The Critical Role of Certified Bullet-Resistant Glass in Armoured Vehicles
Seeing Through Safety:
The Critical Role of Certified Bullet-Resistant Glass in Armoured Vehicles
In the world of ballistic protection, visibility cannot come at the expense of survivability. Bullet-resistant glass— more precisely termed transparent armour— is one of the most technically complex and strategically vital components in any security-enhanced vehicle. Yet, it’ s also one of the least understood.
Unlike standard safety glass, ballistic glass is a multi-layered composite designed to absorb, deflect, and ultimately stop incoming fire— while maintaining optical clarity and structural integrity. The build typically includes hardened glass, polycarbonate, and specialised interlayer films, laminated under exacting heat and pressure conditions to create a single, high-performance panel. When it comes to B4 and B6-certified vehicles, the performance of this transparent armour is non-negotiable. It is the difference between containment and catastrophe.
From Composition to Combat Readiness
The manufacturing process begins with optically refined, distortion-free float glass. This is paired with alternating layers of polycarbonate or similar thermoplastics, selected for their ability to absorb kinetic energy. Bonding layers— such as polyurethane or PVB( polyvinyl butyral)— are used to laminate the structure. The final panel is autoclaved under pressure to remove imperfections and seal all air pockets that could compromise performance under impact.
engineered to withstand 7.62x51mm NATO rounds from assault rifles. Thickness can reach up to 43mm, with additional anti-spall layers to prevent dangerous fragmentation within the cabin. Because of their density and weight, B6 windows require specialised mounting systems and mechanical upgrades to preserve usability and balance.
Certification and Compliance: What the Standards Demand
In South Africa and across much of the continent, the European standard EN 1063 governs bullet-resistant glass classification:
• BR4 certification( equivalent to B4) is tested with. 44 Magnum SJHP rounds( 432 m / s).
• BR6( equivalent to B6) is tested using 7.62x51mm FMJ lead-core NATO rounds( 830 m / s).
Certification requires that three shots be fired into a tight grouping. To pass, there can be no penetration— not of the projectile nor any associated fragments. The standard is unforgiving, as it should be.
Function, Fitment, and Field Integrity
Ballistic glass is far more than a thick pane wedged into a frame. It must be perfectly matched to the vehicle’ s door and frame architecture, often with privacy tinting or curved shaping to maintain OEM fit. Edge bonding, waterproofing, and integration with powered window regulators( where possible) all factor into its effectiveness.
At ArmourIT Africa, every glass installation is sourced from certified manufacturers who meet or exceed EN 1063 and NIJ protocols. We install each unit to preserve cabin functionality while ensuring zero compromise on field-readiness.
Because when the threat comes face to face, your last line of defence might just be what you’ re looking through.
Glass rated for B4-level protection, designed to stop threats from handguns up to a. 44 Magnum, typically ranges from 21mm to 24mm in thickness. These builds are commonly selected for discreet civilian and executive use, where weight efficiency and OEM aesthetics are critical. At the B6 level, the stakes are higher. These panels are
A MEMBER OF STALLION INTEGRATED
Hendrik Combrinck + 27( 0) 82 499 5869 Egoli East 10 South Boulevard, Burma, 2198 www. armouritafrica. co. za
“ An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”- Benjamin Franklin
AUGUST 2025 27 WORDS IN ACTION