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Exclusive: New U.S. Government Videotape Simulates Terrorist Attacks

September 12, 2006 7:41 PM

Blast_video_logo_nrABC News has obtained videotapes of dramatic U.S. government field tests of new methods to thwart terrorist attacks against U.S. embassies abroad.

In the videotape tests, government scientists stage real terror attacks -- slamming trucks at high speed into barriers and exploding bombs near buildings.

Multiple camera angles capture the blasts' effects on test dummies, posing as diplomats seated at their desks.

The U.S. Department of State spends $2 million a year to develop better boundary security equipment against such potential assaults. 

The tape also shows the results of tests of promising new technology to protect lives.

Watch a clip reel of the tests of new defenses to protect embassy employees abroad.

Here, removable bollards, or waist-high concrete posts used in driveways, resist the impact and the slow motion video shows the strength of the new materials being tested at a 50mph collision with a two-ton truck.

Watch the collision in slow motion. 

Watch the collision in real time.

Large, flat bed diesel trucks loaded with barrels and traveling between 50 and 60mph were used in these "anti-ram" tests. 

Watch the "anti-ram" tests.

An incredibly strong "super fence" proves to be a formidable barrier against this truck traveling at 50mph.

Watch the truck's collision with the "super fence."

An armored steel beam is the barricade in this video.

Watch the collision with the armored steel beam.

And in the case of a larger explosion, new technologies in wall, door and window protection are in development against terrorist attacks as well. Wall fabrics and polycarb window retentions prevent shrapnel and shattered glass from entering the building, while armored and reinforced doors and walls absorb much of the explosion without collapsing.

Watch how shrapnel does not penetrate the wall fabric.

Watch how the reinforced doors and walls stay standing during the explosion.

One of the new products being tested is a thermoplastic window curtain designed to protect embassy employees sitting at their desks from blown out windows. More than 200 people were killed by flying glass when terrorists bombed the U.S. Embassy in Kenya in 1998.

Watch how blown out windows have affected embassy employees in the past.

Finally, repeated blows by sledgehammers barely dent this armored window.

Watch how the sledgehammers fail to damage the armored window.

September 12, 2006 | Permalink | User Comments (118)

User Comments

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What is wrong with ABC? Seems to me that you are secretly wishing for another terrorist attack so that you can make more money selling the news! And you call yourselves the most trusted name in news? The terrorists trust you to tell them our secrets!Shame on you!

Posted by: Lynn Mason | Sep 12, 2006 11:45:42 PM

Great reporting...if you're on the side of the terrorists! Why don't we just go ahead and tell/show them how to get thru all the barriers we try to set up for protection. In a time of war, do you think this is responsible journalism? Absolutely ricidulous. Just because you have freedom of speech and freedom of the press doesn't mean you have to exercise that right.

Posted by: Brian in New York | Sep 12, 2006 11:54:06 PM

EVERYONE knows that 911 is a sham and also the "terror threats" derived from it. Sure there are crazies out there, but come on people, stop being paranoid and continue standing up to our government. The tide is turning now that we know what really happened. If you don't know already, get with the program and just study it!

BTW, the first comment listed above - that's the most ridiculous thing I've read all day.

Posted by: Henry | Sep 13, 2006 12:33:40 AM

You guys must be in competition with Al-Jazeera to see who can help the terrorist the most. I think your winning.

Posted by: ossama | Sep 13, 2006 12:41:46 AM

Poor American government, how is it suppossed to fight terrorism if its press reveals the secrets of its security measures.

Posted by: Erick Torres | Sep 13, 2006 12:53:53 AM

typical abc, anti-american stuff. loose lips sinks ships!

Posted by: archie | Sep 13, 2006 1:04:24 AM

....Rolls over in his grave and wonders why he bothered giving these people freedom when they complain about it.

Posted by: George Washington | Sep 13, 2006 1:20:34 AM

Are you people idiots? This information has been public for years. I'm pretty sure any terrorist already knows about this.

