Patent Publication Number: US-2023160673-A1

Title: Disrupter and ammunition for neutralizing improvised explosive devices

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of Israel Patent Application No. 274417 filed on May 3, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to an apparatus for neutralizing explosive devices and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a disrupter and ammunition for neutralizing improvised explosive devices. 
     Disrupters are used by various military, police and other emergency personnel, to neutralize known or suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs). A disrupter is typically designed using a barrel similar to a shotgun barrel. A percussion actuated non-electric disrupter (PAN disrupter) is one known type of disrupter. Known disrupters may be used with adjustable stands or without a stand. 
     An IED is an explosive device that may be cobbled together (or “improvised”) for example, from commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, military ordnance and/or ordnance components, typically by terrorists, guerrillas or commando forces for use in unconventional warfare. IEDs may be designed to be lethal, to cause injury, to destroy or incapacitate structural targets or simply to harass or distract an opponent. 
     Disabling an IED may present special challenges. An IED may be hidden within other objects or placed among other objects and may therefore be difficult to reach. Furthermore, contents in IED may unpredictable as well as its mode of operation. For example, an IED may be detonated using any one of a fuse, a timer, or by radio-control. It is generally desirable for a disrupter to be compact and quick to setup to help overcome some of the challenges associated with disabling IEDs especially in urban environments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to some aspects of some example embodiments, there is provided a lightweight and compact disrupter configured to fire a projectile. The disrupter may include a barrel through which a projectile is fired, a barrel housing include a sleeve through which the barrel is movably supported, a frame and a stand on which the disrupter rests. Initiation may be electrical, with a shock tube or with an electromagnetic striking pin. One or more of the barrel, sleeve and stand may include features to improve stability and reduce recoil during operation. Optionally, the barrel is a 12-gauge barrel that is versatile in that it may be operated with different types of projectiles. 
     According to some example embodiments, there is provided a disrupter comprising: a barrel through which a projectile is fired; a barrel housing including a sleeve, wherein the sleeve is configured to receive the barrel and allow movement of the barrel therethrough; at least one spring configured to absorb recoil energy based on the firing; a frame on which the barrel may be selectively pivoted; and a stand on which the frame is supported. 
     Optionally, the disrupter includes a compensator mounted on a firing end of the barrel, wherein the firing end is an end of the barrel through which the projectile is fired. 
     Optionally, the compensator directs streaming of exhaust from the firing away from a downward direction. 
     Optionally, the compensator is an annular member that is fitted coaxially with the barrel, and wherein the compensator includes openings only on the upper half of the annular member. 
     Optionally, the openings include at least one opening elongated in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. 
     Optionally, the openings include at least one bore oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the barrel. 
     Optionally, in the at least one bore converges toward the longitudinal axis distal from the firing end of the barrel. 
     Optionally, the disrupter includes a first spring configured to be compressed in response to movement of the barrel in a direction of firing; and a second spring configured to be compressed in response to movement of the barrel in a direction opposite a direction of firing. 
     Optionally, the disrupter includes a ring element mounted on a distal end of the barrel, wherein the at the least one spring includes a coil spring pressed between the ring and a partitioning wall of the barrel housing, wherein the partitioning wall forms a back face of the barrel housing, wherein the distal end of the barrel is an end distal from a firing end of the barrel and wherein the back face of the barrel housing faces the distal end of the barrel. 
     Optionally, the distal end of the barrel includes screw threads and wherein the ring is a screw-nut component screwed onto the screw threads. 
     Optionally, the barrel includes a flange, wherein the at least one spring includes a coil spring pressed between the flange and a partitioning wall of the barrel housing, wherein the partitioning wall forms a back face of the barrel housing. 
     Optionally, the disrupter includes an end cap mounted on a distal end of the barrel, wherein the distal end of the barrel is an end distal from a firing end of the barrel. 
     Optionally, the end cap is a blasting cap integrated with a detonator. 
     Optionally, the distal end of the barrel includes screw threads and the end cap is a screw-nut component screwed onto the screw threads. 
     Optionally, the end cap includes a bore through which wires from a detonator may be extended therethrough. 
