Bloodhound SSC ballistic testing shoots bits of wheel at driver at 2,300 MPH

(Bloodhound SSC)

When traveling at 1,000 mph, the Bloodhound SSC land speed record car’s wheels will spin 10,200 times per minute—or 170 times per second. If part of the wheel comes off at that speed, you’re talking about a life-ending projectile.

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So what do you do about it? You engineer, you build, and then you test. This is the test, wherein engineers shoot a large chunk of metal at the composite protection panel that will shield the driver, Andy Green.

And they shoot that chunk of metal at 2,300 mph.

Will Andy have a new pair of entry and exit orifices if the wheel should fragment or a rock should kick up? Or will he be safe? Watch the video and learn.