by Shane Henson — June 18, 2012—Delta Scientific, a manufacturer of counter-terrorist vehicle control systems used in the United States and internationally, was contracted to play a huge part in keeping people safe during the Chicago North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit held in late May.
The company’s 12- and 16-foot MP5000 mobile deployable vehicle crash barriers helped police and military officers protect 60 heads of state and other global leaders, more than 2,000 journalists, other attendees and onlookers from vehicle bomb attack and errant drivers.
In Chicago, the totally self-contained MP5000’s were towed into position and controlled vehicle access within 15 minutes. No excavation or sub-surface preparation was required, says Delta Scientific. Once positioned, the mobile barricades unpacked themselves by using hydraulics to raise and lower the barriers off their wheels. DC-powered pumps then raised or lowered the barriers. These mobile deployable vehicle crash barriers carry a K4 rating (M30 per new ASTM rating), stopping 7.5 ton (6400 Kg) vehicles traveling 30 mph (48 kph). The 16-foot MP5000 meets K8 rating requirements, stopping the same sized vehicle at 40 mph (64 kph).
Both the operation of the barrier as well as deployment and retrieval are push-button controlled. A standard system includes a battery-operated power unit, replenished from either a solar array or local low voltage source. Optionally, a Delta Hydraulic Power Unit operated on a locally supplied power or full manual system, or combination, is available. Both the locally powered and battery powered hydraulic pumping unit can be sized to provide pass-through rates suitable for most inspection and identification station requirements.
Operating modes include full automatic, remote-hard line, remote-radio, card reader, key switch, local guard push button controls or via master and slave control panel.
