Raytheon Controlled Impact Rescue Tool pulverizes concrete to save the day

Sure, we've got devices that can see through concrete walls, but why get all complicated when there's some good ol' fashioned bashing to be done? That's the poetic question posed by the Controlled Impact Rescue Tool, developed by Raytheon as part of a Department of Homeland Security program. The 100-pound rescue device uses specially-designed ammunition to create shock waves that can shatter through concrete walls in just 13 minutes, compared to nearly half an hour for conventional methods. Although the rig can create a hole big enough for a person to crawl out of, it's designed to be held up and operated by just two people, and as the video below shows, it doesn't look like it's too much of a bear to handle. Raytheon hasn't set a price for the CIRT yet, but it's aiming it at fire departments, rescue services and the military -- but we're always ready for a demo if anyone's interested.

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Mar 24th 2008 7:01PM]

holy cow thats strong

[Bobs @ Mar 24th 2008 8:51PM]

@tokyo_suicide
Holy cow, your a dick!

[BatteryAcid @ Mar 24th 2008 10:26PM]

That's what she said.

[sdh @ Mar 25th 2008 4:26AM]

@ tokyo
Wow.. That was so randomly stupid.
Suicide is always an option you know.

[aeo @ Mar 24th 2008 7:03PM]

"Rescue" indeed. They'll be using it to "rescue" suspects in the inner cities in no time. ;-)

[Hockeypuck55 @ Mar 24th 2008 7:21PM]

thats awesome

[Wonderkid @ Mar 24th 2008 7:27PM]

Now that would be nice to add to my HALO arsenal to blast through walls before a fragging sesh'

[Yevon @ Mar 24th 2008 7:32PM]

This would be an amazing way to make an impressive entrance to a party.

[Sam Winter @ Mar 25th 2008 12:52AM]

+1

[Yevon @ Mar 25th 2008 1:04AM]

Thank you. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the academy and everyone who supported me over the years for this +1. *tears*

[daliminator2000 @ Mar 25th 2008 1:47AM]

OH YEAAAAAAH!

[Jeff @ Mar 25th 2008 12:03PM]

i think the 13 minutes of blasting might kind of lessen the impact of the dramatic entrance...

[Mutant @ Mar 25th 2008 12:21PM]

Or is might just build up tension to the enivatable disappointment when it turns out to be just Yevon (no offense Yevon).

[Yevon @ Mar 25th 2008 12:32PM]

Hey. I take much offense to that comment sir. I am quite the party animal. (in Second Life).

[David W. @ Mar 24th 2008 7:34PM]

I like the one they showed on future weapons much more...it's more portable, and much easier to use...and I'm betting MUCH cheaper

[OneLove @ Mar 25th 2008 10:58AM]

I like it when you kill a player and then he blows up.

[mcr @ Mar 24th 2008 7:35PM]

oh noez, i somehow responded to the wrong article. sorry, folks...

[kr @ Mar 24th 2008 9:03PM]

Here it is again.

[hypereric @ Mar 24th 2008 7:35PM]

They were going to use frickin laser beams before that little old lady's attorney showed up.

[Yevon @ Mar 25th 2008 12:55AM]

I predict that little old lady will be a standing joke here for a while. Coolest grandma ever.

[Rick @ Mar 24th 2008 7:38PM]

Rescue, right! I'll bet the "Authorities will soon be using these for doing "no-knock" raids through walls. I would like to see the RFP that Homeland Security sent out for this jewel.

[morcheeba @ Mar 24th 2008 8:05PM]

Only the dumbest criminals wouldn't be able to destroy evidence in the 13 minutes this takes to bust through a wall. Most people would open their front door and ask what you're doing.

[ecobore @ Mar 24th 2008 7:49PM]

That's not going to make too much of an impression on steel re-enforced concrete!

[p4p8x @ Mar 25th 2008 4:57PM]

reinforced concrete ftw

[Jamma @ Mar 24th 2008 7:56PM]

Nice, that's one more Unreal Tournament weapon that has made it to reality. Bring on the Instagib Shock Rifle!!

[SnowB @ Mar 24th 2008 8:03PM]

Who needs the Controlled Impact Rescue Tool, when they could just be using this guy's head to break the concrete? :)

[Ender78 @ Mar 24th 2008 8:22PM]

What happens to the unconscious person on the other side of that wall? This is a good tool for a wall breach when you don't care as to who is inside, also likely to be stolen on the first day and used to break into bank vaults.

