Wescom Defence, Man Portable Obstacle Breaching

Man-Portable Obstacle Breaching

Wescom Defence

Wescom Defence is a trusted global producer of pyrotechnics to the defence industry. Headquartered in the UK, our unrivalled reputation for technical innovation, expertise and reliability has been cemented by more than 100 years’ experience and is built on strong customer foundations. Whether you are a long-standing or new client, our aim is to develop a long-term relationship and provide you with an unmatched, bespoke service.

What we create

We design, manufacture and supply high-quality Class 1.1-1.4 energetic material and pyrotechnics at our facilities in UK, Germany and Spain that have a combined area of 293,000m2. For more than 100 years we have provided the expertise, reliability and collaboration that our customers know and trust and we will continue in our pursuit of excellence.

In 2021, we acquired PW Defence to expand our defence product portfolio, international sales network and benefit from new manufacturing and testing facilities. Our range now boasts more than 500 products and we manufacture more than 3 million pyrotechnic products a year. We are a trusted supplier to UK MoD, German BMVg, our NATO allies and friendly nations worldwide.

Why choose us

Unrivalled service

Our reputation is built on long-standing collaborations with our customers. You are at the core of everything we do and we aim to build a relationship that lasts by delivering a product and service tailored to your individual requirements.

Unmatched expertise

Our leading chemists, designers, energetic material scientists and industrial engineers work to create an extensive range of technologically advanced explosive and pyrotechnic products and payloads. Safety, quality, performance and reliability are paramount.

Security of supply

Providing assurance and a rapid response to your needs.

What we do

Our expertise covers four key areas: Signalling and screening

Our products enable effective and reliable battlefield communication for the location and extraction of combat forces in challenging operating environments, including vehicle defensive aids.

Training and simulation

We maximise combat force readiness and effectiveness by creating immersive sensory training in a safe, realistic battlefield training simulated environment.

Man-portable obstacle breaching

We clear the way ahead, facilitating effective, portable pathway clearance solutions for expeditionary forces and special operations.

Search and Rescue

We provide comprehensive, proven, and reliable capability to mark or communicate position. Effective critical asset marking, including solutions for submarines or individual position marking during daytime and night-time search and rescue operations.

270 EMPLOYEES

5 MANUFACTURING SITES

500 PRODUCTS

6 BRANDS INTL. PRESENCE

80 COUNTRIES

10 ACCREDITATIONS

Clearing The Way Ahead Live

Live Systems

Conventional minefields, booby traps, unexploded ordnance and man-made obstacles, such as triple barbed wires and concertina coil will stall military operations. This has a devastating cost, as operational momentum and surprise once lost is hard to regain. Time spent clearing enemy obstacles and minefields will severely degrade mission success and expose troops to hostile fire. Creating safe corridors, quickly through minefields and obstacles is essential to maintaining surprise and minimising casualties.

Traditional methods for clearing minefields involve low technology equipment such as grapnels or mechanised minefield clearing equipment. Use of heavy equipment requires combat engineers adding logistical burden to operating forces. Overcoming the limitations of existing minefield breaching systems Wescom has developed a stateof-the-art Portable Obstacle and Minefield Breaching System (POMBS). A proven system and product of choice for militaries, elite users and Special Operations Forces. POMBS can also be used for humanitarian land recovery.

Heavy Portable Obstacle and Minefield Breaching System (H-POMBS)

H-POMBS is a rocket projected detonating cord, with containers filled with 248 blast grenades, each grenade contains 100g of plastic explosive, mounted at 0.22m intervals. The system is lightweight, transported by 2-persons, and set up in under 60 seconds. After detonation, a clearly visible pathway ~55m is established.

Light Portable Obstacle and Minefield Breaching System (L-POMBS)

L-POMBS is a rocket projected detonating cord, with containers filled with 75 blast grenades; each grenade contains 100g of plastic explosive and mounted at 1m intervals. The system is lightweight and can be carried by one person and set up for use in 60 seconds. After detonation, a clearly visible pathway ~74m is established.

H-POMBS

L-POMBS

Training Systems

TL-POMBS & TH-POMBS replicate operational minefield breaching systems in form and function, but are fully inert. A pyrotechnic consumables kit, comprising live rocket (smaller than equivalent live system for safety), rocket igniter, detonator simulator and comprehensive instructions to optimize the training experience and minimise recurring costs.

Training for Heavy and Light Portable Obstacle and Minefield Breaching System

To optimise skilled use POMBS comprehensive training of personnel using the systems in operational areas is paramount. TH-POMBS and TL-POMBS have been designed to enable realistic training, for use both in classroom and field firing settings.

Training comprises a system overview, kit familiarization using inert components, safe to handle in the classroom. Trainees then migrate live fire training. Both TH-POMBS and TL-POMBS can be used 10 times after replacing the pyrotechnic kit.

