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American armored personnel carrier From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Lenco BearCat[6][7] is a wheeled SWAT vehicle designed for military and law enforcement use. It is in use by numerous[8] military forces and law enforcement agencies around the world.
BearCat | |
---|---|
Type | Non-military armored vehicle |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | 2001–present |
Used by | See Operators |
Production history | |
Designed | 2001 |
Manufacturer | Lenco Industries (Lenco Armored Vehicles) |
Unit cost | US$188,793–300,000[1][2] |
Produced | 2001 |
Variants | Military, G3, LE, VIP SUV, Medevac LE, Medevac Mil, Riot Control, G4 M-ATV, EOD |
Specifications | |
Mass | 17,550 lb (7,960 kg) |
Length | 240 in (6,096 mm) |
Width | 120 in (3,048 mm) |
Height | 144 in (3,658 mm) |
Crew | 2 + 10 passengers |
Armor | NIJ Type IV+,[3] 1.5–0.5 inch steel plate[2] |
Main armament | Weapon mountable rotating roof hatch |
Secondary armament | Multiple side gun ports |
Engine | 6.7 L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel 440 hp (446 PS; 328 kW) @ 2800 rpm |
Power/weight | 50 hp/ton |
Transmission | Ford 6R140 6-speed |
Suspension | Live axle |
Operational range | Unknown |
Maximum speed | 90 mph (140 km/h),[4] "capable of highway speeds"[5] |
Since 1981[9] the Massachusetts-based Lenco Industries, known as Lenco Armored Vehicles, has designed and manufactured armored vehicles for law enforcement, military, government and private security forces.[10] Lenco has produced more than 5,000 armored vehicles for use in more than 40 countries worldwide.[11][12]
The BearCat is used by numerous U.S. military and law enforcement agencies and is also used by all state and territory Police Tactical Groups in Australia with federal Australian Government funding.[5][13] The Bearcat is based on a Ford F-550 Super Duty commercial truck chassis with two available engines (the V10 Triton Gasoline and the 6.7L Turbo Diesel), and a six-speed automatic transmission.[14] The .5-1.5 inch thick mil spec steel armored bodywork is completed with .50 BMG rated[15] ballistic glass capable of multi-hits, blast-resistant floors, gunports, roof hatches/turret and agency specific equipment and/or modifications such as lights/sirens/battering ram/winches/thermal cameras and spot lights.[16]
The first BearCat was designed and completed in August 2001 as a spin-off product of the larger B.E.A.R. , with input from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) as an updated and improved version of their military surplus Cadillac Gage Ranger "PeaceKeeper" armored vehicles.[11]
BearCats are typically referred to by law enforcement agencies as being "armored rescue vehicles"[17] with their primary use being to transport tactical (SWAT/Special Reaction Teams) officers to and from hostile situations and to assist with the recovery and protection of civilians in harm's way during terrorist threats, hostage incidents, or encounters with large gatherings of aggressors.[18][19] The BearCat is designed to provide protection from a variety of small arms, explosives and IED threats.[18] Like its larger cousin, the B.E.A.R. , the BearCat is able to be fitted with the "MARS" Mobile Adjustable Ramp System which allows tactical officers to gain entry to elevated platforms such as second story windows or aircraft.[20][21]
Lenco BearCats have been credited with saving the lives of officers in armed confrontations on numerous occasions. In 2010 in Athens, Texas during a shootout with police, a man fired 36 rounds from a semi-automatic AK-47 rifle at a BearCat to little effect. Tyler PD SWAT Commander Rusty Jacks said that the BearCat "allowed officers to approach the house safely and protected them under heavy fire from a very high-powered rifle".[22] In June 2012 a BearCat, belonging to the Central Bucks Emergency Response Team, took 28 rounds from a "high-powered rifle" during a siege with no rounds penetrating the vehicle.[23] In November 2015, a BearCat was used by police to rescue civilians during the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting.[24] The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office BearCat was shot between four and seven times with a rifle during an incident on December 29, 2015. Sheriff Whetsel was quoted as saying the BearCat saved the Deputies' lives.[25] On June 12, 2016, a BearCat was used to breach Pulse nightclub after a gunman shot and killed 49 clubgoers and injured 53 others.
At present there are ten variants of the BearCat, some with unique features and others designed for specific purposes or customers.[12][26]
The BearCat series is customizable with a variety of non-standard features depending on the customers' requirements. BearCats are able to be fitted with moveable elevated platform systems called the Liberator and ARC by Patriot3, Inc., to enable tactical units to access a variety of elevated structures such as multi-story buildings, ships at docks, or aircraft during high-risk hostage or terrorist situations. The LAPD fits one of its four armoured Lenco vehicles with one such system along with many other local and state law enforcement agencies.[3]
Some of the BearCat's features include:
This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2020) |
BearCats of various configurations are in use by the following agencies and departments around the world with over 500 in use in the United States alone.[30]
United States
Federal Law Enforcement[11]
State/Local Law Enforcement
Military
Other
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