Antipersonnel Obstacle Breaching System

The Army has made drastic improvements towards engineer breaching capabilities throughout the years. From using the most basic of hand tools to mechanical and explosive breaching, the type of method to use is ever changing. Every person has there preferred method, but most prefer to use the explosive breaching method.
When it comes to clearing a footpath, there are two pieces of equipment that enable a force to quickly employ, neutralize and clear a path safely and effectively. The first being the Antipersonnel Obstacle Breaching System (APOBS).
The APOBS is a line charge system that is 45 meters in length capable of clearing a footpath of equal length. The main line charge is an equivalent to detonation cord consisting of blast grenades
When it comes to needing to clear a path, the MPLC offers a better advantage over the APOBS because after your breach is complete and it’s time to proof the cleared path, using the metal detector will be a lot less congested. Reason being is that when you use the APOBS for clearing a path that you have to walk down, when it comes time to proof the lane the grenades litter the area with metal shards. Not only could you have fragments from any explosive hazards on the cleared path, now you have additional fragments from the grenades on the APOBS. But if that’s all you have to clear a path, it will most certainly get the job done. When it comes to wire obstacles the APOBS is the way to go. Because the MPLC lacks the grenades, it lacks the additional push that is needed to cut the wire. One of the most complicated thing that has to deal with either system is the aiming portion. Although it may seem like you have the MPLC or APOBS aligned with your target, if there are heavy winds or in some cases the rocket tends to go off course. But most of the time the rockets for the systems tend to fly a generally straight path. Another common error that is made with the APOBS and MPLC is the parachute. The parachute is designed to slow the line charge so that it gradually lays flat and stretched out to its fullest length. There have been cases where the parachute somehow becomes detached from the line charge causing the line charge to fly until the rocket burns out. This an important consideration when it comes to breaching. Know what is beyond your target and also in the immediate