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All News

## Alpine Armoring proves the resilience of its bulletproof Tesla Model S against high-caliber gunfire.

Alpine Armoring Inc., as the leader in custom armored vehicles, brought our armored Tesla Model S to local testing grounds. We successfully conducted live-fire testing of the vehicle, demonstrating the effectiveness and reliability of our advanced ballistic protection. Conducted under strict safety conditions, the rigorous test demonstrates our bulletproof Tesla's protection with different firearms while maintaining the vehicle's integrity and functionality in extreme situations.

Our simulated real-world shooting, documented in [this video](https://youtu.be/z3AVmwx-v-k), features high-powered rifles and handguns, including 9mm and .44 Magnum bullets, fired at different angles and distances directly at the Tesla’s reinforced body. Despite the high-caliber gunfire, the Tesla Model S's ballistic protection held strong, preventing penetration and reinforcing Alpine Armoring’s reputation for providing world-class armored solutions. Built to our A9 (CEN B6+) armoring level, our armored Tesla Model S also protects against high-powered rifle rounds including 7.62 x 39, 7.62 x 39, and 5.56 x 45.

Fred Khoroushi, CEO of Alpine Armoring says, "If you think protecting your everyday car against AR-15 and high-power rifles is not for you, check out the marvel of engineering that Alpine Armoring proudly achieved with one of our own personally driven Tesla Model S vehicles. Neither the OEM look nor its amazing performance was compromised."

The test not only demonstrated the strength of our armor but also the Model S’s ability to maintain the functionality of critical systems under extreme conditions, ensuring the Tesla remains eco-friendly, efficient, and virtually silent in operation. Our armored Tesla Model S is tailored for clients ranging from government officials and VIPs to celebrities and high-profile individuals seeking top-tier safety while maintaining elegance and comfort.

The documented live-fire test stands as a testament to our ongoing commitment to innovation and quality in the armored vehicle industry. This [follow-up video](https://youtu.be/Jco7LJ6XNKc) shows additional testing of Alpine Armoring's armored Tesla Model S.

Read the[ Press Release.](https://www.einpresswire.com/article/749783145/alpine-armoring-s-armored-tesla-model-s-withstands-live-fire-ballistic-testing)

A group of men in tactical gear and headphones gather around a parked car in an outdoor setting.

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Alpine Armoring’s Armored Tesla Model S Withstands Live-Fire Ballistic Testing

## Alpine Armoring is proud to announce its latest masterpiece: the armored Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Known for setting the standard in luxury and sophistication, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan now benefits from Alpine Armoring’s cutting-edge ballistic protection, creating an unmatched blend of elegance and security. With Alpine’s A9/B6+ level armoring, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is fortified to withstand high-powered firearms and explosive threats. Designed for high-net-worth individuals, diplomats, and heads of state, the armored Cullinan provides 360-degree protection while maintaining Rolls-Royce’s iconic design, performance, and attention to detail.

### Luxury Without Compromise

The armored Rolls-Royce Cullinan retains every aspect of its luxurious essence, from its hand-stitched leather interior to its signature aesthetic appeal. Alpine Armoring seamlessly integrates advanced ballistic materials, including reinforced steel and multi-layered bullet-resistant glass, into the body of the vehicle. This ensures the occupants are fully protected without sacrificing the opulence and craftsmanship for which Rolls-Royce is renowned.

"The custom-armored Cullinan is the pinnacle of ultra luxury and unmatched safety that is now offered by Alpine Armoring to a few select VIP clients," said Fred Khoroushi, CEO of Alpine Armoring. "This highly skilled process entails a sophisticated level of design & engineering combined with metciluous and painstaking processes to achieve near perfection at the end. In armor-manufacturing this exotic SUV, we apply the latest technolgy in both opaque and transparent ballistic material. It all speaks volume about Alpine Armoring' stature in the luxury vehicle armoring industry that discerning people of unique taste and high expectation of quality expect and deserve."

### Unmatched Protection

Alpine Armoring’s armored Rolls-Royce Cullinan offers comprehensive protection against ballistic and explosive threats. The vehicle’s body is reinforced with lightweight ballistic steel, while its bullet-resistant glass is designed to prevent spalling, ensuring that no glass shrapnel enters the cabin during an attack. The protection extends to critical areas such as the doors, roof, and undercarriage, providing 360-degree security for the vehicle's occupants.

The integration of these materials does not disrupt the Cullinan’s luxurious design; rather, it enhances the vehicle’s capability to offer a safe and secure environment while maintaining the refined elegance that defines Rolls-Royce.

### Performance Meets Safety

Despite the added weight from the armoring, the armored Rolls-Royce Cullinan continues to deliver superior performance. Alpine Armoring has upgraded the vehicle’s suspension and braking systems to accommodate the additional weight, ensuring the Cullinan handles with precision and ease. The vehicle’s powerful V12 engine provides ample acceleration, allowing drivers to escape potential threats quickly and confidently.

In addition to its ballistic protection, the armored Cullinan is equipped with advanced security features, including run-flat tires, GPS tracking, and reinforced battery compartments. These enhancements ensure that the vehicle remains fully functional and reliable, even in the most extreme situations.

### A Custom Experience

Alpine Armoring offers complete customization for the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, allowing clients to tailor the vehicle to their personal preferences and security needs. Whether it’s custom interior finishes, advanced communication systems, or additional security features, Alpine ensures that each armored Cullinan meets the highest standards of luxury and protection.

