Date posted: 12/23/2008*

The December issue features the innovations of the year

Under the headline, “A Concrete Smasher For Rescue Crews,” Popular Science describes Raytheon’s Controlled Impact Rescue Tool (CIRT) as a fast way to reach victims in a collapsed building. CIRT’s innovative design can shatter a concrete wall in 13 minutes, compared with more than 30 minutes for conventional methods.

The CIRT uses shock waves to pulverize concrete. The tool removes the barrier material, which allows rescue workers quicker access to victims. Raytheon has a proud tradition of applying basic engineering fundamentals with an understanding of our customer’s requirements to develop innovative and lasting solutions across a range of problems.

“This revolutionary approach decreased by 50 percent the time it takes to reach a victim trapped by concrete, increasing the probability of a successful rescue,” said Guy DuBois, vice president of Raytheon’s Operational Technologies and Solutions business.

“For 21 years, Popular Science’s Best of What's New awards honor the innovations that make a positive impact on life today and change our views of the future,” said Mark Jannot, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. "PopSci’s editors evaluate thousands of products each year to develop this thoughtful list; there’s no higher accolade Popular Science can give.”

Raytheon is developing CIRT under a rapid technology application program of the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology directorate.

Read the full article.