The torpedo was standardized to consist of a number of externally identical 1.5 m (5 ft) lengths of threaded pipe, one of which contained the explosive charge.

It was pushed forward from a protected position and detonated, to clear a 1.5 m (5 ft) wide hole through barbed wire.

Each torpedo section was 5 feet (1.5 m) long, 2.125 inches (54.0 mm) in diameter, and weighed 13 pounds (5.9 kg).

Each end of the torpedo was filled with 4 inches (100 mm) of TNT booster, while the middle section contained an 80–20 amatol mixture.

A blunt nose sleeve was provided so that the assembled torpedoes could be pushed through obstacles or across terrain without getting stuck.

Combat engineers have been known to construct similar field versions of the Bangalore by assembling segments of metal picket posts and filling the concave portion with plastic explosive (PE).

This method produces results similar to the standard-issue Bangalore, and can be assembled to the desired length by adding picket segments.

Alford Technologies' web page for the Bangalore Blade cites additional trial detonations involving two identical triple-razor wire entanglements erected between steel pickets.

[17] The Advanced Performance Bangalore Torpedo uses an aluminium body and is filled with two kilograms of DPX1 high density pressed explosive.

The quick-turn thread used for this purpose has been designed for ease of assembly when contaminated with sand, soil, or mud while being strong enough to ensure reliable deployment of connected charges without inadvertent decoupling.