When does the first super safe vehicle go back?
Excluding the very futuristic inventions of the genius of Leonardo da Vinci in the Renaissance period or the medieval iron protections for soldiers and horses, we could argue that the concept of a somewhat protected vehicle could associate with the American Frederick Richard Simms who initially produced a quadricycle with pedals - the Simms - equipped with a steel plate to protect the cyclist and machine gun (photo). Subsequently, after the invention of the cycle engine Otto made by Nikolaus August Otto in the 1885 with the Daimler, Simms presented a prototype of the first motorized protected wagon.
These are in short the first steps of the technological evolution that led to the concept of armouring, a sector that today, in addition to the military and representation, sees a not indifferent interest among civilian customers, especially in those states of the world where the political class has done little to meet the needs of the most disadvantaged population, but even in those world contexts where authoritarian regimes and guerrillas predominate.
Perhaps it would suffice to observe the statistical data of the know-how Italian and German, undisputed leaders in the production of protected vehicles and related sales trends in the UAE and the East. About 3000 vehicles per year produced and sold and which also reach Mexico City and Bogota, in addition to several South American States, not to mention the sales boom in Chile during the 70 years, when Pinochet's dictatorship was in force.
Frankly I do not know how much can be considered a success the increase of armored vehicles on our planet, however, many car manufacturers, perceiving this positive trend, are providing a line of protected cars, in parallel with the already historic outfitters, such as the Repetti of Casale Monferrato, the undisputed leader in the sector. Thanks to the nice managing director Dr. Stefano Repetti and his public relations staff who kindly provided me with useful information.
The levels protection.
Let us now go into the protection technology associated with these super vehicles which, in some respects, look incredibly like the famous James Bond cars. In fact, film production consulted with leading companies in the armor industry to get suggestions to propose in the plot of this famous series of films.
It should be noted that any vehicle can be reinforced and protected, it all depends on the convenience in doing so and on the possibility of operating on the chassis in relation to its characteristics and power.
In Europe, the European standard B Balistic regulated by the EN 1522 / EN 1063 standard, it used only seven classes of increasing security, from B1 to B7, however recently a new scale was introduced, the VR "Vehicle Resistance"Which has caused some confusion between operators and customers, because it is offset compared to the old and known measurement method.
The VR scale is associated with the Vpam-Vereinigung Prufstellen Materialien, the Association of bulletproof certification and construction centers that has elevated classes up to 14, and the most common B6 class with this introduction rises to Vpam7, while for example the B7 to Vr9. In fact, according to the old scale, starting from the B7 class vehicles should have a sealed and unassailable compartment for the protection and survival of a person while, under the new directive, this only takes place in the Vr9 class.
Very briefly I can offer you some examples on the order of magnitude of vehicle protection; for example if a B1 / B2 - very rare - are able to hold an 22 caliber of a gun, from 360 m / s, a B7 or VR7 retain an 7,62 caliber Born from 850 m / s. It is to be understood at this point how the scale evolves; probably, beyond the hardness of the materials, this value grows with the addition of increasingly sophisticated fittings and options.
You will be lawfully wondering what degree of protection military vehicles have, but this is understandably confidential and the evasive responses of insiders generally report a higher B7.
However, we know that some military vehicles resist missiles rather than bazookas, and we can deduce their level of security from this.
If up to the B6 and B7 class vehicles keep the original and standard line, beyond this level the shape modification is often necessary, just think about the "Bestia", The Cadillac Escape Sedan of the US president, which ultimately of" Cadillac "has only the front and the tail, in fact even its chassis belongs to a truck like the wheels of the rest (v.articolo).
Basically the armor is a sure reinforcement inside the body, while the armor, as in the case of military vehicles is the use instead of the body of specific materials.
The construction of these vehicles it takes place first of all by analyzing the most suitable civil models for characteristics of power and space, for artisan modifications. Mercedes, Audi, Lancia Range Rover and Toyota, are among the favorites for these jobs but also vans, trucks or coaches can pass under this "Forced restyling" ...
Once the new vehicles have arrived in the fitting, they are completely stripped and on the bridge, only the frame remains and in the computers of the technical area are stored all the measurements and features of the models in circulation, where for each a laser cutting on special ballistic materials, such as ceramics or carbon steel, rather than kevlar.
Often then, to optimize weights and materials, calculations are made on the trajectories of the ogive which can penetrate only at certain points, such as the under roof at the border with the branches. Here, however, they encounter a very hard ballistic material that diverts them out of another nearby point in the bodywork.
Maybe someone will remember an article about a famous car magazine where a turbo Y10 had been protected with the B2 level, and who maybe did the military in the Police Force, will have known the Porter Piaggio or the armored F 900, but also the 1750 Alfa Romeo with windshield divided into three segments or the Fiat 130, 2500 cc.
