DHS deploys undercar Kraken tentacle-bombs Contractors working for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have developed an innovative remote controlled car-stopping landmine using technology inspired by giant squid, Spiderman and extending party squeakers. The new tentacular vehicle trap is known as SQUID, for Safe Quick Undercarriage Immobilization Device. It …
I initially read that as "DHSS Deploys..." and figured it was something to combat all those families on benefits who somehow manage to have the latest widescreen TV / PS3 / supercharged sportscar / designer leasurewear...
Mildly disappointed to hear it's just another Eye-o-Sauron add-on. Hey ho.
.... a single use device, whereas the cheap 'n' cheerful old Stinger can be re-used many times for more than one vehicle at a time, and doesn't require dangerous gas cannisters or the like, or any electrickery for remote control. I can't see the UK's cash-strapped forces going for this, nor many US forces, maybe not even the FBI. Still, an interesting application of technology.
Look at the size of it, and the time needed to deploy it. Current measures like the stinger are thrown in front of the car you are trying to stop seconds before the car passes because your average speeding criminal who is desperate to get away has enough brain power to drive round it, not over it given the chance.
This looks like a great big block placed in the road that you would probably try and drive round, even if you didn't know what is was. Wonderful idea but i doubt it will work in its current form.
And what if the car doesn't go over it dead centre (center?) so that it only snags the wheels on one side? Sounds like a recipe for several tons of out-of-control steel rolling along the road.
Wasn't there an EMP-based thingy like that a few years ago? When fired under a car from a pursuing police vehicle it stuck up a couple of antennæ and zapped the car's electronics, leaving it to coast to a halt without power? A sort of trucktazer... never saw that deployed either.
Pretty sure I've seen these in anime somewhere, however I think it'd be far better to deploy Erectacocky - ultimate detarrant particularly in combat areas where everyone takes themselves a bit too seriously. http://www.animejump.com/modules/ProdReviews/images2/dominiondvd6.jpg
For such an iconic piece of anti-tank equipment I can't believe that was the only image I could find.
It occurred to me that a use for this technology could be to immobilise armoured cars. That would be a very handy device for various organisations throughout the world. Maybe a bigger version may affect a tank, particularly if it only slows one track a little it would make life very difficult for the crew.
Theres already a very effective method for stopping cars and it would certainly reduce the number of "joy" riding little chavs out there. Land mines. Or perhaps a shoulder mounted rocket?
And to the guy asking about the leccy cars... what joy rider in his right mind would steal a leccy car???
...a mattress:
http://jalopnik.com/5106002/jeep-runs-over-mattress-develops-shimmy-from-mass-of-wires-cords-attached-to-drivetrain
Although, it DID fail to stop the vehicle for 30 miles. The owner took it to a garage "complaining of a shimmy"!
Mines the one with the Sealy Posturpedic in the pocket.
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