     Optionally, the stand includes a pair of legs extending in a horizontal direction. Optionally, the pair of legs are telescopic and wherein telescopic extensions of the pair of legs extend horizontally in a direction opposite a direction of firing. 
     Optionally, the disrupter includes pads on a bottom-facing surface of the pair of legs, wherein the pads are configured to provide traction. 
     Optionally, telescopic extensions include an end piece configured to provide traction. 
     Optionally, the barrel is a 12-gauge barrel made from stainless steel. 
     Optionally, at least one of the barrel housing, the frame and the stand is made of aluminum. 
     Optionally, the barrel frame includes a grip handle configured for holding the disrupter. 
     Optionally, the disrupter includes an electric control box mounted on the barrel housing, the electric control box comprising: an operational switch; a safety catch configured to protect the operational switch; a pair of connectors configured to connect to detonating wires; and a pair of connectors configured to connect to a power source. 
     According to an aspect of some example embodiments, there is provided a projectile configured to neutralize known or suspected improvised explosive devices when fired, the projectile comprising: a cylindrical housing; ceramic sand housed in the cylindrical housing; and a pair of plugs configured to plug each end of the cylindrical housing. 
     Optionally, the ceramic sand includes alumina particles. 
     Optionally, the cylindrical housing is plastic. 
     According to an aspect of some example embodiments, there is provided a disrupter system comprising: a disrupter as described herein above; and a projectile as described herein above. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplary methods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be necessarily limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings and images. With specific reference now to the drawings and images in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, the description taken with the drawings and images makes apparent to those skilled in the art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are example disrupters shown without and with an end cap, both in accordance with some example embodiments; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of an example disrupter in accordance with some example embodiments; 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  are top and cross sectional views of an example barrel, the cross section cut through an example compensator of the barrel, both in accordance with some example embodiments; and 
         FIG.  4    shows a bottom perspective view of an example disrupter in accordance with some example embodiments; 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are perspective views of an example disrupter including an operational switch with a safety catch, the safety catch shown in two different positions, both in accordance with some example embodiments; 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic exploded view of an example projectile configured for use with an example disrupter in accordance with some example embodiments; 
         FIGS.  7 A,  7 B and  7 C  are three time consecutive images during operation of an example disrupter, all according to some example embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to an apparatus for neutralizing explosive devices and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to a disrupter and ammunition for neutralizing improvised explosive devices. 
     According to some example embodiments, the disrupter includes a barrel movably mounted in a sleeve of a barrel housing, a frame on which the barrel housing may be pivoted to a desired angle and a stand on which the disrupter rests on the ground or other surface. According to some example embodiments, the barrel of the disrupter is floating in that it is configured to move back and forth through the sleeve against a pair of opposing springs and is not fixedly position in the barrel housing e.g., the barrel slides forwards and backwards through the sleeve based on contraction and extension of the pair of springs. Optionally, the pair of opposing springs is a pair of coil springs. In some example embodiments, the barrel oscillate in response to the recoil force felt by the barrel as the springs absorb some of the recoil energy and thereby a distance at which the disrupter is pushed back due to the recoil force is reduced. According to some example embodiments, a range of motion of the barrel through the sleeve is confined by a flange around the barrel that engages the barrel frame on a front face and a ring that is screwed onto a distal end of the barrel and presses a spring against a back face of the barrel frame. Optionally, the ring is used to preload the spring to a desired level and thereby control the recoil felt during operation of the disrupter. More preload leads to more recoil. 
     According to some example embodiments, the frame provides adjusting an angle of the barrel. Optionally, the frame provides a range of motion of about 0°-60°, e.g. 30° up from a horizontal orientation and 30° down from the horizontal orientation. The barrel may be pivoted to a desired orientation either manually or by remote manipulation. Optionally, a handle is integrated on the sleeve and/or on the barrel housing for easy lifting and maneuvering of the disrupter. 
