Silica Coated NESTT

Molten silica rapidly solidified was chosen for it purity and lack of vapor pressure as a base for this type of NESTT. Pure silica being essentially transparent and odorless, this type of NESTT can be considered the closest thing to delivering the scent of pure explosive to the K-9. This is particularly important in the initial imprint training where it is desirable to keep distractive odors to a minimum. The coating is accomplished by a patented method in which explosive is dissolved in acetone and mixed with silica. The mixture is tumbled and the acetone driven off leaving pure explosive crystals fixed to the outside of silica granules. The texture of Silica Coated NESTT is similar to beach sand and is impervious to extremes of environmental temperatures.

The equivalency of NESTT to its parent explosive is dependent on the geometry used. In a training tin configuration, 16g of TNT NESTT is equivalent to 22g of TNT. In a scent box configuration, 160g bag of PETN NESTT is equivalent to 205g of Detasheet. In large unconfined spaces the explosive related vapor of NESTT materials will disperse more rapidly than equivalent amounts of parent explosive.

Silica Coated NESTT in Training Tins

XM Training Tins containing silica coated NESTT are the most convenient packaging for training and maintenance. Each tin contains 0.035 lb. (16g) of NESTT. The tin is made up of three parts, perforated training lid, storage lid, and base. All parts are of raw aluminum. Explosive type contained in the tin is stamped on the perforated lid. Batch code for the NESTT material is stamped on the bottom of the base. After loading and assembly, the unit is place into a resealable foil lined storage bag and heat-sealed. This vapor proof bag is designed to act as a storage magazine for NESTT products and prevents cross-contamination. Each bag is labeled for content and has place to record date of first and last use.

Use of Training Tins

To avoid cross-contamination and inadvertent transfer of explosive scent, we suggest prior to opening the foil storage bag and during use of the training tins that you put on powderless polypropylene or latex gloves. When you are ready to use this training aid, cut the top off the foil bag, below the heat seal and above the ziplock feature (indicated by the notch in the upper portion of the bag. Remove the training tin and inspect that explosive type engraved on the lid matches label on bag. Remove perforated lid. Next remove storage lid by holding base firmly against a horizontal surface, such as a table top and with the other hand pinch the storage lid flange and base and gently pull upwards. Place the storage lid back into the bag during training session. Replace perforated lid onto base. You are now ready to locate the training tin into position for training. Use care to keep shaking the training tin or rotating more than 90 degrees from horizontal to avoid spilling contents.

The tin may be place horizontally or in a vertical position. For vertical use, a business card slipped between the lid and the base will stabilize the unit.

After the training session, remove the perforated lid, replace the storage lid, replace the perforated lid, put into bag and seal bag. It is now safe to store virtually anywhere your K-9 can’t get to.

Although shelf life of NESTT products are essentially limitless as shipped from the factory, recommendations from field use indicate retiring NESTT training units after about 2 weeks of use. The consideration here is product acquiring secondary odors picked up during training from the K-9, the handler, etc. After this point the training unit can be considered common waste and may be disposed of in customary fashion.

Silica Coated NESTT in Cloth Bags

For scenarios requiring a larger explosive representation than training tins contain, silica coated NESTT in cloth bags increase the game by a factor of ten. Each bag contains 0.35 lb. (160g) of silica coated NESTT. Bags are made of raw cotton, washed prior to sewing in hot water only. Labeling of the bags is accomplished by sewing a ribbon loop in one corner of the bag with explosive designation imprinted. As with all XM K-9 NESTT products, assembly conditions are configured to avoid cross-contamination from other explosive types and avoid imparting other secondary odors. Each cloth bag is shipped in foil storage bag and labeled accordingly. Also available are cloth outer bags. These bags are used as a protective covering to help extend the useful life of the inner bag containing NESTT. The outer bags are made from the same material as the bags containing NESTT and have a brass metal zipper. Five ribbons with each explosive designation are shipped with the outer bag. It is recommended that an outer bag be designated for sole use with each type of NESTT containing inner bag. As a reminder, the ribbon with correct designation can be tied through the hole in the zipper finger grip. To clean outer bag, wash separately in plain hot water.

After completion of training exercise, NESTT bags should placed back into their foil storage bags.

Silica Coated NESTT in Bulk

Bulk packaged 2 pounds (907g) per quart metal can. By weight, this is the most economical unit. It is suitable for improvised training aids calling for scenarios in which large amounts of explosives would be present. Empty XM Training Tins #21002 can be filled by users from this bulk supply.

After completion of training exercise, NESTT bulk cans can be resealed.

XM Training Aids Accessories

These products round out the NESTT line by providing packaging for use with NESTT training aids, bulk NESTT, distractors, and equipment for staging training exercises.

All packaging used with NESTT products are available without any explosive content. This is done for two purposes, 1) to provide packaging for use with bulk NESTT supplies and 2) for use as distractors in proofing the canine.

As well, distractors (proofs) are available with all components less explosive content. Silica distractors are available in both training tin and cloth bag configurations. All components and materials used are identical to those with explosive content. Petrolatum distractors are also available using the same tube and petrolatum used for the NESTT versions, again excluding explosive content.

Scent boxes are also available.

What it’s made of

XM NESTT (Non-hazardous Explosive for Security Training and Testing) provides the K-9 with the scent of pure explosive through two delivery methods, coated silica and petrolatum suspension. In both systems, pure explosive is used at the following percentages by weight:

TNT 8%
RDX 8%
PETN 4%
Potassium Nitrate 8%
Potassium Chlorate 8%

At these levels, the explosive content has been certified non-explosive by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) for the purpose of transportation. The remainder of these formulas is made entirely of either pure silica or USP grade petrolatum (Vaseline).

Great care is taken in the manufacture and packaging of these material not to impart additional odors and avoid cross-contamination. Explosive types are stored separately prior to compounding. Tools for each NESTT formula are dedicated for sole use with that explosive type only. Powderless polypropylene gloves are used by personnel during product assembly to avoid product contamination. Assembly areas are segregated by explosive type.