91HITS Horizontal Impact Test System

The Challenge

The US Army needed outside expertise in designing a horizontal impact test system which could simulate the horizontal energy associated with IED explosions in a controlled laboratory environment

The Solution

The 91 HITS is a two sled design–an impact sled and a test sled. The impact sled is pneumatically fired into the test sled. Impact velocity changes as high as 34 mph (15 m/s) and accelerations upwards of 500g. Impact energy sufficient to throw a 250 lb. (113 kg.) soldier nearly four stories (38 ft. / 12 m) into the air.