Which term describes the risk scenario in which EMI could cause EIDs to act unintentionally?

• A. HERO
• B. Eid
• C. Safe separation
• D. MIL-HDBK-240

Answer: (A)

HERO, Hazards of Electromagnetic Interference to Ordnance, is the risk scenario where electromagnetic energy could couple into an explosive initiator and cause it to detonate unintentionally. EMI can enter initiation circuits, wiring, or antennas if shielding, filtering, or separation aren’t sufficient, so RF energy or transient spikes trigger the EID without any intentional command. The concept guides safety practices like controlling the electromagnetic environment, using adequate shielding, maintaining safe separation distances, and testing for RF immunity to prevent such unintended initiation. The other terms aren’t the hazard: the device itself is the initiator, safe separation is a mitigation measure, and MIL-HDBK-240 is a reference that covers HERO concepts but isn’t the hazard term itself.