The ultimate road protection vehicle is undoubtedly the armored car. The question then becomes, how much do you know about the armored cars in terms of technological invention? Armored cars have evolved over the years to be used not only by the military but also by civilians. Car companies like Mercedes Benz have over the years incorporated bullet proof armor in their car models to cater to the niche markets that need them.
As the world becomes riskier for the high profile client or business man or lawyer, it has become increasing important to ensure that the innovative technologies build on the car’s defensive and offensive maneuvers. To understand the future, a flip through the pages of history may help you determine the current status of armored and bullet proof cars and the future.
The past
The first armored car can be traced back to the 1800’s. However before that the precursors to the armored vehicles were Wagons covered in steel plate. However when gunpowder was discovered, it was rendered obsolete. It was in 1898 when British inventor called F.R. Simms designed and built a De Dion-Bouton Quadricycle. It had an Iron shield in front of the quad and it protected the Driver.
Fast forwards a few years later and the first Armored called the Simm’s Motor war car was built. Finished in 1902 it was used in the Boer wars that took place in South Africa. The car had a 6mm thick armor and it was motorized by a 16-hp Daimler engine enabling it have a full speed of about 9 miles an hour.
During the First World War the first effective use of an armored car was used by the Belgian army. It had cockerel armor plating and a machine gun on armored cars. During the Second World War, it has been documented that the British Royal air service was equipped Rolls-Royce armored cars.
The present
Just like the internet the armor innovations of the army spilled over into the civilian market and car companies started to make bulletproof cars and could withstand the impact of bullets. What makes a civilian car armored, typically an SUV or a limousine is that the windows are bullet proof and layers of armor plate are inserted into the body panels.
Most civilian cars are either factory produced or retrofitted versions of cars produced in series. These bulletproof cars can have noticeable armor protection like the Knight V or they can be indistinguishable from an armored model
Through an increase in innovations, an industrial standard of armored car protection has been set up from B1-B7. Where B1 represent the least secure and rarely used armor, B2 is also in the same class as B1 however it can withstand 9mm round or less. The B3 can endure .357 magnum rounds or lesser threats. The B4 can endure a threat of .44 magnum rounds and or lesser. The B5 can endure a .357 magnum round at three meters. The B6 and B7 are capable of enduring 62 x 39 rounds from a Kalashnikov rifle.
The future
As international threats from terrorists, war lords and other scrupulous individuals are in the increase, it is imperative that companies dealing in armored cars continue to look at innovative ways to improve the security of their clientele. Extensive research can be carried out in the composite materials used in body armor and how that can be used to make the car not only defensive but also offensive. Since armored cars are heavy due to the material used, the presumption would be that companies are looking at ways to make armored vehicles light and efficient.
As an industry there are countless possibilities to explore. With the ever growing need for armored cars, and the increase of technological advancement; it is going to be necessary that the two combine to produce machines that can stand the test of time.