BALLISTIC PANEL/AR MORED VEHICLE OP- TIONS FOR TODAY’S POLICE VEHICLES

BALLISTIC PANEL/ARMORED VEHICLE OPTIONS FOR TODAY’S POLICE VEHICLES

BY BRAD BREWER

The ballistic standard established by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is widely known and accepted by police agencies throughout the world. Thus, the NIJ standard provides the performance level for most ballistic-resistant materials like body armor or vehicle armor plating.

As it stands, there are currently no 100-percent bulletproof materials available on the market. ankfully, most body armor or vehicle armor plating does provide the o cer with a substantial amount of protection from various kinds of handgun ammunition. However, it is imperative that o cers be aware that the amount of protection offered varies depending on how a piece of armor is classi ed and rated in terms of the threat level it protects against. e NIJ standard speci es what the minimum requirements are for body armor or vehicle armor that have undergone their performance and testing protocols. e NIJ then rates the various types of available armor according to the threat levels they o er protection against. When armor is undergoing testing, self-regulating NIJ-certi ed laboratories put the body armor through a number of di erent tests to ensure they meet NIJ code and performance standards. ere are numerous vendors that supply armor vehicles and armor vehicle panels to law enforcement and the military. All three police vehicle OEMs o er some type of ballistic door panels as an option when ordering their vehicles, or as a factory-authorized option. Several aftermarket suppliers also o er retro- t packages to add in vehicle door armor. Ford has performed signi cant testing with internal door ballistic panels and currently o er factory-installed ballistic panels. eir testing videos can be seen on the Dew Engineering website or You Tube.

HARDWIRE, LLC

www.HardwireLLC.com

DEW ENGINEERING

www.dewengineering.com

DEW Engineering, which built its business on producing military armor for the U.S. and Canadian militaries, is now the producer of ballistic door panels for Ford, Dodge, and GM. After extensive design and testing that was rst initiated by Ford’s Police Program Team, DEW Engineering o ers Level IV panels that can be installed by the OEM when factory ordering a new Ford Police vehicle or as an aftermarket add-on for GM and Dodge.

For a standard patrol vehicle, the areas that are most likely to come under attack are the doors and side windows. So that is where most law enforcement agencies are focusing their armoring e orts. ere are two basic ways to add ballistic armor to the doors of a law enforcement vehicle that is not speci cally designed to be an armored vehicle. You can install it into the door or apply it to the surface of the vehicle. Used extensively by police forces throughout the United States, the DEW PD panels act as a ballistic shield when installed in a vehicle door, allowing o cers to arrive on site protected. ese panels are integrated into the interior of the door, between outer skin and interior trim, and do not have any external mounting requirements. e PD series can be customized for di erent applications, such as the protection of panel vans, shelters, and containers. e DEW PD Ballistic Panel solutions have been tested in accordance with the requirements of the NIJ Standard 0108.01 as well as other special threats, including the multihit Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) speci cation MTD 11-BDP01. e DEW Engineering Team also performs signi cant durability testing that includes shooting at extreme hot and cold temperatures, pre-condition test panels by high/low temperature cycling, pre-condition test panels by saltwater submersion, and 100,000 x door slams.

Hardwire provides protective armor systems to the military, law enforcement, and public entities such as school systems. e company has produced armored police vehicles for large cities and municipalities, covered miles of the nation’s critical bridges with armor, out tted countless police o cers with life-saving protection, and supplies the U.S. military with hard and soft body armor.

Blending in covertly for a less aggressive look that works well with community policing while still o ering life-saving ballistic protection, Hardwire vehicle armor is a popular choice of eet managers. As the lightest and strongest armor panels ever developed, Hardwire vehicle armor gives critical protection and valuable decision-making time to police o cers when the right decision is what matters most. e ballistic technology used and trusted by the U.S. military is mirrored in the B-Kit Add-On Vehicle Armor, where the armor is quickly and easily installed onto the outside of the vehicle door. Unlike other armor packages, Hardwire’s vehicle armor is under the door handle as well, limiting vulnerabilities from top to bottom and still allowing full functionality. Similarly, the Hardwire Transparent Armor Window In-

sert ts into the existing vehicle OEM window opening, while allowing for regular window operation. Hardwire is 100 percent made in the USA with a 10-year manufacturer’s warranty.

New for 2021, the armor has been tted for the new body styles of the 2021 Chevy Tahoe and the 2021 Ford Interceptor. e sleek, lowpro le design and minimal weight causes no performance issues for the OEM vehicle. Stock armor in NIJ Level IIIA is available now for 14 di erent models, all typical police issues: • 2011–2021 Ford Interceptor • 2013–2019 Ford Interceptor Sedan • 2013–2020 Ford Fusion • 2011–2019 Ford Transit • 2017–2019 Ford F-150–F-550 • 2006–2016 Chevy Impala • 2003–2020 Chevy Express Van • 2004–2021 Chevy Tahoe • 2020 Chevy 2500 Silverado • 2018–2020 Chevy Traverse • 2014–2018 Freightliner Sprinter Van • Dodge Charger • Dodge Durango

Installed on the outside of the automobile, installation is quick and easy and can be done by Hardwire’s partner, Havis, or training information can be provided for eet teams. Kits contain all necessary hardware. e protective skin blends with OEM door and paint colors. Modularity o ers the ability to remove the armor package and reuse on new life-model vehicles as decommissioned vehicles reach the end of their life cycles.

