Public figures who risk assassination may soon feel safer when they give
talks. The Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas, is patenting a
“rapid deployment countermeasure system” that shields them against snipers (WO
01/35044). Instead of wearing a bulky bulletproof vest and hoping a gunman’s not
smart enough to aim for the head, the VIP stands behind an open door frame
resembling an airport X-ray machine. Radar antennae sense fast-moving, incoming
objects and trigger an explosive gas release. This deploys a bulletproof
polyethylene blanket across the frame—quickly enough to stop a 9mm bullet
fired from around 15 metres.
More from New Scientist
Explore the latest news, articles and features
Technology
Quantum computing may be facing a replication crisis
News
Technology
Rogue hacking AIs have changed the cybersecurity landscape
News
Technology
Test moderators use AI-generated writing to judge literacy standards
News
Technology
We should decide how AI shapes the future, not tech firms
91ɫƬ
Popular articles
Trending New Scientist articles