Editing Car bomb (section)

==As a delivery system==
[[Image:Iraq carbomb.jpg|thumb|Car bomb in Iraq, made up of a number of [[artillery shell]]s concealed in the back of a [[pickup truck]].]]
Car bombs are effective weapons as they are an easy way to transport a large number of explosives to a target. A car bomb also produces copious [[Shrapnel (fragment)|shrapnel]], or flying debris, and secondary damage to bystanders and buildings. In recent years, car bombs have become widely used by suicide bombers.<ref>{{cite web|title=2015: an epidemic of suicide bombs {{!}} AOAV|url=http://aoav.org.uk/2015/2015-an-epidemic-of-suicide-bombs/|website=AOAV|publisher=Action on Armed Violence|date=10 August 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921195327/http://aoav.org.uk/2015/2015-an-epidemic-of-suicide-bombs/|archive-date=21 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Holly|first1=Williams|title=Reports of suicide car bombs, possible exposure to chemical weapons in Mosul fight|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/suicide-car-bombs-and-reports-of-possible-exposure-to-chemical-weapons-in-battle-for-mosul/|work=CBS News|date=March 5, 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707025849/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/suicide-car-bombs-and-reports-of-possible-exposure-to-chemical-weapons-in-battle-for-mosul/|archive-date=July 7, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=David|first1=Enders|title=Car Bombs Have Become the Islamic State's Assault 'Weapon of Choice'|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/car-bombs-have-become-the-islamic-states-assault-weapon-of-choice/|website=VICE News|date=23 June 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921193829/https://news.vice.com/article/car-bombs-have-become-the-islamic-states-assault-weapon-of-choice|archive-date=2017-09-21}}</ref>

===Countermeasures===
Defending against a car bomb involves keeping vehicles at a distance from vulnerable targets by using [[roadblock]]s and [[Security checkpoint|checkpoint]]s, [[Jersey barrier]]s, concrete blocks or [[bollard]]s, [[Metalith|metal barriers]], or by hardening buildings to withstand explosions. The entrance to [[Downing Street]] in London has been closed since 1991 in reaction to the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] campaign, preventing the public from approaching [[10 Downing Street|Number 10]]. Where major public roads pass near buildings, road closures may be the only option (thus, for instance, in [[Washington, D.C.]] the portion of [[Pennsylvania Avenue (Washington, D.C.)|Pennsylvania Avenue]] immediately in front of the [[White House]] is closed to traffic). Historically these tactics have encouraged potential bombers to target [[soft target|"soft" or unprotected targets]], such as markets.<ref>See Davis.{{full citation needed|date=May 2024}}</ref>

===Suicide usage===
In the [[Iraqi Civil War (2014-17)|Iraqi]] and [[Syrian Civil War]], the car bomb concept was modified so that it could be driven and detonated by a driver but armoured to withstand incoming fire. The vehicle would be driven to its target area, in a similar fashion to a [[kamikaze]] plane of [[WW2]].{{sfn|Kaaman|2019|page=3}} These were known by the acronym SVBIED (from Suicide Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device) or VBIEDs. Ordinary civilian cars were outfitted with armour plating intended to protect the VBIED as it approached its target.{{sfn|Kaaman|2019|page=3}} Such SVBIEDs were driven into enemy troop areas or incoming enemy columns.{{sfn|Kaaman|2019|page=4}} Most often, the SVBIEDs were used by [[ISIL]] against Government forces, but also used by Syrian rebels ([[free Syrian army|FSA]] and [[Syrian opposition to Bashar al-Assad|allied militias]], especially the [[Al-Nusra Front]]) against government troops.{{sfn|Kaaman|2020|pages=1−13}}

The vehicles have become more sophisticated, with armour plating on the vehicle, protected vision slits, armour plating over the wheels so they would withstand being shot at and occasionally additional [[Slat armor|metal grating]] over the front of the vehicle designed to crush or destroy incoming [[shaped charge]]s such as those used on [[Rocket-propelled grenade|rocket propelled grenades]].<ref>Trends Institution "Daeshis-armored-vehicle-borne IED" {{cite web |url=http://trendsinstitution.org/daeshis-armored-vehicle-borne-improvised-explosive-devices-avbieds-insurgent-use-and-terrorism-potentials/ |title=Daesh/IS Armored Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (AVBIEDs): Insurgent Use and Terrorism Potentials &#124; TRENDS |access-date=2016-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030002622/http://trendsinstitution.org/daeshis-armored-vehicle-borne-improvised-explosive-devices-avbieds-insurgent-use-and-terrorism-potentials/ |archive-date=2016-10-30 }}</ref>