[mark lee @ Mar 25th 2008 6:04AM]

I was thinking about the exact same thing; what if there's an innocent person right behind that wall?! I don't think they'll use a high tech thermal scan to check it first...

[atomicmatt @ Mar 24th 2008 8:27PM]

Kool-aid man says " I have been doing this for some time now, what is the big deal? Oh Yah!!!!"

[Vesh @ Mar 24th 2008 9:12PM]

Argh, beat me to it.

Oooooh yeaaaaah!

[kr @ Mar 24th 2008 9:01PM]

I'm not sure what to blame: Engadget's comment system or...lack of Red Bull ingestion on mcr's part.

[TIMMAH! @ Mar 24th 2008 9:03PM]

Hmmm... No Country For Old Men II...

[Yevon @ Mar 25th 2008 12:57AM]

Silenced shotgun, meet silenced concrete pulverizer. It doesn't get more bad-assed than this.

[James @ Mar 24th 2008 9:09PM]

One of the police jackets says Fairfax County!!

That's where I live!

[idiot @ Mar 24th 2008 9:56PM]

yay

[roman.kim @ Mar 24th 2008 9:29PM]

Cool, but 13 minutes? By that time the building would burn down to the ground, and be rebuilt again.
I think a speeding fire truck would be more effective...

[doubeleive @ Mar 24th 2008 9:38PM]

they could come up with something much better than that, a impulse shock (like an emp) at the correct frequency would turn cement back to sand, and then you just have to cut thru the rebar!!! and of course it's in virginia thats where big brother lives

[doubeleive @ Mar 24th 2008 9:40PM]

and whats that big fire extinquisher thing stuck to the end? compressed air?

[CaptinHankey @ Mar 24th 2008 10:05PM]

Let's just hope the RIAA doesn't get their hands on one of these.

[Sam H @ Mar 24th 2008 10:11PM]

Unreal Tourney anyone??

[couchpundit @ Mar 24th 2008 10:30PM]

Bank robbers and jewelry store burglars all over the world are scratching their chins thinking of ways to replicate this device...

[TSM @ Mar 25th 2008 12:24AM]

Is 13 minutes a TYPO it sure looks like 13 seconds.

[Yevon @ Mar 25th 2008 1:01AM]

No, the guy counted "1,2,3" and then *POW*. Major typo I guess.

[Sam Winter @ Mar 25th 2008 12:54AM]

Except wasn't that a focused high-explosive? A little bit different than this... :)

[Sam Winter @ Mar 25th 2008 12:57AM]

DAMN'T ENGADGET I HATE YOUR POS COMMENT SYSTEMS! ARHGH!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yevon @ Mar 25th 2008 12:59AM]

I LIKE TO TYPE IN CAPS TOO! :D

But seriously, the comment system does kinda suck. Engadget, can you reserve the money spent on a giveaway to hire a new guy to fix it or something? Please?

[Shoeb Khan @ Mar 25th 2008 1:04AM]

Powerful

[Jon Doe. @ Mar 25th 2008 1:05AM]

OK I have a stupid question. This is based around shock waves. What if the person is on the immediate other side of the structure....say the building fell and he\she is trapped. Can they simply start blasting through that and stop half way or something...because maybe its just me but something that can break through concrete in 13 minutes would have unpleasant side effects on a person. But I'd have to imagine this would be stupidly useful for fire fighters if the front entrance is blocked. Use thermal headgear to find the best place to enter and blow down a hole in the wall.

[frankXchange @ Mar 25th 2008 9:29AM]

I was wondering the same thing as Jon Doe - what about the shock waves? It'll save you about 12-15 minutes (assuming 'nearly half an hour means 25-28 minutes), which I suppose could be the difference between life and death, but who would it work in real world conditions.
I also wouldn't buy anything from Raytheon. Whenever you hear about influence peddling in Washington, Raytheon's name comes up big time. Expect locked in contracts, and the device to be inordinately expensive and not terribly effective.

[Wwhat @ Mar 25th 2008 11:55AM]

If you see how tiresome it is to done one blast with the thing I guess they have to work in shifts to use that thing for 13 minutes, or hire some mexicans maybe.