But the technique used to trigger many of the bombs has U.S. officers here concerned. Until recently, most roadside explosives in this area were triggered remotely by an insurgent using a cellphone, doorbell or other wireless device.

This bomb was detonated by a pressure switch that activates when a vehicle drives over it. The incident means that U.S. forces here, who have improved their ability to spot remotely triggered bombs, now have a different type of weapon to worry about.

"The new weapon out there is the pressure-detonated IED," Col. Steven Salazar, commander of the Army's 3rd Brigade Combat Team, warned company commanders during a recent battle briefing. "It's a very dangerous tactic."

It sounds like the insurgents have found someone with more skill in making their bombs. I know we've made huge leaps in robotics, so why not use one of the robotic vehicles to travel in front of manned vehicles to trigger these bombs. With the technology we have I have a hard time believing we can't detect a bomb burred close to the surface when we can detect minerals and other deposits deep in the earth.
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