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A-KIP® lightweight anti-kidnapping protection
The performance SUV with discreet A-KIP® lightweight armoring, built by TRASCO in Bremen, Germany: protection of the critical areas against handguns or the AK-47, while the original chassis and character stay as they are.
A-KIP® Level 4 and 6 · Ballistic materials certified according to VPAM-PM 2007, in the protected areas · LHD & RHD
A-KIP® is a partial, lightweight armoring concept: it protects the potentially endangered areas of the passenger compartment against typical criminal attacks. The front and rear doors are armored with ballistic steel and composite materials, and the windshield and door glasses are replaced by bullet-resistant laminated glass from European manufacturers.
A ballistic partition wall with a flat ballistic window behind the rear seats protects the passengers towards the cargo area. A self-sealing fuel tank and ECU protection are part of the concept; engine bay fire suppression, underbody hand grenade blast protection and special run-flat tires are available as options.
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The program
The armored SUV based on the Mercedes-Benz GLE is available in two A-KIP® levels. Both are lightweight, partial armoring concepts for typical criminal attack scenarios; for higher threat levels TRASCO recommends fully armored vehicles in VPAM VR7 or VR9.
Handgun Class
Protection against handguns up to .44 Magnum. Bullet-resistant glass of approx. 22 mm in the windshield and all four door windows, ballistic materials in the front and rear doors, and a partition wall with a ballistic window behind the rear seats.
Kalaschnikow Class
Protection against the 7.62×39 mm round of the AK-47. Bullet-resistant glass of approx. 33 mm; in addition to doors and partition wall, carefully selected parts of the roof and the floor in the footwell area are protected.
The A-KIP® conceptCertification
All transparent and opaque armor components are tested and certified by a German government-approved VPAM test laboratory according to VPAM-PM 2007. In the protected areas, level 4 withstands handguns up to .44 Magnum and level 6 the 7.62×39 mm PS Ball round of the AK-47.
EU approval is available (via TÜV), registration worldwide is simplified, and the vehicle is built as left-hand or right-hand drive. The complete threat table below documents every weapon, caliber and test condition.
Ballistic protection
The armoring is tested against defined threat levels. The exact weapons, calibers and test parameters are listed below.
| Threat | Test level according to VPAM-APR 2006 | Classification by PM 2007 (PM) BRV 2009 (VR) | STANAG 4569 AEP-55 (level) | Comparable to* DIN EN 1063 (BR), DIN EN 1522/23 (FB), BRV 1999 (VR) | Type of Weapon | Caliber | Type of bullet | Test condition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standoff (m) | Standard Hit Spacing | ||||||||
 | 4 | PM 4 | BR 4 FB 4 | 357 S/ | .357 Magnum | FJ(1)/ | 5 ± 0.5 | 3 shots on the vertices of a triangle @ 120 ± 10 mm | |
 | 44 S/ | .44 Magnum | FJ(2)/ | ||||||
 | 6 | PM 6 | (B4+ not classified) | PS Ball (AK-47) | 7.62 × 39 mm | FMJ/ | 10 ± 0.5 | 3 shots on the vertices of a triangle @ 120 ± 10 mm | |
PM 4 357 S/W · .357 Magnum PM 4 44 S/W · .44 Magnum PM 6 PS Ball (AK-47) · 7.62 × 39 mm TRASCO Engineering
A-KIP® is engineered to stay light: special ballistic composite materials keep the gross vehicle weight rating of the base vehicle unchanged, so suspension, brakes and electrical systems do not need to be modified.
Because the gross vehicle weight rating stays unchanged, the performance SUV keeps its original suspension, brakes and driving dynamics.
Bullet-resistant laminated glass of approx. 22 mm (level 4) or 33 mm (level 6) is integrated into the doors, with armored frames finished in the original design.
A ballistic bulkhead with a flat ballistic window behind the rear seats protects the passengers towards the cargo area and keeps the view to the rear.
Front and rear doors are armored with ballistic steel and composite materials, integrated behind the original door trim.
Interior components are adapted to the armoring with in-house developed and manufactured trim parts, so comfort and ergonomics stay at factory level.
The rear bench keeps its comfort and function; the armoring sits inside the doors and behind the seat backs.
Options
Further equipment is available on request. Every vehicle is configured individually with our engineering team.
Gallery
Missions
The A-KIP® concept addresses typical criminal attack scenarios such as kidnapping, robbery and road rage, from handguns (level 4) up to the AK-47 (level 6) in the protected areas.
Everyday protection in a performance SUV that keeps its original chassis, appearance and factory comfort.
Available as left-hand and right-hand drive, with EU-wide TÜV approval and simplified worldwide registration.
FAQ
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A-KIP® is TRASCO’s lightweight ballistic anti-kidnapping concept: certified ballistic glass, ballistic steel and composites protect the potentially endangered areas of the passenger compartment, while the vehicle keeps its driving character and appearance. It complements fully armored vehicles rather than replacing them.
The A-KIP® concept →In both levels: the windshield, the front and rear door windows, the front and rear doors and a partition wall with a ballistic window behind the rear seats. Level 6 additionally protects carefully selected parts of the roof and the floor in the footwell area. As a partial concept, A-KIP® concentrates on these areas; for complete protection of the passenger cell, TRASCO recommends fully armored vehicles.
Level 4 (“Handgun Class”, materials to VPAM-PM 4) covers handguns up to .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum, with glass of approx. 22 mm. Level 6 (“Kalaschnikow Class”, materials to VPAM-PM 6) covers the 7.62×39 mm PS Ball round of the AK-47, with glass of approx. 33 mm and additional protected areas in roof and footwell.
Yes. All transparent and opaque armor components are tested and certified by a German government-approved VPAM test laboratory according to VPAM-PM 2007.
No. The lightweight concept keeps the gross vehicle weight rating of the base vehicle unchanged, so suspension, brakes and electrical systems remain original.
Yes. The armored SUV based on the Mercedes-Benz GLE is available as both LHD and RHD.
Yes. EU approval is available via TÜV, and registration in other markets worldwide is simplified.
Yes. TRASCO also armors base vehicles supplied by the customer. Several options and equipment variants are available on request.
The conversion is engineered and built in-house at TRASCO in Bremen, Germany. Service is available in four levels: in your own workshop, at trained local service partners, by the mobile TRASCO Flying Doctor team, or at the Bremen plant, supported by 24/7 hotlines and genuine spare parts including ballistic glass.
Service & spare parts →
Inquiry
Our team advises governments, organizations and private clients worldwide, from protection level to delivery.
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