The technological sophistication of RCIEDs has completely rendered their detection let alone their neutralization r simply detonation a truly difficult proposition. In fact, this new development has made them a rather highly lucrative weapon preferred by most terrorist cells as well as a nightmare for security agencies. This is mainly because at the moment, most of the latest IEDs are not being designed by inexperienced people or using sub-standard materials, a lot of time, effort and resources is being ploughed in to make the devices not only very sophisticated but also as deadly as possible. All of this is clearly evident from the fact that these devices can now be detonated/trigger in various ways for instance by remote control remotely, through infrared, trip wires, pressure-sensitive bars etc just to mention a few.
RCIED countermeasures

In order to be able to effectively counter RCIEDs, the following should be done:
a. Ensuring that there is enough radius of influence. This is very important because it will help make sure that the knowledge of exact location of the IED device is no longer important.
b. The deployed equipment should have the capacity to generate frequencies of all kinds within the Citizen band
c. Making sure that there is enough high radiated power as desired in order to create a barrage effect crucial to effectively creating a jam of the RCIED.
d. The IED counter equipment deployed should be able to generate all possible DTMF codes as well as be able to super impose the codes on all frequencies transmitted in order to effectively neutralize the RCIED.

Note: all of the above discussed options should be accomplished within the shortest time possible in order to make countering the RCIED tactically possible.

The three major categories of RCIED countermeasures, they are:-

A. Jammers
They are deployed in the event that the frequency of the threat signal has been established. Jamming is done using spot frequency. Most of the times if the frequency of the threat signal is know then less barrage jamming (which usually generates high power signals over a range of frequencies) is resorted to. In case, this kind of power is difficult to generate, the sweep noise generation technique is adapted.

B. Neutralisers
They are primarily deployed to help disable the IEDs in a bid to rule out the possibility of having any collateral damage especially of the threat originates from a populated area. The best thing about them is the fact that they are usually quick to transmit sets of codes needed to reset the IEDs within the shortest time possible.

C. Pre-initiators
They are designed to transmit random DTMF codes within the entire frequency spectrum consequently pre initiating the IEDs at the time of choosing. They are different types available, examples include;

i. The static long range pre initiators
ii. The mobile short range pre initiators
iii. The long range pre initiators
iv. The medium range pre initiators

Bottom line
IEDs have emerged as one of the greatest challenges which armed forces are presently faced with amidst their current threat of operations. In addition to this, it is also considered as the preferred weapon of choice owing to the ubiquitous nature of the devices coupled with their highly lethal effects when deployed. Taking into consideration all of the above, it goes without ay that the IED threat must be dealt with in a coherent and focused manner. In order to defeat the threat, it is imperative to establish a joint effort with emphasis on identifying capability gaps in a bid to develop lasting solutions. Leveraging the research and development community as well as taking time to familiarize with RCIED countermeasures is by far the best approach to countering the threat posed by these devices as well as develop counter IED related technology.