Latest news with #GMDefense
Car and Driver
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Secret Service Looking to Add Multi-Terrain Vehicles to Its Fleet
The U.S. Secret Service is looking for a new vehicle that's capable off-road and less conspicuous than a Chevy Suburban. Car and Driver interviewed top officials at the Secret Service and GM Defense who shared some insight about the parameters of such a vehicle. While the Secret Service is keeping its new multi-terrain vehicle a secret, we have some ideas about possible platforms. The United States Secret Service is in talks with General Motors Defense for a new platform of protective vehicles. That's according to Secret Service director Sean Curran, who recently spoke with Car and Driver during an exclusive interview. Along with giving the Secret Service more mobility off-road, the new vehicles could do more to blend in than the armored Suburbans it currently uses. A Suburban Substitute In addition to the famous presidential limousines, the Secret Service's current lineup is made up of armored Chevy Suburbans as well as pursuit SUVs, which look like the sort you'd see from your local state patrol. GM Defense GM Defense ISV New vehicle development is a never-ending process between the Secret Service and GM Defense. 'You know, we do it based on the terrain, based on the threat environment, and just our needs,' Curran said. Without looking to get too deeply into specifics, Curran pointed out that the new platform would be something the Secret Service uses when the typical parade limousine (a.k.a. The Beast) doesn't make sense. He pointed to Africa as a place where the new vehicle would blend in better than the typical armored Suburbans, which stick out like a sore thumb in some countries. No More Monster Garage Before GM Defense began heavily investing in armored vehicles, it was common practice for government agencies, including the Secret Service, to buy cars off dealer lots and cut off body panels. They'd then weld in armor throughout the car and bolt it all back together. The downside of that process is that it would take vehicles designed for civilian use and weigh them down with thousands of pounds of armor they weren't designed to carry. GM Defense GM Defense LUV GM Defense president Stephen S. duMont refers to those models as 'Monster Garage' builds. In an interview, he told us they were often slow to accelerate, and once they got going, very hard to bring to a stop. Now, GM Defense can work hand-in-hand with the Secret Service to build dedicated cars from the ground up. To Be Continued . . . As the Secret Service prefers to keep its cards close to its chest, director Curran kept enough ambiguity to avoid specifying exactly which platform he's working with GM Defense to build. That leaves open three likelihoods. The Secret Service could be in the market for something similar to GM's Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), which is based on the Chevy Colorado ZR2 platform. It could also be looking at GM Defense's Light Utility Vehicle (LUV), which the company builds on its HD truck platform. Lastly, the two organizations could be working on an entirely new platform that hasn't been revealed publicly yet. Jack Fitzgerald Associate News Editor Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Is GM's Light Truck Platform Enough to Protect Government Personnel? The Secret Service Thinks So
The U.S. Secret Service is looking for a new vehicle that's capable off-road and less conspicuous than a . interviewed top officials at the Secret Service and GM Defense who shared some insight about the parameters of such a vehicle. While the Secret Service is keeping its new multi-terrain vehicle a secret, we have some ideas about possible platforms. The United States Secret Service is in talks with General Motors Defense for a new platform of protective vehicles. That's according to Secret Service director Sean Curran, who recently spoke with Car and Driver during an exclusive interview. Along with giving the Secret Service more mobility off-road, the new vehicles could do more to blend in than the armored Suburbans it currently uses. A Suburban Substitute In addition to the famous presidential limousines, the Secret Service's current lineup is made up of armored Chevy Suburbans as well as pursuit SUVs, which look like the sort you'd see from your local state patrol. New vehicle development is a never-ending process between the Secret Service and GM Defense. 'You know, we do it based on the terrain, based on the threat environment, and just our needs,' Curran said. Without looking to get too deeply into specifics, Curran pointed out that the new platform would be something the Secret Service uses when the typical parade limousine (a.k.a. The Beast) doesn't make sense. He pointed to Africa as a place where the new vehicle would blend in better than the typical armored Suburbans, which stick out like a sore thumb in some countries. No More Monster Garage Before GM Defense began heavily investing in armored vehicles, it was common practice for government agencies, including the Secret Service, to buy cars off dealer lots and cut off body panels. They'd then weld in armor throughout the car and bolt it all back together. The downside of that process is that it would take vehicles designed for civilian use and weigh them down with thousands of pounds of armor they weren't designed to carry. GM Defense president Stephen S. duMont refers to those models as 'Monster Garage' builds. In an interview, he told us they were often slow to accelerate, and once they got going, very hard to bring to a stop. Now, GM Defense can work hand-in-hand with the Secret Service to build dedicated cars from the ground up. To Be Continued... As the Secret Service prefers to keep its cards close to its chest, director Curran kept enough ambiguity to avoid specifying exactly which platform he's working with GM Defense to build. That leaves open three likelihoods. The Secret Service could be in the market for something similar to GM's Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), which is based on the Chevy Colorado ZR2 platform. It could also be looking at GM Defense's Light Utility Vehicle (LUV), which the company builds on its HD truck platform. Lastly, the two organizations could be working on an entirely new platform that hasn't been revealed publicly yet. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
