TATP is being reported as the Explosive used in the Brussels attacks

Just a little background, TATP has been around before even C-3, C-4, or Semtex (the main military plasticized explosives) over the years. It was not considered safe to use since it can detonate just from rough handling, like being dropped. So for a soldier carrying this type of explosive, just being shot may be enough shock to detonate the explosive charge.

TATP is fairly easy to make with obtainable chemical materials, but once again it can easily detonate during the mixing process. Another problem is the mixture is time sensitive, it normally starts to lose effectiveness over even a few days (I have fired off C-3 explosive made before WWII without a problem). Do not expect TATP to work even after a week in most cases. So if you look at the timeline of the Brussels attacks, the plan was probably developed over the last few weeks or months. When they decided it was time after the capture of the last Paris bomber, the delay was probably having the TATP made up.

Rich Roth via CTI Consulting http://ift.tt/1q0otqq