The Armored Group

BATT-S AP

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:52:18 +0000

BATT-S AP

The BATT rescue vehicle provides both ballistic and blast protection from all angles

New BATT-S AP delivered to an agency in Texas.

Black BATT

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 20:59:31 +0000

Black BATT

Custom all-black BATT provide higher levels of safety and comfort

For an agency in Texas. Stops .50 cal bullets, goes 80 mph, and is black, all black everything.

BATT XL

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:04:43 +0000

BATT XL

Custom BATT XL can provide safety and standing room for officers.

Our larger BATT XL for an agency in Arizona. Stops .50 cal, goes highway speeds, and has standing room for officers.

First BATT in Canada Used for Barricaded Subject

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:14:38 +0000

First BATT AP delivered to Sault Ste. Marie, Canada used during a call out for barricaded subject. Needless to say, subject surrendered. http://www.swat-vehicles.com/

Sault Ste. Marie ESU Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport AP (BATT AP)

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:18:47 +0000

Sault Ste. Marie ESU unveiled their new Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport AP, or BATT AP, rescue and tactical vehicle. Featuring .50 cal protection and a host of additional options, this truck is ready to be deployed in the fight against crime. www.swat-vehicles.com www.armoredcars.com

Who Uses Armored Vehicles?

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:17:47 +0000

For one particular group – the armed forces – it’s easy to see why armored vehicles are a necessity. From armored Humvees to the most heavily armored vehicle of them all, the modern tank, operating in combat zones obviously requires the utmost in physical protection for soldiers.

But most people aren’t aware of just how many other kinds of organizations use armoured vehicles routinely, and how many different kinds of armored cars and trucks are available today. Even many businesses and organizations are unaware how they could benefit from adding armoured cars and armored trucks to their vehicle fleets.

Armored vans, trucks and cars serve an essential purpose wherever and whenever people, money and property might become the targets of violence or theft. Diplomats, business executives and celebrities regularly travel in armored and bulletproof automobiles, ranging from armored limousines and SUVs to less conspicuous armored sedans. Cash, precious metals, gems and jewelry, other valuables and important documents are safely transported to their destinations in armoured vans and armoured trucks.

Unless someone has served in the military, the only armoured vehicle her or she is likely to have noticed is the armoured truck that’s parked from time to time in front of the bank when cash is being picked up or delivered. Such cash-in-transit vehicles service not only financial institutions per se but also ATMS, check-cashing firms, grocery stores, pawn shops, casinos and even events such as fairs and outdoor festivals where large amounts of cash are taken in as admissions.

Even with the trend toward a supposedly “cashless” society, there is still plenty of coin and currency that needs to be transported securely! For that matter, the items that commonly take the place of cash such as debit cards, credit cards and gift cards need to be kept secure while they’re being moved between the places where they’re manufactured and their points of distribution.

When it comes to protecting people from harm, armored vehicles can be intended to keep their VIP passengers safe from people on the outside – or sometimes vice versa. An example of the latter would be the armored buses and vans that are used by all levels of law enforcement to transport prisoners. People traveling a little more “voluntarily” in armored vehicles include anyone who needs protection from attempts at assassination or kidnaping – heads of state and other high government officials, corporate executives, celebrities, religious leaders and royalty. While usually the people facing threats are the rich, famous and powerful, armored vehicles also protect people such as witnesses and juries in high-profile trials, aid workers in dangerous areas of the world and journalists in war zones or unstable regions.

Police increasingly use armored vehicles to deal with law enforcement situations in which ordinary patrol cars can’t provide sufficient protection. Armored SWAT vehicles are taken into situations in which high-powered weapons or explosives might be used to attack officers, and armored police vehicles are used today in many countries for riot control or prevention, hostage situations and to serve arrest warrants in high-risk situations.

The Armored Group LLC has been manufacturing state-of-the-art armored vehicles since 1992. We sell and service a wide variety of new and used armored cars, trucks and vans for military and non-military clients around the world. At the Armored Group, we pride ourselves on using our expertise in the field of security to deliver both excellent customer service and quality products. To discuss your organization’s armored vehicle needs, please contact us.

How Are Bulletproof Vehicles Made?

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 08 May 2012 00:10:13 +0000

Manufacturing bulletproof and armored vehicles that offer superior security and protection involves more than just adding a few metal plates to an existing car or truck design. Constructing effective bulletproof vehicles requires expert knowledge of ballistics, explosives and tactics that could be used by potential attackers, as well as mechanical expertise. That said, armor reinforcement is the basic component that shields the occupants of a bulletproof vehicle from harm. Anyone who rides in a properly armored vehicle will be surrounded by a protective shell made from multiple plates of corrosion-resistant steel, steel alloys or special composite materials. The thickness of the material incorporated into armored cars is much greater than the sheet metal used in ordinary vehicles. In a vehicle built to withstand highly penetrating ammunition fired from powerful assault rifles, the armor thickness can exceed a quarter of an inch. Ballistic fiberglass or fabric liners can also be added to provide an extra layer of protection. A bulletproof vehicle can be custom-built from the ground up by welding armor to a bare chassis, or it can be a modification of a production vehicle. In the latter case, the interior of the car, truck or van to be modified is virtually stripped bare to allow armor to be added to its walls, roof, pillar posts, firewall, doors and floor. The addition of strips of armor called door overlaps seals the vulnerable seams between the doors and the body. Some armoured vehicles also have a steel barrier between the driver’s seat and the passenger or cargo compartment. No car or truck can be completely encased in steel, however, since obviously there’s still a need to see outside the vehicle (especially for the driver!) Using ordinary glass would be a huge vulnerability that would essentially negate the security provided by all that armor plating. In a bulletproof car, all conventional glass, including any sunroof or moonroof, is replaced with bulletproof glass consisting of laminated layers of glass and polycarbonate. Today’s bulletproof glass is so good at repelling gunfire that it’s sometimes referred to as “transparent armor.” But however well-protected from weapons its passengers are, a bulletproof automobile or truck can only provide temporary security if it’s rendered immobile. It’s vitally important for a bulletproof vehicle that comes under attack to be able to speed its occupants away from the scene of violence to safety. Thus the essential mechanical components of the vehicle must be protected, too. Its electronics and computer controls, battery and radiator are all be shielded with armor. The gas tank can be armored and fitted with a self-sealing bladder as well, which both stops the loss of fuel and reduces the chance of a fire or explosion. Because tires are so vulnerable to gunfire, bulletproof vehicles have run-flat tires that will continue to function for a time even if the outer rubber has been punctured. Often, heavy-duty ramming bumpers are welded to both the front and rear of the vehicle so that it can push its way through attempts to block the road. The problem that all of these armoured vehicle modifications create is the added weight. Accordingly, an armoured vehicle’s suspension must be beefed up to bear the increased load. Brakes must also be upgraded so that they’re capable of stopping the greater mass of the modified vehicle. Armored doors are so heavy that a third hinge must be added to each one to support the extra weight. For 20 years, The Armored Group LLC has been constructing armoured vehicles for a worldwide clientele. We manufacture and service a wide variety of bulletproof cars, armored vans and armored trucks. We also sell quality used armored vehicles. For you or your organization’s security needs, contact the professionals at The Armored Group LLC or call 1-602-840-2271.

