System and method for ballistic protection for a vehicle door

A method of applying ballistic-resistant panels within an assembled vehicle door for protection of vehicle occupants against impact of a ballistic projectile, the assembled vehicle door comprising an interior sheet metal structure and a sheet metal exterior door panel having an exterior surface and an interior fascia, wherein the interior sheet metal structure and the sheet metal exterior door panel are spaced apart to form an interior cavity, wherein the method comprises

• obtaining a plurality of rigid, multi-laminar woven and resin composite ballistic-resistant panels that are assembled within the door to form a first contiguous, ballistic-resistant panel assembly that covers surfaces of the interior fascia of the exterior door panel exposed to the interior cavity, such that entry of the ballistic projectile through the exterior door panel impacts the panel assembly;
• accessing the interior fascia of the exterior door panel through one or more openings in the interior sheet metal structure;
• inserting the ballistic-resistant panels through the openings into the interior cavity of the vehicle door without altering the exterior door panel;
• and
• securing the inserted ballistic-resistant panels to the interior fascia of the exterior door panel to form the first contiguous, ballistic-resistant panel assembly inside the interior cavity, wherein the first contiguous ballistic-resistant panel assembly conforms to the shape of the fascia to which the panel assembly is secured and does not interfere with functionality or operation of door components, nor does presence or the securing of the panel assembly alter any external surface of the exterior door panel.