     According to some example embodiments, the barrel of the disrupter includes a compensator that directs the exhaust during firing in a desired direction. In some example embodiments, the directional compensator is configured to direct exhaust, e.g. gas from the firing, upwards based on openings, vents or vanes formed on a portion of the compensator that point upwards. Optionally, the openings are solely on the portion of the compensator that point substantially upwards so that the gas is exhausted through the opening with an upward stream as well as through the main drill of the barrel. In some example embodiments at least a portion of the vents are positioned at an angle with respect to the barrel so that the exhaust may be directed backwards (and upwards) with respect to a direction of firing. Optionally, at least one of the vents is oriented parallel to a longitudinal axis of the barrel. According to some example embodiments, the upward stream afforded by the vents in the compensator exerts a downward force on the compensator and may prevent toppling of the disrupter during operation due to the forces of the blast. 
     According to some example embodiments, the stand includes a pair of telescopic legs that extend in a horizontal direction away from a direction of firing. In some example embodiments, the pair of legs is extended prior to firing and is configured to telescopically collapse as the stand is pushed back during recoil. In some example embodiments, the telescopic construction is designed to be accompanied by a frictional force or other resisting force that is configured to absorb some of the recoil energy as it collapses and thereby reduce the distance that the stand is pushed back due to firing. Optionally, recoil distance of the stand may be between 0.4-0.8 m (depending on the projectile). Optionally, an end of the telescopic extension of the legs includes an end piece configured to provide traction with the surface on which disrupter  100  is positioned and prevent toppling over of the disrupter during recoil. 
     According to some example embodiments, the disrupter may be configured to be lightweight and compact so that it may be handled and transported manually. Optionally, the disrupter weighs 5-8 kg, e.g. 6 kg. Optionally, the barrel housing, frame and stand are made from aluminum. According to some example embodiments, stability-providing features of the disrupter including for example the directional compensator, the oscillating barrel, and the telescopic legs extending from the stand improve the stability of the disrupter that would otherwise be less stable due to its compact size and relatively lightweight. 
     In some example embodiments, the disrupter affords manual aim adjustment for up to 1-3 m, e.g. 2 m and aim adjustment with a laser at a distance of up to 20 m or more. 
     In some example embodiments, a projectile fired with the disrupter is a tube containing ceramic sand, alumina particles, e.g. aluminum oxide or aluminum dioxide. The tube may be a lightweight material, e.g. plastic. Optionally, the disrupter may be operated with different types of projectiles. In some example embodiments, the disrupter includes an end cap configured to cap an end of the barrel distal from the firing end. The end cap may be a passive cap that holds a detonator and/or prevents the projectile and/or fumes from escaping through the distal end during firing. Optionally, the end cap is a blasting cap that includes a detonator integrated therein. 
     According to some example embodiments, the disrupter is operated with an electric box including an operating switch and connectors for connecting to the detonator and to a power source. Optionally, the electric box is mounted on the barrel frame. Optionally, wires from the detonator extend through a bore in the end cap and are connected a pair of dedicated connectors on the electric box. A power source for actuating the detonation may be connected to an additional pair of connectors. Optionally, the operating switch actuates the detonation and firing of the projectile. Optionally, a safety catch is configured to cover the operating switch to prevent accidental activation of disruptor  100  by unsupervised detonation. 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components and/or methods set forth in the following description and/or illustrated in the drawings and/or the Examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  showing an example disrupter, shown without and with an end cap and to  FIG.  2    showing an exploded view of the example disrupter, all in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments, a disrupter  100  includes a barrel  110  that is movably mounted through a sleeve  157  of a barrel housing  150 . Barrel  110  may be a cylindrical structure with a 12-gauge bore through which a projectile may be fired. Optionally, barrel  110  includes an annular flange  70  that limits movement of barrel  110  through sleeve  157 . Optionally, barrel  110  includes screw threads  38  at a distal end  99  on which one or more of a ring  145  and an end cap  140  may be received. One or more of ring  145  and end cap  140  may be a screw-nut component that screws onto screw threads  38 . 