Smart Businesses Employ Armored Vehicles to Protect Valuable Assets and VIPs

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 23 May 2012 23:59:01 +0000

Decades ago, not long after the invention of the automobile itself, private companies were some of the first users of armored vehicles. Today, for many businesses and business executives, armored cars and trucks are more of a necessity than ever. Armored vehicles were originally developed for asset protection, and that’s still one of their primary purposes today. Any business or organization that must routinely transport cash or valuables can greatly increase the odds that its property will safely reach the intended destination by using armored trucks and vans. Perhaps nothing presents a more tempting target to thieves than large quantities of cash. Protected inside the thick steel walls of a bank vault, however, stockpiles of currency make a difficult target. But cash that’s being moved between secure locations is perceived as more vulnerable, and criminal elements historically have tried to make things easier for themselves by intercepting cash when it’s being transported. Armoured trucks shore up this weak link in the chain of custody of currency and coins. Vehicles dedicated to the safe delivery of money, known as cash-in-transit vehicles, are used by financial institutions to drop off and pick up large quantities of money thousands of times daily without incident. Fleets of CIT vans and light armored trucks, often modifications of familiar everyday vehicles such as Toyota Tacoma pickups, routinely service the nation’s ATMs. Without the security of armoured vehicles, the banking industry could not offer this convenience that we’ve all come to take for granted. An armoured vehicle can carry more exotic cargo, too. Anything that’s compact enough to be portable and valuable enough to invite theft should be secured and guarded during transport. Gold bullion and other precious metals, antiques, artwork, gemstones and fine jewelry all routinely ride in armored vehicles. Even expensive luxury goods such as very rare wines or cigars have sometimes been afforded such protection! Businesses worldwide use armoured cars not just to protect cash and physical assets but to protect their human assets as well. Regardless of what they manufacture or what services they provide, all businesses need people to make them run. Unfortunately, in today’s world corporate officers have all too frequently become the targets of assassination attempts or kidnaping-for-ransom schemes. The reality is that business executives often need the same kind of protection that used to be provided only to political leaders and diplomats. Most bulletproof automobiles and armored SUVs made for at-risk business VIPs are modified production vehicles, and are nearly indistinguishable from their unarmored counterparts. In the movies and on TV, CEOs and high-ranking corporate officers are usually pictured riding in limousines, but in reality they might be more likely to travel in less flashy armored sedans or SUVs. Luxury vehicles from Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and Hummer make popular bulletproof cars for execs, but lower profile, less attention- getting models such as the Toyota Camry and Toyota Land Cruiser have also been converted into armored, bulletproof vehicles. Even compact cars have sometimes been custom-reinforced with armor in an attempt to provide VIPs with very inconspicuous transportation that’s meant to go unnoticed, but that will offer greatly increased physical protection if the “disguise” fails to avert an attack. For businesses around the world that understand the importance of investing in risk reduction, The Armored Group LLC manufactures, sells and services a wide range of armored cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. We also serve military and police clients with our state-of-the-art products and expertise. Also, check out our selection of used armored vehicles at https://www.armoredcars.com/used.php. To find out more about how we can serve your organization’s armored vehicle needs, call The Armored Group LLC at 1-602-840-2271.

‘Bulletproof’ Glass Provides Clearly Superior Protection

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 20:53:47 +0000

Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, armored vehicles are only as safe and secure as their most penetrable areas. In a regular vehicle, the fragile windows are the most obvious weak point. To serve in an armored car or truck, glass must be strong enough to resist gunfire as well as blunt impacts from weapons like bats and rifle butts. Bulletproof glass – that is to say, glass that can never be penetrated – doesn’t really exist. Therefore, it’s more proper to speak of bullet resistant glass. Different kinds and thicknesses of bullet resistant glass are manufactured to protect against different levels of threat. Bullet resistant glass is tested and rated according to the kind of fire it will withstand. Level I Bullet resistant glass is thinner and will stop small-arms fire such as rounds from .22-caliber and 9 mm handguns. At level VIII, bullet resistant glass can be four inches thick and provide protection against .50-caliber armor-piercing rounds. There are different testing standard and methods, but the protocol developed by the U.S. National Institute of Justice (NIJ) requires a sample of bullet resistant glass to stop five shots to be awarded certification https://www.armoredcars.com/glass-certification-faq.php. Sometimes referred to as “transparent armor,” bullet resistant glass is made by layering together sheets of laminated glass and plastic films. At least two different types of glass are usually used. The plastic film interlayers are made from advanced polycarbonate materials that deform slightly on impact to absorb the energy from a speeding projectile such as a bullet. The plastic layers also prevent penetration by instruments such as hammers and clubs. Bullet resistant glass serves not only as material for armored car windows, it’s also used in buildings that require extra security. The large drive-up teller windows that many banks have are made from bullet resistant glass. As with the protective glass used in building construction, bullet resistant glass installed in armored vehicles is extremely heavy, making it more difficult to transport and install. This specialized glass is one of the components that adds to the expense and weight of an armored car or truck, but it’s obviously worth the extra money and trouble to afford a high level of protection to the vehicle’s passengers. The Armored Group LLC has been manufacturing state-of-the-art armored vehicles for military, government, law enforcement, NGO and private clients around the globe for two decades. We make and service armored cars, vans, trucks and SUVs, and we also deal in quality used armored vehicles. We have the vehicle or vehicles to suit your security needs! Call the experienced professionals at The Armored Group LLC at 1-602-840-2271.

Used Armored Vehicles Make Security More Affordable

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 20:54:21 +0000

Make no mistake, the high level of protection that armored vehicles provide comes, at a cost. Adding armor plating and bulletproof glass to a vehicle, along with other special modifications, carries a price tag that can present a budget challenge to some of the very people who need secure transportation the most. That’s where used armored vehicles come in. Used armored cars and armored trucks protect the lives of occupants and the integrity of important cargo, but they cost significantly less than brand-new armored vehicles. Used armored vehicles, from cars to SUVs to vans, are available for many different purposes, from VIP sedans to cash-in-transit trucks and law enforcement vehicles. The used armored car market is thriving for a couple of reasons. First, the need for heightened security in locations around the world is growing. The unfortunate reality today is that wars, insurgencies, low-level conflicts, political violence and crimes related to traffic in drugs and other contraband have all created dangerous situations for wealthy and high-profile people in many places, from Mexico to Afghanistan. Domestically, corporations are making more of an effort than ever to protect their highest officials from violence or kidnapping-for-ransom schemes. As with ordinary cars and trucks, many armored car buyers are willing and able to upgrade frequently to newer equipment and the latest models. The used armored vehicles that these customers trade in for their new ones are more often than not perfectly serviceable, and just need expert refurbishment to get them back into top shape. The brakes and suspension on an armored vehicle, even though they are specially reinforced, are particularly prone to wear because of the extra burden put on them. Once these key components are repaired or replaced, along with any other maintenance or repair that might be needed, the armored vehicle is ready to go to a new owner at a significantly discounted price compared to new. If you or your organization are in need of one or more quality armored vehicles, and budget constraints have you thinking that you can’t afford to adequately provide for your transportation security needs, contact us at The Armored Group LLC. We have a varied selection of excellent used armored cars, trucks, vans, SUVs and more! We also manufacture state-of-the-art armored vehicles and provide service at locations around the world. To discuss your armored vehicle needs, call The Armored Group LLC at 1-602-840-2271.

Luxury Armored Vehicles Offer Security, Comfort and Style

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 23:37:51 +0000

Armored vehicles have many roles in the workaday world, securely delivering cash and other valuables. Likewise, specialized armored vehicles made for law enforcement purposed allow officers at the federal, state and local levels to do their jobs more efficiently and with greater personal safety. On a daily basis armored military vehicles keep soldiers in conflict zones protected while they’re on “routine” patrols and dangerous missions. All of these armored trucks, SWAT vans and military vehicles are tough and functional, but are not necessarily built with aesthetic appearance or a high level of interior comfort in mind. However, for VIPs in need of protection – heads of state, A-list celebrities, diplomats and top corporate executives – armored cars are available that offer a very high level of security without making compromises on looks or luxury. Some automobile manufacturers produce armored versions of their most popular luxury cars, but many armored VIP vehicles are made to the buyer’s specifications by adding armor, bulletproof glass and other necessary security features to cars that have come off the assembly line. A skilled and experienced vehicle armoring company such as The Armored Group can retrofit any high-end car – from coupes to SUVs to limousines – to provide a customer with the desired level of protection from bullets, explosives and other violent threats, all while allowing him or her to ride in style. A big part of the craftsmanship of armoring a luxury vehicle lies in creating an end product that looks no different than its unarmored counterparts. Despite the many important modifications that are required, passengers in an armored luxury sedan or limousine expect their surroundings to look the almost exactly the same as if they were riding in an unarmored vehicle. A production vehicle must be partially disassembled to insert the necessary armor plating and ballistic fabrics, along with certain mechanical modifications, then reassambled to cover up these security additions as much as possible. At the Armored Group, we offer armored luxury sedans and SUVs from top carmakers such as Lexus, Cadillac, Lincoln, Mercedes, Daimler, Audi and Land Rover. The Armored Group LLC has been constructing high-quality, high-security, state-of-the-art armored vehicle for 20 years. Our engineers and technicians build custom armored vehicles for private individuals and businesses worldwide, as well as for government, military and law enforcement use. Take some time to look over our inventory of armored cars, trucks, vans and SUVs, including many cost-saving used armored vehicles. To discuss your security needs with our professionals, call The Armored Group at 1-602-840-2271.

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

National Geographic Armored Cars Video

Paramount Group, The Armored Group announce strategic alliance to promote complete portfolio of armoured vehicles at AAD 2016

Paz3Gpi — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 06:55:35 +0000

The Armored Group and Paramount Group have formed a strategic alliance to promote a complete portfolio of armored vehicles at AAD 2016. Read the entire article here.

