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HESCO Concertainer Engineered fortification systems

Cover photo courtesy of DefenseImagery.mil. Use of this photo does not imply or constitute US Department of Defense endorsement.

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Contents

HESCO Concertainer

Performance through design

Taken to the limits

Proven in the field

Rapid and easy construction

A flexible system

The evolution of Concertainer

Other military applications

Civil applications

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HESCO Concertainer Protecting those who serve

Above HESCO Concertainer has been widely used to protect military personnel and assets since its introduction in 1991.

The HESCO barriers were right next to me, a mortar bomb landed right on the other side and they saved my life. Thats it.
Col. Jeff V., US Marine Corps, Iraq

Attacks from terrorists, insurgents, and other adversaries are a constant reality to both military and civilian personnel in dangerous spots around the globe. Defending against these ever-present threats demands protection that is secure, reliable, and readily available. As the most significant development in field fortification since the Second World War, HESCO Concertainer units have become a key component and a benchmark in force protection throughout the world. Whether used as a preventative barrier or to define boundaries, Concertainer units have been employed to safeguard personnel, vehicles, equipment, facilities and other critical assets in a variety of military, peacekeeping, humanitarian and civilian operations.

HESCOs unrivalled capability in design, technical innovation, manufacturing, training and customer support has made it a global leader in the design and manufacture of advanced force protection and a supplier to many nations. used across many continents available in a number of sizes used by the military since 1991 tested by leading internationally recognised authorities approved and specified by military and civilian organisations throughout the world

02

Performance through design Revolutionary concept, consistent manufacturing

Combining its technical expertise and knowledge of military engineering with its constant evaluation of customer experience, HESCO Bastion has continued to develop and refine the Concertainer concept and its production techniques since units were first deployed during the Gulf War in 1991. Concertainer units are a prefabricated, multi-cellular defense system. They are manufactured from welded Zinc-Aluminium coated mild steel wire mesh and vertical helical-coil joints, all of which conform to British and ISO Standards and provide unparalleled tensile strength and extended service life. Each unit is lined with ISO Standard (and ASTM rated) 203g/m2 non-woven polypropylene geotextile.

Once erected, Concertainer units can be filled using almost any locally available material. By enhancing the mass and characteristics of fill material, Concertainer units are able to withstand attack from a variety of weapons, significantly reducing primary and secondary fragmentation blast and the possibility of sympathetic detonation. The range of Concertainer units comprises of a number of different sizes, from the smallest (Mil 2) to the largest unit (Mil 7), enabling the construction of limitless lengths of structure in almost any circumstance. A choice of two colours is available to suit different environments.

Above Assembly of Concertainer units at the HESCO manufacturing plant in Leeds, UK. Right HESCO Concertainer units enhance the mass and characteristics of available fill material, to provide protection from a wide variety of weapons.

Had HESCO Bastions in Bosnia and I will tell you the ease of filling those bubbas made our force protection easy because we didnt have to fill sand bags.
Maj. Daniel S., US Army, Bosnia

03

Taken to the limits Analysed and tested by the worlds leading authorities
Above Any structural damage, large or small, is recorded and marked for analysis during tests (photo by kind courtesy of Defence R&D Center, Suffield, Canada). Main picture Structures built from Concertainer units are continually tested to ensure they protect against current threats.

Above Testing the performance of Concertainer units when used as a vehicle barrier. Testing was conducted by TRL, the UK based Transport Research Laboratories.

Photo by kind courtesy of Defence R&D Center, Suffield, Canada.

When Concertainer units were first adopted by the UK Ministry of Defence, tests were conducted by DRA Fortification Section (now known as QinetiQ) and the British Army Infantry Trials Team. The aim of this testing was to assess their viability for use as a replacement for the more traditional sandbags. Since then, over fifteen of the worlds leading authorities in blast mitigation and effects have performed tests using a variety of weapons systems ranging from small arms to grenades, mortars to shaped charges, artillery to Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIED).

Concertainer units have been successfully tested in both the UK and US for their suitability as a vehicle intrusion barrier. As a result of testing in the US, Concertainer units were awarded K-12 Certification by the US Department of State - a recognition only given to products that have the ability to prevent a 15,000 lb truck, travelling at 50 mph, from penetrating more than one metre inside a barrier. As new military and natural threats emerge, HESCO Bastion continues to progressively test its products in a diverse range of environments across the world, keeping it at the forefront of engineered fortifications and protecting civilians and those who serve alike.

