-
#8
Radio-Computer-System
The Radio-computer-system (RCS) is stored in one of the pouches of the soldier's vest. It also has a high-res display and the whole system is slightly larger than a DVD box and about 2 cm thick. The computer includes the display, the radio and a Global Positioning System. The soldier can change screens, transmit on the radio, change frequencies and send digital information, pictures and live footage. With this equipment, leaders and soldiers can communicate with others in their squad, greatly improving situation awareness and survivability through increased command and control.
C-4 Explosives pack
C-4 (Composition-4) is a plastic explosive. The basic idea of plastic explosives is to combine explosive chemicals with a plastic binder material. The binder coats the explosive material, so it is less sensitive to shock and heat and makes it malleable.
C-4 looks like white clay and can be knead with the fingers. The pack consists of white long bars, each 5 cm wide and 2,5 cm thick and is wrapped in olive-drab cellophane. Even though it is a high explosive, most of the time it is absolutely harmless. (It even can be used to heat "C" rations in the field: just tear off a small piece and light it on the ground. But: never try to stamp it out, but let it burn out completely! Otherwise you don't have to buy a pair of shoes in the future...)
As with other explosives, it needs some energy to kick off the chemical reaction.
It takes a considerable shock to set off this reaction.
Even shooting the explosive with a rifle won't trigger the reaction. Only a detonator, or blasting cap will do the job properly.
The packs can be fitted with a timer device, a motion sensor (which triggers the explosion automatically) or a hand-held remote trigger.
Facts & Specs: C-4 Ingredients
Cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine 91 percent
Di(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate 5.3 percent
Polyisobutylene 2.1 percent
Motor oil 1.6 percent