The mechanics, engine, transmission, suspension, axle shafts, arms and steering, according to the level of protection, they are replaced with much more robust kits, supplied on request by the same car manufacturers.
However, to allow evasive maneuvers, which we will see later, even the control units are modified and among them also the one that controls the automatic transmission of large sedans. The preference falls on vehicles with many horses at least above the 300, but in the years 90 many will remember the Fiat Armored Turbo Croma that of horses only had 155 with a ballistic level presumably B4 or B6.
The engine compartment is protected with plates but the most delicate parts of the engine are supplied in different materials. However, in the event of an attack, the reaction of the driver is essential, which must remain as short as possible under the fire and move away even if with a radiator out of use, just to give an example. The tires are run flat, better and lighter than full ones, some instead have a second chamber on which the perforated tire can rest and which allows the use up to the speed of 100 km / h. In vehicles can also be set up two batteries in different positions and that guarantee the efficiency of the optional equipment.
The degrees of protection, also concern the defense against explosives under the body that in addition to the occupants must keep the transmission and engine intact to allow removal.
Electronics and the most imaginative finds but realistic ones find great interest in many countries of the world, where the association with James Bond's car is to a certain extent, likely (not in Italy where the public security they are very rigid). They range from the installation of a container of piercing nails rather than a slippery liquid to the smoke bombs that abundantly cover the attack area, but there are also fire attack systems as well as radar and infrared cameras, rather than sophisticated ones. high sonar or acoustic frequencies to create diversions and a strong disorienting discomfort on the outside.
There is also a super fire system and think a little ', there is an air pressurizer that increases the pressure inside the passenger compartment - as in the jets - thus rejecting external attacks with gases, in addition to preventive closing of the air intakes. In Iraq, Jordan and Yemen, there are not a few Mercedes vehicles called Guard that offer ingenious solutions that the customer can choose from a desk, depending on the type of protection required, before signing the contract.
The glass can start from a standard of thirty millimeters up to 20 or more centimeters as in the case of the Cadillac of the number one of the White House, which can overcome pressures in the order of 27.000 Joule, however in the conformations for ordinary mortals, the Vr7, the crystals hold attacks of Ak 47 or 7,62 Born in addition to a few kilos of TNT placed under the body, while for Vr 13, the glasses, also guarantee against attacks with 50 calibres and more.
"Under attack ", defensive preparation.
Having a weapon turned against is one of the most traumatic scenarios that can happen and the human body, in addition to panic, probably reacts with an abundant rush of adrenaline. Being familiar with this feeling basically means having a good deal of cold blood and above all a preventive preparation behind, like the military.
It is to be understood, however, to whom an armored vehicle is addressed.
A rich professional, a politician or the military. In South America, television advertisements often advertise protected vehicles for that band of well-heeled customers who may not want to be reached at the traffic lights and robbed by unwary criminals who, as we know, possess firearms without too much difficulty.
We could argue that the range of vehicles with a medium armor could be better confused in the traffic of some metropolises, while for people much more at risk, the winning combination is the association between armored cars and a stock system with one or more vehicles and of movement plans.
Achilles' heel of these super machines, in fact, it could lie in a wrong estimate during the movements.
An armored vehicle can not withstand too many minutes of continuous attacks that would deform the bodywork, stunning the personnel or making it impossible to view through the targeted windows (even if it has additional navigation systems).
Hence the driver and his assistant must have a constant synergy and preparation of evasive and defensive driving. Road vehicle training - vehicle security - must respond to specific positions and trajectories with respect to the VIP car, but also knowing what to observe and the division of tasks can make the difference during a fire attack.
This means that for moving a average vip they need about five to eight operators divided into three protected cars including the VIP car, and the vehicle closing the parade has a fundamental role in the event of blocking and attack on the first.
In Italy, escort and protection, fortunately, are reserved for law enforcement but there are driving courses and behavior in the event of threats to private drivers who purchase these vehicles. Authoritative police officers perform the courses, but it should be stressed that on public roads the State must guarantee the safety of citizens and not the improvisation of the private sector.
Famous personalities without armored cars. Our pope Bergoglio rather than some politicians, following their personal ethics, have chosen not to want protection heavyHowever, as in the case of President Kennedy killed while traveling on an open car, or General Dalla Chiesa, who used a normal car, this device could have changed their atrocious destiny.
Traveling with an abundant and visible escort could simply be a manifestation of leadership or even an ostentation of force rather than the need to protect yourself from a possible risk. Moreover, it does not always work that way, generally the discretion in the field of protection obtains much better results: in the series "fewer people know that I get ... better!".
(photo: web)
