Lenco BearCat

The Lenco BearCat [8][9] is a wheeled armored personnel carrier designed for military and law enforcement use. It is in use by several military forces and law enforcement agencies around the world.

BearCat
A BearCat pictured in 2007.
TypeNon-military armored vehicle
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1999-Present
Used bySee Operators
Production history
Designed1999
ManufacturerLenco Industries (Lenco Armored Vehicles)
Unit costUS$188,793–300,000[1][2]
Produced1999[3][4]
VariantsMilitary, G3, LE, VIP SUV, Medevac LE, Medevac Mil, Riot Control, G4 M-ATV, EOD
Specifications
Mass17,550 lb (7,960 kg)
Length240 in (6,096 mm)
Width120 in (3,048 mm)
Height144 in (3,658 mm)
Crew2 + 10 passengers
ArmorNIJ Type IV+,[5] 1.5–0.5 inch steel plate[2]
Main
armament
Weapon mountable rotating roof hatch
Secondary
armament
Multiple side gun ports
Engine6.7 Powerstroke Turbo Diesel
440 hp @ 2800 rpm
Power/weight50 hp/ton
TransmissionFord 6R140 six speed
SuspensionLive axle
Operational
range
Unknown
Maximum speed 90 mi (140 km),[6] "capable of highway speeds"[7]

History

Since 1981[10] 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.[11] Lenco has produced more than 5,000 armored vehicles for use in more than 40 countries worldwide.[4][12]

The BearCat is one type of vehicle produced by the company that is in use by numerous U.S. military and law enforcement agencies and it also used by all state and territory Police Tactical Groups in Australia purchased by the Australian Government.[7][13] The name BearCat stands for Ballistic Engineered Armored Response Counter Attack Truck as it is the smaller cousin to the Lenco B.E.A.R.[12] 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 Lenco 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.[4]

Usage

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, an armed offender fired more than 35 rounds from a semi-automatic AK-74 rifle at tactical police. Not one round penetrated the BearCat.[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.

Variants
BearCat G3 of Ottawa Police Service

At present there are nine variants of the BearCat, some with unique features and others designed for specific purposes or customers.[12][26]

  • Military – Military version
  • LE – Law enforcement version
  • G3 – off-road variant for law enforcement
  • VIP/SUV – armored vehicle for diplomatic missions
  • Medevac LE – armored medical evacuation vehicle (law enforcement) "MedCat" – equipped with two medical litters, oxygen tanks, a lighted work station, and compartments for medical supplies and gear storage.[27]
  • Medevac Mil – armored medical evacuation vehicle (military) "MedCat" – designed for Tactical Combat Casual Care (TC3), equipped with same features as the MedCat LE with four medical litters.[27]
  • Riot control
  • Edition equipped with anti-riot gear, as shown below.
    • Equipped with Hydraulic RAM (Front Plow) to move heavy barriers
    • Steel Armor Construction with optional B-Kit & Blast protection
    • Gunner Protection Kit with mounts for M249, Mk19, M2 .50 Ca
    • Mission-specific floorplan designed for end user requirements
    • Protective Window Screens and Light Guards, LRAD, Smoke Launcher
    • V8 Turbo Diesel Engine; 4x4 for off-road performance
    • Commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) platform for easy and low-cost maintenance
  • G4 M-ATV – armored all-terrain vehicle (Generation 4)
  • EOD (Explosive ordnance disposal) – armored vehicle "BombCat" for bomb units with room for a large bomb disposal robot, with fold-down ramp and hydraulically controlled platform for deployment. Also can include roof-mounted zoom camera with scene lighting, thermal camera, CBRNE equipment, and advanced communications sensors upon request.[28][29]

Features

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.[5]

Some of the BearCat's features include:

  • emergency lights/sirens
  • rotating roof hatch
  • optional powered turrets with or without ballistic glass panels and blast shields
  • gun ports
  • electric winches
  • running boards
  • protection against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives (CBRNE)
  • back-up camera
  • Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS)
  • battering ram attachment
  • CS gas (tear gas) deployment nozzle
  • radiation detection systems
  • Thermographic camera systems
  • spot/flood lights

Operators
New South Wales Police Force Tactical Operations Unit Lenco BearCat armoured rescue vehicle.
Lenco BearCat owned by the Lee County Sheriff's Office (Florida) SWAT team
Los Angeles Police Department S.W.A.T. 'Rescue 1' B.E.A.R showing a battering ram attachment.

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]

 Australia

 Bangladesh

 Belgium

 Brazil

 Canada

 Morocco

  • Moroccan Auxiliary Forces – 88 BearCat armored vehicles in riot control, troop transport, communications, convoy protection, and SWAT variants.[47]
  • BCIJ (Bureau Central d'Investigations Judiciaires), Moroccan Domestic Intelligence Unit & Special Forces.

