Late last October, GM’s military product subsidiary, GM Defense, announced the completion of the first vehicle in the Diplomatic Security Service’s Heavy-Duty armored Sport Utility Vehicle (HD SUV) program, with support for the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), as well as more than a dozen other federal agencies. These vehicles are based on GM products like the Chevy Suburban, but include some serious upgrades to protect diplomats, ambassadors, and high-ranking officials in volatile regions across the globe. Now, Jay Leno is getting behind the wheel in a recent episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.
Leno is joined by Julie Cabus, Assistant Director for Training at DSS, and Brady Russell, chief engineer for the DSS armored vehicle program, who highlight the development and some of the features of these vehicles.
Modern armored vehicles, like the pair of Chevy Suburban SUVs showcased in the episode, have evolved significantly over the years, offering high levels of ballistic resistance and survivability. These vehicles are designed to withstand a variety of different attacks, ensuring the safety of their occupants while maintaining a good degree of mobility. For example, a DSS vehicle recently took several rounds in Haiti, yet all of the passengers were totally safe – evidence that the armor “did its job.”
Jay and his guests discuss the extensive modifications that go into these vehicles, which involves third-party armoring specialists who strip down a stock vehicle, then reinforce it with armor plating and reassemble it to DSS specifications. The vehicles feature ballistic-resistant glass, reinforced frames, and run-flat tires to ensure continuous operation even under attack. Despite weighing over 12,000 pounds, the armored Suburban maintains reasonable performance, aided by GM’s 6.2L V8 L87 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission.
Driver skill is another critical component to effective operation, with DSS agents receiving over 100 hours of specialized training to handle the unique weight, handling, and dynamics of these heavily modified SUVs. Jay also highlights the practicality of the Suburban, noting that, despite its armored upgrades, it retains much of its original comfort and functionality.
If you’re interested in how the U.S. protects its VIPs using GM vehicles like the Suburban, this video is a good one to check out:
Comments
Yeah… It’s great to see American owned GM and their products being used in service for our country…🇺🇸
She’s hot…. sounds like a boss!