High Levels of Operational Ballistic Protection
Over the last 30 years, German company Welp Group has become one of the leading developers and manufacturers of armoured vehicles. Based in Georgsmarienhütte, near Osnabrück, the company designs, develops, manufactures and delivers customised armoured vehicles to the very highest standards of automotive performance and ballistic protection. The portfolio of certified bullet-proof vehicles encompasses sports utility vehicles (SUVs), pick-ups, transport vans and commercial vehicles for every conceivable mission. The range of armoured vehicles is backed up with carefully crafted customer service, technical training courses, driver training and spare parts supply directly at the place of deployment.
WELP is now adding a new armoured SUV to the range, based on the General Motors Company (GMC) YUKON XL DENALI. The F6-GMC900 is a full-size, robust SUV offering considerable internal volume for transport of cargo or personnel. Internal fits can include impressive premium features, making the vehicle ideal for the VIP transport mission. The vehicle was showcased at Eurosatory in Paris in June, attracting considerable attention from visitors.
The vehicle is designed to withstand a range of threats from machine gun fire to the effects of explosive devices. To validate and verify its performance characteristics, the armoured F6-GMC900 was tested and approved under stringent conditions by the German Ballistic Testing Agency in Mellrichstadt (Beschussamt Mellrichstadt), and is now certified in accordance with VPAM VR9/BRV2009 guidelines. During the ballistic tests, several rounds of 7.62×51 mm were fired at the vehicle at point blank range and with muzzle velocities of 820+/-10 metres/second. The success of these tests in line with the VPAM/BRV standards once more emphasises the high quality standards to which WELP Group is committed.
In addition to the ballistic tests, two DM51 hand grenades were detonated simultaneously beneath the vehicle, in accordance with the ERV2010 test protocol. Only vehicles that pass these extremely demanding test scenarios are awarded the VPAM VR9/BRV2009 and ERV2010 certificates. The F6-GMC900 now proudly lines up with its peer vehicles in Welp Group’s successful product line and is immediately available, according to the company. It is currently the subject of a large volume order for vehicles for member nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Dr. Stefan Nitschke
