Armoured Vehicles - A better way for fuel tank protection on a civilian armoured vehicle

Armoured Vehicles - A better way for fuel tank protection on a civilian armoured vehicle

What do you think is global demand for buggy whips in 2024? You know, those whips that horse and buggy drivers used around the turn of the turn of the 19th or 20th centuries?

Well, a simple Google search reveals that demand for buggy whips is not all that much. After all, there are not all that many buggies around, right? To be sure, this product went the way of most products that did not keep up with technological innovation.

I’ve been involved with civilian armoured vehicle for more than 20 years, and for much of that time, the common approach has been to protect a vehicle’s fuel tank by surrounding it with armoured steel.

Great idea, right? After all, if the rest of the vehicle is protected with this steel then why not the fuel tank? Makes perfect sense.

Historically, there have been two main ways to build in protection for the under vehicle fuel tanks on armoured vehicles. 

The first is for the uparmouring company to weld armoured steel to the underside of the vehicle in such a way that it surrounds the fuel tank system. The fuel tank is then protected from projectiles that could either be kicked up from underneath the vehicle or enter from the side.

While this has been the traditional and most commonly used method of fuel tank protection, it is important to consider whether this is the best way to do so

PRO: 

A solid metal surround that provides good protection.

CON:

• Significant additional weight and cost of the armoured steel;

• Potential for a build-up of heat between the fuel tank and the armoured steel surround;

• Potential for fuel supply problems due to excess heat around the fuel tank;

• Has an effect on the vehicle’s mobility - particularly as it adds weight to one side of the vehicle;

• Will be get more and more rusted over time - both on the inner and outer sides;

• Significant difficulties in removing fuel tank if required to do so for servicing or replacement.

The second way is to coat the fuel tank itself with a self-seal protective coating. With this readily available commercial application, a projectile would not be stopped from piercing the fuel tank. However, it will allow it to pass through and then self-seal the fuel tank so that the tank does not rupture and cause a significant leak. Nor should it pose any materially increased risk of the fuel (particularly petrol) exploding - this is usually done by inserting baffles in the fuel tank. While it will marginally reduce the total volume capacity of the tank, it is generally not seen as a major negative consideration.

PRO:

• Significantly reduced weight as compared to an armoured steel fuel tank surround;

• Easily removable for servicing or replacement;

• Minimal effect on vehicle mobility characteristics;

• Minimal increase in the risk of fuel volatility;

• No additional heat stress to the tank or fuel itself;

• Widely used by major fleet owners - both military and civilian.

CON:

Higher (but not significantly) price for initial installation;

Does not prevent projectile penetration but being self-sealing it will minimise fuel loss.

Conclusion

In the end, a user needs to weight the risk of a project penetrating a fuel tank and causing an explosion or critical fuel loss against the benefits of lower weight and through life costs associated with the armoured steel option.

As the buggy whip was useful for the forward momentum of a vehicle, I would suggest that the armoured steel surround is not the most effective and efficient method of protecting a fuel tank on a civilian armoured vehicle.

Armoured Vehicles - VPAM ERV Edition 3: Blast Protection Standards and the Challenge of Transparency

Armoured Vehicles - VPAM ERV Edition 3: Blast Protection Standards and the Challenge of Transparency

Independent certification of blast protection for civilian armoured vehicles is crucial for ensuring procurement best practices.

Despite this, some procurement agencies still rely solely on uparmourer claims of "B6 materials" for assessing protection levels. Armoured Consulting, however, believes this approach is misguided and irresponsible.

Procurement agencies have a legal duty to minimise risks to vehicle occupants. Investing in civilian armoured vehicles without independent verification of armour design is, in our view, negligent and exposes agencies to potential legal liabilities if protection fails to meet the “reasonable man test”.

The VPAM ERV Edition 3 standard introduces a 3-star rating system to communicate the level of a vehicle’s blast protection. The aim is to effectively communicate occupant safety against specific explosive threats to the side, roof and under a vehicle.