CNBC
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- CNBC
The Army is testing 40+ new technologies on the battlefield
CNBC's Morgan Brennan speaks exclusively with industry leaders from GM Defense and Skydio to discuss the U.S. army's ongoing technological overhaul that includes hundreds of drones and autonomous Infantry Squad Vehicles.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GM Defense boosts Mideast footprint with Edge military vehicle tie-up
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — GM Defense has signed an agreement with Edge Group to build a local manufacturing capability for some of its light tactical vehicles, which could be integrated with Emirati weapons. The General Motors subsidiary will work on the project with NIMR Automotive, an arm of the Emirati defense conglomerate, to assess demand for military platforms in the Middle East and Africa region. 'We plan to leverage off NIMR's local facility for potential future production of the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) in several variants, including the cargo one, which is garnering significant demand,' Bradley Watters, vice president for international business development at GM Defense, told Defense News. Upon request, the manufacturer would also be prepared to establish its own production facility in the UAE, which would be a first for the U.S. company. Two vehicle variants armed with Emirati systems were on display at the IDEX and NAVDEX defense fairs here, the infantry utility version equipped with EDGE-made Q Copter munitions, and the next-generation tactical vehicle configuration with Hunter loitering munitions. The partnership announced during the show here builds on a previous agreement signed in 2023 with the Tawazun Council, the Abu Dhabi-based government agency in charge of procurement. The GM-made ISV completed summer trials in the Gulf country in 2023. The evaluation entailed a 2,000-kilometer march across sand dunes, soft sand tracks and rocky fields. The intention is to have the company's recently developed Next Generation Tactical Vehicle, or NGTV, undergo the same assessments as part of the 2026 summer trials, company officials said. As GM Defense continues to expand its footprint in the Middle East, the company is interested in integrating some of its power propulsion and engine systems into existing regional platforms. One of the key technologies engineers have developed through its hybrid electric vehicles, including the NGTV-H, is the ability to drive silently, a feature advertised by the company as an advantage in combat.
Mid East Info
18-02-2025
- Automotive
- Mid East Info
EDGE and GM Defense to Jointly Explore Strategic Defence Opportunities - Middle East Business News and Information
EDGE, one of the world's leading advanced technology and defence groups, and GM Defense announced an agreement to assess projects focusing on light tactical vehicles for customers in the Middle East, Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Under terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), GM Defense, a General Motors subsidiary, would work with NIMR Automotive, an arm of EDGE, on potential opportunities. The MoU signing, which was also attended by U.S. Ambassador to United Arab Emirates Martina A. Strong and Abri du Plessis, NIMR CEO, occurred at the International Defense Exhibition & Conference 2025, taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Khaled Al Zaabi, President – Platforms & Systems, EDGE Group said: 'This collaboration reflects a shared vision to unlock new possibilities in defence solutions. By uniting EDGE's regional insight, operational excellence, and established infrastructure with GM Defense's technical expertise and industry leadership, we aim to create a powerful synergy that will drive innovative projects and elevate operational capabilities across key markets.' 'This strategic agreement marks a significant step towards localising GM Defense's advanced capabilities and expanding GM's transformational technologies and investments into new global defence markets,' said GM Defense President Steve duMont. 'Together, we are poised to deliver advanced mobility solutions that offer exceptional performance, reliability and quality; enabling our customers to safely accomplish their mission.' IDEX Attendees can see GM Defense's Infantry Utility Vehicle in EDGE's outdoor stand CP-270. Additional technologies from EDGE and its portfolio of companies are located at EDGE stand C20 in Hall 5, while additional GM Defense technologies can be seen in booth 03-AO9, Hall 3. About EDGE: Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly-skilled talent to thrive. With a focus on the adoption of 4IR technologies, EDGE is driving the development of sovereign capabilities for global export and for the preservation of national security, working with front-line operators, international partners, and adopting advanced technologies such as autonomous capabilities, cyber-physical systems, advanced propulsion systems, robotics and smart materials. EDGE converges R&D, emerging technologies, digital transformation, and commercial market innovations with military capabilities to develop disruptive solutions tailored to the specific requirements of its customers. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, EDGE consolidates more than 35 entities into six core clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Space & Cyber Technologies, Trading & Mission Support, Technology & Innovation, and Homeland Security. About GM Defense LLC: GM Defense delivers integrated vehicles, power and propulsion, and autonomy and connectivity solutions to global defense, security and government markets. The exceptional reliability of GM Defense's technologies results from decades of proven performance and billions of dollars spent in independent research and development by its parent, General Motors, a world leader in global design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities.
