Thursday, June 2, 2011

Bringing vehicles to a grinding halt


I had to man roadblocks and vehicle access prevention systems during my military service, many years ago. I was aware that there was new technology out there, but I'd no idea how advanced it's become since my day. We basically relied on earth-filled drums, backed up by machine-guns and rocket-launchers . . . effective, but a bit drastic if the vehicle wasn't really a threat!

Here's a video clip advertising the products of one company in this field. It's pretty amazing to see some of the technology that's now available.







I was particularly impressed by the 'portable barriers', with concrete supports that simply slid back into the vehicle when it hit the barrier between them. That would not only slow it even faster, it might prevent bad guys from opening the doors, getting out, and engaging the guards. Useful!

Peter

3 comments:

Chris said...

That is some rather impressive engineering.

Dave H said...

I can't believe those bollards are planted on foundations only 12 inches deep.

One of those pop-up net barriers connected to a radar gun woupld make a sweet alternative to speed bumps.

Anonymous said...

Those nets are like the ones we use aboard an aircraft carrier to trap planes that can not use the wires to be arrested. I have been on two of these to stop a-7es from being lost overboard. They did a very good job of stopping the plane. Some damage from the net but not much. The two planes were back flying in a week. It took us 3 minutes to set each net up for trapping the aircraft. very interesting to watch the as they are being used.
Heltau