Germans currently saying they cannot take off because of people on the runway.

I am surprised these days the likes of the captured Humvees do not have a kill chip in them that can remotely disable them for good.

Where would you put it such that the vehicle could not be repaired and such that it could not be hacked by the bad guys?

If by chip you mean huge load of explosives, it might work.

The idea of riding around in a vehicle with any amount of HE that could be remotely triggered would not fill me with joy. :=

I agree 100%, but that would be the only way to make them permanently u/s (which was the question).
Eg high end german automobiles have all the latest theft prevention gadgets available, and yet those are stolen in less than a minute by someone in the knowledge (and those are stolen).

Something that would disable / fry the vehicles computer, a charge would not need to be big, just something that would take out the vehicles computer innards.

which would then be replaced the instant the vehicle ends in wrong hands.

I would imagine the cost of spare black boxes for such vehicles would exceed the.cost of a brand new Toyota Hilux. That’s assuming you’ve got the diagnostic equipment to confirm if that’s all that’s bust.

I mean, why bother when you can get something far cheaper that gets the job done?

Same argument as to why the Iraq AF are said to prefer their old Russian helicopters to newer American ones.

Global market is working in this, too: if there is a need, there is a chinese factory.
Actually, I think the US Army were smart in leaving all the civilian vehicles out there without the keys: it is a bit lengthy job to program them all to work without the key chip presence. It's doable, but takes a bit time.

Instead of going the computer way, I'd have something physical triggered, eg a valve that floods the cylinders with coolant via intake manifold. Turn the key and hydrolocking kills the beast. Far eastern factories will copy any chip, but making full featured big diesel...

However, theres a catch there, too: once the bad guys realize what happens, they learn and disable the valve prior to starting...

The vehicle should be made so bad it's not worth saving and I'm struggling to think anything sufficiently efficient other tha HE.

I agree with ORAC. I would use the HumVee to drive to the HiLux dealers.

count me in :ok:

Meanwhile RAF aircraft and personnel possibly hostages to civilians on the runway………

Spray them with dye and announce anyone so marked will automatically be denied evacuation.

Even better, just broadcast that you will using a UV fluorescent dye and just roll out fire engines and spray them with water…

Andrew Neil now reporting USAF have suspended flights...chilling...

I wonder if we are about to see a US offer of humanitarian aid or perhaps even recognition of the Taliban government in exchange for exit of troops and assurances of safety for diplomatic staff. The Taliban leadership is keen to be seen as a regular actor on the world stage. China seems prepared to recognise them and that would be enough for dozens of other states to do likewise. Any deal that ended the airlift would be disastrous for interpreters fleeing retribution but I don't think it's beyond the bounds of possibility.

If they are desperate enough to cling to taxying aircraft. I really don't think that will work. Most of them won't listen and those that do will not care. Assuming at this stage there is even have a functioning airport fire service and the vehicles have not high tailed it off to the border.

I wonder if and how quickly a C-17 can do a 360 with at least one engine at high power - it might slow would be external passengers down. I have visions C-17s rolling down the runway with the top of the ac covered in passengers, Indian Railways style

Crowd control is clearly an issue, They are deperate and I suspect even the threat of bullets will not deter then other than temporarily.

Remember a lot of these guys worked for the US, though bar the scenes of Women and Children outside fleeing to the terminal there does not appear to be a lot inside the perimeter.

I think the Taliban would be wise to surround the airport and allow the evacuation of those inside or flying in to take place, they do not really want people in the country that may become a threat later, so better to let them go. Showing peace and order would look good to the world amongst the chaos being shown of the Wests evacuation.... even the Russians managed a more dignified departure driving out of Country across a bridge.