     According to some example embodiments, recoil of barrel  110  based on firing initiates oscillation of barrel  110  through (or with respect to) barrel housing  150 . The oscillation is along a longitudinal direction of barrel  100 . According to some example embodiments, disrupter  100  includes one or more springs configured to absorb at least part of the recoil force. Optionally and preferably, the recoil force is absorbed with a pair of springs (spring  120  and spring  130 ), each spring of the pair applying a resilient force in an opposite direction. For example, as barrel  110  slides in firing direction  10 , spring  120  compresses and as barrel  110  slides in a direction opposite firing direction  10 , spring  130  compresses. 
     Optionally, barrel housing  150  includes a partitioning wall  153  against which each of spring  120  and spring  130  engage from opposite sides. Optionally, spring  130  is a coil spring pressed between ring  145  and partitioning wall  153 . Optionally, spring  120  is a coil spring pressed between flange  70  and partitioning wall  153 . 
     In some example embodiments, ring  145  is manipulated to hold barrel  110  within sleeve  157  at a desired initial position and with a desired preload on spring  130 . The initial position of barrel  110  may control the recoil during firing. For example, a larger preload on spring  130  leads to stronger recoil of barrel  110  during firing. Optionally, ring  145  is made of stainless steel and is configured to withstand forces applied by spring  130 . Optionally, flange  70  is positioned along barrel  110  so that the desired position prior to firing disrupter  100  coincides with flange  70  being aligned with a front face  154  of sleeve  157 , e.g. flange  70  engaging sleeve  157 . In this manner, proper alignment of barrel  110  may be apparent to a user on site. Optionally, the alignment is performed manually by manually turning ring  145 . 
     According to some example embodiments, disrupter  100  is operated with an end cap  140  that is configured to be screwed onto barrel  110  with screw threads  38  ( FIG.  1 B ) and thereby fixed onto barrel  110 . In some example embodiments, end cap  140  is a passive cap that is configured to cover a distal end of barrel  110  after loading a projecting in barrel  110 . Optionally, end cap  140  is aluminum. End cap  140  may prevent the projectile from falling out through distal end  99  and may also prevent fumes from escaping through distal end  99  during firing. In some example embodiments, end cap  140  holds a detonator in proximity to a projectile positioned into barrel  110 . 
     In other example embodiments, end cap  140  is a blasting cap that includes and/or houses a detonator to actuate the firing of a projectile loaded in barrel  110 . Optionally, disrupter  100  may be operated with different types of projectiles and based on the projectile, disrupter  100  may be operated with a passive cap, a blasting cap or optionally no end cap  140 . For example, when using a projectile that is self-detonating, a passive cap may be used. Alternatively, a blasting cap may be used. 
     According to some example embodiments, a firing end  10  of barrel  110  is fitted with a compensator  60 . Compensator  60  provides for directing exhaust from the firing to a desired direction and is described in further detail herein. 
     In some example embodiments, barrel housing  150  is pivotally supported on a frame  180 . Optionally, the pivotal support is with a hinge pin  158  and a slot  185  displaced from hinge pin  158  that receives a pin  186 . Pin  186  may extend through slot  185  and into barrel housing  150  through a bore  155 . A desired angle of barrel  110  is selected based on sliding pin  186  along slot  185 . A handle  187  fitted on pin  186  may be manually manipulated to lock pin  186  to a desired position along slot  185 . Optionally, a screw motion provides securing or locking pin  186  to the desired position. Optionally and preferably, frame  180  includes a pair of slots  185  on opposite sides of frame as well as a pair of pins  186 , each with handle  187 . A pivot angle may be secured by locking one or both of pins  186  with handles  187 . In some example embodiments, pivoting of barrel  110  may be remotely controlled with a motor engaged with one of pins  186  and configured to slide the pin along slot  185 . Optionally, slot  185  provides a pivot range of −30° to +30°. According to some example embodiments, frame  180  is fixedly mounted on a stand  165 . 
     According to some example embodiments, stand  165  includes a pair of legs  175  oriented to extend parallel to a surface on which disrupter is positioned. Optionally, an undersurface of legs  175  includes pads  190  that provide traction with a surface on which disrupter  100  stands. Optionally, traction pads  190  are made of a hard material, e.g. iron that can withstand wear and tear. Optionally and preferably, pair of legs  175  are telescopic, including telescopic extensions  170 . According to some example embodiments, telescopic extensions  170  extend in a direction generally opposite firing direction  10  and parallel to the surface on which disrupter  100  stands. 
