PROTECTION LEVELS
Ballistics Protection Levels
There is a lot of confusion surrounding ballistic levels, as various agencies from differing countries have established their own standards, and often for differing ballistic material ( i.e. ballistic vests, ballistic glass, steel etc) In order to simplify these standards and make the understanding thereof a little easier, we use the European EN 1063 Ballistic standard. We have simplified this further by grouping all calibre’s that pass a certain ballistic level together, e.g. BR4 Covers all handgun calibre’s up to and including .44 magnum, BR6 Covers all commonly encountered rifle calibre’s up to 7.62x51mm. We have analysed the attacks on our and other civilian armoured and non armoured vehicles, and have a good understanding of the potential threat levels and what armour level is needed to defeat these threats.
OVERVIEW OF CALIBRE’S PAIRED WITH THE WEAPONS THAT FIRE THEM:
Level BR4 covers all the handgun calibre’s likely to be encountered in general crime and hijacking scenarios. Handguns are commonly used due to the ease with which they can be concealed. Take a look at the video which clearly illustrates this.
Level BR6 covers the most commonly used military calibre’s. These are used in rifles like the AK 47 (7.62X39mm). R4,R5, AR15,M4 (5.56X45mm). R1,FN,G3, HK91(7.62x51mm). Level BR7 is required to stop armour piercing ammunition fired by the above mentioned BR6 rifles. It is generally only required for military or ultra high risk applications.
Recent prevalence of steel core ammunition in Southern Africa.
Traditionally bullets were composed of a lead core, with a copper jacket. Lead deforms easily and is easy to defeat in ballistic armour terms. Due to a change in manufacturing processes, this is now being phased out and replaced by a mild steel core with a copper jacket. Most of the 7.62x39mm ( AK 47) ammunition now found in Southern Africa is Chinese or Russian steel core. Steel core bullets retain their shape and integrity far better than lead core, resulting in deeper penetration of armour. Our level B6 armour is able to comfortably defeat these steel core rounds.
FJ – Full Metal Jacket
RN – ROUND NOSE
CB – CONE BULLET
PB – POINTED BULLET
SC – SOFT CORE (LEAD)
BULLET TYPE |
MASS |
VELOCITY |
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| Level BR4 | ||
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| Level BR6 | ||
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| Level BR7 | ||
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BULLET TYPE
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| Level BR4 |
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| Level BR6 |
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| Level BR7 |
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