### About Alpine Armoring
Alpine Armoring Inc. is a leading manufacturer of bulletproof vehicles, providing high-quality, customized security solutions for individuals, businesses, and numerous government agencies worldwide. With a focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction, Alpine Armoring has earned a reputation for excellence in the armored vehicle industry.

Read the [Press Release](https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/748116732/alpine-armoring-elevates-luxury-with-the-armored-rolls-royce-cullinan).

Armored Rolls Royce Cullinan in a park setting.

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Alpine Armoring Elevates Luxury with the Armored Rolls-Royce Cullinan

## This Post-Apocalyptic Armored Ford F-350 Super Duty Is Insane
By Jared Solomon | September 19, 2024

Are you looking for the perfect ride to take on the apocalypse? We would recommend a big and reliable pickup truck, and if you can afford an armored truck, that would be ideal. When it comes to civilian armored vehicles, few come close to the sheer might and exclusivity of this one that Doug DeMuro just found.

This incredible armored pickup truck is called the Mastiff. Not to be confused with the British Army's Mastiff based on the U.S. Cougar 6x6, this beastly armored machine from Alpine Armoring is unlike anything else available for civilian use. This one is a post-apocalyptic, .50 cal bulletproof, armor-plated fortress on wheels.

The base vehicle is a Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat, and it's been transformed into the world's first and only commercially offered civilian armored vehicle with ballistic protection against .50 cal rifle rounds, thanks to Alpine’s innovative Level A12 Armor Technology. So if you want top-of-the-line protection for your daily commute, the MASTIFF can be an exclusive weapon of survival, and you had better act quickly because only 21 units will ever be produced.

At the heart of the Mastiff lies a 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Diesel engine pumping out 475 horsepower. Coupled with a 10-speed Torqshift automatic transmission and 4WD, this truck is built to tackle even the harshest terrains with ease. This Mastiff also provides an unparalleled range of over 1,500 miles on a single tank.

The Mastiff’s exterior dimensions are equally impressive as its powerplant. Standing at 81 inches tall, stretching a massive 266 inches long, and weighing in at 11,890 pounds (armored), this truck commands attention. It rides on 20-inch wheels equipped with a run-flat system, ensuring you can keep going even when the tires are compromised.

Unmatched Ballistic Protection With Level A12 Armor
The true strength of the Mastiff lies in its armor. Alpine Armoring’s Level A12 Armor Technology provides unparalleled ballistic protection, designed specifically to defend against .50 caliber rifle rounds—the kind of firepower you’d usually find on a battlefield. This kind of armor isn’t just an afterthought; it’s engineered into every inch of the truck’s frame, making it the most robust protection ever offered on a civilian vehicle.

And while the exterior is designed to survive the worst, the interior cabin is designed for luxury and comfort. The Mastiff’s black leather interior offers a sophisticated contrast to its rugged, white exterior. With only 21 Mastiffs being produced worldwide, this truck is the most exclusive vehicle Alpine Armoring has ever made.

Read the full article on [HotCars.com](https://www.hotcars.com/armored-ford-f-350-super-duty/)


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Alpine Armoring® MASTIFF® Featured On HotCars.com

Every Mercedes-Benz vehicle made is a state-of-the-art automobile known for its undeniable style and seamless power. The AMG option begins with everything you expect from a high-end luxury vehicle and takes it to another level in every way. Unlike a typical sedan, the AMG Mercedes-Benz G63 includes the additional space and all of the practicality offered by an SUV. Add Alpine Armoring’s unparalleled armoring technology with the luxury of an AMG Mercedes-Benz vehicle and you’re ready to go anywhere in complete safety and unparalleled style.

**AMG Performance**
The standard Mercedes-Benz G63 comes equipped with a 4.0L V8 biturbo that creates 416 horsepower. The AMG version of this exceptional engine is 577 horsepower. And with more than 627 lb-ft of torque (compared to the standard engines 450 lb-ft of torque) there is almost no loss of performance from the extensive armoring process. All the glass in this vehicle has been replaced with Alpine Armoring’s certified ballistic glass, and the standard sheet metal of the passenger area has been augmented with certified ballistic steel. Not only does this SUV have the power to get you anywhere, but it can also do so with the added security that no other car can.

For those who are looking for true sports car performance there’s nothing in the world like an AMG. With substantially more engine power, increased stability, track inspired handling and massive brakes, there’s nothing closer to a race car than an AMG Mercedes-Benz. From this starting point Alpine Armoring can confidently add all of the bulletproof steel and glass and know that the AMG G63 will still deliver the kind of high performance experience an AMG customer demands. An armored SUV will always be heavier than a standard SUV, but in the Alpine Armoring AMG G63 it’s almost impossible to feel the difference from the driver’s seat.

**Powerful Protection**
Unlike typical automotive glass, an Alpine Armoring vehicle includes certified, multi-layered ballistic glass. This bulletproof upgrade comes in many levels of protection, but the most popular is Level B6+ (Alpine Level A9) glass because it provides a very high level of protection while keeping the overall weight added to a minimum. In addition to the certified ballistic glass, every Alpine Armoring vehicle includes overlap protection. This extra layer of protection fills the gap between the bulletproof glass and the certified ballistic steel to make sure the passenger compartment maintains the highest level of protection possible. Beneath the engine and extending to the rear of the vehicle is additional armor to protect the passenger area from explosives and keeping the fuel tanks from being vulnerable.