The Armored Group Opens New State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility in United Arab Emirates

Paz3Gpi — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 12:11:21 +0000

The Armored Group, LLC (TAG) has announced the opening of their newest manufacturing facility located in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. The manufacturing facility is 110,000 square feet and is situated on a 280,000 square foot parcel of land, which is used for vehicle storage. The new facility employs over 100 people who work on a large catalog of armored vehicles including, but not limited to, personal protection vehicles, cash in transit/bullion movement, and armored personnel carriers (APCs). The new state-of-the-art facility replaces the smaller facility which has housed TAG ME for the past several years. Due to TAG’s immense growth it was necessary to build this larger facility and keep it in the geographically advantageous UAE. This new facility will further TAG’s presence in the International market and allow the ability to produce more vehicles for TAG’s growing client list. The opening of the new facility coincides with the announcement that last month with TAG announcing their strategic partnership with Paramount Group, located in South Africa, to better serve high profile personnel, military and law enforcement members that needed the highest level of personal security. “The Armored Group is proud to produce the “Best in Class” armored vehicles for those that need an added level of protection. Our exceptional engineering capabilities and our manufacturing driven approach, enables us to provide the highest level of manufacturing required to be the premier armored vehicle builder internationally,” said Robert Pazderka, president of The Armored Group. “We provide the highest quality armored vehicles available and set the standard for customization, reliability, and protection in a wide varieties of terrain across the world.” For more information about The Armored Group or to coordinate an interview with a company spokesperson, please contact Mary Garrett at 602-432-2010 or mary@mgpublicrelations.com. About The Armored Group About The Armored Group: The Armored Group (TAG) has nearly 25 years of experience engineering, manufacturing and modifying armored and non-armored vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses, individual citizens and anyone needing a high level of personal protection around the world. TAG engineers, designs, builds and modifies vehicles for any terrain and any environment. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 Ballistic/ERV 2010 Blast Certification for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux armoring solutions. All facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line commercial armored vehicles builder and has provided customized engineering, design and building solutions to a vast array of clients including law enforcement agencies all over the world, Brinks, Loomis, Dunbar Armored, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, U.S. Army and Air Force, U.S. and foreign governments and agencies such as the DOD, DOS and the United Nations. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com and http://www.4swat.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

THE ARMORED GROUP DEVELOPS THE NEW SUPER DUTY® SUV

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

BATT AP SWAT Truck

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:22:01 +0000

First Agency in Canada takes delivery of one of our armored SWAT trucks. The BATT AP is armored to defeat .50 Caliber bullets and built for serious off-roading. This particular truck was built for Saul St. Marie ESU.

White BATT AP

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:11:54 +0000

New BATT AP for a Sheriff’s Office out in Florida. AP & .50 cal protection, rotating roof turret, upgraded suspension.

Armored Cars’ Features Thwart a Range of Attacks

Bob Pazderka — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:14:15 +0000

Today’s armored vehicles must be designed to protect their occupants and cargo from multiple types of security threats. From a single bat-wielding assailant to a coordinated attack involving automatic weapons and explosives, armored cars and trucks are built with a wide range of defensive scenarios in mind. In order to put up effective resistance against such a variety of potential assaults, armored vehicles incorporate many different protective measures, most of which are not readily apparent to the casual observer. In fact, many armored cars look indistinguishable from stock sedans and SUVs. Armored sedans and SUVs tend to be (but aren’t always) luxury models, and their owners want them to offer a very high level of protection yet remain aesthetically pleasing despite the multiple modifications that are necessary to make them secure. Some of the features that make armored vehicles the moving fortresses that they are include: Ballistic armor – The thick metal plates that are installed on the vehicle’s frame are what make on armored car “armored.” Depending on the alloy used and the thickness of the plates, the armoring can stop anything from .22 bullets to armor-piercing rounds. Floor plates protect against bombs underneath the vehicle. The trade-off for all this protection is greatly increased weight, which in turn necessitates that armored vehicles must have a strengthened suspension, more powerful brakes and sturdier door hinges. Bullet-resistant glass – Also called “transparent armor,” modern bullet-resistant glass solves the problem of what otherwise would be a huge vulnerability – a vehicle’s windows. While there is no such thing as completely bulletproof glass, today’s bullet-resistant car and truck windows offer great protection even from high-caliber automatics weapons fire. Bullet-resistant glass is made by laminating together layers of tempered glass and clear polycarbonate material. Armored tires – Using ordinary rubber tires on an armored vehicle would leave another great weakness. Considering that a random nail in the road can flatten an everyday tire, it would be foolish to expect one to deflect gunfire! Like the vehicle itself, the tires are actually “armored” from the inside. A “donut” of relatively lightweight alloy or composite material is fitted around each of the vehicle’s rims, and the tire itself can be mounted over that. If a tire deflates for any reason, the vehicle can still run on the solid donut underneath, which is durable enough to take the vehicle 50 or 60 miles at a reasonably high speed (about 60 mph). These tires are often referred to as “run-flats.” Grill guards/bumpers – An armored vehicle may sometime be attacked not by weapons or explosives but by ramming from another vehicle. The armored car’s front grill, with the radiator and other vital engine components behind it, can be shielded from such impacts by a grill guard. Heavy-duty bumpers mounted both front and rear can turn an armored vehicle into a battering ram, allowing it to safely push aside vehicles or debris positioned to block the road in an attempt to bring the armored vehicle to a stop. The Armored Group LLC has been building armored vehicles for business, military, government and private use for 20 years. We manufacture, sell and service the highest-quality armored vehicles available on any continent. Check out our inventory of new and used armored vehicles here Contact us online or call The Armored Group at 1-602-840-2271.

TAGadmin — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

https://www.sema.org/sema-news/2017/07/the-middle-east-a-booming-market-with-a-bright-future

How Much Does an Armored Car or Truck Really Cost?

TAGadmin — Mon, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Here at The Armored Group, we believe that purchasing an armored car, truck, or SUV needs to be a researched process instead of decided on just price alone. There are so many factors at play to ensure that the vehicle performs for your safety needs, so it cannot be an impulse buy. The VPAM rating and the total vehicle weight are major specs to keep in mind. Both correlate to how fast you can reach safety when traveling through hostile territories. If you snatch the cheapest armored car available, you might not be getting the ballistic protection needed for safe transportation. Think of your local law enforcement agency, for example. If your city government purchased the bare minimum protection for first responders simply on price alone, they might be getting vehicles that can barely protect the lives that are protecting your community. Lower-priced armored trucks or SUVs usually cannot sustain anything larger than .22 rounds. They may not even have bulletproof glass! That is not ideal in the fast-paced, on-your-toes environment that law enforcement officers live in. On the opposite side of the spectrum, going with the most expensive and most outfitted vehicle also does not make sense. Having such a heavy vehicle means it may not be able to go from 0 to 60 fast enough to escape a hostile situation or for a law enforcement officer to chase an alleged suspect. There’s a way to have a healthy balance when determining the pros and cons of an armored car’s cost. The experts at The Armored Group can help. We work with all types of government officials, commercial businesses, and private civilians. We can guide you in selecting the right armored vehicle protection for your daily transportation needs.

How Armored Vehicles’ Cost is Determined at The Armored Group

To help make our armoring packages quick and easy to pick, we offer three main tiers: Competitive, Certified, and OEM Level. An armored vehicle can be anywhere in between $60,000 to $200,000. For a more accurate quote for your needs, get a price now.

Competitive Armored Car Pricing

Often is most affordable
Provides an ample amount of ballistics capability without being too complex
Typical markets are private clients and smaller commercial business fleets

Certified Armored Vehicle Prices

Generally average pricing and varies with custom features
Includes bullet-resistant glass and certified armored plating
Custom elements available upon request
Typical markets are larger commercial businesses and law enforcement agencies

OEM-level Armored Car/SUV/Truck Pricing

Often priced the most
Only provided to our clients from our German manufacturing facility
Close to original finish and function for your vehicle with certified materials and other premium touches
Minimizes visible bulk and the total weight of the vehicle

The custom features and VPAM rating of armored vehicle protection also plays an active role in determining your total cost. Since 1992, The Armored Group has excelled in providing the right balance of armored protection with affordable pricing for your needs. There’s so much that goes into determining how much an armored car will cost. When you need protection, there is no price tag that can amount to your worth. If you have any questions about our armoring capabilities and which VPAM ratings are included in our three pricing tiers, please reach out to our customer support team.

