FAQs on Optishield Tactical™ Ballistic Glass for Law Enforcement Safety
Are there proprietary ingredients in Optishield Tactical ballistic glass or is your transparent armor similar to other varieties manufactured by other glass manufacturers?
Yes, CGS uses a proprietary stack-up to minimize weight while maximizing ballistic threat resistance, all while offering a cost-effective solution tailored specifically for law enforcement applications.
What’s the difference between bulletproof glass and bullet-resistant ballistic glass?
“Bulletproof” is a common public term, while “bullet resistant” is the accurate technical description. Bullet-resistant glass is tested and certified to resist specific firearms, ammunition types, and shot patterns under defined ballistic standards such as UL 752 or NIJ protocols. CGS offers a wide range of ballistic products to meet different threat levels and can work with you to find the ideal solution for your unique application. This Wikipedia page provides more general information about bulletproof glass.
Is bulletproof glass really bulletproof?
No. The correct industry term is bullet-resistant glass. Given enough time, repeated impacts, or sufficiently high-energy rifle threats, any transparent armor can eventually be defeated. Bullet-resistant ballistic glass is designed to absorb and disperse kinetic energy, prevent penetration, and preserve survivable space long enough for occupants to respond, maneuver, or escape.
Are there plans to roll-out Optishield Tactical ballistic glass for non-vehicle applications, such as for bank teller windows or security camera encasements?
Yes, CGS manufactures a full range of ballistic glass products and is happy to consult with you to meet your business needs in various applications.
Can Optishield Tactical ballistic glass for cars be tinted different colors?
Yes, Optishield can be tinted to virtually any color, but standard variations come in automotive clear, green, light grey and privacy grey. Be sure to check DOT regulations in your state regarding required light transmission and options for special-use waivers.
Can antenna wiring or heat-defrost wiring be embedded in CGS’s bulletproof windshield glass?
Currently, Optishield does not offer options for embedded defrost or antenna wiring in our bulletproof windshield glass. However, CGS can evaluate your unique application needs and recommend a potential path forward to meet your requirements.
What’s the difference between laminated safety glass, post-applied security films, and ballistic glass?
Laminated safety glass is used in standard automotive and architectural applications to reduce shattering and retain glass fragments, but it is not engineered or certified to stop bullets.
Post-applied security films are thin polymer films applied to existing glass as an entry-delay or shatter-mitigation measure. While helpful for forced-entry deterrence, these films do not materially increase ballistic resistance and are not a replacement for engineered ballistic glass solutions, regardless of marketing claims.
Ballistic glass, or bullet-resistant glass, is a purpose-engineered transparent armor system manufactured using multiple layers of glass and advanced polymers. These systems are independently tested and certified to defined ballistic standards to absorb projectile energy, limit spall, and prevent penetration.
How does one go about ordering Optishield Tactical ballistic glass for a police vehicle or fleet?
To order Optishield Tactical, contact CGS and we will connect you with a member of our certified installation network to guide you through the ordering and installation process.
View our demo to see Optishield Tactical armored glass in action
General Product Information
What is Optishield Tactical Bulletproof Glass?
Optishield is a lightweight, NIJ Level IIIA-certified transparent armor solution for law enforcement vehicles, designed for enhanced protection without compromising optical clarity or functionality.
Who manufactures Optishield?
Optishield is made by Custom Glass Solutions (CGS), a trusted OEM glass manufacturer with over 50 years of experience, adhering to strict OEM specifications for quality, clarity, and durability.
How is OptiShield ballistic glass manufactured?
OptiShield is produced through an advanced lamination process that bonds multiple layers of glass and specialized polymer interlayers under heat and pressure to form a single, optically clear ballistic unit. All OptiShield ballistic glass products are manufactured in the USA and independently tested for ballistic performance.
How many Optishield systems have been installed?
Optishield has been successfully installed in over 5,000 vehicles across the United States.
What configurations are available for Optishield?
Optishield is available as bulletproof windshield systems, fixed side glass, roll-down (operable) side glass, and rear glass options.
Where is Optishield manufactured?
Optishield is 100% made in the USA at CGS facilities in Oklahoma and Ohio, totaling nearly 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
Performance and Features
What level of ballistic protection does Optishield bulletproof glass provide?
Optishield offers NIJ Level IIIA protection, capable of stopping handgun threats like .44 magnum, 40S&W, 10MM, 357 Magnum, and 9mm rounds among others. Optishield can be produced to protect against higher threat levels, so contact us if your application requires greater threat protection.
What is the BRS-15™ ballistic performance specification?
BRS-15™ establishes rifle-threat resistance requirements for transparent armor used in law-enforcement vehicles at sub-one-inch thicknesses. Certification requires independent testing by an NVLAP-accredited ballistic laboratory, using full windshield assemblies installed at real in-vehicle mounting angles, with no penetration under defined rifle-fire conditions. OptiShield is currently the only transparent armor platform certified to the BRS-15 specification. Learn more about the BRS-15 spec.
Does Optishield support return fire capabilities?
Yes, the operable Optishield side glass allows for return fire, a critical feature for officer safety during high-threat scenarios.
