Description
The Development and Impact of Armored Vehicles: A Case Study of the Toyota Fortuner
1. Introduction
Toyota Fortuner Armored Vehicle; Within the study of design and design history, we can recognize the transformative work we undertake when we improve, innovate, and lead the way with our creations. This paper will explore designs and developments which save lives, provide security, and have not just an interventional but an obstructed impact – in the areas of conflict and peacekeeping. The central case of this paper will be around vehicles which are adapted through innovation to make them resistant to the strikes and explosions affiliated with mines, improvised explosive devices, and artillery. We will also dedicate time to some of the physical consequences of these developments and our contemporary security challenges.
The vehicle, as the container, its armor, and the driver and occupants, are equally the bodies supporting the potential energy exchange of an explosive object. The body, whether metal or human, will either deflect, absorb, or suffer the force applied through the design or the architected collapse of the material which contains it. This paper will consider this mechanism as it operates in the armored case of the first vehicle, which began as civilian in ‘appearance’ (Fortuner), and the second based on a military light-utility truck (Bushmaster). The subsequent research is guided, not by potential economic benefits, but rather by consideration of changes to our security-architectural infrastructure.
1.1. Background and Significance
Background: An armored vehicle, often referred to as an armed or police tactical unit, is developed for military, defense, and law enforcement purposes. From initially using the vehicles for transporting injured soldiers, over time, law enforcement agencies began using them for internal security purposes. The historical aspects of armored vehicles will be discussed later. This research aims to evaluate the development, technology, and deployment of Toyota Fortuner armored vehicles in commercial use. Subsequently, the findings will be used to complete the picture of the historical development and practical impact of armored vehicles.
Significance: This research focuses on the development of armored cars, namely Toyota Fortuners, in civil, a selection of reserve armored vehicles and their actual use and functions today. This study will evaluate the development and external technology of the “rebellious” vehicle in its various forms of design. In addition, the researcher will explore the external and emerging financial and freedom functions of the protective vehicle that falls under the title of vehicle-reserve. Finally, an assessment will be made of how reserve services have evolved to a more personalized and customized approach, also known as close protection or reduced, and how it is much needed to self-develop weapons and armored vehicles.
1.2. Research Objectives
The research conducted will focus on the development of a particular armored vehicle, notably the Toyota Fortuner. This type of vehicle is not easily mass-produced relatively. Hence, their development over time is limited and this will mean that much of the focus of the research will be on what this type of build can do and its impact on the global market. The case of the Fortuner is the research direction it was limited to because it still shows potential and has been a long-standing example of what an armored vehicle build could become.
The quest for this particular armored vehicle is what brings the Toyota into the picture. Looking at why it has had so much commercial success is also a point of the research. These are the specific questions the research will deal with: How did the Fortuner develop into an armored vehicle and what was the impact of the build domestically? How does this market fare worldwide and how stand-alone would the South African build be? How would creating cheaper local components and vehicle assembly parts affect the marketability of the vehicle? Toyota recognized the need for it even before 2003, but they had to wait for the global approval of the Hilux-injected vehicle. What is the history and development of the armored Fortuner? What requirements should it meet? How does it compare to the production Fortuner?
2. Historical Development of Armored Vehicles
Armored vehicles have a long and rich history, beginning from the time of the chariot itself, which had armor plates fixed to its sides to protect its occupants from arrows and other ranged weaponry. As technology progressed, so did this essential feature, and by the classical period, we find iron-plated, turreted war machines used in Greece and the Roman Empire, the mechanics of which are similar to modern war technology. The concept continued after the old-world empires shifted away from chariot-based warfare to mounted or foot archers and spearmen, particularly with the use of besieging warfare and utilizing armored sieging towers, comparable to early fighting vehicles used in castle and fortress warfare. In the shape of the composite bows, crossbows, and firearms of the age, the resistance of metal-armored units to intermediate missile weaponry like arrows and bolts was long limited, but with the introduction of chemical projectiles, bullets, and artillery like cannon technology, this defensive technology quickly became outdated.
The history of self-propelled armored vehicles closely shadows the general history of vehicular transportation technologies; the first armored personnel carriers (APCs) were modifications of the first motor vehicle production models and prototypes, as were early tanks, and technological advancements in engine and vehicle design principles allowed both of these respective technologies to continually evolve in close lockstep. Particularly as automotive technology radically improved and the internal combustion engine became more and more efficient, lightweight, and powerful, world armed forces increasingly began to consider mechanized vehicles for the purposes of rapid deployment of troops, as well as increasingly effective suppression of enemy movements.