     According to some example embodiments, telescopic extensions  170  are extended prior to firing disrupter  100 . During firing, the recoil force on disrupter  100  may push disrupter  100  and due to the backward movement of disrupter  100 , telescopic extensions  170  may collapse into legs  175 . In some example embodiments, it may be desirable to affect a frictional force between telescopic extensions  170  and legs  175  that may absorb a portion of the recoil energy of disrupter  100  as telescopic extensions  170  collapse into legs  175 . A resistance to collapsing of telescopic extensions into legs  175  may be selected to provide a desired level of absorption. In some example embodiments, legs and telescopic extensions  170  are made of aluminum. Optionally, legs  175  with telescopic extensions  170  in an extended state may have a substantially same length as barrel  110  or longer. 
     In some example embodiments, sliding of telescopic extensions  170  in and out of legs  175  may be guided by a pin  173  sliding along slot  177  of leg. According to some example embodiments, an end piece  171  fitted on telescopic extensions  170  may provide traction with the surface on which disrupter  100  is positioned. Optionally, end piece  171  includes claws configured to dig into the ground. Optionally, end piece  171  additionally provides stability to disrupter  100  to prevent disrupter  100  from toppling over during recoil. Optionally, end piece  171  is made of steel, e.g. 4340 alloy steel or iron. 
     According to some example embodiments, disrupter  100  is configured to be lightweight, compact and portable. In some example embodiments, weight of disrupter  100  may be 4-8 kg, e.g. 6 kg. In some example embodiments, barrel  110  is stainless steel while the barrel housing  150 , frame  180  and stand  165  is a lighter material, e.g. aluminum. Optionally, barrel housing  150  includes a handle  160  that may be used to carry and move disrupter  100  to a desired location. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  showing an example top view and cross sectional cut through a compensator of an example barrel with compensator, both in accordance with some example embodiments. A barrel  60  may be for example a 12-gauge barrel suitable for firing a plurality of different projectiles. In some example embodiments, barrel  110  has a length of 30-50 cm, e.g. 41 cm with a central drill  50  through which a projectile may be fired. Optionally, a line  81  engraved along a length of barrel  60  is used to aim when preparing to shoot. In some example embodiments, a proximal end  51  of barrel  110  includes a compensator  60 . 
     According to some example embodiments, compensator  60  is an annular element with openings formed in the upper half and no openings formed in the bottom half. According to some example embodiments, compensator  60  directs exhaust gasses upwards through through-going holes during firing and thereby actuates pushing proximal end  51  in a downwards direction during firing. Optionally, the through-going holes include one or more slots  61  elongated in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of barrel  110  and a plurality of bores  63  extending through annular wall of compensator  60  at a non-normal angle. Optionally, compensator  60  also directs exhaust gasses backwards in relation to direction of firing  10 . Optionally, bores  63  extend central drill  50  outwards in a direction away from proximal end  51  and generally toward distal end  99 . In some example embodiments, bores  63  extend through the annular wall of compensator  60  at a 30°-60° angle, e.g. 60° or 45° with respect to a longitudinal axis of barrel. 
