Firefighters in the West Midlands deployed the WASP to monitor the controlled detonation of a World War Two bomb.
The Technical Rescue team were dispatched as part of a huge multi-agency response to the discovery of the huge bomb in the Aston area of Birmingham.
Army bomb disposal experts prepared to detonate the bomb as the area around was cordoned off – including the closure of the M6 at the famous Spaghetti Junction.
Bomb disposal experts built a protective ‘sand igloo’ of more than 250 tonnes of sand to control the blast but, there were still concerns the shockwaves could damage nearby infrastructure.
Two WASP units were strapped to columns at the M6 interchange by the West Midlands Tech Rescue and broadcast by video relay as the bomb disposal experts prepared to detonate the huge unexploded bomb.
Major Mike Luedicke, who coordinated the operation, claimed the German bomb contained 130kg of high explosives.
The WASP, or Warning Alarm for Stability Protection, can monitor of movement and or vibration, and omits an audible and visual warning.
WASP founder Matt Keogh, said: “It was a very clever and innovative use of the WASP as it meant the control center were able to have an immediate, visual indicator of any movement.
“Without the WASP they would have had to engage with structural engineers and the whole process of establishing whether the columns had moved or not would have been more drawn out.
“This was a quick, simple, and immediate solution and provided the control team with immediate feedback and they were able to open the M6 without further delay.”
The WW2 bomb was found in Priory Road, close to the Aston Express Way and M6 exit on Spaghetti Junction and Cross City line.
Spaghetti Junction has 559 concrete columns, some reaching to 80 feet high and has been a vital part of the UK infrastructure for more than 45 years.
The bomb was discovered on Monday sparking travel chaos as
Roads and rail lines were closed and residents evacuated as the bomb disposal team worked for more than 24-hours making the 500lb shell safe.
It is not the first time the WASPs has been deployed to provide movement and vibration monitoring of road infrastructure.
Kent Fire used the WASP to monitor for the remaining half of a pedestrian bridge which collapsed onto the M20 last year.
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Video: Birmingham Mail
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