Does Optishield impact visibility or optical clarity?
No, Optishield is engineered with industry-leading optical clarity and distortion-free performance, meeting or exceeding OEM standards.
Will OptiShield affect law-enforcement vehicle performance?
OptiShield typically adds under 200 lbs total for windshield and front door protection and is engineered to maintain vehicle handling without requiring suspension, brake, or hinge modifications.
Is the Optishield system resistant to environmental factors?
Yes, Optishield is lab-tested for environmental durability, including heat, humidity and UV exposure.
How thick is bullet-resistant glass?
Thickness depends on the ballistic threat level and intended application.
Handgun protection, NIJ Level I–II – approximately ¾”
Magnum handgun protection, NIJ Level IIIA – approximately ¾” to 1¼”
Traditional rifle-resistant glass – 2″ to 3″+
Historically, glass under one inch thick was limited to handgun protection only. OptiShield™ featuring BRS-15™ changes that expectation by delivering rifle-threat resistance in glass thicknesses where only handgun-rated solutions were previously available, significantly reducing weight compared to traditional rifle-rated glass.
Installation and Warranty
Does installing Optishield ballistic glass require modifications to the vehicle?
Optishield is designed for OEM form, fit, and function, requiring minimal fabrication and ensuring installation is fully reversible if needed.
Can Optishield bulletproof glass be installed on-site?
Yes, CGS offers professional on-site installation services to minimize vehicle downtime and ensure proper fitment.
What is the warranty for Optishield?
Optishield comes with a comprehensive product and installation warranty, covering both materials and workmanship.
Does installing Optishield void the vehicle manufacturer’s warranty?
No, Optishield is designed as a direct OEM replacement and does not void the vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.
Can Optishield be decommissioned or transferred to another vehicle?
Yes, Optishield is fully reversible and can be removed and replaced with OEM glass. Optishield door glass can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle by a trained Optishield installation technician.
Can any glass shop install OptiShield ballistic glass?
No. Due to the importance of proper fitment and performance, OptiShield is installed exclusively through CGS-approved and certified installation partners, ensuring optimized protection and warranty coverage.
How do I order OptiShield ballistic glass?
Contact Custom Glass Solutions to begin an OptiShield consultation. Our team will guide you through vehicle fitment, specification, and installation through our certified national partner network.
Applications and Use Cases
Who are the primary users of Optishield ballistic glass?
Optishield is primarily used by law enforcement agencies, including police departments and tactical units, for enhanced vehicle safety and enhanced protection in search and rescue situations – allowing reduced response time in tactical response situations.
What makes Optishield Tactical transparent armor unique compared to competitors?
Optishield, manufactured in the USA, combines lightweight construction, superior optics, and innovative return-fire capabilities in a single solution, backed by decades of OEM glass manufacturing expertise.
Is Optishield available for non-law enforcement applications?
While designed for law enforcement, Optishield can be customized for other qualifying high-security applications upon request. Optishield bulletproof glass for vehicles is also used in our Transit Assault Barriers for public transportation systems.
What level of bullet-resistant glass do I need?
The correct level depends on your threat profile and environment.
Retail and small business, NIJ Level I–II
Banks and government facilities, NIJ Level IIIA
Law enforcement patrol vehicles, NIJ Level IIIA minimum
High-risk patrol and ambush environments, OptiShield™ featuring BRS-15™
OptiShield featuring BRS-15™ is positioned as a premium transparent armor solution, delivering rifle protection for patrol vehicles in thicknesses and weights historically associated only with handgun-rated glass. Custom Glass Solutions recommends a professional threat assessment to determine the most effective and cost-efficient solution.
What Is the Ballistic Glass Standard UL 752?
The UL 752 standard, from Underwriters Laboratories (UL), defines 10 levels (1-10) for bullet-resistant materials, classifying their ability to stop specific ballistic threats; with levels 1-3 for handguns (9mm, .357, .44 Mag) and levels 4-8 for rifles (e.g., .30-06, 7.62mm) stopping multiple shots, while levels 9 and 10 address military-grade threats – ensuring protection against penetration and dangerous spalling (fragments).
Product Testing and Certification
Has Optishield been field-tested?
Yes, Optishield has undergone real-world demonstrations, lab-certified ballistic testing, and environmental testing to validate its performance.
How does CGS ensure product quality for its bulletproof glass?
CGS manufactures Optishield to OEM specifications, employing rigorous quality-control processes and using advanced materials to guarantee safety and performance.
Looking for more information? You can contact Custom Glass Solutions here to start a conversation on our Optishield Tactical ballistic glass solutions.
12688 State Highway 67 Upper Sandusky, OH 43351
Custom Glass Solutions was formed to meet the manufactured glass needs of diverse industries, from Construction, Public Transportation and Law Enforcement Vehicles to Lifestyle Vehicles and Commercial Transport for shipping and delivery. Whether it’s small and flat, large and bent, or something in between, CGS has the custom glass solution for your OEM and aftermarket needs – including laminated glass solutions, bullet resistant glass and more. We also offer OEM glass engineering expertise and many glass manufacturing capabilities for specialty glass needs, including glass bending, tempering, and annealing.