General Motors Defense (GM Defense) is General Motors’ military product subsidiary. We’ve covered several stories about the epic projects this subsidiary has undertaken over the years, the most recent project being a combat-ready Hummer EV. Now, the Department of State has signed a new contract with GM to supply an indefinite number of armored heavy-duty Chevrolet Suburbans to be used in fleets for the department’s security service.
GM Defense HD SUV Chevrolet Suburban Contract: Details
The order consists of a 10-year contract, capped at a maximum spend of $300 million. And while the design for the armored Chevrolet Suburban HD resembles a conventional model that anybody could buy from the outside, it’s an entirely different vehicle underneath. The armored Suburban has been developed from the ground up for its armored vehicle mission, featuring a unique body-on-frame platform to support the heavier weight of the vehicle, along with the option for battery- and even hydrogen-electric powertrains as an alternative to the standard gas powertrains. Of course, with the added weight synonymous with an armored vehicle, the suspension is also unique to this creation.
Image via GM Defense.
Not long ago, this HD SUV was out testing in Summit Point, West Virginia, where the United States Department of State got a close-up look at this heavy-duty armored sports utility vehicle. Going directly to GM Defense for this contract is a no-brainer as the company can add all of the unique modifications to the original design and manufacturing process, as opposed to having everything done as an aftermarket solution, where the vehicle needs to be torn apart and rebuilt, adding to the cost of putting together something like this. The value of the Chevrolet Suburban-based HD SUV is expected to be enhanced by a five-year / 50,000-mile warranty.
The armored Chevrolet Suburban is also available for allied defense and security customers worldwide, so it’s safe to assume that this is just the beginning.