**Amazing Add-Ons**
If the standard AMG model is not quite enough to meet your needs, the Alpine Armoring AMG G63 has several add-on features available. To enhance safety Alpine Armoring can add LED strobe lights and a high intensity siren for customers who need to clear the road ahead. A battery interruption switch can be added to let you long-term store your armored SUV with confidence that the battery will be ready when you are. Special run-flat inserts, exhaust protection and armored engine components ensure your SUV will work even in the most extreme situations. And with custom made window motors installed, you will be able to lower your window to present documents or identification at checkpoints in complete safety.

**Available today – only at Alpine Armoring**
[Alpine’s bulletproof Mercedes-AMG G63](/vehicles-we-armor/armored-mercedes-benz-g-class) is not just a vehicle, it's a symbol of power and luxury on wheels, making it an exceptional selection for anyone who desires a combination of secure transportation and luxury.

A black Mercedes-Benz SUV is parked in the Alpine Armoring showroom. Above it, signs read "No one protects you better" and "Alpine Armoring." The room has a tiled floor and a drop ceiling with fluorescent lights.

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Alpine Armoring's Bulletproof Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG SUV

On January 23, 2024, Cameron Khoroushi, Director of Design & Engineering, announced Alpine Armoring's MASTIFF® Limited Edition by sitting inside the vehicle while being shot at with a .50 cal from a Barrett M107A1 (660g Grain FMJ, 2,905 ft/s muzzle velocity). 

Alpine Armoring releases the latest product out of Alpine's Specialty Vehicle Department. MASTIFF® -  the first and only commercially offered civilian armored vehicle with ballistic protective capability against .50 Cal rifle rounds ever sold in the world using our Level A12 Armor technology. The MASTIFF® has been designed with Post-Apocalyptic usage intention, and features a total range of over 1,500 miles on a single tank. The MASTIFF® is the most exclusive vehicle ever produced by Alpine Armoring since its founding in 1997, with only 21 units being made for the entire world. 

[The MASTIFF® Limited Edition is now available for purchase](https://alpine-armoring-fe-kappa.vercel.app/available-now/armored-mastiff-.50-cal-3223)

A man sits in the driver's seat of an Alpine Armoring MASTIFF with a severely cracked windshield. He is wearing a black shirt with a yellow collar. The windshield has a large impact mark on the driver's side. The logo in the image says "Alpine Armoring.

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Introducing MASTIFF® - Here's What It's Like to Get Shot at With a .50 Cal

## What does it take to be an armored truck guard?
By Megan Cerullo, June 19, 2023

"Their purpose is to be high-profile to signal that they're protected," Fred Khoroushi, president of Virginia-based armored vehicle manufacturer Alpine Armoring, told CBS MoneyWatch. As a result, most armored vehicle thefts are so-called inside jobs, according to industry experts.  "In the U.S., nearly all thefts are an inside job. Normally they know about it, the routes, the drop-offs, the vehicle itself, what the weaknesses are. It's rare that you actually get attacked by a completely outside, unrelated outfit," Khoroushi added.

Read the article at [CBS.com MoneyWatch](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/armored-truck-robbery-guard-job/).

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Alpine Armoring® CEO Featured in CBS MoneyWatch Article

## Richmond police buy new armored car to combat armed violence case

As reported in the Richmond Register, the Richmond, Kentucky Police Department officially unveiled their new Alpine Armoring's flagship SWAT vehicle, the Pit-Bull VX® to help combat an increase in armed violence cases. 

Watch the video from [Fox 56 News](https://youtu.be/4MPLIpfsVXs?feature=shared)

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Richmond, KY Police Department Unveils Pit-Bull VX®

The R&D department armored this Tesla Model S using certified ballistic steel and multi-layer glass for the specific reason to test how well Alpine Level A9 performs at a live fire testing range. 

Various tests were performed including using two moving shooters at two different positions with 5.56 x 45mm NATO, 7.62x51, 7.62x39 and 9 x 19mm. After more than 30 rounds, there was no penetration including on the panoramic roof. 

[Watch the full video](https://youtu.be/z3AVmwx-v-k). 


 A person is firing a handgun at the side of a bulletproof Tesla labeled "Alpine Armoring" during a test. The car's windows and doors show bullet marks. Text reads, "IS IT REALLY BULLETPROOF?"

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We Shot Our BULLETPROOF Tesla... Here's What Happened

## Inside the Bulletproofing Process of Armored Vehicles
**Is there a vehicle that can't be armored? Hypothetically, no.**

Kristin V. Shaw | Updated on Jan 23, 2021

Armadillos wear their armor on the outside. Turtles carry theirs on their back. Knights were clad in chain mail and armor to defend them during jousting tournaments and in battle. Armored vehicles, on the other hand, wear their protection on the inside, and if the job is good you won’t be able to tell an armored vehicle from a typical one. If I were James Bond, I’d like the idea of an armored Ferrari 458 Speciale to not only fend off .44 Magnum rounds but get me the heck out of there faster than, say, an armored SUV.

Technically, you can armor any vehicle you want. If you dream about an armored Chevy HHR, you can make that happen for about $80,000 with Alpine Armoring, a firm based in the D.C. area. The company seems like a good bet; of thousands of vehicles armored so far, not a single incident of armor penetration has been reported. Presumably, Elon Musk didn’t use this company for the Cybertruck’s armored windows that failed onstage during a live demo.

If you find that you are regularly engaging in heavily-armed car chases like the ones in 6 Underground, armoring could be a smart investment for you. (Did you see the opening sequence in the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, by the way? It’s epic.) Alpine’s client list includes the usual suspects like the U.S. military, embassies, VIPs, foreign militaries, law enforcement agencies, and corporations. The company is also a registered and certified contractor for the United Nations and U.S. Department of Defense.

