Is black box bulletproof ?

Published on March 10, 2023
Duration: 1:00

This video tests the ballistic resistance of a flight recorder (black box) against various firearms. A 9mm handgun was stopped by the outer casing. An AK-47 penetrated a thinner section but was stopped by thicker parts. .50 caliber API rounds caused significant damage and fire but were largely contained within the box, suggesting extreme density makes it 'sort of bulletproof'.

Quick Summary

A flight recorder (black box) demonstrates significant ballistic resistance. While a 9mm was stopped and an AK-47 partially penetrated, .50 caliber API rounds, though damaging, were contained within the extremely dense casing, making it 'sort of bulletproof'.

Chapters

  1. 00:009mm Handgun Test
  2. 00:13AK-47 Rifle Test
  3. 00:27.50 Caliber API Test
  4. 00:49Final Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What firearms were used to test the flight recorder's bulletproof capabilities?

The flight recorder was tested against a 9mm handgun, an AK-47 rifle, and a .50 caliber rifle firing armor-piercing incendiary (API) rounds. The results showed varying levels of penetration and containment.

Did the 9mm handgun penetrate the flight recorder?

No, the 9mm handgun round was stopped by the outer casing of the flight recorder. The bullet became lodged in the casing, indicating significant initial resistance.

How did the AK-47 perform against the flight recorder?

The AK-47 showed mixed results. One round penetrated a thinner section of the box, while another shot aimed at a thicker part was stopped, failing to pass through.

Can a flight recorder withstand .50 caliber API rounds?

While .50 caliber API rounds caused substantial damage, including fire, and severely deformed the flight recorder, the projectiles did not exit the other side. This suggests a high degree of containment due to the box's density.

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