There is one very interesting profession in the USA – tornado hunter. At first, tornadoes were hunted by amateur photographers who earned practically nothing from it. But over time, weather stations and television companies became interested in their services, because these daredevils can shoot unique footage from an extremely close distance. In order to capture sensational footage, they drive heavy vehicles that look like spaceships and can withstand many blows. Sometimes tornado hunters managed to get closer to the center of an atmospheric vortex and, using special devices, collect a series of data that helped scientists learn a lot of interesting things about this deadly natural phenomenon. Now we will talk about armored cars that help people study tornadoes. We are sure that you have not seen anything like this!
Contents
- 1 Who are tornado hunters
- 2 A car for studying tornadoes and twisters
- 3 The most durable car in the world
- 4 Armored pickup truck “Dominator”
- 5 What does a tornado hunting car look like
- 6 Protected cars of the future
Who are tornado hunters
You may have heard about storm chasers on TV. They are sometimes shown on the Discovery Channel and other similar channels. Often, extreme sports enthusiasts chase tornadoes in pickup trucks and other SUVs. But they are used only for observation from a distance – it is impossible to drive them into the very “heart” of a tornado. And all because powerful air currents can easily lift a car up and throw it to the side. And if the car is heavy, it can be smashed by flying rocks and other dangerous objects.
Watching a tornado in a regular car is deadly dangerous. Image source: fishki.net
A car for studying tornadoes and tornadoes
The best tornado spotting vehicles are the SRV Dominator series. They were designed by meteorologist Reed Timmer. They are all based on well-known SUVs but modified to withstand any hurricane. These rugged constructions weigh about 3.6 tons.
The cars from the “Dominator” series look like equipment from science fiction films. Source: wired.com
The first “Dominator” was created on the basis of the American SUV Chevrolet Tahoe. It was used for tornado observation in 2009. The car was changed beyond recognition – its body is completely covered with bulletproof metal. Everything in the cabin is done so that the driver and passengers are not in danger. For example, the usual belts were replaced with reinforced ones so that people would not be injured if the car rolled over.
Chevrolet Tahoe SUV. Photo source: rally36.ru
The Dominator 1 car. Photo source: tiermaker.com
The tornado-chasing vehicle looks impressive, but the first version wasn't perfect. During a 2009 Nebraska hurricane, the driver's side window was blown out, leaving meteorologist Reed Timmer and his assistant with facial lacerations from flying debris.
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The World's Toughest Car
In 2011, Reed Timmer and his assistants purchased a GMC Yukon XL SUV, which became the basis for the second version of the Dominator. It was better than the first model at least in that it had a more streamlined body without gaps, which improved its aerodynamics. They also added a more powerful engine, reinforced armor and spiked mounts – thanks to them, the car could withstand tornadoes that damaged Dominator 1.
GMC Yukon XL SUV. Source: random-avto.ru
The Dominator 2 tornado-proof car. Photo credit: wikimedia.org
The new vehicle was used many times. Usually, the tornado hunter team drove two Dominators at once. The first version was needed to observe hurricanes from the sidelines, and the researchers drove the second one right into the center of the tornado. During one of the trips, the SRV Dominator 2 suffered serious engine damage and has not been repaired to this day.
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Armored pickup truck “Dominator”
The third version of the tornado chaser was created in 2013. Under the layers of armor is a Ford F-350 Super Duty pickup truck, meaning this time Reed Timmer's team did not use General Motors equipment. It uses a diesel powertrain, and the doors open in a gull-wing style – just like the Tesla Model X.
Ford F-350 Super Duty Pickup. Source: ford.ca
Armored pickup SRV Dominator 3. Photo source: mentoday.ru
Dominator vehicles are essentially regular SUVs with enhanced protection. Source: wired.com
A hurricane has occurred on the border between Earth and space. This is a completely new phenomenon
What a tornado hunting machine looks like
Meteorologist Reed Timmer also created the Dominator Fore, which is based on the compact Subaru Forester crossover. It is much smaller than other Dominators and is therefore only suitable for performing tasks in strictly defined situations. For example, this car drives well in hard-to-reach places due to its maneuverability. However, due to its compactness, it is less protected – a huge number of dents from impacts can be seen on its body.
Subaru Forester. Photo source: drive2.ru
Dominator interior. Source: wired.com
As you can see, the car has some unusual seat belts. Source: wired.com
For navigation, Dominator drivers use special applications. Photo source: wired.com
Protected cars of the future
In 2024, it became known that Reed Timmer is thinking about developing the Dominator 5. He will be assisted by car assembly specialists, but it is unknown what model the new product will be based on.
Tornado-hunting cars can be upgraded endlessly. Photo source: lenta.ru
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Destructive tornadoes usually occur in the United States. But for several years in a row, tornadoes have been forming in Russia – this is no longer exotic. So, it would be nice to create a protected car to study them. What do you think about this? Write in our Telegram chat.