For Alpine Armoring to suit up a vehicle, they strip it down to the bare steel or aluminum and go from there. Even before that, though, the engineering team takes on the big job of making all of the calculations before the armoring is added. Finding the center of gravity both before and after the build is key, and the weight of the vehicle, coil spring stiffness, pendulum weight, and more are factored in. In the case of some aluminum-bodied vehicles, engineers have to figure out how to overcome the challenge of applying steel armoring since you can’t weld the two metals together. Plus, aluminum tends to buckle under the weight of heavier steel.

“The more time you spend doing the design, the better it will be in the end,” Dan Diana from Alpine Armoring told me.

Armoring for sports cars might include Dyneema, which is a composite Polyethene material that’s about ¼ the weight of ballistic steel, and/or Kevlar. Dyneema is thick, however, and that makes it harder to reinstall the upholstery to original OEM specs. Alpine Armoring prefers what they call “tried-and-true” lightweight ballistic steel as their bread and butter. Depending on the protection level, about 1500 pounds may be added to the vehicle, and on military-type trucks, the added weight would be much more. They also complete a stress analysis before and after armoring to ensure that it’s not only bulletproof but still handles safely on the road with the added weight. The additional heft must be below the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle to be armored.

In general, it takes six to eight weeks to armor typical vehicles like a Mercedes-Benz, Range Rover, Escalade, Tahoe, or Suburban. Once the design and CAD files are complete, the build happens pretty quickly, Diana says. Using vehicles they have armored before keeps the timeline moving forward because fitting it to an untested firewall can be a pain. Some vehicles have odd-shaped firewalls, and fitting ballistic steel between that and the dash is difficult. The company has a [comprehensive armoring level chart](/ballistic-chart) to help you see quickly if you need protection from a .38 Special or multiple rounds of a .50-caliber rifle and every Kalashnikov in between. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around that kind of firepower. 

Installing no-spall (shatterproof) ballistic glass is also demanding because the smallest action can cause chemical reactions or cracking. There are two types of glass: one is flat glass, which is what you see on SWAT vehicles, Brinks trucks, and so on, and those are easy. Crafting curved ballistic glass, which is what allows an armoring company to keep its original look and feel, is a more time-consuming and tricky process. The materials make up many layers that work together to prevent rounds from penetrating the vehicle’s glass panels.

Alpine is the largest armored vehicle rental company in the world, and they have a stock of armored vehicles because of a VIP decides they want one, they want it at the snap of a finger. Training is available to improve your evasive driving maneuvers and what to do in hijacking situations if you’re in the business of protecting and serving the peace or you’re a super-rich movie villain. For the most part, though, average people who want an armored vehicle need to remember that it’s akin to adjusting your driving habits if you’re carrying a heavy payload or towing a trailer, paying attention to the speed limit, leaving more stopping distance, and approaching curves with care.

However, for the average person, driving an armored car (SUVs and sedans) requires little training and a lot of common sense. Considering the vehicle’s weight is nearly 20 to 40 percent heavier, the driver should use extra caution in stopping distances, when going around curves, and maintaining at or below the maximum road speed at all times. Keep that in mind, Agent 007. 


Read the full article on [TheDrive.com](https://www.thedrive.com/news/38883/inside-the-bulletproofing-process-of-armored-vehicles)


Two Alpine Armoring welders in protective gear work on a vehicle in a garage. One welder, wearing a helmet and gloves, uses a welding torch while the other assists. Sparks fly from the welding point. A logo that reads "THE DRIVE" is visible .

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Alpine Armoring® Featured On TheDrive.com

If you're interested in obtaining an armored [Mercedes-Benz sedan](/vehicles-we-armor/armored-mercedes-benz-s580-s-class), [armored SUV](/vehicles-we-armor/type/armored-suvs), or other type of [armored vehicle](/vehicles-we-armor), here's what you need to know about the protection you'll receive.

**They're retrofitted with ballistic protected bulletproof glass**
Armored cars are more secure thanks to the use of bulletproof glass, otherwise known as ballistic transparent material. This material is typically constructed by adding both polycarbonate material and special glass in a uniquely manufactured process. This process utilizes cutting-edge technology for near perfect optical viewing when the transparent material can sometimes be as thick as 75 mm while allowing the driver to operate the vehicle without threatening the well being or safety of those inside. Even if the opaque body of the vehicle is armored and resistant to different bullets, there is still the risk of projectiles impacting through the three-inch-thick windows. The Beast, which is the armored sedan made for POTUS, is made with armor up to five inches thick.

**They're much heavier**
Depending on what protection level your vehicle has been retrofitted for and how comprehensively or certifiably it was armored, its final weight could be 800 to 2,000 pounds heavier than the standard unarmored version.

In order to support this added weight, armored cars typically have the most powerful engine available for the model used, with retrofitted heavy duty suspension system and brakes. It is also recommended to sue highest payload tires, when available. For a list of recommended list of what makes and model vehicles are best suited to be armored and to what level, contact Alpine Armoring Inc.

**They're built to ram through things**
Most people have noticed that bulletproof vans and trucks, particularly the CIT armored vehicles are often equipped with heavy duty bull bar and bulky bumpers. This is intended to allows the armored vehicle to remove barricades on the road and pass through most barriers that block its path. This is essential should one’s armored vehicle get trapped and lives are at stake. Personal protection type armored cars and sedans often have reinforced bumpers in a low profile manner unnoticed to layman eyes. And, of course, they usually have a few more bells and whistles that enable their armored sedans and SUVs to withstand greater threats. Your average car would not likely survive the impact of passing through a barricade that an armored sedan or SUVs would.

