Opaque armor is comprised of several different materials including ballistic nylon, steel, ceramic composites and non-woven fibres like SpectraShield ©. Various factors like threat assessment and mission goals determine the type of opaque armor used.
- Rear compartment molded opaque armor
- Roof molded opaque armor
- Liftgate compartment molded opaque armor
- Door compartment molded opaque armor
- Floor armor Courtesy of Square One Armoring
- Firewall armor
- Fender overlap armor
- Battery box armor
- Run-flat tire inserts
- Fender well armor
- Tailpipe protection
- Engine computer armor
- Ram bumpers
This photo shows the armor required around the battery in an armored vehicle. Armor is also required around the vehicle ECM or electronic control module (computer) to prevent attackers from shooting out the battery or electronics.
If the attackers can stop you, they will win.
This photo is from the inside looking out over the steering wheel: it demonstrates the edge "edge" or border of ballistic steel that has to be added around the windshield opening for the windshield to fit into, and illustrates the handcrafting required for proper defeat levels. This edge is called the offset area on the windshield, and it is not at the correct ballistic level in order to be thin enough to fit into the opening. Therefore, this steel overlap area is beneath the offset when installed to defeat any rounds.
This photo shows the reinstallation of the side-curtain air bag system over the steel armoring of the roof and b pillars. Many armorers simply disable the side curtain system as it is difficult to re-install correctly.
This photo shows the steel bracing and construction of the ram bumpers. Under attack, armor provides about 15 seconds for you to exit the kill zone: these bumpers keep the fenders from impacting the tires when you need to push something out of the way—like a blocking vehicle.
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