Vehicle Platforms, Armor, and Electric Mobility
Terms related to soft-skin vehicles, armored vehicles, electric vehicles, ballistic resistance, run-flat tires, and platform selection in protective mobility.
This cluster links upward to the main Knowledge Base, sideways to related clusters, downward to individual concept entries, and commercially to the relevant book pages.
| Term | Definition according to Complete Handbook of Security Driving | Related concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Armored Vehicles | A vehicle reinforced to resist ballistic, explosive, or physical threats while transporting the Principal. | Vehicle Dynamics, Run-flat Tires, Braking Distance, Center of Gravity, Soft-Skin Vehicles, Vehicle Selection, Risk Assessment |
| Soft-Skin Vehicles | A non-armored vehicle used in protective operations, often relying on discretion and mobility rather than ballistic protection. | Armored Vehicles, Vehicle Selection, Executive Sedans, SUVs in Executive Protection, Secure Transportation, Protective Mobility |
| Executive Sedans | Executive sedans are high-end passenger cars often used in VIP and corporate transportation because of their comfort, discretion, road behavior, and suitability for urban and intercity movement. | Soft-Skin Vehicles, Armored Vehicles, Vehicle Selection, Center of Gravity, Braking Distance, Secure Transportation |
| SUVs in Executive Protection | A higher-riding vehicle with increased ground clearance and visibility, but often greater weight and higher rollover risk. | Driver High Eye, Center of Gravity, Motorcade Operations, Vehicle Selection, Braking Distance, Vehicle Dynamics |
| Electric Vehicles | A vehicle powered by an electric motor and battery, characterized by instant torque, regenerative braking, and charging requirements. | Vehicle Selection, ADAS, Mobility Kill, Braking Distance, Center of Gravity, Security Driving Model |
| Hybrid Vehicles | Hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with electric propulsion. In secure transportation, they may offer efficiency and discretion, but require the driver to understand power management, regenerative braking, weight, and system behavior. | Electric Vehicles, Vehicle Selection, ADAS, Vehicle Dynamics, Braking Distance, Secure Transportation |
| Vehicle Selection | Vehicle selection is the process of choosing the most appropriate vehicle for the Principal, threat level, route, environment, team structure, visibility requirements, and operational constraints. | Armored Vehicles, Soft-Skin Vehicles, Executive Sedans, SUVs in Executive Protection, Electric Vehicles, Vehicle Preparation |
| Vehicle Preparation | Vehicle preparation is the process of ensuring that the vehicle is operationally ready before movement, including technical condition, fuel or charge, tires, brakes, lights, communications, cleanliness, documents, emergency equipment, and mission-specific configuration. | Daily Vehicle Inspection, Vehicle Selection, Secure Transportation, Run-flat Tires, Mobility Kill, Professional Judgment |
| Daily Vehicle Inspection | Daily vehicle inspection is the routine check performed by the security driver to confirm that the vehicle is safe, functional, and ready for secure transportation before operational use. | Vehicle Preparation, Duty of Care, Vehicle Selection, Run-flat Tires, Braking Distance, Secure Transportation |
| Driver High Eye | Driver high eye refers to the elevated visual perspective available to drivers of SUVs and similar vehicles, allowing earlier observation over traffic, route changes, potential blockages, and environmental anomalies. | SUVs in Executive Protection, Situational Awareness, Motorcade Operations, Center of Gravity, Braking Distance, Vehicle Dynamics |
| Run-flat Tires | Special tires that allow limited continued movement after loss of air pressure, commonly used on protective vehicles. | Armored Vehicles, Mobility Kill, Daily Vehicle Inspection, Vehicle Preparation, Tire Grip, Secure Transportation |