Level 5 (NIJ III+ / VPAM 6)
Assault rifle protection including AK-47 and 5.56mm NATO
Protection Level Overview
Level 5 is our most popular protection level, providing comprehensive defense against military-grade assault rifles including the globally prevalent AK-47. This level is the international standard for serious executive protection.
Level 5 armoring represents the most commonly specified protection level for high-risk executive protection, government applications, and serious security operations worldwide. This level defeats the AK-47—the world's most produced and widely distributed assault rifle—as well as NATO 5.56mm rounds fired from M16/AR-15 platforms.
The engineering at Level 5 represents a significant advancement in complexity. Steel panels increase to 5-6mm thickness using specialized armor-grade alloys with hardness ratings exceeding 550 Brinell. These panels are precisely formed to follow vehicle contours while maintaining continuous coverage.
Level 5 ballistic glass is a sophisticated multi-layer composite measuring 40-50mm thick. The construction typically includes multiple glass layers, polycarbonate cores, spall-catch layers, and anti-spall coatings. Despite its thickness, the glass maintains excellent optical clarity and can accommodate power window mechanisms in most applications with specialized motors.
A critical component at Level 5 is comprehensive overlap protection. Every seam, joint, and transition point is engineered with overlapping steel panels to eliminate any vulnerability to directed rifle fire. Door frames, pillar-to-roof transitions, and window frames all receive specialized hardened steel inserts.
Floor protection advances to a full steel plate system with blast-mitigation properties. This protects against grenade attacks and IED fragments in addition to ballistic threats. The fuel tank receives a fully armored enclosure with self-sealing bladder technology.
Weight addition at Level 5 (400-600 kg) necessitates comprehensive mechanical upgrades. All vehicles receive heavy-duty coil springs or air suspension conversion, upgraded shock absorbers, reinforced control arms, larger brake rotors, performance brake pads, and often upgraded wheel bearings. These upgrades ensure the vehicle maintains factory-like handling despite the additional weight.
Protected Against
Real-World Applications
Materials & Technology
Testing & Certification
Level 5 armoring undergoes comprehensive testing protocols including NIJ 0108.01 Level III+ and VPAM BRV 2009 VR6 certification. All panels are tested with multiple AK-47 rounds at close range. Glass components receive multi-hit testing with both 7.62x39mm and 5.56mm ammunition. Complete vehicles may be subjected to full ballistic testing upon client request.
How It Compares
Level 5 is the minimum recommended for regions where assault rifles are present. It provides excellent multi-hit protection against standard military ammunition. For threats involving armor-piercing rifle rounds or sniper rifles, Level 6 is recommended.
Specifications
| Weight Added | 400-600 kg |
| Glass Thickness | 40-50mm |
| Steel Thickness | 5-6mm |
| Floor Protection | Steel plate with blast mitigation |
| Turnaround Time | 12-16 weeks |
| Price Range | $70,000 - $100,000+ |
Ideal For
Government officials and diplomats, corporate CEOs and board members, high-net-worth families, politicians and candidates, executives operating in Latin America, Africa, or Middle East, celebrities and entertainment figures, anyone facing credible rifle threats, embassy and consulate vehicles.
Interested in Level 5?
Our experts can help you determine if this protection level is right for your needs.