2.1. Early Beginnings
Armored vehicles are primarily designed to defend against some form of assault, although there is a wide variety of types and purposes. The earliest examples of armored vehicles were the medieval hopper and the first cellular fortress, used during the First World War started this trend for armament in automobiles. Many of these automobiles were distinguished by unusual style features to set them apart from normal vehicles, which could still be identified as vulnerable and crowded. Many important steps in the development of armed vehicles have been taken from smooth use to purposeful vehicles. This article provides a useful overview and explains its principles before examining the building of the Toyota Fortuner. This article is intended to provide a complete chronology of the rise of structural modifications to the car, which eventually became a tank or rightfully called an armored vehicle.
In ancient history, quick combat vehicles emerged during a siege or eviction field, and block and remember were transferred out or displaced before a fire escaped. This is a common work activity in Italy in the 1490s, but examples of their use have been published from all over the world. About 1418 Jan Žižka, the Archbishop of Hussitvian Bohemia, successfully defended a Roman square against a German imperial army with a mobile Hußer, presumably armed with a two-car train. They were mainly remodeled attachment trains with an angle of 120 mg and could be captured by a hock, such as the fact that no one probably reacted while the Zizka derailed and derailed and the Roman redolence was put under large tension. In many cases, even if the Gleyish drummer was carrying strange people, they were farmers and patrols and broke the seams and derailed them. A similar work structure was used in Ireland to drive the ACC.
2.2. Technological Advancements
The prospect of armored vehicles has continued to inspire the technological advancement of these rather inclusive vehicle options available on the market. Consequently, they have provided several tailored protections, yet directed to a different market. These technical specifications are also the branches that enable tailor-made modifications in existing vehicles according to the need and scarcity of the threat environment.
Recently, there has been an unprecedented rise in ultra-luxurious security vehicles (ULSVs) and armored vehicles specifically for the Middle East, Latin America, and Europe, with one estimation accounting for more than 56,000 units of armament being manufactured around the world. Manufacturers are investing heavily to research and develop products that give armor capabilities to protect against various threats and scenarios. Armored vehicles often feature a raft of modifications, including enhanced suspension systems, run-flat tires, and a series of other options. Optional modifications include advanced firing ports, insulated fire dampers, safer hatches, bulletproof windows, and reinforced anchors.
Most modern armored vehicles are not inherited or designed from scratch, but are everyday commercial vehicles incorporated with large-scale modifications in their basic characteristics to increase comfort, capability, and resistance in operational scenarios which would test them inopportunely. With technological advancements, armored vehicles will continue to develop as the needs of combatants dictate applicable survivability enhancements. Moreover, it is anticipated that the automobile industry will provide advanced protection capabilities to “soft” ULSVs for the civilian market.
It is also interesting as a future reference for us to investigate these high-end soft passenger vehicles in a case study alongside armored vehicles, which would allow us to compare and contrast similar and disparate features of the two categories, with Toyota Fortuner as our case study.
3. Design and Features of the Toyota Fortuner Armored Vehicle
The development of armored vehicles has advanced to a great extent over time. These developments gave rise to different kinds of modifications in various types of cars, trucks, and SUVs in the market. As early as the 1980s, improvements in various types of passenger vehicles started to coincide with the development of armored cars. These improvements were designed to prevent serious injury in a crash event or curb traffic accidents. The market offers a wide range of armored vehicles with varied armoring processes up to ballistic standard levels. One such vehicle is the Toyota Fortuner built by an Israeli manufacturer based in Nigeria. In this section, we focus on the features and design of this vehicle from the technical data and requirements as detailed in the product manual.
It is noted that this vehicle is mainly composed of a Thailand-made model while its components are Egyptian parts and assembled in Nigeria. The Fortuner is a four-in-one vehicle; it operates as a standard car, can go undercover like a hidden security vehicle, it can function as a bank bullion vehicle, and lastly, an armored vehicle. An analysis of the armoring techniques and requirements, the model-specific systems like the brake, air shocks, airbags, and material choice for the passenger handling systems, amongst others, are discussed. This section provides an exclusive understanding of the unique aspects of the armoring, the engineering, and defense features. It also presents the external and internal design components that constitute the armored car system from the steering arrangement, the brake and air shock system, etc.
