The term "bulletproof level" is closely associated with armored vehicles and refers to the specific degree of protection a vehicle offers against various threats, such as bullets and explosives. These levels are standards established by government agencies, relating to the thickness of steel plating and bulletproof glass, as well as the ability to protect against different types of ammunition. Here are the most common standards in the US and Europe.
 |
VinFast Lac Hong 900 LX armored version at the "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" Exhibition at the National Exhibition Center, Dong Anh, Hanoi on 28/8. Photo: Luong Dung |
VinFast Lac Hong 900 LX armored version at the "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" Exhibition at the National Exhibition Center, Dong Anh, Hanoi on 28/8. Photo: Luong Dung
NIJ (US)
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is the research, development, and evaluation agency of the US Department of Justice (DOJ). The NIJ focuses on advancing knowledge and understanding of crime and justice issues through science.
The NIJ sets standards for various protective and communication equipment used by law enforcement agencies, including armor plating for vehicles and personal protective gear. Here are the protection levels of bulletproof equipment according to NIJ standards:
| Level | Protective Capability |
| HG1 | Protection against 9 mm Luger FMJ/RN and .357 Mag JSP. No protection against rifles. |
| HG2 | Protection against 9 mm Luger FMJ/RN and .44 Magnum JHP. No protection against rifles. |
| RF1 | Protection against 7.62x51 mm M80 Ball NATO, 5.56 mm M193 and 7.62x39 mm MSC Ball. Highest protection capability only for handguns. |
| RF2 | Protection against 7.62x51 mm M80 Ball and 7.62x39mm MSC Ball. Protection against 5.56 mm M193 and M855. Some level III armor plates have ceramic/metal faceplates. |
| RF3 | The highest armor level can withstand 30.06 M2 AP rounds. |
CEN (European Committee for Standardization)
EN 1063, also known as CEN 1063, is a security glazing standard developed by the European Committee for Standardization to assess the bullet resistance of glass. The resistance of the glazing is evaluated based on the type of ammunition, velocity, or threat level it can withstand.
There are 7 levels - BR1-BR7 (or B1-B7), each corresponding to a different handgun. The testing process involves firing three shots in a 120 mm triangle.
| Level | Protective Capability |
| FB/BR4 | Stops handguns like the 9mm Luger, .357 Magnum and .44 Remington Magnum. |
| FB/BR4+ | Used for armored vehicles and against AK-type rifles, falls between levels B4 and B5 but is not an official EN standard. |
| FB/BR5 | For armored vehicles and protection against AR-type rifles. |
| FB/BR6 | Commonly used by law enforcement agencies, protection against battle rifles. |
| FB/BR7 | This highest level of protection is also used by law enforcement agencies, capable of stopping armor-piercing machine gun fire. |
VPAM (German and widely applied in Europe)
VR8 bulletproof test with the Mercedes G-class. Video: Rida
The VPAM armor standard provides BRV (Ballistic Resistant Vehicle) and ERV (Explosion Resistant Vehicle) testing in a much more thorough and stringent testing cycle than NIJ or CEN. VPAM provides VR levels on a scale of 1-14.
| Level | Protective Capability |
| VPAM BRV VR1 | Protection against .22 rifles. |
| VPAM BRV VR2 | Protection against 9 mm Luger handguns. |
| VPAM BRV VR3 | Can withstand 9 mm Luger submachine guns. |
| VPAM BRV VR4 | Protection against .357 Magnum and .44 Rem rifles, Magnum revolvers. |
| VPAM BRV VR5 | Can withstand .357 Magnum rounds. |
| VPAM BRV VR6 | Protection against 7.62x39 rifles. |
| VPAM BRV VR7 | Minimum steel thickness required is 7.5 mm. Protection against .223 Rem and .308 Win rifles. |
| VPAM BRV VR8 | Minimum steel thickness is 12.5 mm. Protection against 7.62x39 caliber weapons. |
| VPAM BRV VR9 | Minimum steel thickness is 14.5 mm. Protection against 7.62x51 caliber .308 Win rounds. |
| VPAM BRV VR10 | Minimum steel thickness is 18 mm. Protection against 7.62x54 R caliber weapons. |
The Lac Hong 900 LX armored version was recently introduced by VinFast at the "80 Years of Independence - Freedom - Happiness" Exhibition at the National Exhibition Center, Dong Anh, Hanoi on 28/8. The vehicle is equipped with the VPAM VR7 armor package.
VR9 bulletproof test with the Toyota Land Cruiser 300. Video: Carl Friederichs
My Anh (according to Alpine Armoring)
