U.S. Secret Service to Switch from Suburbans to Armoured Cadillac Escalades
For decades, the Chevrolet Suburban has been a mainstay of presidential escorts and U.S. Secret Service protection missions. But a major change could be underway: General Motors is working with the Secret Service to develop an armored version of the Cadillac Escalade to replace the Suburban HDs the agency currently uses.
This development marks a significant transition. Although the presidential limousine nicknamed “The Beast” is already a Cadillac mounted on a heavy truck chassis, escort vehicles have historically been Suburbans.
An Escalade inspired by the Suburban Shield
On its official communication channels, the Secret Service recently shared an image of an armoured vehicle that looks like an Escalade, but based on GM Defense's Suburban Shield. This model uses several standard market components, which would facilitate its adoption into the government fleet.
“As threats evolve, we continue to explore emerging technologies to ensure our armored vehicles provide the highest level of safety for our protectees,” the federal agency said. Last week, its director, Sean Curran, met with General Motors executives at the GM Global Design Center in Warren, Michigan, to discuss advances in armor and safety.
$14.8 Million contract with GM
According to Reuters, GM has reportedly obtained a $14.8 million contract from the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service to develop a new version of "The Beast." This information had not yet been publicly disclosed, and it will be several years before this project comes to fruition.