We used them to protect our IP Station. They took a lot of rounds and still went ahead and kept our IP Station safe.
Sgt. Sean J., US Army, Iraq

50mph
Concertainer units
50mph to 0mph in under a second
HESCO Concertainer units have been extensively tested by civilian and military authorities across the world to prove their suitability for protection in a diverse range of military, homeland security and environmental applications. To achieve the US Department of State K12 certification, tests were carried out under strict conditions. The key test involved Concertainer units being subjected to a direct vehicle impact.

00mph!
stop trucks... dead.
In the K12 test, a structure must stop a truck with a 15,000lb gross vehicular weight (GVW) travelling at a nominal 50mph. HESCO Concertainer units stopped the truck in under a second. In further trials at the Texas Transportation Institute, a larger HESCO barrier stopped a 65,000lb truck travelling at 50mph, meeting ASTM H50 standard.

www.hesco.com

Location Unit Project

Afghanistan Concertainer Mil 1 & Mil 7 FOB perimeter wall

04

Proven in the field Essential defences in conflict areas

While data gathered during testing is vitally important, there is no greater endorsement of the protection provided by the Concertainer units than its impressive service record and the testimony of those who have relied on it for protection in areas of conflict. Since their first deployment during the 1991 Gulf War, nations all over the world have recognised the capability of the Concertainer unit to protect personnel, facilities and equipment against attack from Bosnia and Kosovo to East Timor, northern Africa and Afghanistan to Iraq. And since the bombing of the Khobar Towers in 1996, the nature of terrorist and insurgent threat has evolved, particularly in the use of VBIED. Now, to stop the determined terrorist willing to sacrifice their own life, forces must be ever more aware of the threat posed by the entry or approach of unauthorised vehicles towards personnel, facilities and equipment. Concertainer units were quickly recognised as providing the most efficient means of achieving a secure area. They are now used extensively to build structures, such as protective bunkers and revetments, that protect from indirect fire, and perimeter walls that provide unparalleled security or safe stand-off distances.

They are effective. I have seen them take hits... I have seen them work and I have seen a vehicle explode outside and nothing came through. Specialist Justin N., US Army, Iraq

perimeter security equipment revetments ammunition compounds personnel and material bunkers observation posts entry control barriers fuel supply points

overhead protection anti-ram vehicle barriers defensive firing positions guard posts explosives and contraband search areas highway and border crossing checkpoints hardening existing structures

Location Unit Project

Afghanistan Concertainer Mil 2 Mortar pit

05

Rapid and easy construction A proven design solution A 10m long wall can be built from a Mil 1 Concertainer unit by two men with suitable material-handling equipment, in less than 20 minutes. An equivalent wall of 1,500 sandbags would take 10 men seven hours to build.

Step one Unload the units and pull out in the required direction.

Step two Join the units together using the supplied pins to create the required configuration.

During any conflict the ability to build a defensive or protective structure with speed and efficiency is of paramount importance. The design of Concertainer units enables fast and simple transportation and deployment. Most units can be stacked on top of each other and are delivered flat-packed on standard timber skids or pallets, or in the RAID format, shown later (section 07). The units can be manually lifted off the pallet, placed in the desired location and connected in a variety of configurations using the supplied joining pins.

Perhaps the most recognised advantage of Concertainer units over other force protection systems is that they can utilise almost any locally available material, natural or engineered, from sand to gravel, soil to concrete employing minimal manpower and using wheeled front loaders, excavators or concrete skips attached to a crane. Recoverable Mil units are deployed in exactly the same way as the previous Mil products. Once the mission is over, efficient recovery for disposal can begin. The units can be recovered, flat-packed and transported for recycling or disposal, providing substantial reduction in logistical and environmental impact.

Step three Fill the units with the selected material using a front end loader.

Step four Manually compact the fill to ensure even and stable distribution within the unit.

