The X-net® Vehicle Arresting System

The X-Net vehicle arresting system is a vehicle hindrance device from QinetiQ, Europe's largest science and technology company. Launched back in 2003, the X-Net is already being used by the UK Ministry of Defence and the US Defence Department. This lightweight and man portable system can bring cars to a safe emergency stop with minimal collateral and vehicle damage.

The X-Net vehicle arresting system is designed using a unique spiked net. Barbed spikes in the leading edge of the net pierce the front tires, the net then wraps around wheels and axel, consequently causing the vehicle to come to a complete and controlled stop. According to QinetiQ the X-Net has been assessed by the Military and Police Forces, and that over a thousand units are presently in service all over the world.

The arrest system can be deployed in 20 seconds, and QinetiQ are soon to release the X-Tend remote deployment system, which apparently allows deployment in as little as 3 seconds. The overall system weight is less than 13kg, making the X-Net extremely. QinetiQ claim that the X-Net vehicle arresting system is very effective in pursuit management. Michael Burns, one of QinetiQ's leading security experts, welcomed the success of the device, saying: "When used in military counter terrorism operations, X-Net is extremely effective at controlling vehicles that might be used against highly important but vulnerable sites. When used by the police, cars can be safely stopped that might otherwise be driven in a lethal manner in our towns and cities. There is no doubt that X-Net has great potential to save lives and protect property wherever it is deployed."(QinetiQ press release, 27 September 2004, QinetiQ website).

The X-Net may prove to be of particular benefit to law enforcement, as traditional methods like spike mats, roadblocks and “stop sticks” may at times prove to be inadequate and even dangerous. The problems surrounding present methods are related to time of deployment, success rate and safety for all parties involved. The question that remains to be answered is clearly how reliable the X-Net is when put in to practice, where time, speed and safety are real and prevalent concerns. At some stage, durability and cost will inevitably decide how this intriguing invention will be a widespread tool in law enforcement practice or not.

X-Net demo video