[[File:USMC-100727-M-6126D-003.jpg|thumb|upright|A mock explosion of a pickup truck converted to SVBIED, used by [[U.S. marines]] for [[OPFOR]] purposes at [[Camp Pendleton]]]]
Trucks were sometimes used to start an assault, and benefitted from their greater storage space that could contain very heavy explosives.{{sfn|Kaaman|2019|page=5}} Animal drawn carts, typically pulled by horse or mule, have also been used.{{sfn|Armistead|2013|pages=39−40}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barron |first1=James |title=After 1920 Blast, The Opposite Of 'Never Forget'; No Memorials on Wall St. For Attack That Killed 30 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/nyregion/after-1920-blast-opposite-never-forget-no-memorials-wall-st-for-attack-that.html |access-date=29 September 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=17 September 2003}}</ref> Tactically, a single vehicle may be used, or an initial "breakthrough" vehicle, then followed by another vehicle.{{sfn|Kaaman|2019|page=6}}

While many car bombs are disguised as ordinary vehicles,<ref>{{cite book | last = Olson | first = Dean | title = Tactical Counterterrorism the Law Enforcement Manual of Terrorism Prevention | publisher = Charles C Thomas | location = Springfield | year = 2012 | isbn = 9780398087234 }} [https://books.google.com/books?id=UJDwCAAAQBAJ&pg=166 p.166]</ref> some that are used against military forces have [[improvised vehicle armour]] attached to prevent the driver from being shot when attacking a fortified outpost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-03/take-a-look-inside-a-car-bomb-made-by-islamic-state-militants/6997112|title=Take a look inside an armoured Islamic State car bomb|work=ABC News|date=2 December 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203094445/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-03/take-a-look-inside-a-car-bomb-made-by-islamic-state-militants/6997112|archive-date=2015-12-03}}</ref>

===Operation===
{{more citations needed|section=yes|date=January 2021}}
[[File:061509 story4.jpg|thumb|[[Transportation Security Administration|TSA]] officers view the post-blast remains of a [[Dodge Neon]] after an explosive was detonated inside it during training.]]

Car bombs and detonators function in a diverse manner of ways and there are numerous variables in the operation and placement of the bomb within the vehicle. Earlier and less advanced car bombs were often wired to the car's ignition system, but this practice is now considered more laborious and less effective than other more recent methods, as it requires a greater amount of work for a system that can often be quite easily [[defuse]]d. While it is more common nowadays for car bombs to be fixed [[magnetism|magnetically]] to the underside of the car, underneath the passenger or driver's seat, or inside of the [[Fender (vehicle)|mudguard]], detonators triggered by the opening of the vehicle door or by pressure applied to the brakes or accelerating pedals are also used.<ref name="technology"/>

Bombs operating by the former method of fixation to the underside of the car more often than not make use of a device called a [[tilt fuse]]. A small tube made of glass or plastic, the tilt fuse is similar in operation to a [[mercury switch]] or medical tablet tube. One end of the fuse will be filled with [[mercury (element)|mercury]], while the other open end is wired with the ends of an open circuit to an electrical firing system. When the tilt fuse moves or is jerked, the supply of mercury will flow to the top of the tube and close the circuit. Thus, as the vehicle goes through the regular bumping and dipping that comes with driving over a terrain, the circuit is completed, and the explosive is detonated.<ref name="technology"/>

Car bombs are effective as booby traps because they also leave very little evidence. When an explosion happens, it is difficult for forensics to find any evidence because things either denigrate or become charred.<ref name="Davis The First Car Bomb"/>

As a safety mechanism to protect the bomber, the placer of the bomb may rig a [[timer|timing device]] incorporated with the circuit to activate the circuit only after a certain time period, therefore ensuring the bomber will not accidentally activate the bomb before they are able to get clear of the blast radius.<ref name="technology" />

Even though right now car bombs are supposed to be stealth weapons that cause a good deal of damage, it is feared that they can become bigger, more lethal weapons such as the size of a trailer, making huge explosions and causing plenty of damage.<ref name="Davis The First Car Bomb"/>