Posted by: Mike | Sep 13, 2006 1:37:31 AM

Reporters are such idiots! Are you trying to help the evil men get better ideas? Are you showing them that their plan to hit a gate with one type of truck won't work so they better try something more destructive? Oh wait no you just want to show us all that you are hard working journalists going to get the story, the dummy part is that terrorists are watching too so I hope they enjoying all your efforts too. Great work Abc maybe with your help now Osama will succeed?

Posted by: James smith | Sep 13, 2006 1:44:00 AM

When did Republicans and conservatives turn into such a bunch of cowards? We're far more likely to die in a car wreck than to be killed in an "islamofascist" terror attack, but all the crybabies here can do is whine about how the big bad media is telling the terrorists that the US has bulletproof glass and stronger walls. Grow a pair and get a life!

Posted by: alphadog | Sep 13, 2006 1:44:17 AM

Need I say more. It sure seems there is a common theme from your audience. Do you get the message or will you continue to report the "news"?

Posted by: Michael | Sep 13, 2006 1:47:13 AM

Is everyone working for ABC nuts? Why in the name of God would you post something that terrorists could use to come up with a way of getting around these security measures?

Posted by: Curtis | Sep 13, 2006 1:50:13 AM

Well, at least now the terrorists won't need to hack into the government archives to get the videos to improve their effectiveness on overcoming US defense strategies.

Above - "The tape also shows the results of tests of promising new technology to protect lives."

These results don't mean anything to the innocents who may lose their lives because of ABC's own lack of intelligence regarding the world war on terror.

Posted by: Mike L. | Sep 13, 2006 2:22:34 AM

I can't believe some of these comments. Do you really think Al Qaeda is gathering its intelligence from ABC News? That they're sitting around their computers, rubbing their hands together, saying, "Ah, yes, now we've got them! We know their secret plans!" and "Damn! Now we can't use a sledge hammer on the windows of the embassy!" Please!

Posted by: RM | Sep 13, 2006 2:42:54 AM

Brian Ross and ABC team, you guys are idiots...thanks for putting all of our lives at risk.

Posted by: mark | Sep 13, 2006 2:49:17 AM

So guys, this is getting old. The fanatics on one side yelling about a conspiracy theory I can debunk on every relevant point and the otherside getting their pants in a bundle because they didn't see this info three years ago on the discovery channel, and for some reason they think terrorists are aided by seeing how inefectual their blasts will be IF they get past the blockaids. They (the terrorists) stoped really caring about that (being effectual in head on attacts against US military and diplomatic targets) long ago when the decided to follow game theory dictates and go after civilians in thirdworld countries and Israel to try and stir up discontent and revolution in place of.

Neither side has legitimate or rational complaints and their just broken record sheeple points, that goes for the conspiracy nut jobs and the 'right wing' simpletons.

Grow up people. abc's not doing anything egregious. Not perfect but not egregious. It got you to the website and got them some ad dollars so if you're so discontented stop visiting their site and commenting on it and acting like you have anything intelligent to say.

Give the journalists a break and keep your inane back and forth to your favorite forums and blogospheres.

When will we all grow up?

Posted by: HiveRadical | Sep 13, 2006 2:55:04 AM

To the article's detractors:

Does having a sign in your yard that says "Beware of dog" better enable burglars to circumvent your home security? Does showing that the most commonplace terrorist tactics will no longer work better enable our enemies?

I would recommend a study of crime prevention in order to answer the above questions. This article serves to illustrate a denial of opportunity due to a reduction in terroristic ability. Since the article does nothing to inflame terrorist's desire to cause harm, no damage has been done to our security.

Also, why do all these posts contain the same cadence and grammatical structure? ABC would be wise to display post signatures with their originating IP addresses.

Posted by: Michael S. | Sep 13, 2006 3:01:25 AM

What a great bunch of clips to help the terrorists! Great job. Now move to Pakistan.

Posted by: mark | Sep 13, 2006 3:14:34 AM

With freedom comes responsibility. Like the rest of the treasonous liberals, you have forgotten that.

Posted by: Jebster | Sep 13, 2006 3:28:12 AM

My count: 20 anti-ABCnews posts (for saying too much); 1 neutral post; 1 moron who thinks 9/11 was a massive govt conspiracy. I think the jury is in: ABC news has failed.

Posted by: d | Sep 13, 2006 4:05:09 AM

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