By Ann Roosevelt
BAE Systems leverages many technologies and systems used in its up-armored Humvees and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles in its armored commercial vehicle business–the largest supplier to the U.S. government, according to officials.
“The challenge comes while providing higher protection to meet changing threats yet make [the vehicle] look like it came from the original equipment manufacturer,” Sean Murphy, director, sales for BAE Systems Mobility & Protection Systems, told Defense Daily at the recent Association of the U.S. Army annual conference in Washington, D.C.
The work is continual, “full production five days a week,” he said.
Murphy stood across the street from the conference next to a BAE armored Toyota HiLux pickup truck and an armored Toyota Land Cruiser–the only non-static vehicles at the conference, offering short trips to some media and interested conference goers.
On Oct. 7, the second day of the conference, the company announced contracts with a combined value of $9.5 million from the government to provide 120 armored commercial vehicles, including Chevrolet Suburbans and Toyota HiLux vehicles.
Customers range from private individuals to the Army’s TACOM Lifecycle Command to other government users. Murphy said, “If you can put three letters together, they’ll have a requirement.”
“We are able to integrate our in-depth research and development efforts from our military programs, as well as our extensive commercial experience, into our commercial products to provide the highest level of protection for the vehicle occupants,” Tony Russell, vice president of vehicle armor for BAE, said. “From having conducted hundreds of direct fire and blast tests, we have been able to develop armor packages that can protect against the ever-evolving threats, including blast, improvised explosive devices and explosively formed projectile threats.”
BAE is vertically integrated to control the raw materials, Russell said. Tensylonr, a high performance fiber or tape similar to Kevlar or Spectra, is a high strength material that can be processed into any number of specialty tailored composites that can perform to the same level as metals, but is significantly lighter at less expense, depending on the application. Many of BAE’s new and unique solutions for emerging blast and ballistic threats will incorporate Tensylon high performance materials. It also offers promise for military vehicles as well as individual equipment.
Add to that the Tensylon, N.C., plant is environmentally friendly, where the product is made by solid-state extrusion with no byproducts.
BAE’s heritage in armored commercial vehicles dates back to the 1940s, when the company designed its first armored vehicle for President Harry S. Truman.
The customer essentially determines how the vehicle is armored, Murphy said. There are a series of options, similar to a civilian buying a new car. The basic package for the HiLux includes multi-layered ballistic glass, run-flat tires, a protected floor and protected electronics under the hood. As for options: they can range from ram bumpers to a fire suppression system, a siren or PA system and even more exotic items are also available, positive air pressure, a bomb scanning system–just about anything a customer would want to keep them safe and secure, while inconspicuous.
A more familiar vehicle might be the armored Chevrolet Suburban, which is popular among government agencies, which also can be had with features including a VIP/luxury trim, and different protection levels. Essentially, the customer defines the requirements and if they can afford it, BAE can build it, while making the vehicle drive and look as though it came off the showroom floor at the local Chevrolet or Toyota dealer.