Delta Scientific, a manufacturer of counter-terrorist vehicle control systems used in the United States and internationally, announced that a government installation in the Middle East has just received shipment of the 2,000th DSC501, the only K54-certified vehicle barricade in the world.  Set in a foundation only 18 inches (46 cm) deep, the Delta DSC501 will survive and operate after a 5.4 million foot pound impact.  That’s equivalent to a 65,000-pound (29,484 kg) truck hitting it at 50 mph (80 kph).  Stopping the truck dead in its tracks, the DSC501 protects against a “second hit” risk from a second vehicle.

“Because it provides such protection from truck and car bombers, the DSC501 has become a favorite barrier at embassies, nuclear power plants, DOD facilities and other critical threat locations around the world,” explains Delta Scientific Senior Vice President David Dickinson.  “With its shallow foundation and aesthetic design, it has become the major barrier for high duty, anti-terrorist barricades.”

When a car going 60 mph (96 kph) is detected within 90 feet  (27.6 m), the DSC501 raises in only one second, time for the barricade to provide protection.  In the lowered position, the DSC501’s barrier ramp is completely flush with the roadway.  Buttresses, counterweights and road plates do not obstruct authorized pedestrian or vehicular traffic.  The DSC501 is raised and lowered to and from the guard position via hydraulic cylinders driven by Delta’s patent-pending hydraulic power unit.  This unit can be configured to operate one or more DSC501 barriers.

The DSC501 is suitable for high water table locations and areas with corrosive soils.  The shallow foundation obviates the concerns of interference with buried pipes, power lines and fiber optic communication lines.  This foundation also reduces installation complexity, time, materials and corresponding costs. 

A recently-introduced DSC501RL (Remote Locations) model incorporates a new special locking system that prevents terrorists from disabling or dismantling it.  It was created especially for remote applications, such as at dams and other out-of-the-way locales.  In such locations, it is kept in the “up” position.  With the DSC501RL, the harder a terrorist works at attempting to immobilize this barrier to get a vehicle through, the tighter the unit actually locks up.

Last month (April, 2007), Delta Scientific also introduced a new debris screen that reduces visual and physical access to the intra-barrier area for security and safety purposes.  The screen will also deflect explosives, such as a hand grenade, from being thrown inside the barricade.  The debris screen was tested to over 10,000 cycles with no measurable damage or wear.