3.1. Armoring Process
The Toyota Fortuner goes through well-defined armoring processes referring to the use of hinges, doors, tires, double battery, exhaust system, and gearing. Side windows and windshield comprise multilayered glass and polycarbonate. The diagram shows the internal layer of the glass with the provision of heat insulation film, side window security frame, run-flat inserts, polycarbonate behind the skin of the door, and armor panel.
Ballistic steel and glass are the two main materials used in the development of armored vehicles. The armor steel used should meet the requirement of protection against fire. The tempered multilayer glass consists of three differently developed layers such as float glass, tough polycarbonate, and float glass again. These glasses and polycarbonate are assembled in an autoclave with optically quality film. The ballistic performance is tested according to the NIJ (National Institute of Justice) 0108.01 (Handgun and M16) armor standard. B6 level of armoring is claimed to protect against a 7.62 × 51 mm, M80 NATO ball ammunition. The B6 level has a V50 velocity of 773 m/s. The armor panels such as bonnet armor, radiator shield, and vertical grill armor are precisely cut using submerged water jet as well as using automatic tracing devices. The armoring process includes the processing of the shielded wheel and the armored wheel that are equivalent, which captures the assembly of supports and the insertion of the wheel including the necessary machining operations. The armored tire protects the ballistic steel coil insert into the rubber providing strength including the internal structure and use of the tire bead. The final step is the painting of the doors, windows, and modification of external components necessary for the installation of ballistic parts.
The armoring process includes the processing of the shielded wheel and the armored wheel that are equivalent, which captures the assembly of supports and the insertion of the wheel including the necessary machining operations (fig. 9a). A metallic wheel is processed using a series of machines to create one flat surface to insert a protective cover (armor panel). The armored tire protects the ballistic steel coil insert into the rubber providing strength including the internal structure and use of the tire bead. The final step is the painting of the doors, windows, and modification of external components necessary for the installation of ballistic parts.
3.2. Protection Levels
An armored monocoque vehicle, like the armored Toyota Fortuner, is classified by its level of protection. This refers to its ability to protect the passengers and driver against various types of violent assault. The purpose of protection levels is to give the client an idea of the likely threat levels they will be best protected against. It is important to protect the clients at the intended protection level, along with considering other vehicle aspects such as drivability and ergonomics.
In general, protection levels start from B4 and go up to the higher B7 level. The armoring protection for an armored monocoque is typically built in two sections: the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion helps to mitigate potential risks from rifle attacks with armor-piercing bullets, while the lower portion provides essential protection against firearm ammunition.
For different applications, the armoring levels up to the B6 level can usually be divided into two categories. Level B4+ and Level B4/B6 can be manufactured for low-threat applications, such as felonies, criminal activities, individual security, domestic violence perpetration, and terrorism. On the other hand, applications linked with hostile law enforcement engagement would require the level B4+ to B6.
A vehicle classified as Level B4+ can sustain an assault originating from the P1 9mm Parabellum ammunition specified in EN 1522-23, using a weapon such as the Heckler and Koch MP5. It can also prevent the blast generated from attacking the bullet with a spread distance corresponding to 2.66 meters. The LP spoke advancing angle was used to ensure that the bullet spread around the vehicle.
4. Applications and Use Cases Toyota Fortuner Armored Vehicle
In the sections above, the current study highlights the character of ballistic defense technology in general with a case study of the Fortuner. From its development and adoption, and extensively across its innovative utilities, a thread connecting throughout is its use as a personal security deterrent. This specifically pertains to the Man of Means Defense, which is characterized by a focus on threats such as illegal detentions, carjacking, or robbery, which necessitate careful security arrangements using vehicles. But beyond the security protection, the vehicles previously presented are largely conceived of in terms of military or defense applications.
The distinguishing feature of armored vehicles over the other vehicles presented as cases is their ability to be deployed according to the state’s discretion, ostensibly including espionage and various forms of participation in the force-operation spectrum. These vehicles are diverse and serve a variety of purposes such as transportation for the injured, patrols, transportation of cash, secure accommodations for soldiers, light reconnaissance, criminal arrests or standoff operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and crisis preparation, surveillance, and enforcement. Many multi-role capabilities deployed means these armored vehicles may be used for a variety of tasks while being light enough to undertake lightly-trafficked roads. Due to their multi-purpose use, they typically have other components outside the armor for danger reduction. Although much more robust than usual automotive cars, they are susceptible to assaults from larger explosives and heavy weapons. Largely, armored vehicles combine ballistic protection and on-road mobility applications, and ballistic resistance varies widely depending on the vehicle’s planned use.