06

A flexible system Limitless structural possibilities

Manufactured in a number of different sizes, each Concertainer unit is designed to adapt to almost any conceivable fortification requirement. On their own or combined with other structures or materials, Concertainer units can be configured into a wide range of installations. From a simple single-level vehicle barrier or a 10km perimeter wall to an entire ammunition compound or a bunker complex, Concertainer units enable the construction of rapid and efficient engineered fortification with dependable protection characteristics. For instance, a wall built from Concertainer Mil 1 units can be erected and filled by two men with a front end loader in less than 20 minutes, while an equivalent wall of 1500 sandbags would take ten men seven hours to build. And when time is of a premium, resources are at a minimum, and protection is of the utmost importance, the choice is clear. The supply of Concertainer units can be supported by in-theatre training from our team, which has experience of military and civil engineering across the globe and appreciates the difficulties faced by those responsible for force protection.

Main picture Larger structures should be built using a pyramid design, to ensure maximum stability. Inset top Mil 7 units, the largest unit in the range, being constructed using a pyramid configuration. Inset bottom Massive structures can be built from Concertainer units to construct large-scale installations such as ammunition compounds (photo by kind courtesy of US Department of Defense).

Location Unit Project

Afghanistan Concertainer Mil 7 DOB perimeter wall

07

The evolution of Concertainer The RAID delivery system


The desire to reduce the logistic burden for customers using Concertainer in theatre led naturally to the development of the delivery system. RAID permits the loading of preconnected lengths of Concertainer units directly into a specially modified ISO shipping container doubling load-space efficiency. In a single, inventive step, this has the potential to take 50% of traffic out of the force protection supply convoy and completely eliminate the need for secondary packaging material. RAID allows swift deployment of any number of units, ready for filling. RAID units break naturally into five cell lengths with the removal of two zip pins, dispensing as many or as few units as required. For longer walls, leave the pins in place and hitch up a suitable towing vehicle; within minutes over 1,000 feet of RAID 7 can be deployed, using only half the manpower needed to deploy the same amount of palletised Mil units. The range provides various widths and lengths as shown in the table below. Whether used as a secure storage system for Concertainer units or a practical magazine for fast, one-off deployment along straight or curved boundaries, RAID is the next generation of force protection. For more information, go to www.hesco.com/raid
Product RAID 7 RAID 7 RAID 10 RAID 12 Unit height 7'3" 7'3" 7'3" 7' Unit width 7'0" 7'0" 5'0" 3'6" Total length 1092' 777' 734' 1,053' Weight 14t 10t 10t 10t

RAID provides a doubling of load-space efficiency 1,092 feet of RAID 7 units in a single box, as opposed to the 546 feet achieved when loading palletised Mil 7 into a similar container.

Opposite top The unique, patented RAID system allows swift deployment of a range of Concertainer products. Opposite bottom The storage of unpalletised units doubles efficiency. Above RAID can deploy Concertainer units to any length, along straight or curved boundaries in minutes. Left The ISO container provides secure, efficient storage for unused units.

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Other military applications An integrated product range


Since its first deployment in the military field of operations, Concertainer units have been adapted to meet a diverse range of military requirements, partly in response to the experiences of our customers. To meet the broad range of requirements and challenges, HESCO has developed a variety of products, each designed to protect against specific threats, from small arms fire and RPG, to mortar bombs and rockets. Several designs using HESCO products have also been independently developed by military agencies such as the US Armys ERDC (Engineer Research & Development Center), and the Canadian Armys DRDC (Design & Research Development Center). Specifically designed and manufactured to integrate with any ISO container-building unit, EOPS (Extended Overhead Protection System) provides overhead protection against mortar bombs, rockets and 155mm artillery shells. Also developed in response to demands for overhead protection, the HESCO bunker system utilises a 20ft or 40ft ISO container with preconfigured lengths of reinforced Concertainer units forming the walls. The HESCO Guard Post kit provides a small emplacement to protect two personnel against small arms fire and is ideal for vehicle checkpoints or access control. The HESCO Accommodation Bunker (HAB) is designed to provide all-round protection for eight people. Specially designed components create a roof structure capable of providing protection from mortars and rockets.

Top HAB 1 protected accommodation bunker. Middle A HESCO containerised bunker system. Bottom A HESCO Lightweight Bunker Roof (HLBR), for variable-width applications.

Below top HAB 2 is the latest development in HESCOs range of protected structures.