**The drivers are highly trained**
Special training to operate and maneuver an armored vehicle is strongly recommended. Not just anyone can drive an armored BMW or bulletproof truck, at least not when they're carrying a VIP or important cargo. In many of such instances, especially when dignitaries, VIPs and presidential personnel, the driver of the armored car is expected to stay with the vehicle at all times until they complete the mission arriving at their destination.

Armored cars are unique, especially when they're used within specific industries and usage. However, there are certain standard automobiles that can be outfitted with different level or armor for everyday use that are referred to as personal protection type armored vehicles. When you want to invest in an armored car, [contact us](/contact) for more information.

A silver armored SUV riddled with bullet holes is parked on a concrete surface. The vehicle has several markings, including "ArmoredVehicles.com" and "alpineco.com" on its sides, and has undergone a ballistic test.

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What Makes an Armored Car More Secure than Other Cars?

Let's talk SWAT trucks, in particular, [our flagship SWAT vehicle, the Pit-Bull®](/vehicles-we-armor/armored-pit-bull-vx). Offering both functionality and high protection, this uniquely designed truck is designed & manufactured to handle extraordinary circumstances that require a fully protected armored response vehicle. Alpine’s Pit-Bull® armored truck is well-suited to situations in which teams are traveling through hostile environments needing protection against AR-15 and other high powered weapons (7.62x39, 5.56x45, 7.62x51, 7.62x63, 7.62x54).

Based on Ford F-600 4x4 heavy duty chassis and equipped with a powerful V8 turbo diesel engine, the Pit-Bull® is already in use by many police and law enforcement agencies in the US and around the world for tactical operations such as SWAT missions, hostage rescue, and high-risk law enforcement operations. At protection level A9/B6+ it weighs roughly 16,600 pounds, with a seating capacity of up to 14 crew members. It has been exhibited at different trade shows in United States including International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

**Protection**
A vehicle’s ballistic protection level varies based on the clients needs and risk assessment of the environment. Alpine’s Pit-Bull® model SWAT truck offers protection up to level A12/B7+ that would stop .50 Cal rounds and Armor Piercing high power rounds of AK-47 and M16 rifles. Typically, levels A9/B6+ and A11/B7 are needed for most applications in US and worldwide. When armored to Alpine Level A9 (CEN B6+) with laboratory-tested, certified ballistic steel and bullet-resistant glass, providing protection against ballistic threats, explosive devices, and other hazards including high-power rifles including 7.62x39, 5.56x45, 7.62x51, and M80 ball rounds, as well as floor protection from two (2) DM51 hand grenades.

**Features**
For those clients interested in additional features, Alpine Armoring’s Pit-Bull® also comes with a 360-degree rotating front gun turret as well as individual lockable gun high power rifle racks and many more customized options per each client's specifications. Alpine’s armored Pit-Bull® SWAT truck also serves as a mobile command center. Equipped with a range of advanced communication and surveillance systems including high-definition cameras, night vision equipment, and two-way radios this bulletproof APC enables operators to maintain situational awareness and communications in high-pressure situations.

For added security, Alpine’s Pit-Bull® features P/A system, remote control searchlights, red and blue law enforcement strobe lights on all four sides, a thermal image camera, and three separate cameras with 360-degree viewing with multi-screen monitor. Additionally, optional removable mesh screens are available to be mounted on all glass windows.

**About**
Alpine Armoring Inc., the home of Pit-Bull® designs, engineers, and manufactures a wide range of armored vehicles. We provide protection for over 50 different American, European, and Japanese make and model cars and specialty vehicles. Alpine Armoring has maintained a perfect record by offering protective vehicles to over two thousand clients. We are proud to say that none of our armored vehicles have never seen a single incident of harm afflicted to our clients with zero penetration.

Every client’s safety is of the utmost importance to us pay and we give the greatest attention to every detail when we manufacture armored cars and specialty protective vehicles.

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Alpine Armoring's Featured Vehicle: PIT-BULL®

## What it Takes to Make an Armored Car
**Virginia’s Alpine Armoring offers us a glimpse under the plating.**

Manufacturer - Photographer; Christian Seabaugh - Writer | Feb 15, 2021

Armored cars have come a long way since Colonel T.E. Lawrence's fleet of Rolls-Royce Ghosts prowled the Arabian peninsula during World War I. These ironclad beasts have gone from machines of war to rolling defense vehicles for everyone from politicians and the well-heeled to mafioso and oligarchs. And business is booming. With armored car sales up over the past few years (especially here and in Western Europe), automakers including Audi, BMW, Land Rover, and Mercedes-Benz have joined with small, specialized manufacturers to offer a wide variety of bulletproof and even mine-resistant cars, trucks, and SUVs.

So what does it take to build a world-class armored car? We caught up with the folks at Alpine Armoring to find out.

Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., Alpine started building armored vehicles in 1997 to meet ever-increasing U.S. government and overseas demand as the post-Cold War world heated up during the Kosovo conflict. As Cameron Khoroushi, Alpine's director of design engineering, put it, the company was able to quickly meet that demand. It now armors everything from Toyota Camrys to Mercedes-AMG G63s all the way up to NATO's most stringent armoring standards.

