even though the extended detonation safety zone would still be required. This article describes some work performed on the initiation of munitions ranging from simulated mortar shells, filled with plastic explosive PE4, via NATO standard 81-mm mortar shells to 1000-lb (450-kg) bombs by either copper cone or dish liners devices filled with various sensitized nitromethane formulations. Most of these formulations initiated deflagrations in the attacked munitions. Detonations resulted in some cases when plastic explosive, PE 4, or chemically (DETA) sensitized NM was used as the device filling. The results were analyzed in terms of the critical rate of energy delivery. Both heat dose and blast overpressure produced by the deflagrations were measured and indicated that the region of collateral damage would be extensively reduced even though the safety exclusion zone, based on full detonation, would have to be maintained. Use of these fillings would reduce the hazard to the operator during EOD work.

UXO detection and identification based on intrinsic target polarizabilities — A case history

Electromagnetic induction data parameterized in time-dependent object intrinsic polarizabilities can discriminate unexploded ordnance (UXO) from false targets (scrap metal). Data from a cart-mounted system designed to discriminate UXO of [Formula: see text] in diameter are used. Discriminating UXO from irregular scrap metal is based on the principal dipole polarizabilities of a target. Nearly intact UXO displays a single major polarizability coincident with the long axis of the object and two equal, smaller transverse polarizabilities, whereas metal scraps have distinct polarizability signatures that rarely mimic those of elongated symmetric bodies. Based on a training data set of known targets, objects were identified by estimating the probability that an object is a single UXO. Our test survey took place on a military base where [Formula: see text] mortar shells and scrap metal were present. We detected and correctly discriminated all [Formula: see text] mortars, and in that process we added 7% and 17%, respectively, of dry holes (digging scrap) to the total number of excavations in two different survey modes. We also demonstrated a mode of operation that might be more cost effective than current practice.

Small threat and contraband detection with TNA-based systems

The detection of small threats, such as explosives, drugs, and chemical weapons, concealed or encased in surrounding material, is a major concern in areas from security checkpoints to UneXploded Ordnance (UXO) clearance. Techniques such as X-ray and trace detection are often ineffectual in these applications. Thermal neutron analysis (TNA) provides an effective method for detecting concealed threats. This paper shows the effectiveness of Ancore's SPEDS, based on TNA, in detecting concealed liquid threats and differentiating live from inert mortar shells.

By Order of the Court: Environmental Cleanup in India

Metal scrap from New York’s World Trade Center towers. Live missiles and mortar shells from Iraq and Somalia. Used lead-acid batteries from Canada. Aging oil tankers and military carriers from Europe. This is just a little of the imported waste found in scrap yards and hazardous stockpiles across India. That’s in addition to large amounts of toxic wastes generated and dumped by local industries every day. Many industries dump sludge and effluents laden with heavy metals and persistent organic compounds in open areas, in rivers, and around residential areas, in gross violation of national laws. At some places, toxic dumps have contaminated soil and groundwater for decades, making communities around them sick. Industry’s near-total disregard for laws relating to hazardous waste, coupled with apathy and inaction by state agencies, has made the situation grim.

Caring for Our Soldiers

Caring for Our Soldiers

Death and injury from landmines and unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is one of the countries most affected by injuries due to landmines and unexploded ordnance. To understand the epidemiological patterns and risk factors for injury due to landmines and unexploded ordnance. Analysis of surveillance data on landmine and unexploded ordnance injuries in Afghanistan collected by the International Committee of the Red Cross in 390 health facilities in Afghanistan. Surveillance data were used to describe injury trends, injury types, demographics, and risk behaviors of those injured and explosive types related to landmine and unexploded ordnance incidents. A total of 1636 individuals injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance, March 2001 through June 2002. Eighty-one percent of those injured were civilians, 91.6% were men and boys, and 45.9% were younger than 16 years. Children were more likely to be injured by unexploded ordnance (which includes grenades, bombs, mortar shells, and cluster munitions), whereas adults were injured mostly by landmines. The most common risk behaviors for children were playing and tending animals; for adults, these risk behaviors were military activity and activities of economic necessity (eg, farming, traveling). The case-fatality rate of 9.4% is probably underestimated because surveillance predominantly detects those who survive long enough to receive medical care. Landmine risk education should focus on hazards due to unexploded ordnance for children and on landmine hazards for adults and should address age-specific risk behaviors. Expanding community-based and clinic-based reporting will improve the sensitivity and representativeness of surveillance.

