Uncooperative or erratic drivers present a potentially lethal dilemma for our security forces. The commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory challenged the junior work force to produce a solution to improving traffic control at vehicle checkpoints. The Vehicle Stopper Program produced several nonlethal systems to ultimately transition to forces at checkpoints defending U.S. assets around the world.
One system, called the Barricade and Sign Kit (BASK), is an innovative traffic management and communications tool to be used at entry/flash checkpoints. BASK consists of collapsible barricades to direct traffic flow, and two variations of signage, written in the native country's dominant language. One sign variation, positioned with the pivot close to the ground such that a vehicle passing over it will not be harmed, also provides an audible alert to the driver. The other version is highly collapsible and when expanded will produce a large surface area to exhibit information.
The second device, the Vehicle Disabling Sled, will actually stop a vehicle without causing harm to its passengers. The Sled utilizes a button-activated vehicle immobilization device. If a vehicle attempts to overrun a checkpoint, the device can be triggered to catch the vehicle and prevent its wheels from contacting the ground. The device then slides on the ground until it is stopped by friction.
Lightweight and easily deployed, BASK and the Sled are intended to mitigate the escalation of force at checkpoints. Current methods of stopping threatening vehicles at checkpoints are limited to spikestrips, nets and caltrops. Less effective than the Sled, these are more costly, bulky, and less discriminating to the intended vehicle. The unpredictable nature of threat vehicles at checkpoints makes the Sled an easier and more effective method of evaluating a driver's intent.
BASK and the Sled are being evaluated by the Marine Corps, Joint Non-lethal Weapons Directorate (JNLWD), and Air Force Battlelabs.
The Marine Corps utilizes BASK in its field training sessions while a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with Universal Safety Response, Inc., has been finalized.
The CRADA will make BASK available for users to order directly.
The Vehicle Disabling Sled currently has a patent pending (number PRS-146), and is being further developed for transition to the field in cooperation with the JNLWD.
The intent of the AFRL commander's challenge was to provide creative solutions to address urgent needs in the global war on terror while enabling invaluable early career experience to scientists and engineers.
Nicholas Tarasenko of the Directed Energy Directorate, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., spearheaded development of the Vehicle Disabling Sled.
Lieutenants Chris Prosser, Sensors Directorate; Scott Vanhoogen, Air Vehicles Directorate; and Greg Moran, Aeronautical Systems Center, all located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, worked to transition the BASK.
These individuals are dedicated to transitioning the technologies in hopes of improving the safety and combat effectiveness of our security forces.
More info: Mary Archuleta, 505-846-8056, mary.archuleta@kirtland.af.mil
A test run is made on the Air Force Research Laboratory's nonlethal barricade vehicle halting system near Fort Huachuca military base in Arizona during the Commander's Challenge Final Demonstration. (Click image to enlarge)