U.S. Military Looks Beyond MRAPs to Next Generation of Vehicles

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 16:12:36 +0000

The U.S. military missions in Iraq and Afghanistan required a new kind of armored truck to keep American soldiers protected as they patrolled or traveled about hostile areas of these countries. Because of guerilla tactics used by insurgents against U.S. forces, particularly the widepspread use of cheap improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the Pentagon deployed thousands of mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, or MRAPs. U.S. military purchasing or MRAPs ramped up significantly beginning in 2007. The large fleet of MRAPs that was eventually acquired by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps has been credited with saving some 40,000 lives over the last several years. MRAPs have provided protection superior to that offered by the Humvee, even after Humvees were uparmored better withstand blasts. Now, with the actions in Iraq and Afghanistan winding down, the U.S. armed forces are looking a vehicle more suitable to the kinds of missions that it expects to be confronted with in the future. With no plans to become involved again long-term occupations again any time soon, and the focus of military strategy shifting to the Pacific region, the Army and Marines want a vehicle that is less bulky and heavy than an MRAP. What the armed forces want is a versatile truck that’s nimble like a Humvee but that affords improved protection for its passengers. As a cost-saving measuring, the U.S. Army and Marine Corps are developing the next-generation troop transport truck together. The two branches’ joint light tactical vehicle program has gone through its technology development phase and has entered the engineering and manufacturing development phase. The goal is to have 22 prototypes produced within the next year. Old MRAPs may be retrofitted for other uses, or sold or given to foreign fighting forces as U.S. military aid. However, some military watchers are advising the Pentagon to keep a fleet of both MRAPs and Humvee around in case those vehicles’ capabilities are needed in the future. The Armored Group has built armored military vehicles for the U.S. Army and for major U.S. military contractors. Find out more at military vehicle, and also check us out for armored sedans and SUVs, limousines, law enforcement vehicles and cash-in-transit trucks. We also stock a variety of used armored vehicles at prices lower than new. Call The Armored Group at 602-840-2271 to discuss your security needs with our experienced professionals.

Armored Vehicles Are Key to the Cash-in-Transit Industry

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 15:34:00 +0000

Armored Vehicles Are Key to the Cash-in-Transit Industry

Armored cash-in-transit (CIT) vehicles keep valuable items safe from harm or theft

Armored trucks and vans, and their uniformed crews, are a common sight not just outside of banks but also around ATMs and retail stores. For a supposedly “cashless” society, we have certainly come to take for granted ready access to cash 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This kind of easy access to money wouldn’t be possible without strong security measures to safely store and transport large amounts of currency and coins, because the risk of theft would be too great. Armored vehicles are the key component of what is now known as the “cash-in-transit,” or CIT, industry. In fact, transporting cash and valuables was the first use for civilian armored vehicles, and when The Armored Group was founded in 1992, we specialized in manufacturing cash-in-transit vehicles exclusively. Today, cash-in-transit vans and trucks, operated by some 55 to 65 carriers in the U.S., deliver billions of dollars from secure warehouses to destinations all over cities and towns nationwide. These carriers usually do much more than just transport cash; today, they offer total cash management services for their clients, as well as offering storage for other valuables such as precious metals and vital records. Some cash-in-transit companies even offer complete ATM services that include not just servicing client’s ATMs, but procuring and installing them as well. However, basic armored vehicle transportation services still produce the majority of the revenue for these companies. Cash-in-transit vehicles are heavily armored to protect their crews and cargo from attempts at theft or hijacking. Their walls and windows are bullet resistant, and as with military vehicles, some have floors that are reinforced to resist explosives. (Armored vehicles’ vulnerability to attacks from explosives placed in the roadway and detonated underneath the vehicle were identified and remedied in the earliest days of the cash-in-transit business, after frustrated thieves successfully turned to explosives to rob an armored van that was transporting cash.) Cash-in-transit vehicles ride on chassis that are reinforced to carry the weight of the additional armoring, as well as large loads of currency and coin. As important as armored vehicles are in the cash-in-transit business, the industry also relies on other measures to insure security for their clients’ valuables: Secure storage facilities Well-screened and well-trained drivers and crews Special cargo insurance Closed-circuit television systems Strict audit procedures The Armored Group LLC began serving the cash-in-transit industry 20 years ago. Since then, we’ve expanded our manufacturing, sales and service operations worldwide and we now make a wide range of state-of-the-art armored vehicles for police, military and civilian use. We also carry an inventory of high-quality used armored vehicles. At The Armored Group, we pride ourselves on deliver both excellent products and excellent, responsive customer service. To learn more about how The Armored Group can supply your security needs, call us today at 1-602-840-2271.

Different Kinds of Vehicle Armor Serve Different Needs

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 17:32:18 +0000

Many different kinds of materials have been developed to protect armored vehicles over the years. The choice of which armor to use to shield a car or truck from harm – or for that matter, a tank, ship, airplane or even a spacecraft – usually involves finding the best balance between weight, protection and cost. At The Armored Group, we can select from among several armoring materials for constructing a vehicle, depending on the conditions under which it will serve and the cargo that it will carry. Before military vehicles even existed, warriors armored their own bodies for protection. The technology of centuries ago didn’t have much to offer in the way of lightweight materials. Soldiers and the horses that sometimes carried them labored under a cumbersome load of bronze or iron. When warships were first armored, relatively thick and extremely heavy cast-iron plates were used to cover their wooden hulls. Fortunately, armor technology and materials have come a long way since then. Today, stainless steel armor provides a high degree of protection for vehicles, although it’s still quite heavy. An armored vehicle must have a reinforced suspension and door hinges to bear the extra weight, which also adds additional expense. When the empty vehicle weight needs to be lowered to accommodate a heavy payload – for a example, a cash-in-transit truck that will carry hundreds of bags of coins – lighter weight aluminum armor can be used. Again, the overall weight of the vehicle when loaded still necessitates special reinforcements. A material that provides an acceptable level of protection for some uses while reducing costs is galvannealed steel (pictured). The term galvannealed means that the sheet steel has been both annealed (treated through a heating and cooling process to increase hardness) and galvanized. Since their drivers have to be able to see, every armored vehicle also incorporates transparent armor – more commonly called bullet-resistant glass. As with opaque armor, transparent armor can be manufactured using a variety of materials and processes, depending on the level of protection and weigh desired. The Armored Group LLC constructs a wide range of armored cars, trucks and SUVs for commercial, law enforcement, military and civilian use. Our experienced, customer-oriented designers and engineers pride themselves on keeping up with the latest developments in armoring technology and materials. For the best new and used armored vehicles, call on the experience of The Armored Group at 1-602-840-2271!

TAG Armored Toyota Land Cruiser Earns Prestigious Certification

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:49:32 +0000

An armored Toyota Land Cruiser manufactured by The Armored Group passed rigorous ballistics and blast testing this summer at a facility in Ulm, Germany. The test results earned this TAG armored SUV a certification of VR7 (Resistance Class 7) under a set of German guidelines for armored vehicles known as VPAM BRV 2009. TAG is one of the few companies in the world to earn this accredited certification. The VPAM BRV 2009 standards for what the German authorities refer to as “specially protected vehicles” (armored vehicles) are exacting, to say the least. The ballistics testing protocol calls for firing more than 250 rounds at predetermined areas of weakness on the vehicle. These shots are taken at precise velocities with specified calibers. These areas of the vehicle determined to be the most vulnerable are fired at, and the angles of fire chosen are those deemed most likely to allow armor penetration or an unintentional opening of one of the vehicle’s doors. Detailed engineering drawings of the vehicle to be tested must be supplied to the Ulm laboratory, giving the facility’s technicians even more information to enable them to find the weakest points to exploit. In addition, a site visit by the testing crew is required to inspect the armor placed in the vehicle, allowing another opportunity to uncover flaws in the armoring system. Vulnerable areas commonly tested include: Windows Seams between doors and pillars Areas where side mirrors are mounted Lock areas Areas where armor is overlapping or welded A vehicle that allows penetration by even a single round – even partial penetration – fails the test and is disqualified from certification. Thus, an armored SUV or truck that receives a VR7 bullet-resistance rating under VPAM BRV 2009 is essentially bulletproof. The blast testing protocol under VPAM BRV 2009 calls for German- and Swiss-made grenades to be detonated on the roof of the vehicle as well as underneath it, including detonation of two grenades simultaneously. In addition, the testers detonate a land mine under the vehicle and, to simulate a roadside IED blast, detonate a quantity of PETN explosive equivalent to 15 kg of TNT just a few meters from the side of the vehicle. For the vehicle to pass the blast test and receive certification, its passenger compartment must not be penetrated or deformed. Also, pressure sensors placed inside the passenger space must indicate that the vehicle damped the force of the blast wave to survivable levels. The facility that tested TAG’s Toyota Land Cruiser, Beschussamt Ulm, is the largest of six such facilities in Germany that were established for the purpose of performing rigorous, standardized testing and certification of weapons and security technology. This VPAM BRV 2009 VR7 certification is just one of the latest achievements for The Armored Group. TAG has been proudly manufacturing state-of-the-art armored vehicles since 1992. We make, sell and service a wide range of armored SUVs, sedans, trucks and vans for a worldwide clientele. To have our experts find the solution to your armored vehicle security needs, call The Armored Group today at 1-602-840-2271.