War at the Top of the World

Recently, South Asia has become the focus of world attention due to theAmerican attack on Afghanistan and the subsequent increased tension inAsia. This book attempts to explain the various power dynamics behind thepolitical tensions between nuclear powers India, China, Pakistan, andRussia. Eric Margolis, a Canadian journalist who has traveled extensivelyin Afghanistan, Kashmir, and Tibet, tells many great war stories of his visitsto the front line. Friendships with local personalities and his backgroundas a military officer provide a reasonably balanced analysis for those whoare interested in the region's geopolitics.The book is comprised of four sections. Part One, "The Great Jihad,"consists of five chapters on Afghanistan. In chapter I, "Soldiers Of Allah,"the author describes the jihad against the Soviet Union with poignantdetails of the noble, self-sacrificing mujahideen who "would walk to battlebarefoot, through deep snow, sometimes for two days and nights, carrying90 pounds (40 kg) of mortar shells or rockets on their backs." Chapter 2,"The Bravest Men on Earth," details Afghanistan's tribal divisions, warriorcode of honor, and history. Chapter 3, "Dodge City Meets the ArabianNights," describes that Muslim faith and courage which the author considersutterly incomprehensible to Westerners:They feared no man, and certainly not death . Each man believed thatAllah stood at his right shoulder; Allah who was all-merciful, in spite ofthe cruel world that He had inexpUcably created; Allah who would carryhim to his final rest as a parent would wrap a sleepy child in his arms andtake him off to bed.Chapter 4, "Fadil the Kurd," discusses the covert CIA-sponsored trainingand arming of guerilla fighters to destabilize Asia. Margolis explains thatafter these honorable and courageous soldiers defeated the mighty SovietUnion, they were no longer needed. America cut off aid, changing their statusto "Islamic terrorists" overnight. Chapter 5, "The Secret War," discussesZia ul-Haq, the former president of Pakistan, whose aid to Afghanistan wasinstrumental in defeating the Soviets. The United States State Department's ...

War Wounds in the Šibenik Area during the 1991–1992 War Against Croatia

This report presents the analysis of war casualties treated at the Department of Surgery of Sibenik Medical Center during a 5.5-month period, i.e., from the beginning of the aggression in August 1991 to the international recognition of the Republic of Croatia on January 15, 1992. A total of 321 war casualties were treated, 157 of whom were out-patients and 164 in-patients with severe multiple injuries, 39.25% of the wounded were civilians, 10 of whom were children. Fragment wounds from mortar shells, anti-personnel mines, and infantry weapons were the most frequent type of injuries. The most common were injuries of the limbs. Gunshot injuries to the brain had the worst prognosis. Early management of the wounds was of special importance. Stabilization of the fracture using external fixators was indicated in patients with severe, complicated fractures associated with extreme defects of the tissue. Comatose patients with possible intra-abdominal injury presented a specific diagnostic problem, which was best treated by exploratory laparotomy. The overall mortality rate was 2.49%.

Squeeze casting: A review and update

Squeeze casting is a pressurized solidification process whose conception in Russia dates back over a hundred years. It has been cited frequently since 1950 as a major production process in Soviet foundries. The process has recently been commercialized in Japan for automotive wheels; and considerable progress appears to have been made in the United States towards squeezecast diesel engine pistons. This paper reviews recent progress in developing and applying squeeze casting in these countries. Process parameters and details for ferrous and nonferrous applications are also covered, along with the highlights of a recently concluded experimental program for squeeze casting mortar shells from ductile iron.

Transient atmospheric electric effects caused by a wire carried aloft by a mortar shell

Introduction. The feasibility of triggering natural lightning under proper conditions of electrification has now been demonstrated a number of times [Newman et al., 1967]. By this technique the free end of a thin wire, paid out from a reel, is carried into the air by a small rocket fired from a ship. We prepared a similar, but land-based experiment, using 81-mm mortar shells to pull the wire. A site near Avon Park, Florida, was selected for the tests because of the high incidence of thunderstorms to be expected there [World Meteorological Organization, 1956].

Primer Explosion Triggers Reaction

RECENTLY, when making certain experiments with the fuses for trench mortar shells, a thin (0.1 mm.) disk of pure aluminium was placed between the primer and the detonator. It was noticed that, immediately after this disk was pierced by the gases of the exploding primer, a white mass started to grow on the aluminium surface around the hole, and this growth continued to expand most vigorously for about 12–15 min.

A TREATMENT FOR WHITE PHOSPHORUS BURNS

Although white phosphorus has largely been replaced by various substitutes in the industries, this is not true in military practice. During the World War enormous quantities of white phosphorus were used on both sides, as a smoke screen producer, as an incendiary agent, and above all for its burning and terrorizing effect on hostile troops, when used in Stokes mortar shells, Livens projectors and hand grenades. The American production of white phosphorus for war purposes had reached the enormous figure of 1,006 tons at the time of the armistice. While the recent gas treaty prohibits the use of chemical agents such as the toxic smokes and lethal war gases, this prohibition does not cover the use of nontoxic smoke producers, and white phosphorus is still a permitted war agent. In consequence it is widely used in troop maneuvers, and a number of serious accidents have occurred, both in filling plants