Bottom left A Guard Post Kit installation at a vehicle checkpoint in Pristina, Kosovo.

Bottom right An EOPS bunker prepared for testing at Spadeadam, UK.

Location Unit Project

Afghanistan Concertainer Mil 2 Outpost wall

09

Civil applications Defending against the forces of nature

With every natural disaster, the demand for civil protection becomes increasingly apparent. The design pedigree and versatility of Concertainer units and their success in military operations has resulted in widespread recognition in a variety of civil environments, from flood containment and erosion control to architecture. Originally designed to protect shorelines against erosion, Concertainer units are ideally suited for protection against the effects of flooding and tidal damage. Because the units arrive flat-packed on site and are lined with a geotextile membrane, structures can be quickly and easily built with materials typically found at eroded sites, such as sand, rocks and gravel. Where a more permanent, hard-wearing structure is required, Concertainer units can be filled with concrete.

With its unparalleled success in all manner of military applications, Concertainer units are now being adopted by governments and authorities to protect sensitive civilian installations particularly at risk from terrorist attack, such as embassies, consulates, government buildings, oil refineries, power stations, research facilities and sports stadia. Encouraged by its success in military and civilian environments, HESCO is continually exploring potential new markets and other custom applications such as humanitarian housing, industrial spill containment and noise abatement.

Homeland defense Concertainer units are now being used around the world for the protection of sensitive civilian buildings and installations.

Flood control Concertainer units protect local business properties from potential flooding and storm damage in WA, USA.

Architectural projects Concertainer gabions can be filled with a variety of materials to create interesting architectural surfaces.

Location Unit Project

Afghanistan Concertainer Mil 7 Defensive wall

Disclaimer The information contained in this publication is provided by HESCO Bastion Ltd (HESCO) or is derived from sources that HESCO reasonably believes to be reliable and accurate or are otherwise expressions of independent third party opinion. Whilst HESCO has made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy, completeness and relevance of such information, any reliance on it, in whole or in part, is entirely at the risk of the party using it and it will not rely on such information. Nothing in this publication shall be construed as forming part of a contract or constituting an offer, representation, warranty or condition or substitute the need for making all proper and necessary enquiries from HESCO or other relevant third parties, prior to entering into any contract. The selection, configuration and installation of any HESCO products on site is not HESCOs responsibility and, to the fullest extent legally permitted, HESCO, its directors, employees, agents, distributors, suppliers or contractors shall not be liable for any failure of any HESCO products caused by improper installation or misuse. At the sole and absolute discretion of HESCO, the contents of this publication are subject to change at any time without notice. HESCO further reserves the right to amend specifications without notice. Copyright Notice Material featured in this document is subject to copyright protection and may not be used in any product or service, modified, adapted, published, distributed or reproduced without obtaining prior written permission from HESCO. Any requests for such permission should be made in writing.

Patents RAID is covered by patent nos. 2445356 (UK) and 7905685, 7896583, 7789592, 7708501, 7883297, 7891913 (US); and is subject to application nos. 0808420.4 (UK) and 07848720.4 (Europe). HLBR is subject to application nos. 0820411.7 (UK), 12/937,888 (US) and 09744724.7 (Europe). HAB 1 is covered by patent nos. 2449328 and 1992768 (UK), 7856761 (US) and 2145064 (Europe); and is subject to application no. 12/595,436 (US); and is covered by patent nos. 1951963 (Europe), 2432611 (UK); and is subject to application nos. 12/090,648 and 13/302,671 (US) and 09160443.9 (Europe). HAB 2 is subject to application no. 1006816.1 (UK) and International Publication no. WO2011/131960; and is covered by patent nos. 1951963 (Europe), 2432611 (UK); and is subject to application nos. 12/090,648 and 13/302,671 (US) and 09160443.9 (Europe). Other international equivalents may apply. Trade Marks HESCO, Concertainer, Mil, RAID, HAB and EOPS are registered and unregistered trade marks of HESCO around the world. Copyright HESCO 2006 - 2012. All rights reserved.

HESCO Bastion Ltd Unit 41, Knowsthorpe Way Cross Green Ind. Est. Leeds LS9 0SW United Kingdom Tel: +44 113 248 6633 Email: info@hesco.com www.hesco.com

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