We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2007 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:33:38 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2008 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Something else getting a fast-track push to get developed and into the hands of the troops, outside of normal processes: RPG air-bags. Yep. RPG air-bags. You know the bad guys will come up with a response, but that will take awhile. ARMORED WARFARE: RPGs Stopped by Air Bags and Electricity November 8, 2004: Rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) are the typical weapons of choice when insurgents decide to attack trucks and armored vehicles. RPGs are cheap, simple to operate, and if used properly can inflict significant damage on Stryker and Bradley armored vehicles. Unarmed and armored Hummers are especially vulnerable, since... http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html Mon, 08 Nov 2004 07:13:30 -0600 Airbags over windows don't allow much visibility, either, and they are only good for one RPG. If you need inflatable airbags over the windows, put them there. For the rest of the vehicle, fixed inflated bags might be a better option. Hovercraft can withstand many punctures without collapsing because they're constantly being inflated. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8410 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8410 Tue, 09 Nov 2004 13:36:44 -0600 We used offset sections of chain link fence around our bunkers back in the days of the first "Fourth Generation War"--had the same effect on most RPGs, but you'd still get an occasional airburst (that's what's so nice about overhead cover). That fix would work on Bradleys, too; cheaper than airbags-plus-electronics, no problems with glitches in the detection system, completely re-usable and most repairs are user-level--of course, you'd get a lot of "backstop, self-propelled, one each" jokes... =] http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8395 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8395 Tue, 09 Nov 2004 07:58:26 -0600 Larry - um, so they can see out the windows? http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8392 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8392 Tue, 09 Nov 2004 06:02:01 -0600 Question: why all of the complexity in the airbag system? Why not use engine exhaust to keep the bag inflated all the time, sort of like the skirts on a hovercraft? You wouldn't have to worry about complex detection and inflation systems and the thing should stand up well to small arms fire. Such a system would probably cost but a fraction of $5,000 and could be fitted quickly. http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8362 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8362 Mon, 08 Nov 2004 16:08:10 -0600 Wow. That's really, really cool. And it means more will be able to come home again... And now I see that Jack just said the same thing. But I guess that's the only expression for it: "really, really cool." http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8357 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8357 Mon, 08 Nov 2004 11:59:25 -0600 I'm really happy to hear about the "RPG airbag". That sounds like something that can be implemented rapidly and easily. RPGs seemed to me to be a remarkably effective weapon: cheap and can take out lots of big, expensive things and even more critically, hurt lots of people. The "charged armor" is really, really cool. I wished I had thought of that. Better living through applied Physics!!!! http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8352 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2004/11/good_news_on_the_getting_creative_to_save_lives_front.html#comment-8352 Mon, 08 Nov 2004 10:02:11 -0600