Ballistic testing and full vehicle certification
Our test methods follow the German standards – and the simulation of realistic threats.
Tested threats
What our vehicles are tested against
Firearms
- Handguns, different calibers up to .44 Magnum
- Assault rifles, different calibers and ammunition – e.g. AK-47, AK-74, M193, SS109, M80
- Assault and sniper rifles with AP ammunition – e.g. 7.62×39 BZ-API and 7.62×51 P80
Ground explosives (under floor)
- Hand grenades type DM51 and M67
- AP mines (cloned DM31)
- AT mines according to international test standards
KE / fragment threats
- Tested according to international test standards with fragment simulating projectiles (FSP) up to Ø 20 mm
Side explosives
- AP mines like type DM31 – working as a “jumping mine”, exploding at 1 m height close to the target
- IEDs (improvised explosive devices) up to 5 kg
- Blast bombs with 15 kg of explosives and more
Independent institutes
Certified by the state – not by ourselves
Selected TRASCO vehicles are certified at independent German institutes: the official proof house Beschussamt Mellrichstadt – a state authority with decades of experience in ballistic and blast testing – and accredited test centers such as IABG for STANAG blast programs.
Crucially, the test institute performs its own weak-spot analysis and deliberately fires at joints, pillars, locks and glass edges – the manufacturer cannot choose where the hits land. That is what makes a VPAM full vehicle certificate meaningful.
Latest program
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 – VR7
The Land Cruiser 300 is available as a fully certified, fully armored vehicle according to VPAM-BRV level VR7 and the VPAM-ERV explosion standard – tested against the DM31 mine, HG85 and DM51 hand grenades and a 15 kg side blast.
The certified Land Cruiser 300Experience full vehicle testing
Two decades of certified complete vehicles
Different standards, different threats, different levels, different test institutes – qualification and certification tests by independent laboratories:
- 2000 VW T4 – direct fire, VR4 (formerly B4)
- 2000 Nissan Patrol Peacekeeper – direct fire, hand grenades, level B6 / VR6
- 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser (sidewall) – direct fire, IED & “compound”, level STANAG 2
- 2005 Chevrolet Suburban – direct fire incl. roof at 30°, level B7 / VR7 (BRV 1999)
- 2007 Nissan Peacekeeper Facelift – direct fire, level B6 / VR6
- 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser 200 – direct fire, hand grenades, level B6 / VR6
- 2017 Genesis EQ900L – direct fire, hand grenades, side blast, high armoring level
- 2018 Yutong T7 – direct fire, hand grenades, side blast, high armoring level
- 2018 Volvo XC90 – direct fire, hand grenades, side blast, high armoring level
- 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 – direct fire, hand grenades, mine and side blast, level VR7
In addition to complete-vehicle tests, independent institutes verify armor designs: in 2022, QinetiQ (UK) independently verified the armor design of the armored sedan based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (V223) to VPAM-BRV 2009 VR6.
Before you decide
Five questions to ask any armoring company
Protection claims are easy to make. These five questions show whether they are backed by independent evidence, and how TRASCO answers them.
- 1
Who carried out the test?
A state-approved, independent test institute such as the Beschussamt Mellrichstadt or an accredited test center, never the manufacturer itself.
- 2
Are the materials certified, and is the complete vehicle certified too?
Certified ballistic materials are the basis. Selected TRASCO vehicles, such as the Land Cruiser 300 VR7, are additionally certified as complete vehicles.
- 3
Which standard and which level, exactly?
A level only means something with its standard: for example VPAM-BRV 2009 VR7 for direct fire and VPAM-ERV for explosions, not an unspecified “B6 equivalent”.
- 4
Who chose where the hits landed?
In a full vehicle test, the institute performs its own weak-spot analysis and fires at joints, pillars, locks and glass edges.
- 5
Can I see the test reports?
Yes. TRASCO shows the certificates and test reports in a personal meeting.