Pasadena Company’s Innovative Anti-Terrorist Vehicle Barrier Earns Homeland Security’s Approval

If you’ve been to a recent Rose Parade or to an event at the Rose Bowl, chances are you’ve seen them. Lined up in pairs, usually, these chest-high contraptions are innocuous but sturdy-looking.

They stand guard to stop terrorist truck attacks, like those which shocked the world in Berlin in 2016. For law enforcement, the “drop and stop” barriers are simple to deploy.

Now the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recognized Pasadena-based Meridian Rapid Defense Group’s Archer 1200 Anti-Terrorist Vehicle Barrier as an approved product for Homeland Security

The Archer 1200 Barrier has become one of the world’s leading mobile vehicle mitigation barriers and is widely used by security organizations and the military. It is also used at all levels of police and law enforcement, event organizers and facilities managers to protect and defend against every type of vehicle incursion from terrorist plots to accidental and unintentional.

“We are proud the Archer 1200 Barrier has been singled out for its strength and life-saving performance,” Peter Whitford, Meridian founder and CEO, said in a statement. “The 1200 Barrier has been critically tested to both the U.S. and European crash standards. The Certification under the U.S. Safety Act recognition reaffirms that our U.S. and international customers all benefit from extraordinary protections from liability in the event of a terrorist incident.”

A Meridian Defense description of the product said the Archer 1200 Barrier weighs 700 lbs. and is made of high-grade 100-percent American-made steel, meeting NATO standards for .50 caliber ballistic protection while providing extraordinary stopping power. The Archer Barrier is readily mobile and easily moved in and out of position by one person, the company said.

“Our entire Meridian team greatly appreciates the exceptional leadership and guidance provided by the dedicated professionals and experts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,” Jim Miller, Meridian’s Head of Global Corporate Compliance and Governance, said. “The Certification that Homeland Security has awarded to Meridian is not only a momentous event in the history of our company, but an important confirmation and encouragement of the Meridian mission to make people, communities and places safer.”

Just recently, Meridian expanded its mission and deployed Archer 1200 mobile barriers at temporary drive-through COVID-19 testing stations in the U.S. to protect health specialists.

During the iconic Rose Parade in Pasadena in January, more than 400 Archer Barriers were used to protect the massive gathering of people along the over five-mile parade route.

Archer 1200 Barriers have also been deployed around shopping malls and farmers’ markets to make them safer, Meridian Defense Group said.

For more information about Meridian Rapid Defense Group and the Archer 1200 Vehicle Barrier, visit www.meridian-barrier.com.