Revisiting Swiss EOD Operators: More Training With Vulkan EOD De-Armer Disruptor

kblott
Jun 26
2 min read

Earlier this year, Chris Hawthorne, our Training Manager, spent a few weeks with EOD operators in Switzerland. They went through a comprehensive training program centred around the CSL 50-40 Vulkan M2 Disruptor/De-Armer. Chris has just returned from another training session with a new group of technicians, who are now capable of working with this flagship EOD disruptor.

A group of people in a group lineup, some of whom are in army fatigues, and others in civilian clothing. Most have their faces obscured for security reasons. — Chris Hawthorne standing proudly with his students from group two.

This second training session began with a hands-on introduction to the contents of the Peli case and the assembly of the Vulkan M2 de-armer disruptor in its various configurations. The system’s three interchangeable barrels (a 40mm rifled barrel, a choked water barrel, and a 1" de-armer barrel) were again the foundation of the session, each designed to address different types of threats based on operational need.

Military personnel standing and kneeling around specialist bomb disposal equipment. Their faces are obscured for security purposes. — EOD Operators getting familiar with the Vulkan kit.

The training then moved into a detailed exploration of the various projectiles and consumables, focusing on real-world decision-making, i.e., how to assess a threat and determine the most appropriate tool for the job. Operator safety remains at the heart of the training, and this session continued to reinforce that.

This group of Swiss EOD operators brought a high level of professionalism and enthusiasm to the training. Their ability to absorb technical information quickly and apply it with precision in practical drills was clear from the outset. They were fully engaged, inquisitive, and intent on mastering the equipment.

An EOD technician preparing to take a shot with an EOD disruptor 30m away from the target. — Preparing a stand-off shot with Vulkan

One of the most notable aspects of this session was the operators’ reaction to the Vulkan M2’s performance at range. The system delivered impressive accuracy even at standoff distances of over 30 metres. This drew genuine surprise and appreciation from the group. They also practised using closer ‘step back’ shots; a method that allows the operator to engage the threat while positioning the tool further away from the target object. This additional distance reinforces the core principle of increasing survivability by creating space between the operator and the hazard.

A piece of wood that has been partially destroyed by an EOD disruptor. — Results from a 15m stand-off shot with a clay projectile.

The operators' proficiency by the end of the session was a strong indicator of the value of hands-on, focused training.

Two military personnel preparing a specialist EOD disruptor. Their faces have been obscured for security purposes. — EOD Operators setting up Vulkan.

Chris Hawthorne once again led the instruction, providing clear, experience-based guidance tailored to the evolving skill level of the group. His practical approach ensured that all participants left with a solid working knowledge of the Vulkan M2 and its deployment in real-world counter-threat scenarios.

We're able to offer training whether you've just bought our products and want to get your operators up to speed, or if there is an ongoing requirement for new operators or refresher courses. Contact our team today for more information.