When it comes to meeting the needs of its worldwide customer base, Alpine usually confronts a dueling chicken and egg scenario at the start of a vehicle armoring process: Do you want the highest possible levels of armor, or do you want your choice of any vehicle on the market? "We can really armor anything," Khoroushi said, "but a lot of it comes down to cost and feasibility for the client, as well as practicality, too." For example, one _could_ armor something like a Tesla Model S or a Toyota Prius to stop massive .50-caliber machine gun rounds, but it'll likely end up being underpowered and overweight—never a good thing when it comes to armored vehicles. (Just ask the average service member how much they like driving sluggish armored-up Humvees.)

Instead, vehicles like the Mercedes S-Class and G-Class, Toyota Land Cruiser (and related Lexus LX570), and Cadillac Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and GMC Yukon XL prove to be the most popular for outfitting. Although status is certainly one of the reasons armored car buyers choose their particular vehicles, a vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) also plays a large role. Adding as much as 3,000 pounds to a vehicle in order for it to withstand high-caliber bullets isn't uncommon, so Alpine spends a lot of time focusing on keeping a vehicle's weight well below its GVWR. Coupled with upgraded suspensions (custom tuned for each vehicle) and cross-drilled brakes, Alpine Armoring is able to maintain the donor vehicle's standard ride, handling, and performance characteristics as much as possible. This makes for a more durable vehicle that's safer to drive in the day-to-day grind and emergency situations alike.

Interestingly, Khoroushi said not all GVWRs are created equally: "Toyota and Mercedes tend to over-engineer their vehicles, whereas some GM vehicles, like [previous-generation] Escalades or Suburbans don't hold the weight as well. It's as if their GVWR are more accurate, whereas on a Land Cruiser, for example, its [performance] characteristics [imply its GVWR is underrated]." But the new 2021 Suburban, Yukon XL, and Escalade ESV "have far exceeded our initial expectations," Khoroushi noted, adding, "GM built the chassis of these vehicles far tougher than their predecessors, and they're on par with Toyota and Mercedes models after the vehicle is armored. They drive very well with the added armor weight."

The currently discontinued (but likely to return) Chevrolet Suburban 3500 HD and GMC Yukon XL 3500 HD—frequently seen in presidential motorcades—were also armored vehicle standouts with an 11,000 pound GVWR, allowing Alpine and other outfitters to safely affix the maximum amount of armor possible. "It was the perfect armored vehicle platform," Khoroushi said.

Suburban HDs are often armored up to the highest level, capable of withstanding the aforementioned .50-caliber round from a high-powered rifle. But not everyone needs that level of protection. Alpine offers 13 levels of ballistic protection, all tested internally at the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground and by the Munich Ballistics Agency. (The latter includes two tests: one where the test vehicle has to withstand 350 rounds of various types and a second test where the same vehicle has to withstand explosions from three grenades.) All this testing allows Alpine Armoring to apply its ballistic standard levels to competing NATO STANAG, Underwriters Laboratory (UL), National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and European CEN standards.

Regardless of the vehicle you chose or what level of armor you opt for, each build largely starts the same. "The first thing we do is strip the entire vehicle to bare-bones metal as if it's just in the middle of production at the OEM factory," Khoroushi said. Next, the armoring process begins. Alpine, like similar companies, uses two types of armor for its vehicles: opaque and transparent. Opaque armor is largely made of ballistic steels, Kevlar, and Dyneema (a textile similar in strength to Kevlar but generally lighter and thicker), though other materials, such as ballistic composites and ceramics, and aluminum, boron, and silicon carbides aren't uncommon. Transparent armor consists of several layers of polyurethane, polycarbonate, and glass ranging in thickness from as little as three-quarters of an inch to more than 3 inches, depending on the application.

With the vehicle stripped, the engineering team gets to work fitting the opaque armor, with special attention paid to keeping the car's center of gravity low while also providing the protection necessary to keep occupants safe in case of attack. That typically means fitting materials like Kevlar and steels in the floor and thicker body panels around the frame, though it all depends on the particular vehicle and armor level required. Once the vehicle shell is completed, the team moves on to transparent armor, replacing the automotive glass with layers of bullet-resistant laminates. The final step of the armoring process is to integrate what are known as "overlaps" into the vehicle. "Overlaps are a thin band that goes around the perimeter of the door or on the frame of the vehicle that prevents rounds entering the vehicle within the seams of the door," Khoroushi said.

With the armor complete, the team moves on to reassembling the vehicle. Special attention is paid to making the now-armored car look stock both inside and out. Alpine employs specialized teams of upholsterers (other armoring companies employ similar teams) who are trained to match factory fit, finish, and even stitching—not necessarily an easy task on vehicles like the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus, or Rolls-Royce Phantom, all of which Alpine armors.

The whole armoring process takes about four to six weeks from start to finish, though a vehicle type that hasn't been armored before might take eight to 10 weeks. Prices, obviously, depend on base vehicle and armor level. A Toyota Camry XSE V6 ($35,990 to start) armored at the A4 level to withstand submachine gun rounds (typically the lowest armoring level Alpine Armoring does) could cost you about $75,000, including the donor vehicle. Something like a Bentayga, on the other hand, could cost you well north of $400,000 armored to the highest levels. Most customers opt for a vehicle rated to withstand assault rifle rounds (A9) and wind up spending anywhere from $85,000 to $150,000 for their finished armored vehicle.

Pricey, sure, but as those who travel regularly in high-threat environments know all too well, life is priceless.

Read the article on [MotorTrend.com](https://www.motortrend.com/news/how-to-build-armored-car/?sm_id=organic_tw_social_MT_210216_sf243096902#sf243096902)

Three Alpine Armoring vehicles are parked in front of blossoming trees. The image includes the "Motor Trend" logo and the text "What It Takes to Make an Armored Car." The vehicles include a Humvee, a heavily modified tactical vehicle, and a Mercedes-Benz.