4.1. Military and Defense Toyota Fortuner Armored Vehicle
Nigeria, one of the richest African countries, has experienced multiple unethical behaviors such as kidnapping, banditry, and armed robbery. Individuals suffered loss of life, maiming, and traumatizing, as well as unrecoverable financial loss. The purpose of the army and police is to safeguard the people of their nation. The military and police presence in strategic geopolitical places must be continuous. It has a narrow range. Scout applications with assessment tasks cost a sizable amount of monetary value that the state requires to accumulate. It is because of this financial burden that AIS has appealed to the more advanced type of military device called the armored device.
Furthermore, a strengthened device is fiscally secure. In their opinion, this is because the acquisition price is outweighed by the additional benefits: rail vehicle misuse, which contributes to the reduced mortality and maiming of armies and policing. Armored vehicles are stated to be a haven for soldiers and policing staff as a capability to repel both human and optioned malfeasance. They are bank vans and pick-up vans with fortified walls, dense bull bars and grills, run-flat tires, and combat hatches that fight armored cars. In the event of a breakdown from danger spots, the reinforced wall aids the survival and sustained performance of the prime minister and state governors who are situated in states at setbacks. They are engaged and have received a dividend accusation from the Nigerian State from which the selected models have earned honors inside and outside the Nigerian political theater.
4.2. Law Enforcement Toyota Fortuner Armored Vehicle
Unlike their military counterparts, law enforcement officers generally use armored vehicles for very specific operations and purposes. The vast majority of their activities and functions do not include armored vehicles. Special weapons and tactics (SWAT) teams and other specialized law enforcement operations, such as bomb squads, however, utilize these vehicles for providing a secure and safe environment for their members and civilians during high-risk tactical operations. These activities and operations may include counter-sniper operations, armed populace during a drug-related incident, escape for hostages, explosive devices, and even natural disasters.
An increasing number of vehicles have been up-armed. The government demands the delivery of up to an additional 227 APCs equipped with remote weapons stations and other combat gear. This is a massive investment in these kinds of platforms by a government that has traditionally focused on operations with light vehicles and trucks in environments where helicopters have provided platform-mounted weaponry. Demand by civilian-managed police forces remains for Brinks-styled vehicles with the capacity to respond to low-level street-level weapons, particularly where gang rivalry spills over into public spaces and results in innocent bystanders being injured or killed. Bulletproof and blast-resistant paneling also provides for vehicle longevity under harsh road environments. No levels of increased protection are 100 percent safe when it comes to bomb attacks; however, the kinetic arrests reflected in the story illustrate the contribution that minor system upgrades can provide to improving capabilities. Agencies have set very demanding principle-based scenarios with characteristics such as limited or no rebuild but to deliver FATO against the ‘explosion’. Larger vehicle platforms are used for tactical operations, escort and cash-in-transit/asset movement purposes. Armored Chevys and Fords are a common platform and heavily armored and are also used as ‘containment vehicles’ to block roads to force suspects to ‘go around’ refocus the tactical area to provide clear lines of fire for law enforcement officers. Long-range versions are used by U.S. border police for chase. These vehicles are not cheap; they cost almost US$1 million each. Law enforcement owners prefer import at the time of order from Munich, but they can also be bought with local police modifications, supplied as ‘kit delivery’ with driver and passenger side-steer options. Other platforms include International Navistar MaxxPro and the Cougar 6 x 6 MRAP (mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle). Both have been used in the Afghan theater, but the large 6-wheel version didn’t fit all ANA and ISMAF trailers. Many countries are interested in these vehicles. Egypt was offered MRAP specifically as a FATO but refused because they were too big to fit inside many building basements as bomb-protective vehicles. Mexico was also looking at the Cougar because oil revenues meant they could afford them. Japan had also placed an order for the 6-wheel versions before the earthquake of 2011. These vehicles are very big platforms, and in some cases, because of the extra weight and the way they are armored, the driver and recovery vehicle can be at risk of being shot at compared to smaller low-profile 4 x 4s. Some tactical operations teams now use smaller ‘more agile’ vehicles like the Toyota Land Cruiser and the new Ford Ranger. These vehicles offer good protection in the non-battle area but are not as tough as the bulky monocoque chassis MRAPs. They can carry more men and are quicker in street-level operations – the trade-off being they cannot offer the MRAP’s utility protection. Nigeria is another country using large 2-door MRAP 4 x 4s such as the Cougar, but they claim that the 10 tons of armor matches the weight of a typical IED, so it’s still very hard for the enemy to hit their vehicles.