Rapid Deployment Vehicles Serve Multiple Law Enforcement Needs

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 21:25:18 +0000

When law enforcement agencies need a vehicle large enough to transport and efficiently deploy a tactical team and their gear, they look to The Armored Group’s line of Rapid Deployment Vehicles, or RDVs. First created almost a decade ago, the RDV was a near-instant hit with law enforcement agencies looking for an affordable vehicle large enough to carry a sizeable number of officers and the equipment they need. As a non-armored vehicle, the RDV is less costly than an armored personnel carrier or a SWAT truck. Its more modest looks also give it a lower-profile, less aggressive appearance, which can help in situations where the presence of an armored SWAT vehicle like TAG’s Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT) could attract too much attention. The RDV was created in 2004 in a kind of collaboration between The Armored Group and the police department in Irving, Texas. The Irving PD wanted to be able to transport its entire SWAT/Narcotics team and their supporting equipment in a single vehicle. They wanted the vehicle to facilitate faster, safer deployment at the scene by affording room for officers to stand and by providing multiple doors from which to deploy. The department also needed a vehicle that would fit its limited budget and that would be easy and economical to maintain during its lifetime. The Armored Group rose to the challenge and built a vehicle that addressed these concerns – the first TAG Rapid Deployment Vehicle. The RDV featured sliding deployment doors on each side and doors in the rear, as well as steel-reinforced grab bars in the roof. The payoff came after the Irving PD and their custom RDV appeared on a show on Court TV, which resulted in a slew of inquiries about it from other law enforcement agencies. Based on the various needs that law enforcement agencies have expressed over the years, TAG has developed a full line of specialized variants of the RDV. The RDV line includes configurations for Command, Crime Scene, Equipment, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Rescue, Communication and Hostage Negotiator. There are also hybrid versions, and TAG always works with each client to customize the RDV to their exact needs. The Armored Group LLC has been building the best in armored vehicles since 1992. TAG offers a wide range of armored vehicles not just for law enforcement but also for commercial, private and government clients worldwide. We strive to deliver quality products and responsive customer service like no other vehicle armoring company can. To discuss your organization’s armored vehicle needs, call us at 1-602-840-2271.

A Year In Review

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:13:29 +0000

2012 was a big year here at the Armored Group, and by the looks of it, 2013 could be even bigger. This past year, we have purchased a new 144,000 sq. ft. building with in-house laser cutting capability to ensure our material traceability is accurate throughout the entire process, tested two vehicles in Germany to ensure we have data that supports the ballistic and blast requirements, and are currently setting up a certified welding school to develop and grow quality local talent. If I listed all the great stuff that happened this year I’d be writing this all afternoon, so I’ll just showcase some of our major accomplishments. This year, we:  Purchased a 144,000 square foot new building  Purchased New Laser and Brake press  Purchased Metal Fabrication Equipment  Obtained ISO 9001 certification  Obtained State Of Michigan grant for $1,000,000  Obtained AWS certification for welding 1.0” material  Hired 2 military trained electrical and communications experts  Ballistic tested to STANAG and certified to VPAM BRV 2009 certification for the Toyota Land Cruiser  Ballistic tested to STANAG and certified to VPAM BRV 2009 certification for the Toyota Hilux  Blast certification VPAM ERV 2010: Testing for both vehicles was extensive and rigorous: We had a total of nine blast events on the vehicles, more than any other commercial armored vehicle has been exposed to with zero penetration and zero deformation and 100% survivability. It might seem tough to compete with a year as good as this past one, but at The Armored Group, we’re moving full steam ahead, and have no plans for slowing down in 2013. If you would like more information on our cars and what we do, check out our website at www.armoredcars.com.

Tips for Escaping an Attack with Your Armored Car

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:53:54 +0000

You have made the choice to protect yourself and your loved ones by purchasing an armored vehicle. Now you must learn to master your new machine. Having your car armored creates a different dynamic, and learning to deal with the changes in your vehicle can mean life or death when put into a situation where you must not only be protected by your armored car, but also able to use it to escape quickly. Because of this, we have created a list of tips to help you learn to maneuver your new armored car, so that you can handle any situation that’s put in front of you.

Always have a plan – Being prepared for an attack is the best way to keep yourself and those around you safe. Knowing what to do during a carjacking, light fire, and even heavy fire are all necessary in order to combat any situation you may come across.
Don’t look back – Keeping your focus on the path is very important. Worry about the strategy you are using to escape, looking back wastes valuable time, and pulls focus away from escaping, giving your attackers more of an advantage against you.
Stay calm – This may seem very difficult to do in a high stress situation, but remember that you bought your armored car for safety, and it will protect you while you work to properly execute your escape plan. Breathe when you can and focus on your rout of escape to safety.
Know how to maneuver the car – J turns, maneuvering around obstacles, and even pushing through light obstacles should all be something learned prior to taking your armored car on the road. There won’t always be a perfectly mapped escape route when involved in a dangerous situation. Know how to create a route using your surroundings and your knowledge of your armored vehicle.

All of these things will help you get to safety, where you can take secondary measures to apprehend you attackers. Stay prepared and stay alive with your expertly designed armored car from The Armor Group LLC. Thinking about purchasing an armored car, or looking to learn more about driving your car in high stress situations? Contact The Armored Group LLC today at (602) 840- 2271.

TAG Article in American Hard Assets

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 01 May 2013 14:45:09 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) is a twenty-year global manufacturer of customized armored transports, and has provided vehicles to government and military agencies, private businesses and individual citizens around the world. TAG prides itself in absolute customization, a promise delivered through its 144,000 sq.-ft. manufacturing facility with state-of-the art steel laser cutters, brake press equipment and anti-corrosion machines. Read more of this article on page 34 http://americanhardassets.epubxp.com/t/34658

Innovative Active Ride Control System

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 31 May 2013 19:46:35 +0000

Active Ride Control System (ARCS) was created by The Armored Group in partnership with PI Innovo. ARCS is an automatically controlled active damping system that replaces a vehicle’s standard shock absorbers. ARCS increases ride comfort and stability in a variety of terrains and speeds. This allows drivers to keep vehicle control in both high and low speed conditions, and uncompromised handling on rough or loose terrains. ARCS improves safety during normal and emergency driving situations. ARCS is an option on The Armored Group-built Cadillac Escalades, Chevrolet Suburbans and Tahoes, and GMC Yukons. ARCS packages for similar vehicles and heavy-duty military and law enforcement vehicles are in development. An Electronic Control Unit (ECU), electronically-controlled dampers, accelerometers, and the associated wiring harness to connect with the vehicle for power and CAN bus communications make up the ARCS package. Meeting all appropriate durability requirements for passenger vehicles, the electronically-controlled dampers used in ARCS are commercially-available. Organizations providing driver training for civilians and military personnel have been using and evaluating the ARCS demonstrator vehicle, an armored Chevrolet Suburban, for several months. “The Armored Group’s Chevrolet Suburban features an advanced suspension system and is by far the best armored Non-Tactical Vehicle I have ever driven,” said Luke Hayward, a former member of the U.S. Army Special Forces and now CEO of Kinetic Options LLC. “During driver training maneuvers, many operators commented that the armored Suburban from The Armored Group was the best handling armored vehicle they had ever driven.” “I was extremely impressed with the quality and performance of the vehicle, the suspension system is second to none and far exceeded our driving instructor's expectations,” said Kurt Delia, former SWAT Team leader and now President of Delia Tactical International. The ARCS package increases passenger comfort, eases the driver’s workload and creates a level of safety and refinement previously unavailable on armored vehicles. The Armored Group can now offer customers extraordinary ride quality and handling of stock passenger vehicles with the safety and protection expected from The Armored Group’s vehicles. The advantages of the ARCS package increase The Armored Group’s competitive advantage in the armored vehicle market. To find out more about The Armored Group’s ARCS vehicles, or to request a quote, contact us.