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Alpine Armoring® Featured in MotorTrend

## **Are Armored Vehicles Like President Trump's 'Hermetically Sealed'?**
If you're in, say, an armored Chevy Suburban with someone with an infectious respiratory disease, does it matter if that vehicle is armored? We explain.
By Ezra Dyer | Car and Driver

When President Trump took his Sunday afternoon SUV tour of the Walter Reed neighborhood streetscape, the word "hermetically" suddenly began popping up everywhere. As in, it would appear to be a bad thing to subject non-COVID-19-infected people (say, Secret Service agents) to be riding in a hermetically sealed vehicle with someone who is COVID-positive (Trump). But are armored SUVs actually any more airtight than a standard model off the lot?

Last spring we went to Alpine Armoring to test a Pit-Bull VX, which is the sort of vehicle favored by wealthy preppers with a flair for ostentation (also, police departments). But we also saw what goes into their stealthy but stock-looking cars and SUVs. Usually, the goal is to avoid clues that a vehicle is armored at all. Before we showed up, for instance, they'd just shipped out a bulletproof Toyota Camry.

The process is the same whether you're building a Camry or, more commonly, an expensive SUV like a Mercedes G-wagen: the goal is to essentially create a car within the car, an armored pod that can soak up rounds until you (or, likely, your driver) can navigate out of the ambush. Windows are thick and don't roll down very far, if at all. Doors are heavy. And rear hatches become vestigial doors that lead to the secondary bulletproof rear bulkhead inside. Easier to build it that way than to try to engineer a bulletproof hatch, even if that means your luggage could conceivably take some fire.

What they don't include, typically, is their own internal air supply. There are temporary systems to mitigate a gas attack (the simplest being onboard gas masks and oxygen), but the plan with armored vehicles doesn't include lingering in a chemical attack. We asked an armoring expert if an armored SUV of the sort Trump was in would normally have its own air supply, and the answer was no. "Typically armored vehicles' HVAC system functionality is equivalent to the OEM unarmed vehicle," he said. "Any armored vehicle that has less air circulation in the cabin has probably not been armored up correctly."

So, unless Trump's Chevy Suburban was unusually set up, it wasn't any more hermetically sealed than a regular Suburban. Which, unfortunately, is still not great news for the Secret Service, for the obvious reasons—small space, shared air. Per the CDC guidelines on shared transportation when you're sick:

"People who are sick or have recently had a close contact (closer than six feet for at least 15 minutes) to a person with COVID-19 should avoid using transportation options that may put them in close contact with others (e.g., public transit, rideshare, or taxis), and should stay home except to seek medical care."

And, for personal vehicles, "Improve the ventilation in the vehicle if possible (for example, open the windows or set the air ventilation/air conditioning on non-recirculation mode)."

Hopefully they at least remembered to do that second part. Hermetically sealed or not.


Read the article at [CarAndDriver.com](https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34290408/armored-vehicles-hermetically-sealed-explained/)



A black SUV with tinted windows, marked “Suburban” on the side, is parked in front of a beige building. The vehicle has a roof rack installed. The image captures the front and side of the SUV.

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Alpine Armoring® Featured in Car and Driver Magazine

## The Pit-Bull VX® Is a Rolling Fortress
**The Alpine Armoring Pit-Bull VX can take a grenade. Just don't ask it to take a corner.**

By Ezra Dyer | From the June 2020 issue of Car and Driver Magazine

Your pilot stole your plane. So much for flying to New Zealand. To say you should have seen it coming is inaccurate: You did see it coming, because you plan for all eventualities. So when it was time to escape the city, your decision tree was decidedly more bountiful than most. Scratch the Gulfstream G650 to Auckland; head instead to your converted missile silo in upstate New York, hunker down, and spend a few years sipping your way through the wine cellar until something like civilization is reestablished. But first, you have to get there.

Fortunately, your Alpine Armoring Pit-Bull is just the thing for a road trip through the apocalypse. An armored personnel carrier built on a previous-generation Ford F-550 4x4 chassis cab, the Pit-Bull is normally sold to police departments, militaries, and foreign governments. But Alpine will also sell it to private buyers who can afford the $250,000 base price, which is a bargain for a bulletproof 10-passenger SUV. Of course, that's before you add up the options.

You'd probably want all the stuff that comes on the $298,000 VX model. Take, for instance, the hydraulic battering ram on the front bumper: You can use that to breach a door or wall or whatever else needs ramming, lending new meaning to the term "drive-through." Once you've made your entrance, you can greet your new friends by deploying a tear gas canister from the dispenser at the end of the ram. Look, you're not looting a Starbucks. You're making sure the Starbucks is clear of looters! You'll leave money for the dozen bags of Komodo Dragon Blend you're grabbing. Not that money means anything now, but it's the thought that counts.

Should any roadside bandits pick a fight, they'll need some fairly heavy artillery to slow down the Pit-Bull—especially one with the VX's reinforced armor, rated to stop a .50 BMG round and withstand a grenade. Or 20 kilograms of TNT. Wrapped around the 20-inch wheels, the 41-inch Continental off-road tires have run-flat functionality. And since, as everyone knows, offense is the best defense, there are seven-inch gun ports built into the doors and rear quarters, plus one in the rooftop turret. That turret spins 360 degrees and its roof flips up, so you can use it as a shield. As always, watch out for flanking maneuvers.

