Armored vehicles provide officers with tactical advantages in barricade situations and other incidents involving individuals armed with high-caliber rounds. In addition to NIJ Level IV protection, they can be customized with all manner of equipment, including gear to help evacuate civilians and downed officers. Read our August feature to find out how to secure funding for these useful tools. Photos provided by manufacturers.
Armored Specialty Vehicles
Oshkosh Defense's Tactical Protector Vehicle (TPV) is smaller than other tactical rescue vehicles.
The Armored Group's B.A.T.T. (Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport) vehicles are fitted with certified armor plates and "glass clad polycarbonate," which provides increased ballistic protection.
Alpine Armoring's Pit-bull VX SWAT Truck is built on a Ford F-550 chassis and offers armor protection to stop 7.62 and 5.56 rifle rounds.
Ring Power's The Rook Critical Incident Vehicle arrives with an armored deployment platform, hydraulic breaching ram, vehicle extraction tool, grapple claw, and 25-foot gooseneck trailer.
The New Hampshire State Police deploy Lenco's B.E.A.R. (Ballistic Engineered Armored Response) vehicle during SWAT call outs.
Heat Armor is one of several vehicle manufacturers that works with leasing companies to provide agencies with budget-friendly payment options. The SWAT-H is shown here.
The Junction City (Kan.) P.D. used grants and asset forfeiture funds to purchase a regional armored vehicle from Armored Solutions.