The Armored Group Opens Mich. Manufacturing Facility

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:57:36 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) recently opened a 144,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Dearborn Heights, Mich., to produce armored rescue vehicles for law enforcement. The facility, which is built on seven acres of paved land, will create 50 jobs. Located 18 miles west of Detroit, the new plant is geographically and strategically advantageous due to the OEM supply base and other suppliers in close proximity, according to the company… Read More >>

Facts About Bullet Resistant Glass

Bob Pazderka — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 17:08:29 +0000

You may have heard of bullet resistant glass and wondered how it was different than regular glass or how it worked. The Armored Group, LLC (TAG) has created this guide to bullet resistant glass to answer all of your questions. Bullet resistant glass is also called bulletproof glass, ballistic glass or transparent armor. Bulletproof glass is a misnomer, as nothing is completely able to protect from bullets. Bullet resistant glass is made by layering glass with plastic films and then binding them together by heating them in an autoclave in a process called lamination. The finished product is a single piece of laminated glass that varies from 15 millimeters (0.6 inches) to 80 millimeters (3.1 inches) or more in thickness. The variety in bullet resistant glass thickness provides different levels of protection, with the thicker glass providing protection from larger caliber bullets. For example, TAG has eight levels of bullet resistant glass. Level One, at a thickness of 0.875 inches, will protect from handguns, such as a .357 Magnum. Level Eight, at a thickness of 2.5 inches, will provide protection from armor piercing rounds and high caliber rifles, such as a 7.62 M14. When a bullet is fired at ordinary glass, the glass shatters. When a bullet is fired at bullet resistant glass, the bullet pierces the outer layers of the glass, but the plastic film layers allows the glass to flex instead of shatter. This disperses the bullet’s energy over the entire area, stopping the bullet from fully penetrating the glass. Bullet resistant glass can be used in a variety of places, from vehicles to buildings. It can be used to replace existing glass in windows and can be made in flat or curved sheets. The larger and thicker the glass, the heavier it is, which can make installation dangerous and structural support difficult. It is used by a wide variety of people, from world leaders, to military personnel to business owners. It can be used as protection against robbery, kidnapping, assassination, terrorism or any kind of armed attacker. Special permits are not needed to purchase bullet resistant glass in the United States, and it is perfectly legal to use. If you are interested in armored protection vehicles with bullet resistant glass, look to The Armored Group. Our vehicles meet the highest safety standards and are subjected to rigorous ballistics testing. We have been turning regular vehicles into armored fortresses on wheels since 1992. Contact us today with questions, price quotes and grant assistance.

Common Armored Vehicles Used by Executives and Secret Service

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 18:19:31 +0000

While armored security trucks and military vehicles tend to stand out when compared to regular automobiles, there are plenty of protected cars driving throughout the U.S. without any hints that they are sheathed in armor. These vehicles are highly discreet and can pass off as just another luxury car or SUV to the average eye, but to the secret service agent or billionaire executive riding inside of the car, it is their safe haven from any potential threat or danger. Below is a list and description of three elite armored vehicles that are being used in the U.S. today. Armored Chevy Suburban If you’re looking for an armored transportation vehicle that can carry up to eight people, the Armored Chevy Suburban is just what you need. The Suburban comes equipped with ballistic steel armor plates in its doors, roof and fire wall. This SUV also has transparent armor windshield and all of its door glass as well. The vehicle’s floor is armored with material that acts as an absorbent for mild blasts, and it also comes with Run-Flat tires. This SUV is extremely versatile and discreet. Armored Mercedes S Series If you are looking for one of the classiest armored cars on the market look no further— the Armored Mercedes S550 or the S63 AMG is sure to suit your needs. The entire vehicle is covered in ballistic armor, while all glass on the vehicle is equipped with transparent armor that is sure to protect passengers in any situation. This luxury sedan also comes with Run-Flat tires to make sure you make it out safely of any danger or threat. Armored Toyota Camry The Armored Toyota Camry is a high-security vehicle that will blend in with other cars on the streets and highways. This vehicle comes loaded with certified ballistic steel for protection against high powered fire as well as transparent armor glass. Its floor is fitted with steel blast protection to protect its occupants from minor explosions. Like the two vehicles listed above, the Armored Toyota Camry also comes with Run-Flat tire system. Today, armored vehicles are becoming more popular and they are discretely roaming our highways, streets and avenues. So the next time you pass by a Suburban, Mercedes or Camry, it may just be an armored fortress in disguise. If you are interested in armored protection vehicles, look to The Armored Group. Our vehicles meet the highest safety standards and are subjected to rigorous ballistics testing. We have been equipping regular vehicles with armor for more than 20 years. Contact us today for a free quote or price on our armored cars, or give us a call today at 1-855-TAG-SAFE (824-7233).

The Top 10 Coolest Armored Vehicles from History

Bob Pazderka — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 21:48:04 +0000

Did you know that armored vehicles have been in use for more than 100 years? The Armored Group, who has been creating armored vehicles since 1992, has created this guide to historical armored vehicles we bet you did not know existed. In 1487, long before the combustible engine had been invented, Leonardo da Vinci had a design in mind for an armored vehicle. 1906 the Rolls Royce Ghost, or the “Silver Ghost,” as it came to be called, was one of the first vehicles to be commissioned for military work. In 1914, the Royal Naval Air Service in Britain raised the first British armored car squadron, which consisted of the Ghosts outfitted with armored bodywork and a single turret for a Vickers machine gun. 1917 The Medium Mark A Whippet was a cheap, fast, mobile tank used during WWI by the British against retreating German infantry divisions. Because it was very light and agile, the Whippet was able to travel faster from location to location and cut off enemy forces. After the war, it was used in Irish and Russian skirmishes, but was replaced by the Rolls Royce Phantom due to the Phantom’s car-like appearance. 1920 – 1924 The Rolls Royce Pattern was the name of the line of armored vehicles Rolls Royce began producing for the British military. These cars served in Britain’s fight with their various colonies in Africa and the Middle East. They were most famous for Lawrence of Arabia’s use of them in his fight against Turkish forces during his revolt in the desert. A squadron of the armored cars was also given to the Irish Free State by the British Government to fight the Irish Republican Army. At the start of WWII, 76 Rolls Royce Patterns were still in service. The Rolls Royce Phantom eventually replaced the Silver Ghost in 1925. While not nearly as popular as the Pattern, the Phantom was considered to be more stylish. However, Rolls Royce did not build the Phantom as an armored vehicle, so some people customized it with armored plating. This car makes the list because Rolls Royce’s current armored model has been christened the “Phantom.” The M8 Scout Car was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company in 1941 as a tank destroyer. Unlike the Rolls Royce models, the M8 retained a tank-like appearance and was outfitted with a 37 mm M6 gun and a .30 in Browning machine gun in an open-topped turret. Used by Patton’s Third Army, the M8 were referred to as “Patton’s Ghosts” because they were never detected by the enemy until it was too late. The M8s were used regularly until 1962, but there are still a few in service today. The 1942 M3 Armored Half Track was used during WWII and the Cold War. Unlike the M8, the M3 looks more like modern conceptions of a military truck. The cab has a closed top, but the bed is open to allow for easy transportation of troops. This also caused the vehicle to be called a “purple heart box” by troops because it provided little cover from artillery. The M113 Armored Personnel Carrier was designed in 1962 as a kind of medium between cars and tanks. The vehicle features treads like a tank, as well as more fortified armor, but also has an open top and mounted turret. It was used originally in the Vietnam War, but was continually used by US Armed Forces until 2007. The Bradley Fighting vehicle was named after WWII General Omar Bradley. Production on the vehicle began in 1980 for the use of the US Military. It was designed to provide protected transport of an infantry squad to critical points. It can carry up to six passengers and provide cover fire for the infantrymen as they dismount. There are also six ports for the passengers to engage the enemy from within the protection of the vehicle. These are still used at times today. Our modern technology has heralded in an era of personal security vehicles as never before. From armored SUVs, to transit vehicles, to bulletproof sedans, the possibilities for civilian armored vehicles are endless. One of the advantages the vehicles from The Armored Group have is that they are designed with your needs in mind and are extremely inconspicuous. For a list of common armored vehicles used by executives and secret service, check out our archives. If you’d like more information about the services we offer and our currently available vehicles contact us online or call us at 1-855-824-7233. Sources (Pictures):

Selma City Council gives its approval for the new BATT vehicle, outfitted by The Armored Group LLC

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 16:32:47 +0000

The new $177,000 Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport, or BATT, vehicle will be used by the Selma Police Department and possibly the Randolph Area Metro Emergency Response Team, the SWAT team unit made up of officers from 10 area police departments. Funding for the vehicle will come from the city's reserve fund balance. Click here to read the entire story. http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northeast/news/article/Selma-purchases-armored-vehicle-4784353.php

Tactical Life Spotlight: Cape May County, NJ, SWAT Team Using The Armored Group's BATT S AP

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 18:49:52 +0000

Cape May County, New Jersey, SWAT is a forward-thinking team with top training and superior firepower to successfully counter any threats within the county’s 620 square miles. Their armored vehicle of choice is The Armored Group's Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT) S AP for its' exceptional personal protection capabilities and affordability. Tactical Life, recent featured the Cape May County SWAT in their column, Agency Spotlight, which features numerous photos of the team and the BATT S AP. To read the entire article, please visit: http://www.tactical-life.com/guns-and-weapons/agency-spotlight-cape-may-county-swat/

There's a new set of wheels behind the Walker County Sheriff's Department designed to keep the SWAT Team safe.