5. Conclusion Toyota Fortuner Armored Vehicle
The study of the Toyota Fortuner offers a unique glimpse into the development and impact of a new model of armored vehicle in a historical, social and economic context. The critical factors that brought about the Toyota Fortuner reveal the increasing interconnection of global spaces in the post-2001 history of the Indian Ocean. The backdrop within IOR-A focus countries of an intense international media scrutiny over coastal insecurity and of increased flows of capital from the ‘home countries’ of the shipowners in response, provided the opportunity for the development of psychology of fear that surround sea piracy, and to take advantage of an expanding administrative complex around the regulation of offshore oil and gas extraction in the Indian Ocean. The development, manufacture, trading and retailing of the Toyota Fortuner is a process that would be familiar to many middle-class individuals.
This essay argued that the Toyota Fortuner’s purchasers and users claimed to embrace the product for its functional flexibility. Yet one of the key roles of the vehicle is as a symbol of economic progress, physical security and as a focus for its owner’s consumerist desires that are to some extent pan-Indian as well as global in scope. The comparative affordability of the vehicle may have a bearing on the constructions of security stated in the essays. Areas for future research that the findings of this research suggest include the material and semiotic aspects of vehicles as products and brands, as well as the process of consuming on credit and other long-term payment plans in India. Converting vehicle tax is of particular interest given the potential links to income-tax fraud.
5.1. Summary of Findings
In a study that was predicated on the need to understand the development of armoring vehicles and its impact on the vehicle, we used the Toyota Fortuner as a case study. This vehicle has been chosen as the case study as it is universally available, highly demanded by our intended clientele, and it is only referred to in the literature as being “easily” and “cost-effectively” armored.
The outcomes of this research are as follows:
– Armoring vehicles, which includes the Fortuner, is a product strategy that has been developed and resulted in several product variants. However, collectively, the development of the Fortuner as a platform, and the set of processes to develop, test and validate has resulted in significant design changes and advancements in technology over time. This has made a particular variant of the Fortuner preferred to armoring over other variants based on the improvements that resulted from the traditional development process. This case study report includes a summary of these key points to demonstrate the extent of the research including multiple methods of interviews, benchmarking and examination of case files. The full research report has been submitted to the publications coordinator for upload onto the CESR repository.
5.2. Future Implications and Research Directions
This study signifies the importance of the development of a fast and practical approach to update and improve armored vehicle designs. Promising results were obtained with the methodology investigated in this study. For sure, implementations and further research on this subject will be emerging. In the following subsection, future implications and possible impacts of the paper are discussed, together with some possible future directions in this area of research. Since this was a case study, the findings are specific to the exact car and protective measures. Furthermore, real-time data on various armoring designs would trigger the creation of an intricate protection matrix.
Since a case study was conducted for only the Toyota Fortuner, further research will involve experimental tests with different vehicles including heavy and armored terrain. A high-fidelity simulation of the design of various armored vehicles should also be made. Future research on this topic should also investigate the generic situation and case studies for countries where vehicles are rigged or rearmored. Tensegrity structures can be used for some mixing measures and confirmed, as well as their performance as a sacrificial structure. Fluctuation behavior of composites including intense fire protection is an important part of the design of armored vehicles.
The findings of this research signify the importance of the development of a fast and simple approach to update and improve the design of armored vehicles according to the evolving threat level. Results proved the attention of the mitigation approach to the threat from composite layers with a high stopping power. Moreover, they indicated that the use of sacrificial layers between the functionality of the material vehicle has no significant benefit for the stopping of penetration actors. In future works, moving from a case study with the fan Fortuner, the experimental approach will be conducted with different vehicles of lightweight and armored terrains. Also, an in-depth study related to the behavior of ceramic modules for use as a sacrificial layer.
