FOCUS Entry & Breaching Tools I 2014 International Breachers Symposium, Part One
S INSIDE THE EXHIBITION HALL, PEOPLE GOT TO ‘TEST DRIVE’ THE ROBOTEX AVATAR ROBOT.
to the excessive weight. Robots typically cannot use a conventional prop stick for some charges and must rely on direct pressure from the robot to hold the charge. Getting adhesives on the charge to hold fast properly is another challenge.
Robotics is becoming an emerging methodology for explosive breaching. It eliminates having to place a human at or near the entry point. According to Dennis Smith of RoboteX, an explosive breach- ing charge can be remotely command fi red from the robot without having wires or shock tube leading back to the operator. It extends the range of the placement beyond the length of the shock tube. It can be placed and remain on the door for extended periods as an emergency assault option. Dennis said there is an often overlooked benefi t of using a robot in this application. If someone would open the door unexpectedly, the operator simply backs the robot away from the entry point, allowing the team to enter. T is virtually eliminates entanglement or trip hazard issues from wires or tubes.
BREACHING POLE
Building on this same concept is the Kiwi Breaching Pole System. It was developed by two offi cers from the New Zealand Police Spe- cial Tactics Group. First demonstrated at the 2013 symposium in Florida, the design evolves from an expandable 8-foot extendable pole that allows the explosive charged to manually place from a safe
18 Tactical Response Fall 2015
S TOM JOOS OF BROCO SHOWS AN ATTENDEE HOW TO USE THEIR MAN PORTABLE EXOTHERMIC TORCH WHILE TRYING IT ON AN I-BEAM. USE OF TORCHES IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO EXPLOSIVE BREACHING IN JAILS AND PRISONS.
distance. T e charge is placed on an expendable swivel head and held on the door or window. T e placer holds the pole when the charge is fi red with a mild amount of recoil. One of the tactical operators describes it as no worse than a shotgun.
According to Alan Brosnan of TEES, who played a part in the development, “T e most dangerous part of operational explosive breaching is the physical act of an operator placing a charge on the door or window. It is at this time he is extremely vulnerable to com- promise and in risk of receiving gunfi re from the suspect. T e KBP Breaching Pole means an operator does not have to approach the breach point. T e 8-foot pole can be quickly employed to attach a fi re hose charge, rubber square charge, or window frame charge on the target.”
TORCHES AND SAWS Not all the exhibitors were explosive related items. Tom Joos of Broco Corporation, well-versed in breaching products, has been a long-time participant at the Symposium. Broco distributes a line of exothermic torches and rescue saw blades developed for forced entry applications. T ey displayed a Mini Breaching Saw Kit. Developed from a DeWalt 36V cordless cut-off tool, it is refi tted with a larger, purpose-built blade and reconfi gured yoke for breaching operations
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