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 16:33:15 +0000

Sergeant Jason Sullivan with the Walker County Sheriff's Department has a new tool fighting crime as part of the SWAT Team. This new BATT-Vehicle or Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport, which was armored by The Armored Group.

The Armored Group Launches New Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT)

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 13:49:59 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) is proud to announce the launch of their new Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT). The BATT was developed to provide unequalled safety features and tactical capabilities in the field for deployment, extraction and medic services. The Armored Group’s BATT vehicles offer the highest level of personal protection, unmatched comfort and interior space for personnel and storage. It features extra-large custom rear door design with 90-degree lockout providing added protection and shooting space along with added entry/deployment capabilities. The Armored Group’s BATT offers more road enhancements such as shocks, tires and rims making it adaptable for rural and urban use in a variety of weather, environments and terrains. Because the BATT features state-of-the-art armoring processes, the vehicles are able to protect against NIJ IV/B7 Level threats, including but not limited to the .30.06 AP Round, .50 Caliber Ball Round ammunition and blast-type threats. Some of the specific, state-of-the-art features of the BATT include:

Curved Side Walls have been specifically bent/contoured to encompass officers in full tactical gear.
141" Wheelbase that is not cut down, but built to fit the existing OEM platform.
Flip-Up Rescue Seat is a custom designed passenger seat that flips up out of the way to allow officer entry/exit through the passenger side front door. This allows officers the ability to deploy out the side of the BATT, instead of limiting them to the rear of the unit. This incorporated feature lets the team keep maximum seating ability, does not require cutting additional doors in the unit and is a standard feature on BATT and BATT S AP vehicles.
Flip-Out Running Boards adds 6” of extra footing when deployed providing more stable and safe footing and enables teams to enter/exit a scenario quickly and safely. The flip board folds on top of itself when not needed, and stays within the width of the widest part of the vehicle.
Rear Deployment Ability:
- Rear double-drop step and officer platform reducing chance of injury.
- When rear doors are locked out at 90-degrees, an officer can be fully covered between the doors on the step, allowing the BATT to extend its armor to protect more personnel.
- V-Mux System:
  - Allows technology integrations such as back-up, thermal and robotic cameras.
  - Controls HVAC Systems and emergency lighting.
  - Contains multiple media ports and computer inputs.
  - Adaptable to EMS equipment and software enhancements.
  - 360-Degree Rotating Turret
    - Lockable in multiple locations, includes an optic-ready gun port, and provides NIJ IV/B7 .50 Caliber Ball Ammo protection.
    - Includes a multiple height, flush in floor mounted sniper step.
    - Uses Minimal Pieces to increase overall protection—1-piece side walls, floor and roof.
    - Combat Medic Input:
      - Curved wall opens up rear officer area to allow room for TEMS personnel to attend to wounded officers/civilians while still in an active shooter/hostile situation.
      - BATT design allows medics to work on a wounded person, while still being able to sit a team.
      - Rear platform with wide rear doors allows easy entry/exit.
      - Custom Designed Front Doors:
        
        90-degree lockout.
        
        Extra-large designed passenger door to allow easy entry/exit.
        
        Locked out doors allow officers on running boards added armor protection.

Armoring Processes and Abilities include:

Use ½” mil spec steel for walls, turret lid and doors.
One piece side walls, floor and roof.
Fully armored firewall to help protect against frontal incursions.
Gap protection at all doors and turret lid to increase protection and reduce risk of bullet penetration.
Lock-out doors to increase ballistic coverage; front doors at full open and 45-degrees; rear doors at full open and 90-degrees.
All materials certified by third party experts like HP White and Dayton Laboratories.

The BATT family of armored personnel carriers has more tactical advantages built into the vehicle than any other unit on the market, offering the safest, most upgradeable and versatile armored vehicle platform specifically designed for law enforcement, rescue and certain military operations. “The BATT has become a critical solution to military agencies because of its level of protection, deployment, operational capabilities, versatility and size. Because the BATT family of products do not require frame shortening, the vehicles are stronger than the competitors’, thereby reducing the risk of possible failures,” said Robert Pazderka, president and founder of The Armored Group. “The Armored Group is an approved supplier of the U.S. Military and are made at facilities with employees cleared by the U.S. Government and Secret Service adding even another level of security.” For agencies that require larger vehicles, The Armored Group offers the BATT XL, which has the ability to carry over 15 fully geared officers. Also available is the BATT S NIJ III Edition which was designed for departments requiring rifle round armor at an affordable starting price. The BATT S NIJ III Editions are priced less than the cost of up-fitting older Peacekeepers and bring with it new armor, a new chassis, updated tactical abilities, and full factory warranties. TAG also offers the BATT S AP, which is a preferred vehicle of many law enforcement agencies due to its exceptional protection and value. TAG also has a complete non-armored specialty division that builds units for warrants/raids (i.e. our NTAO Tested and Recommended RDV), Hostage Negotiators, EOD, Command Centers, Crime Scene, Equipment trucks, etc.

About The Armored Group

The Armored Group (TAG) has over 20 years of experience engineering, manufacturing and modifying armored vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses and individual citizens around the world. TAG will engineer, design, build or modify tactical armored vehicles for any terrain and any environment. They specialize in three categories of armored vehicles: armored personnel carriers, personal protection vehicles and cash-in-transit vehicles. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 Ballistic/ERV 2010 Blast Certification for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux armoring solutions. All facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line commercial armored vehicles builder and has provided customized engineering, design and building solutions to a vast array of clients including law enforcement agencies all over the world, Brinks, Loomis, Dunbar Armored, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, U.S. Army and Air Force, U.S. and foreign governments and agencies such as the DOD, DOS and the United Nations. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com/ and http://www.4swat.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

The Armored Group and McSweeney Designs Introduce the New MD XUV Motorcade

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 14:01:39 +0000

Click here to see the new Armored Group and McSweeney Designs MD XUV Motorcade, which was specifically developed as a “one-off” for a foreign Head of State.

The Armored Group Armored Escalade with Magnacharger and Smoke System

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 14:23:29 +0000

Click here to see a video detailing the capabilities of TAG's new armored Cadillac Escalade with Magnacharger and Smoke System.

The Armored Group: See what makes our armored vehicles different than all others

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 11 Sep 2013 14:37:44 +0000

Click here to see a video that provides an overview of the benefits of purchasing a TAG armored vehicle.

The Armored Group and McSweeney Announce Strategic Alliance

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 22:23:21 +0000

The Armored Group and McSweeney Designs are happy to announce they have formed a strategic alliance that will enable them to provide world class up-armored executive luxury coaches and dignitary transportation vehicles to a wide array of clients all over the world. Click here to read the entire press release.