However, significant concerns arise due to the lack of transparency in how this rating is determined. This is affecting all the major stakeholders including uparmourers, procurement agencies and end-users.

Understanding VPAM ERV Edition 3 and its Blast Protection Standard

VPAM ERV Edition 3 establishes specific protocols to test and evaluate civilian armoured vehicles against explosive threats, including side, roof and under-vehicle blast events. Developed by VPAM, this standard provides repeatable testing methodologies to assess vehicle performance under specific blast conditions.

A significant feature of the VPAM ERV Edition 3 is its new evaluation criteria, including the use of a Biofidelic dummy and an assessment matrix based on DGU emergency room criteria.

Challenges in Transparency of Blast Test Results and Ratings

Procurement agencies face challenges accessing detailed information on the evaluation matrix, including criteria, weighting factors, and performance thresholds used in blast tests. This lack of transparency impedes decision-making, making it difficult to compare and interpret blast test results from different uparmourers bidding on supply contracts.

Typically, procurement agencies receive a star rating certificate and a possibly also a limited test report, There is a lack of crucial data to effectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of protection solutions. For instance, interpreting differences between a 3-star side blast rating at 4 meters versus a 2-star rating at 3 meters becomes challenging without clarity on what "Dummy Slightly Damaged" entails for risk assessment and mitigation strategies.

As someone who spent many years responsible for the procurement of civilian armoured vehicles, I find this lack of transparency to be unacceptable and a failure of the VPAM/testing agency’s professional responsibility.

Conclusion

The lack of transparency surrounding evaluation matrices and test data undermines the credibility of standards like VPAM ERV Edition 3 - it erodes trust in their validity.

Enhanced transparency in evaluation matrices and test data, particularly regarding "Damage to the Dummy," can foster consistency, objectivity, and trust in evaluating armoured vehicles. This transparency is crucial for developing more reliable security solutions in the face of evolving threats.

Armoured Vehicles - Why Ballistics Knowledge Matters for Civilian Armoured Vehicle Users

Armoured Vehicles - Why Ballistics Knowledge Matters for Civilian Armoured Vehicle Users

Armoured Vehicle Awareness Training: Introduction to Ballistics for Civilian Armoured Vehicles

Civilian armoured vehicles offer a sense of security in a world with unpredictable threats. But just like any security system, understanding how it works is crucial for getting the most out of it. This is why the understanding of ballistics, the science of projectiles in motion, is vital for civilian armoured vehicle users.

Think of your armoured vehicle as a shield. Its effectiveness is a function of a number of issues including on the type of ballistic attack it's designed to withstand. Ballistics knowledge also empowers you to understand the different levels of ballistic protection offered by your vehicle. These levels are typically denoted by civilian armoured vehicle standards like the BRV 2009. Knowing the specific rating of your vehicle tells you the calibre and type of ammunition your vehicle is designed to protect against.

Importantly, ballistics goes beyond just bullets. Understanding how projectiles behave upon impact (terminal ballistics) allows you to appreciate the design characteristics of your vehicle as well as the protection afforded to vehicle passengers and critical components This knowledge empowers you to assess your vehicle's suitability for different threat scenarios.

Furthermore, ballistics encompasses the properties of the projectiles themselves. Knowing about different ammunition types, like armour-piercing rounds, helps you understand potential limitations of your vehicle’s armour suite. This awareness allows you to make informed decisions about navigating high-risk situations.

Equipping yourself with basic ballistics knowledge isn't just about understanding your vehicle's capabilities; it's about understanding its limitations. This empowers you to make informed decisions about your safety. By knowing the design limitations of your armoured vehicle, you can take necessary precautions and avoid a false sense of security.

To learn more about this critical topic, click on the graphic above and enrol in Armoured Consulting’s exclusive Armoured Vehicle Awareness Training Program course AVC-C2: Introduction to Ballistics for Civilian Armoured Vehicles 

Or visit our online learning platform https://courses.armouredconsulting.com/