The Pit-Bull VX isn't quite as agile as your armored Mercedes-AMG G63, a stock-looking Alpine product that—like the brand's Escalades, S-classes, and Camrys—blends in with traffic. Or at least did, back when there was traffic. Now that the roads are empty, save for marauders and posses, you can let the Pit-Bull stretch its legs a little. You just want to be mindful that the VX's center of gravity feels like it's about halfway to the moon, so even with the slow steering and huge anti-roll bars, a quick tug of the wheel can make you feel as if you're pole-vaulting on the deck of a Bering Sea crab boat. Fortunately, there's really no need for emergency steering maneuvers when you're driving this. The Pit-Bull doesn't avoid traffic; traffic avoids the Pit-Bull. There are very few rules now, but everyone seems to understand that one.

From the driver's seat, the Ford Super Duty dash looks familiar. The Power Stroke 6.7-liter diesel is also old and in a milder state of tune than you'd find in current pickups. Its 330 horsepower and 750 pound-feet of torque are up against, oh, 19,750 pounds or so of armored truck. The VX moves out like an F-350 towing a large boat, determined and inexorable. And as with that setup, you can do 80 mph but probably shouldn't. For one, going that fast might dent your fuel economy, which typically runs about 8 or 9 mpg. No big deal, though. Fuel stations are out of commission, but you can siphon diesel from the locomotives at the train yard.


Read the article on [CarAndDriver.com](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a32755798/pit-bull-vx-archive-drive/)

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Alpine Armoring® Pit-Bull® Featured in Car and Driver Magazine

## Suit Of Armor! Alpine Armoring's Bulletproof Lincoln Navigator In Focus
By Jonathan Bergman, Published Dec 8, 2019

Today we have one of their unique SUV builds - a Lincoln Navigator offered with armored protection levels ranging from A4/B4 all the way up to A10/B7.

**The Car**
The Alpine Armoring Navigator is based on the 2019/20 Lincoln Navigator equipped with a 3.5 liter Ford Ecoboost V-6 generating 450 hp, 10 speed automatic transmission and AWD. She's appointed with a range of luxury options such as heated power leather seats, premium sound system, full suite of driver sensing gear, and a clean exterior and interior look which have driven up sales considerably.

**The Conversion**
Alpine's basic ballistic package can stop a standard AK-47 and M-4 round before penetrating the interior compartment. Ride height can be raised or lowered to suit the customer's specs. Glass is removed and replaced with a multi-layered ballistic glass. The passenger compartment is reinforced with hardened steel. The roof and underbody are angled for anti-mine protection. The engine, ECM, and gas tank are armored and door hinges are reinforced. And finally, a set of run flat tires are installed.

**The Results**
In addition to the standard armor equipment, Alpine offers a siren system, light kits, camera setup, and smoke screen for you James Bond aficionados out there. While the up-armoring is said to add several hundred ponds to the weight of the car, driving dynamics and acceleration are largely unchanged. Pricing has not been released but Alpine has several used models up for sale right now on their website. [Check it out](/available-now). Buckle up.

Read the full article on [HotCars.com](https://www.hotcars.com/alpine-armorings-lincoln-navigator/)

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Alpine Armoring® Featured on HotCars.com

## US donates Pitbull VX Armored Personnel Carrier to Tunisia
**The Pitbull VX APC would be used in combating terrorism and also in securing the border region.**
by Darek Liam  July 4, 2018 - Updated on November 17, 2023

The Tunisian Counter-Terrorism Brigade a sub-unit of the Intervention Units General Directorate has taken received nine Pitbull VX Armored Personnel Carrier from the United States on Thursday, June 22, 2018. The Tunisian Minister of Justice and acting Minister of the Interior Ghazi Jeribi who received the new equipment said that “These armored vehicles will significantly contribute to the increase in the fighting capacity against terrorist groups in Tunisia.”

While speaking on the handover, the US Ambassador to Tunisia Daniel Rubinstein disclosed that Tunisia has been successfully maintaining security and combating against terrorism, and that Tunisia has proved itself as a stable and peaceful country.

The Pitbull VX APC would be used in combating terrorism and also in securing the border region.

**Alpine Armouring Pitbull VX APV**
Designed by Alpine , the Pitbull VX is an armoured response vehicle (ARV) specifically designed for SWAT teams. Based on a Ford F-550 chassis, the vehicle is powered by a 6.7-litre V6 engine. It has a max weight of 19,500 pounds, leaving 3,000 pounds for crew and various payloads. It can carry up to eight fully equipped SWAT members.

The Pitbull VX APC is a multi-purpose Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) built by Alpine Armouring, the vehicle is based on the Ford F-550 chassis. It is powered by a 6.7 liter Rod V8 producing 303 horsepower, weighing 7.5 tons. It can carry eight fully equipped soldiers or Police tactical team. The Pitbull VX APC’s armor protection is rated at A9/B6+ level.

The Pitbull VX APC angled roof and floor are designed to provide anti-mine protection and can also withstand modern frag explosives. The vehicles doors are overlapped with ballistic steel for protection against small arms at any angle or range.

Over the years, Tunisia has constantly received military equipment from the United States such as surveillance equipment, naval vessels as well as  specialized counter-terrorism training.

Read the article on [Military Africa](https://www.military.africa/2018/07/us-donates-pitbull-vx-armored-personnel-carrier-to-tunisia/#google_vignette)

A large fleet of black Alpein Armoring SWAT vehicles are parked in rows outside a building with white and beige walls. The vehicles are aligned diagonally, occupying most of the visible parking lot. Trees and greenery can be seen in the background.

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Alpine Armoring® Featured in Military Africa

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