Consumable Kit for Training

Training system pyrotechnic consumables kit consist live rocket, rocket igniter, blast detonator simulator, firing instructions, along with one set of packaging inserts and repack instructions.

TH-POMBS

TL-POMBS

Camo-pattern or plain

High Heat Energy

Thermite Torch

The Thermite Torch is a lightweight high heat energy source that can be operated both electrically and non-electrically in order to destroy a specific target. Ignition is instantaneous and the composition burns at a minimum temperature of 1,800°C and consumes the outer tube dropping molten thermite composition onto the target area.

The Thermite Torch (EOD) is a lightweight incendiary device intended to facilitate the destruction by burning of explosives and propellant in unexploded ordnance and to initiate the burning of other less combustible materials.

Thermite Incendiary Grenade

The Thermite Incendiary Grenade is a hand deployed source of high heat energy for use in a combat environment when there is a need to destroy equipment, conduct general destruction or sabotage operations. It can be deployed quickly in order to achieve the specific purpose. The Thermite Incendiary Grenade is used primarily to provide a source of intense heat to destroy equipment or for general destruction or sabotage. The flare burns from the base producing intensive heat sufficient to burn through up to 2mm mild steel plate.

Survey & Inspection

Wescom Defence offers a survey and inspection service to ensure POMBS systems are fit for purpose and safe to use post-delivery. The system is visibly inspected, then if required a more comprehensive audit of the ignitor and rocket motors conducted. This typically involves testing thrust and pressure generated.

Survey and inspection services are conducted by Wescom specialist technicians. A detailed report on system operability is generated. This enables the responsible authority to make informed decisions This could include replacement, repair, overhaul or procurement of sub components to extend the system life. Allowing our customers to effectively discharge safety and duty of care obligations.

Operator Training

Wescom Defence offers comprehensive training programs for POMBS. Training is delivered by our specialist technicians. This provides a comprehensive overview of the technical aspects of system components, assembles and sub-assemblies, operating procedure, safety aspects, logistics information (including ammunition categorisation), and qualification. Our specialists can also carry out learning needs analysis, to confirm where specific training skills are required. Wescom Defence training courses can be tailored to meet specific customer requirements and adjusted to meet students competence and skill levels.

At the end of the training, successful candidates will be certified to safely move, store and effectively operate the POMBS.

Man-Portable Obstacle Breaching Product List

LIVE SYSTEMS

Heavy Portable Explosive Minefield Breaching System H-POMBS Light Portable Explosive Minefield Breaching System

HIGH HEAT ENERGY

Thermite Torch Thermite Incendiary Grenade

TRAINING SYSTEMS

Training Heavy Explosive Minefield Breaching System TH-POMBS Training Light Explosive Minefield Breaching System TL-POMBS

SURVEY & INSPECTION SERVICE

Further Information

Thermite Torch

Thermite Incendiary Grenade

Core Competence & Capabilities

Wescom Defence is a versatile and specialist manufacturer of energetic materials and pyrotechnics. Our Engineering and Technology Centres boast a highly skilled & experienced team from technician level through to engineering graduates and energetic materials scientists. The team specialises in engineering, chemistry, physics, computer modelling, data acquisition and analysis.

Our service involves working with and compliance with various United States Military Standards (MIL-STDs), UK Defence Standards (Def Stans) and The NATO Standardisation Agreements (STANAG) where applicable.

Pyrotechnics

Our highly experienced team are specialists in mixing and pressing of pyrotechnic materials including flash & flare. Controlling the environment during storage and processing remains critical for safe handling of pyrotechnics and explosives and ensuring a quality end product. We remain at the forefront of pyrotechnic manufacture, evolving to meet bespoke customer demands whilst remaining lean and providing value to our customers and partners.

Smoke Compositions

We have been at the forefront of developing and manufacturing smoke compositions for many years, hand-in-hand with supplying the carrying and ignitions system to match. Our portfolio includes low toxic products and RP smoke products, depending on the application required. Whether vivid signalling colour or rapid deployment of dense screening smoke is required, our solutions remain adaptable and robust for any environment.

Explosives

Throughout our history the presence of high explosive (HE) materials has been a common feature. In our early years, we stored, pressed and manufactured HE items for many different applications including pressed RDX pellets and canopy cutting cords for various fast jet aircraft as well as demolition stores including Beehives and Bangalore Torpedo. Presently we continue to import, store and manufacture raw HE materials for use in products with various applications.

Environmental Tests & Qualification

Wescom Defence’s environmental test facility and engineering team can provide a number of options for any scale of project. This includes the full spectrum of UN ‘Orange Book’ Series testing including packaged and unit drop testing (up to 12m), bonfire testing, vibration tables and climatic and conditioning chambers to name a few. Our specialist teams can provide all up project management for product and material qualifications from cradle-to-grave utilising our vast team of UKAS accredited partners for support where required.