       FIG.  4    shows a different perspective view of an example disrupter, in accordance with some example embodiments. In some example embodiments, slot  177  in leg  175  is positioned on a bottom face of leg  175  and covered with traction pad  190 . In  FIG.  4   , one leg  175  is shown without traction pad  190  so that slot  177  is revealed and the other leg  175  is shown with traction pad  190 . The present inventors have found that it is preferably to position slot  177  on a bottom face of leg  175  and covered with it traction pad to avoid debris from entering through slot  177  and potentially obstructing movement of telescopic extensions  170  extending from legs  175 . 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  are perspective views of an example disrupter including an operational switch with a safety catch, the safety catch shown in two different positions, both in accordance with some example embodiments. According to some example embodiments, disrupter  100  includes an electric box  290  including an operational switch  250 , a safety catch  260  and connectors  210  and  230 . According to some example embodiments, an end cap  140  includes a hole  142  through which a pair of wires is extended. The pair of wires (not shown) may extend from a detonator housed in end cap  140 , integrated into end cap  140  or integrated with a projectile within barrel  110 . In some example embodiments, during operation, the pair of wires is connected to a first pair of connectors  230  on electric box  290 . A second pair of wires extending from a power source may be connected to connectors  210 . Operational switch  250  electrically connects wires attached to connectors  230  to the wires attached to connectors  210  and thereby actuate firing with disrupter  100 . A safety catch  260  may be a hood that covers operational switch  250  and thereby prevent accidental activation of disruptor  100  by unsupervised detonation. In some example embodiments, disrupter  100  may also be actuated remotely. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG.  6    showing a schematic exploded view of an example projectile configured for use with an example disrupter in accordance with some example embodiments. Various types of projectiles may be fired with barrel  110 . In some example embodiments, a projectile  300  includes a cylindrical housing  310  filled with ceramic sand  320 , e.g. alumina or aluminum oxide, argyle, or metals such as zinc and copper. Aluminum oxide may operate at a relatively more concentrated range that may be more suitable for handling IEDs in an urban setting. In the some example embodiments, a projectile with ceramic sand  320  provides tearing IED to pieces as well as cutting through textile materials. The cylindrical housing may include a plug  330  at each end to seal contents of projectile  300 . Optionally, housing  310  is made from a polymer and plugs  330  may be a rubber material or a polymer with elastic properties. A length of projectile  300  may be 6 cm-9 cm, e.g. 7.5 cm and an outer diameter of projectile  300  may be 1.5-2 cm. e.g. 1.8 cm. 
     It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without those elements. 
     Various embodiments and aspects of the present invention as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below find experimental support in the following examples. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Reference is now made to the following examples, which together with the above descriptions illustrate some embodiments of the invention in a non-limiting fashion. 
       FIGS.  7 A,  7 B and  7 C  are three time consecutive images showing movement of an example disrupter in operation, all according to some example embodiments. In each of  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B , an example disrupter  100  is shown to exhaust gasses  220  from the firing in an upward direction through compensator  60  of barrel  110 . The upward stream of exhaust  220  may be harnessed to increase the downward force on barrel  110  near compensator  60  and prevent upward tilting or toppling over of disrupter  100  that may otherwise occur. This may improve stability to disrupter  100  without increasing the overall weight and dimensions of the disrupter. 
     In  FIG.  7 B , barrel  110  is shown to move backwards (in direction  30 ) in relation to frame  150  based on which the rear spring coil  130  stretches. Stretching of rear coil  130  in comparison to rear coil  130  in  FIG.  7 A  may be depicted in  FIG.  7 B . Backwards movement (in direction  30 ) of barrel  110  is recoil in response to the firing. As rear spring coil  130  is stretched (or extended), the front spring coil  120  is compressed. Energy stored in both front spring coil  120  and rear spring coil  130  initiates oscillation of barrel  110  with respect to sleeve  150 . 
     In  FIG.  7 C  forward movement of barrel  110  may be depicted (in direction  10 ). The forward movement is due to the energy stored in the coil springs that pushes the barrel forward. As can be seen, this forward movement is accompanied by compression of rear coil  130  and stretching of front coil  120 . The oscillatory movement may continue over a plurality of cycle until the oscillation is damped. During oscillation, rear spring coil  130  may absorb a portion of the recoil energy from the firing and thereby reduce the backwards movement of disrupter  100  during operation. As described herein above, some of the recoil energy may also be absorb with friction during telescopic movement of the leg extensions  170  during recoil. Some backwards movement of disrupter  100  due to the recoil force may be depicted in  FIG.  7 C . In some example embodiments, the backwards movement may be between 0.4-0.8 meters or less depending on the projectile fired. This relatively little movement is advantageous when dealing with IEDs neutralization, since IEDs may be often found urban environments that may be crowded with obstacles that may be time consuming and/or difficult to clear. By reducing the recoil, disrupter  100  may be operated with less disturbances to the surrounding environment. 
     Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims. 
     In addition, any priority document(s) of this application is/are hereby incorporated herein by reference in its/their entirety.