Hardwire’s patented solutions have been road, crash, and impacttested in real life, o ering superb protection whether impacted with bricks, cinderblocks, or gun re.

ANGEL ARMOR

https://angelarmor.com/

Angel Armor’s AVAIL vehicle armor series features Level IIIA and Level III+ panels. eir goal is to easily and cost-e ciently transform eet vehicle doors into shields, further protecting o cers who keep our communities safe. Angel Armor panels are durable and simple to install.

All panels are discreet and weatherproof. Angel Armor IIIA panels are constructed of a proprietary technology that is not only remarkably strong, but also thin, lightweight, and weatherproof. e Level III+ panels are made of a premium steel plate packed with superior protective capabilities. Panels may also be removed and transferred to another vehicle of the same make and model.

Some of the key things to consider when purchasing vehicle armor are cost, protection level, and construction. For cost, you will want to consider both the price of the panel and the time it takes to install. Agencies may not be aware that there are great vehicle armor options available that are often lower priced than OEM o erings, and installation can easily be handled internally.

Protection levels can range from handgun threats all the way up to armor-piercing rounds. For domestic law enforcement, armor-piercing threats may not be applicable. You could argue that the associated weight and thickness of those panels might not be practical.

Construction is an important consideration that determines durability. How will the panel respond to extreme weather? What is the likelihood it could interfere with internal door components? Is the material prone to cracking or snapping from mounting brackets? ese are all good questions to ask to make sure the panels will provide the expected protection over the lifespan of the panel and will not require taking a vehicle out of commission for panel repairs. Angel Armor’s panels are seamless, single-panel designs that conceal within the door.

Installation of Angel Armor’s panels is completed either by an up tter partner or by the agency’s in-house eet team. ey intentionally made the installation process as simple as possible. Angel Armor’s engineers have designed a process that doesn’t require specialized tools or templates and there is no welding or cutting required. All their customers have access to a specialized team that quickly answers any questions that arise during installation.

One of the most signi cant changes happening today is that more and more agencies are recognizing that this protection is necessary. What was once “nice to have” is becoming required life-saving equipment. Angel Armor is working hard to reduce the barriers to procuring this protection by o ering low-cost, easy-to-install armor for a variety of police vehicle makes and models.

OUTBACK ARMOUR

https://www.outbackarmour.com

Outback Armour supports armored vehicles by providing design and engineered suspension solutions for 4x4 and armored vehicles that are t for purpose and exceed customer expectations. is service is also supported with inventory, product knowledge, and customer service.

Outback stacked their company ranks with the best suspension engineers and product specialists. ey pulled all the vehicles apart, and started the design process from scratch, free of legacy, with a targeted approach to creating their new suspension products speci cally designed for vehicles with heavy armor.

Outback’s goal of cultural immersion in the customer environment is achieved via 100-percent owned and operated regional distribution centers in Australia, the Middle East, and North America.

Outback Armour service teams in each regional center support local distributor networks and customers with advice and product knowledge. Outback’s quali ed distributors are key to ensuring that the customers’ vehicles are set up correctly and they continue to support their distributors to achieve this end.

Outback showcased the 2021 Tahoe PD suspension (Police Package) at the recent Police Fleet Expo in Richmond, VA. is suspension is designed to enhance the performance of police vehicles, reduce wear and tear on engine, transmission and drive train, and reduces the cost to police departments. Police vehicles require suspension that can handle not only the paved road but also perform when those rugged o -road evasive maneuvers must be performed. Drivers need the ability to maintain speed and controllability and this is exactly what Outback Armour provides.

FLAT BULLETS

https://www. atbullets.com/

Flat Bullets by Securassure has a wide variety of ballistic glass options. eir UL752 Level 1 tested one-way Ballistic Curved Automotive Glass is fully functional in speci c vehicles (i.e., Ford F150/250/350, Dodge Charger, and Ram 1500). It will t most vehicles and stops rounds from the outside-in, but allows the defender to shoot inside-out. eir UL752 Level 3, 5, & 7 tested Ballistic at automotive glass inserts can be offered with full-glass-area coverage or half-area coverage, depending on the needs of the agency. Finally, their UL752 Level III tested and NIJ IIIA tested Ballistic Door soft armor door panels are o ered to cover the full lower door area.

When a eet manager is purchasing vehicle armor, Flat Bullets recommends that speci c requirements need to be determined rst. e questions that need to be answered include: What level of protection is required? Handgun or Ri e rated? What rounds are you most worried about? Multi-shot or single-shot? How much coverage do you need armored on the vehicle?

Flat Bullets by Securassure specializes in manufacturing functional and high-use armor speci c to the needs of the purchaser. However, they work with up tting partners to help install the product regardless of the state they may be in.

Whether through insurance requirements or the strong desire for the safety and well-being of the employees, there is a growing need for ballistic armor in vehicles in many industries with eets. is has expanded to include armor that will last long, is functional, and will allow for the safety desired. UL1-tested curved glass that is fully functional does just that. It is meant to stop the most standard rounds in the United States, which primarily are 9mm. Having one-way stopping power and functions much like a normal window would, the industry is quickly maneuvering to include this product into their line of defense.

As things change, Flat Bulletts by Securassure will continue to develop products to the ensure safety of our law enforcement partners.

Sergeant Brad Brewer is a 30-year member of the Vancouver Police Department. He was an eight-year member of the Ford Police Advisory Board and regularly gives presentations at law enforcement conferences on mobile computing, wireless technology and police vehicle ergonomics. He can be reached at sgt1411@gmail.com.