De Leon Springs, Fla. — LeBron James isn’t the only one who regularly throws the hammer down. Technicians at DLS, a part of the ECP segment (Engineered Components & Products) of Sparton Corp., routinely perform the MIL-S-901D Lightweight Shock Machine Test, which is more commonly known as the Hammer Test.

During the Hammer Test, 400 pounds of steel is released from five feet above the center line of the unit being tested. In the above video, the technician is testing the Aydin Displays model 8819-9U, a 19″ Ruggedized Military COTS LCD Display. As the hammer is let go, there is a transfer of potential energy into kinetic energy, and the unit is challenged to withstand approximately 400 g’s (~8,000 pounds of force). To put it simply, it’s the equivalent of having an adult male hippopotamus sit on you. That is, an 8,000-pound, adult male hippopotamus.

This MIL-S-901D lightweight shock testing machine, which is certified by the United States Navy, is designed to simulate the outcome of a naval ship hitting a mine or being struck by a torpedo or projectile while deployed.

Notice in the video, how the LCD screen picture flickers upon impact, but quickly returns to normal image. Even an elite NBA player like LeBron can only generate 700 pounds of force at liftoff for a dunk. So it’s incredible to think a smaller unit like the 8819-9U can still fully function after absorbing more than 11 times the amount of force.