In modern warfare, medical evacuation is work under fire, where every minute is critical and every kilometer is a zone of potential danger. And when the lives of both the wounded and the medical crew are at stake, proper protection of the vehicle is a non-negotiable requirement. Which types of armoring are available for vehicles at the front, and how to find the balance between protection and weight, we explain in this article. 

Features of using medical evacuation vehicles in combat conditions

Military ambulance transport plays a unique role on the battlefield, since, unlike ordinary ambulances, it operates in close proximity to the line of fire and moves along unstable routes. After all, combat units constantly change positions, and shelling can begin unexpectedly.

The main goal of such transport is to pick up the wounded from the immediate fire zone and deliver them to a temporary medical point or a stationary hospital. In such conditions, decisions that determine movement tactics are made within minutes. Medical transport is always under threat, since it is a target for the enemy. Besides the threat of shelling and drone strikes, mines and their fragments also pose a risk, since to evacuate the wounded the vehicle often moves through mined areas, because other routes are simply unavailable.  

Working in an unstable situation, medical evacuation vehicles cannot rely on speed alone. On the contrary, competent route planning and an understanding of which threats may arise at any second is the first step to preserving the life of the wounded and the crew. 

Potential threats to medical vehicles

Fragmentation wounds are among the most common in a combat zone. Even when a shell explodes at a distance, fragments scatter over dozens of meters. The danger lies primarily in the unpredictable direction and speed of these fragments. They can hit the vehicle at literally any point, which is impossible to prepare for. 

Mines also pose a critical threat. A mine detonating on the roadside can not only destroy the vehicle's running gear but also cause a detonation, and fragments from the ordnance can not only damage the car's body but also inflict critical injuries on the people inside.

And of course, the main challenge of modern warfare is drones. They track the vehicle's route and are directed straight at it. Particularly vulnerable in this case are the hood and roof. Unfortunately, the standard "Red Cross" marking does not protect but, on the contrary, often serves as a reference point for the enemy.

Medical evacuation vehicles are not combat vehicles. However, fragments, drones and mines do not distinguish the transport's purpose. Therefore every centimeter of the body must work as a shield. Otherwise the vehicle can become a trap for those it was supposed to save.

Armor protection for medical vehicles

Protection for medical evacuation vehicles is a comprehensive solution that addresses real threat scenarios at the front. There is no universal solution, since fragments can be of different shapes, sizes and speeds, and therefore the damage force can also differ. 

Modern technologies make it possible to adapt both standard civilian vehicles and specialized military equipment to combat conditions. In particular, armored steel and ballistic glass are used to reinforce transport. Besides reinforcing the body, there is also the option of armoring the engine compartment, radiator, battery, control unit and fuel tank, as well as reinforcing the floor.

However, armoring a medical vehicle is not an attempt to turn it into a tank, but a way to increase the chance of surviving a run to the positions. Every additional kilogram of armor affects:

• Acceleration and braking.
• Off-road capability.
• Wear of the suspension, running gear and braking system.

In a medical vehicle, what's critically important is ride stability, especially when resuscitation is being performed in the cabin. We developed a solutionthat achieves a balance between protection and weight, so the vehicle doesn't lose speed or maneuverability. 

Among the materials that help maintain the balance between protection and weight is ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. UHMWPE ballistic packages — light enough not to affect the vehicle's mobility, while still increasing its level of protection. 

The reliability of ballistic protection for vehicles

In a combat zone there's no room for guesswork — only proven solutions have the right to exist. That's why any armored solution must undergo testing and have a corresponding protocol from a certified laboratory. We tested our ballistic packages both in the laboratory at the Ministry of Defense and "in the field" with servicemen, to check the products' resistance to threats in conditions close to real ones.