Global Shelter Systems - Rapidly Deployable Blast Protection Structures

Global Shelter Systems’ BlastBloc® product is an innovative expeditionary defensive structure system which combines maximum blast protection with high mobility, reusability, flexibility of configuration and ease of installation in a small footprint. The self-supporting structural design of BlastBloc is rapidly deployable, anti-climb, tamper resistant, and filled using minimal MHE (material handling equipment) and locally available fill material.

BlastBloc is suitable for a range of applications including defense walls, anti-vehicle barriers, personnel bunkers, checkpoints, ammunition storage, missile battery protection, observation points, defensive firing positions, and for protecting critical infrastructure.

Rapidly deployable and reusable blast protection

BlastBloc provides superior protection from explosive blasts, shrapnel and small arms fire. In repeated testing, a single layer wall of BlastBloc can stop small arms fire, including a 0.50 caliber AP round, as well as mitigate effects from IEDs and truck bomb attacks. Currently in use as a barrier for federal buildings within the United States, BlastBloc can completely arrest a 15,000lb truck traveling at 50mph, with the majority of the wall undamaged and available for immediate reuse. With an optional cap feature, BlastBloc can be totally sealed, making it difficult for the enemy to plant any explosive device within the wall or structure.

Long lasting blast protection structure

In third party laboratory testing, BlastBloc passed all requirements for US Department of Defense MIL PRF 32277. BlastBloc is flame retardant, anti-UV degradation, will not rot, sag or mildew, is corrosion resistant and does not degrade when contaminated by fluids including fuel. BlastBloc structures will not collapse or deform when filled or if material shifts, and do not need to be held open when being filled.

Blast protection for temporary and permanent structures

BlastBloc is rapidly deployable and can be used to protect either temporary or permanent installations. During construction, BlastBloc units interlock together with no tools, mortar or additional support required, and can be filled with sharp rocks, sand, dirt, wet concrete or any other available fill material without deforming.

BlastBloc is well-suited to support expeditionary operations where self-sufficiency, mobility and performance often mean the difference between life and death. As a fully modular / stackable system, the user can tailor depth, height, and configuration to defeat the threat.

Field reusable and repairable blast walls

BlastBloc was created to meet the challenges of combat operations in harsh and remote climates. Advanced polymers and alloys are used to ensure long life, saving significant replacement cost over time. When necessary, BlastBloc can be disassembled and removed to a new field location using HMMWV, and may be stored for years at a time when not in use.

Each BlastBloc unit can be fielded by one soldier and entire structures can be built swiftly with two to three person teams and one MHE operator. Because BlastBloc is able to self level, it is suitable for construction without establishing a fully level grade.

All-at-once fill capability

BlastBloc walls can be built up to 18ft vertically - with no pyramid stacking - and filled all at once from the top. The unique dual-octagonal chambers of each unit link to the next unit to create a suspended column of fill material, which provides superior strength.

Class I and class II load bearing

BlastBloc’s load-bearing capacity exceeds many conventional concrete and steel structures, without any modifications.  BlastBloc structures maintain long-term stability under heavy overhead loading conditions and will not bulge, deform or collapse as the ballast infill material naturally settles over time. A single-layer (approximately 24in deep) can withstand heavy vertical loads up to 12.5t per linear foot empty.  Localized failure is less apt to cause immediate or progressive collapse of the entire structure. 

BlastBloc’s fully collapsible design permits transportation and storage in a minimum number of ISO containers. BlastBloc is made in the US.