 Netherlands

  • National Police Corps - Multiple Lenco BEARs and Lenco BearCats in service with the Dienst Speciale Interventies (Special Intervention Service). A police service consisting of both military and police personnel, specialized in counter-terrorism ops, apprehension of high-value or high-risk individuals, aircraft hijackings and hostage situations. Also includes operators belonging to M-Squadron of NLMARSOF, special operations forces of the Netherlands Marine Corps, under DSI command for domestic counter-terrorism operations on Dutch soil, specialized in large-scale and complex intereventions.[48]

 Republic of China

 United States

Federal Law Enforcement[4]

State/Local Law Enforcement

Military

gollark: Muahahaha, it is done.
gollark: This would probably introduce horrible security issues *too* though.
gollark: My thing, I mean, I'm working on SPUDNET.
gollark: Well, it seems that this didn't cause horrible security vulnerabilities which didn't exist anyway!
gollark: Aha, it works.

References
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2018-03-10. Retrieved 2011-09-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "LENCO BEARCAT Trademark Details". Automotive.zibb.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  5. "Patriot 3 – Elevated Tactics Systems – LIBERATOR – Lenco Bearcat G2". Patriot 3. Archived from the original on 12 August 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  6. "SOR Magazine: Lenco BearCat G4 is "security big wheel"". PoliceOne.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  7. "Product Details : Lenco BearCat". Archived from the original on December 20, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  8. "BearCat to the rescue Tasmania News - The Mercury - The Voice of Tasm…". 31 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012.
  9. Jamie Garcia. "St. Petersburg police unveil a new armored vehicle". WFTS. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  10. "Lenco Industries Inc". YP.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  12. "Article Archive – Law and Order, Police Fleet Manager, Tactical Response, Public Safety IT – Hendon Publishing". Hendonpub.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  13. "Lenco Supplies BearCat Armored Vehicles to Australian National Counter Terrorism Committee". Lenco Armored Vehicles (Press release). 9 April 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  14. "Loaded For Bear: Lenco's Bearcat Is Ready For Duty". Autoweek.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  15. Geoghegan, Susan. "Lenco's BearCat Refurbishment Program".
  16. "Beyond the Patrol Car". Policemag.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  17. "Canberra gets a beast! Behold the Lenco Engineering Armoured Rescue Vehicle". The-riotact.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  18. "Lenco Armored Vehicles". PoliceOne.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  19. "Armoured vehicle for sieges". Adelaidenow.com.au. 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  20. "Patriot 3 – MARS – Mobile Adjustable Ramp System". Patriot 3. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  21. "03212010-StB-LAPD-SWAT-R3-024". Flickr. 2010-03-21. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  22. "Texas man kills ex-governor's son, fires AK-47 at cops" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on October 5, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  23. "Bearcat Survived Standoff; Police Cars Did Not". Doylestown-buckingham-new Britain, Pennsylvania Patch. 2012-06-21. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  24. "Planned Parenthood shooting: 3 killed, including 1 police officer in Colorado Springs". 2015-11-27. Archived from the original on 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2015-11-28.
  25. Kristen Shanahan (2016-01-07). "Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office BearCat shot at during standoff". KFOR.com. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  26. "Lenco BearCat specifications". Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  27. "Lenco Industries introduces the BearCat® MedEvac LE and MIL 4x4 tactical armoured vehicle". Armyrecognition.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  28. "Lenco Bearcat - EOD". Archived from the original on November 2, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  29. "Lenco Industries introduces the BearCat EOD BombCat armoured vehicle for EOD and IEDD team". Armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  30. "Is Homeland Security spending paying off?". The Global Realm. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  31. "Steve Yalda freed on bail only to be shot later in Moorebank". Dailytelegraph.com.au. 2011-06-16. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  32. "RESPONSE AUSTRALIA : Issue #8" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 29, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  33. "High-Tech Armoured Rescue Vehicle now part of the NT Police arsenal". Facebook.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  34. "High-Tech Armoured Rescue Vehicle now part of the NT Police Arsenal". Pfes.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  35. "NEW ARMOURED VEHICLE BOOSTS SERT's CAPABILITIES". Cabinet.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  36. "New high-tech armoured rescue vehicle for South Australia". Archived from the original on June 1, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  37. "Australian and World News – ninemsn, Nine News". news. Archived from the original on 15 July 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  38. "Tasmania Police". Police.tas.gov.au. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  39. Hosking, Wes (28 July 2018). "Victoria Police Special Operations Group gets new BearCat armoured vehicles". Sunday Herald Sun. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
  40. "'BearCat' to assist police in hostile situations". ABC News. 2013-04-12. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  41. "western australia BEARCAT ARMORED – Google Search". Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  42. "Bearcat' joins WA anti-terror fighting force". Perthnow.com. 2013-05-06. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  43. Moorkens, Peter (2017-12-16). "Bijzondere lading politievoertuigen in Antwerpen aangekomen" (in Dutch). Retrieved 2018-11-11.
  44. Vitor, Frederico (2014-12-23). "Bope de Goiás será equipado com veículo blindado usado pela SWAT americana" (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2016-01-12.
