Tech questions for story

[Rod]

Two questions:

1. What would the effect be on a tire and wheel assembly from a hit on it with a Barrett's using armor piercing ammo?
2. Since I'm real rusty on explosives, What would the effect be on a wheel and tire assembly, and the rest of a Ford F350 armored van?

Trying to write a story and part of it involves the hijacking and disabling of three vans. Which would be more effective in immobilizing them without killing the guards and making them completely unable to move?
If the book ever gets written, anyone who helps will get a bit part in the story somehow and my eternal thanks.

[Yogimus]

Not much, just a 1/2 inch hole. On run-flats, it will not do much of anything unless you hit the break assembly.

[BDK]

What would a frangible do? That much energy dumped onto the wheel might be enough to wreck the suspension.

[tfbncc]

As Yogi has pointed out, a hit on the tire with run flats won't do much of anything. A hit on the wheel spindle or closer to center will screw up the wheel's ability to roll by deforming the brake disc and possibly the suspension and steering. Will the shot be taken while the van is moving or stopped at a light? How much intel does your shooter have on the anatomy of an armored F-350 van? How heavily is the engine compartment armored? All this will determine the best shot placement. An interesting thought experiment.

[Yogimus]

If you want to hit an armored car, I would recommend a burst of low caliber fire into the armored glass ahead of the driver to obscure vision, and then shaped charge like an RPG once the vehicle crashes.

[Rod]

I was thinking of an armor piercing in the center of the wheel hub, vehicle stopped range 100 yards or less. I don't want complete destruction or injury/death of the guards. Disabling so they won't be able to move after being stopped. Obviously, anyone taking out an armored car would know the specs pretty well or they'd be morons attempting the heist. I'm also trying to figure how big packages of say 70 million in a mix of 100s, 50s, 20s, 10s, 5s, and 1s would be. That's a simple problem compared to the what if on the disabling of the truck. Seems all are agreed a small charge of C-4 on the wheel, not the tire, would be a not good thing for those inside.

[tfbncc]

OK, 70 million in mixed small denomination bills will not fit into an E-350 van. When we were getting ready for deployment on USS Saratoga they bring in all the money that they calculate they will need to pay the crew for the entire cruise and put it on the ship before leaving. On my last trip, it was 17 million. It came in a semi trailer on several pallets along with a hefty contingent of marines in full combat gear. If I remember correctly though, it was mostly $20.00 bills to keep the atm's filled. So think if even half of that 70 mill is in smaller denominations, you're going to need a bigger truck. If it's mostly $100.00's, then you're probably OK.

[Jericho941]

Wait for a delivery and take the hopper hostage?

[Yogimus]

Fast inflating air bladder to lift vehicle off the tires would be a humane way to disable the vehicle.

[JustinR]

Three custom built R/C vehicles with low clearance designed to drive under the vans. Electrically powered, driven by remote video link, and could be dropped from a nondescript vehicle following, then driven underneath the vans from behind.

Each R/C car has four (directional?) thermite charges on poles for each wheel. Melty goodness ensues.

[/missionimpossible]