Arm / beam
Vehicle-arresting member spanning the clear opening.
ACTIVE VEHICLE BARRIERS · AVBD 500 SERIES
AVBD 500 SeriesPRODUCT DATA
Drop-Arm Barriers
CRASH-RATED DROP ARMS · M30 & M50
BSP drop-arm barriers cover M30 P1 and M50 P1/P2 threat levels across 20 ft and 24 ft tested spans. The M30 system uses two drilled piers; the M50 systems keep the roadway clear with posts and foundations at the shoulders.
ASTM F2656 · M30 / M5020 FT & 24 FT TESTED SPANSBI-DIRECTIONALMADE IN THE USA
THE CASE FOR A DROP ARM
NOTHING IN THE LANE. NOTHING UNDER IT.
A drop arm keeps the opening simple: both posts stand at the shoulders and only the beam crosses the lane. For the M30 P1 system, the civil scope is two Ø36-inch drilled piers. The M50 systems similarly keep the lane free of pits and pans.
AVBD 531 is M30 P1. AVBD 551 is M50 P1 at a 20 ft span. AVBD 552 is M50 P2 at a 24 ft span and is listed on the DoD Anti-Ram Vehicle Barrier List.
DIFFERENTIATOR
No pit. No trench across the lane.
AVBD 531 sets on two 36 in drilled piers, so the roadway is never cut and buried utilities stay where they are.
AVBD 531 drop arm at its tested 24 ft clear opening - two drilled piers, no cross-lane pit.
24′
WIDEST BSP DROP ARM SPAN
2.97′
M50 P1 PENETRATION — AVBD 551
3.24′
M30 P1 PENETRATION — AVBD 531
3
CRASH-TESTED DROP-ARM MODELS
SYSTEM ANATOMY
TWO POSTS. ONE ARM.
Hinge post
Carries the drive and arm.
Latch post
Receives and restrains the arm at closed position.
Foundations
AVBD 531 uses two Ø36″ × 72″ drilled piers; M50 models use shoulder foundations per tested designs.
Drive system
Hydraulic/electric options vary by model; no cross-lane pit is required.
CONFIGURATIONS
THREE TESTED CONFIGURATIONS. M30 TO M50.
| Model / AVBD | Threat | Penetration | Standard | Test Lab | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVBD 531 | M30 | P1 | ASTM F2656-23 | Applus IDIADA KARCO | 24 ft tested clear opening; dynamic penetration 3.24 ft; listed on DoD Anti-Ram Vehicle Barrier List. |
| AVBD 551 | M50 | P1 | ASTM F2656-07 | Applus IDIADA KARCO | 20 ft tested span; dynamic penetration 2.97 ft; not currently listed as of March 2026 brochure. |
| AVBD 552 | M50 | P2 | ASTM F2656-20 | Applus IDIADA KARCO | 24 ft tested span; dynamic penetration 5.55 ft; listed on March 2026 DoD Anti-Ram Vehicle Barrier List. |
5
Family5 = Beam / Drop Arm
3 / 5
Threat Rating3 = M30 - 5 = M50
1 / 2
ConfigurationSequential configuration within the rating. See Configurations for tested spans and penetration.
Read any AVBD number the same way across the line: family, then threat rating, then configuration. AVBD 531 is a drop arm (5), rated M30 (3), in the first tested configuration (1).
VERIFIED, NOT SELF-DECLARED
THREE MODELS. THREE FULL-SCALE RESULTS.
ASTM F2656-23ASTM F2656-07ASTM F2656-20LISTED — DOD ANTI-RAM VEHICLE BARRIER LISTBuy American
AVBD 531: ASTM F2656-23 M30 P1, report TR-P44098-01, tested 28 March 2024. AVBD 551: ASTM F2656-07 M50 P1, report TR-P43185-01, tested 23 August 2023. AVBD 552: ASTM F2656-20 M50 P2, report TR-P43146-01, tested 7 July 2023. The 24 ft AVBD 552 configuration is listed on the March 2026 DoD Anti-Ram Vehicle Barrier List.
SPECIFICATIONS
AT A GLANCE.
- AVBD 531 clear opening, tested
- 24 ft (288¼″ overall)
- AVBD 531 clear opening, available
- 12 ft to 35 ft
- AVBD 531 foundation
- Two Ø36″ × 72″ drilled piers
- AVBD 531 open / close time
- 5–7 seconds
- AVBD 551 rating
- M50 P1; 20 ft; 2.97 ft dynamic penetration
- AVBD 552 rating
- M50 P2; 24 ft; 5.55 ft dynamic penetration
- M50 beam height
- 36" above grade
- M50 beam
- W6×25, galvanized
- M50 posts
- 12" × 12" × ½" ASTM A500
- M50 direction
- Bi-directionally secure
Warranty
Manufacturer warranty coverage for this product.
Parts5 years
Labor5 years
Warranty takes effect only upon payment in full. Maintenance must be performed per the applicable O&M manual, with records produced upon request. Impact damage is not a defect.