  45. "Ottawa police add armoured truck". Cbc.ca. 24 March 2010. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  46. "Saskatoon police unveil new armoured vehicle". Newstalk650.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  47. "Morocco has take delivery 88 BearCat 4x4 armoured vehicles for Moroccan Auxiliary Forces 0108132 – Army Recognition". Armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  48. "Bunker op wielen in Arnhem: maak kennis met de Lenco Bear".
  49. "反恐輪式裝甲車，重磅登場！". Ministry of the Interior R.O.C.(Taiwan). Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  50. "U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration/Y-12 National Security Complex – Security Police". Flickr. 2009-07-31. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  51. "United States Park Police". Flickr. 2009-05-13. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  52. "sts51f". Ktb.net. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  53. "Alaska State Troopers purchase three Lenco BearCats 4x4 armoured vehicles 2203132 – Army Recognition". Armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  54. "Bloomington's new armored truck wastes taxpayer money and further militarizes police". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
  55. "Boulder County sheriff buys new armored vehicle with Homeland Security grant". Dailycamera.com. 2012-06-14. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  56. "Has Homeland Security spending paid off since Sept. 11?". Los Angeles Times. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  57. "Photograph" (JPG). Images31.fotki.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  58. "SWAT/Crisis Negotiation Team Clackamas County", clackamas.us, retrieved 2019-06-07
  59. Morris, Allie (2016-02-12). "The Meredith Police Department never got a chance to use its grenade launcher.The equipment, obtained at least nine years ago". Concordmonitor.com. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
  60. "Dallas PD_011". Flickr. 2009-10-23. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  61. "Photograph" (JPG). Images12.fotki.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  62. Elmer, McKenzie. "Three in custody after overnight standoff". The Des Moines Register. Gannett. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  63. "Coming Soon to Norman, Armored Police Vehicles". Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  64. "Erie SWAT Team to Soon Get New Armored Vehicle". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  65. "LENCO's LE BearCat". Tactical Life. 2008-12-03. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  66. "Swat Vehicle Gives Hudson County New Important Regional Role In The Fight To Protect Our Residents". Lencoarmor.com. November 2005. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  67. https://humboldtgov.org/CivicAlerts/SingleAlertItem?alertID=1989
  68. "Humboldt County Sheriffs Office unveils new BearCat". 2018-12-08.
  69. http://www.kslegresearch.org/KLRD-web/Publications/BudgetBookFY18/2018BudgetAnalysisRpts/KansasHighwayPatrol.pdf
  70. "Louisiana State Police_102". Flickr. 2008-07-22. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  71. "LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT (LASD)". Flickr. 2013-09-02. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  72. "081609-WilshireDiv-LAPD-SWAT-038". Flickr. 2009-08-16. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  73. Barbara LaBoe. "Bearcat armored vehicle for region's law enforcement agencies arrives". Longview Daily News. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  74. "SPECIAL THREAT RESPONSE". Miami-police.org. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  75. "Watch Miami SWAT: Episode 4 Online – On Demand – Sky Go". Go.sky.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  76. flickr.comPHOTOS https://www.flickr.com/photos/30470640@N08/30976565558/in/photostream/. Retrieved 12 December 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  77. "Photographic image of BearCat". Archived from the original (JPG) on December 20, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  78. "P013s NYPD Emergency Service Unit Police Vehicle, Lower Midtown, New York City". Flickr. 2008-07-13. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  79. "Photographic image of NYPD BearCat". Archived from the original (JPG) on December 20, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  80. digboston (weekly), Vol. 17, Iss. 44, 11/4-11/2015, p. 10
  81. "Pasadena rolls out armored Lenco BearCat" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 5, 2010. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
  82. "Passaic County's SWAT team gets $400K BearCat armored vehicle". NJ.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  83. Portland City Audit shows police bureau still years behind on improvement plans, retrieved 7 June 2019
  84. Port Authority of Portland, retrieved 7 June 2019
  85. "Prince William County Police SWAT Unit". Flickr. 2006-08-27. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  86. "Photograph". Updsl.org. Archived from the original (JPG) on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  87. "RCPD reveals new armored vehicle". Manhattan Mercury. 2019-06-19. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  88. "SanDiegoPoliceDepartmentSWAT". Sdpdswat.net. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  89. "Photograph" (JPG). I.imgur.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  90. "Patriot 3 – Testimonials". Patriot 3. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  91. Jenna Tico (15 July 2010). "Unleash the Beast". Independent.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  92. "Seaside Police Serves Search Warrant Using New Armored Vehicle". Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
  93. "Bannock sheriff upset by how tribal leadership treated SWAT team at Fort Hall standoff". Idaho State Journal. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  94. http://stjohnsheriff.org./filez/SJBPSO_2013_Report.pdf
  95. "Stockton police unveil new SWAT vehicle". recordnet.com. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  96. "York County's Quick Response Team Gets New Armored Vehicle" (PDF). York County QRT. York, PA. pp. 16–17. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  97. "QRT's New Bearcat". Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  98. "Sheriff's department offered $225,000 grant for new Bearcat".
  99. "Airmen test new security forces vehicle". Archive.is. Archived from the original on 2 August 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2014.
  100. "Sailors Gather with Community for Military Appreciation Day". Archived from the original on August 19, 2007. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.