Anything but an Ordinary Car

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 17:57:36 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) has more than 20 years in the manufacturing of customized armored transports throughout the world. Providing vehicles to government and military agencies, private businesses and individual citizens, TAG prides itself in absolute customization to the vehicles. Using the most state-of-the-art steel laser cutters, brakepress equipment and anti-corrosion machines, TAG utilizes these machines to cut and bend up to 1-inch thick high hard ballistic steel sheets, enabling them to virtually modify any vehicle into a near-impenetrable mobile fortress. If a vehicle comes under attack and is in need of replacement parts, TAG stores all its specifications for every manufactured part on a secure online system. This allows TAG to quickly replicate the new part to the exact measurement and specification. Specializing in Cash-in-transit (CIT), Military/Law Enforcement and personal protection vehicles, TAG vehicles are designed for any terrain, in any environment. CIT vehicles include transports that move valuables. These are companies like Brink, Wells-Fargo, Dunbar, Garda and G4S. Swat vehicles and Ballistic Armored Tactical Transports (BATT) are used by city, state and federal agencies for Military/Law Enforcement. VIPs, high-powered executives and royalty convert their luxury SUVs and sedans into personalized mobile fortresses for that added security when commuting around town or in a foreign city. The Armored Group is fully committed to passing the highest test standards within the vehicle armoring industry, because TAG places the safety of its occupants above all else. Each production company is ISO 9001 certified, even in the most hostile environments, TAG’s Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux armoring solutions received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 Ballistic/ERV 2010 Blast Certification. Only from the prevention of letting bullets, fragments and shrapnel penetrate the interior, can vehicles qualify for such awards in vehicle armoring. Withstanding testing from sniper rifle fire with various calibers, explosives on the roof and floors, TAG has proven to be one the premier tactical armored vehicle manufacturers in the world. The Armored Group creates a customized armored plan with every vehicle. By engineering the proper armoring solution set, Tag’s finished product will look exactly as it did on the dealership floor, but now with the ability to withstand a ballistics attack. With full service manufacturing facilities around the world, TAG can serve its customers around the globe, from the United States to Dubai. Contact The Armored Group, LLC. for a quote today!

The Armored Group Ships Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (B.A.T.T.) Units to Senegal and Nigeria

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 16:38:42 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) has just announced the delivery of a large quantity of Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT) units to Senegal and Nigeria. Additional requests have been pouring in from countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, India, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico. These BATT vehicles can be designed for rural, urban, or a combination of both scenarios, and includes vehicle protection levels that range from non-armored, NIJ III/B6, NIJ IV/B7(including the .50 Caliber Ball Round) and higher if required. The BATT has become a critical solution to law enforcement agencies around the world. “We have seen an increased demand for our BATT family of vehicles because of their unparalleled performance, protection, deployment options, operational capabilities and affordability, when compared to other similar armored vehicles of its’ kind,” said Robert Pazderka, President and Founder of The Armored Group. TAG also has a complete non-armored specialty vehicle division. The company builds several different types of vehicles used for serving warrants, conducting raids and transporting people. Their line of Rapid Deployment Vehicles (RDV) is NTOA tested and recommended. Other TAG vehicles are used for Hostage Negotiators, EOD, Command Centers, Crime Scene investigations, and many others. To receive details on The BATT and how it provides the highest level of protection and functionality for law enforcement and special tactical units, contact The Armored Group LLC at www.armoredcars.com. About The Armored Group The Armored Group (TAG) has over 20 years of experience engineering, manufacturing and customizing armored vehicles for use by government, military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses and individual citizens around the world. TAG will engineer, design, build or customize any armored vehicle for any terrain or environment. TAG has a full-line of commercial armored vehicles, including armored personnel carriers (APC), personal protection vehicles (PPV) like SUVs, Sedans, and Pick Up Trucks, and Cash In transit (CIT) vehicles. Tag has provided such services and vehicles to a vast array of clients including Brinks, Loomis, Dunbar Armored, G4S, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, U.S. Army and Air Force, U.S. and foreign governments and agencies such as the DOD, DOS and the United Nations. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, Tag has certified Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux armoring solutions to VPAM-ERV 2009/VR7 Ballistic certification and BRV 2010 Blast Certification. All facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. For more information, please visit the company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com/ and http://www.4swat.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

UP-ARMORED: BATTLE-READY SWAT RIDES

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 27 Sep 2013 16:49:00 +0000

Tactical Life Article written by Jack Satterfield: November 2013 The Armored Group’s .50 BMG-proof solution for high-speed, no-casualty operations! Despite superb training, preparation and equipment, no SWAT team member relishes an assault against a barricaded suspect. Entering a structure, especially when its layout is unknown, is a scary proposition—maybe even lethal—but approaching a building can be equally dangerous. Click here to read the entire article.

The Armored Group announces new BATT vehicle deliveries

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:18:08 +0000

Shepherd Media: Land Warfare International covers the delivery of numerous BATT vehicles recently delivered to Senegal and Nigeria. Click here to read the full article.

Understanding TAG’s Clientele

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 18:57:26 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) lives by its commitment to safety, durability and unparalleled service. The company’s quality has been proven through the various certifications and approvals for the safety of our vehicles. [caption id="attachment_351" align="alignleft" width="250"] The Armored Group (TAG) first created a line of Cash-In-Transit (CIT) vehicles like the one pictured.[/caption] Originating in 1992 for those who needed Cash-in-Transit (CIT) vehicles, TAG has utilized a variety of vehicle sizes and types to best suit buyers. The standard vehicle for the CIT business is armored trucks, but some clients wanted something less conspicuous. TAG expanded from the CIT markets by using more commonly used vehicles such as Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and various van styles as bullet-resistant automobiles. After excelling in the CIT market, TAG grew to support both domestic and international clients and expanded additionally to Law Enforcement and personal passenger protection. The expansion came out after the approval of the U.S. General Services Administration for TAG to prepare vehicles for governmental clients. TAG worked diligently to achieve certifications such as the VPAM-BRV 2009/VR7 Ballistic ERV 2010 Blast certification as issued by German ballistic testing laboratories. Being a long time member of the Independent Armored Car Operator’s Association also helped in our rapid growth. TAG has built for the following governmental and commercial clients:

U.S. Army
U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Department of State
United Nations
Caterpillar
Brinks
Loomis
G4S
Central Bank of Iraq
Central Bank of Nigeria
Exxon Mobile

[caption id="attachment_356" align="alignright" width="300"] TAG offers a wide variety of private client vehicle types ranging from sedans to full-sized SUV's.[/caption] Our international reach deals with commercial, governmental and personal clients who all need protection in varied ways and territories. TAG customizes each vehicle by remodeling the chassis, depending on vehicle type and client needs. The following list demonstrates the modifications TAG makes to every vehicle:

Place ballistic steel plates on all sides, doors, front, rear and rooftop
Protect engine components and gas tank
Upgrade door hinges, vehicle suspension and brakes to accommodate the heavier vehicle weight
Prep floor with mild blast absorbent
Install run-flats in all tires including the spare
Replace windshields and side windows with transparent armor glass

There are more features that can be explored, depending on the client and their needs. In comparison, the governmental vehicles that TAG modifies for governmental and international use are of a larger scale and require more protective features. The size of the vehicles ranges as small as Hilux pickup trucks to tri axle over the road semi-trucks. We build vehicles for convoy escorts, hostage negotiation units, busses, rapid deployment, mobile command centers, tactical and a whole family of APC vehicles known as the BATT (Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport). [caption id="attachment_352" align="alignleft" width="300"] TAG now has a a line of BATT vehicles.[/caption] The Armored Group understands more than just safety—we understand ballistics. That is what makes our protection offerings reinforced for quality and efficiency. TAG not only renovates vehicles; we recreate the standard for safety. The Armored Group (TAG) offers vehicle security to both local and international clients. With a wide variety of products available, TAG can meet the needs of private, commercial and governmental clients. Call 1.602.840.2271 or contact us today for more information.

The Armored Group's BATT XL Used to Recover Bodies of 12 Kidnap Victims

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 16:02:22 +0000

Authorities use TAG's BATT XL in their efforts to recover bodies of kidnap victims. Watch the video here.

Shaq Visits The Armored Group's Booth at IACP Conference

Bob Pazderka — Thu, 24 Oct 2013 21:54:39 +0000

Shaquille O'Neal visited the International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference held October 19 through 23rd in Philadelphia. During that event, he stopped by The Armored Group booth to admire the SWAT vehicles on display.

13 Tips for Protecting Yourself in a Road Rage Situation

Paz3Gpi — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 17:03:01 +0000

The Armored Group recognizes the driving risks associated with road rage. This post is generated to showcase a list of tips for those who may become road rage victims. Being a victim of road rage is intense. Your heart starts racing. Your emotions are heightened. Your driving habits adjust. Do you really know what to do? Dealing with an aggressive driver hits that spot that makes your adrenaline rush. It also can cloud your judgment of what you would normally do in a standard driving situation. Before going to traffic school of what to do, it is important to understand the true definition of road rage. AOL Autos staff^[1] defines road rage as “…a momentary emotional response to a trivial situation while in the car. But it can also be when someone decides to take out their aggression on another person using the car as weapon.” Road rage happens more often than most assume. More people are using their vehicles as aggression tools. They are doing so regardless of a direct issue with the opposing driver or simply targeting innocent bystanders. For those guilty of road rage, they could have been set off from another circumstance unrelated to the road rage victim. The AAA Foundation released a study’s results, which revealed that in a period of seven years, 218 murders at minimum and more than 12,600 injuries were sustained from more than 10,000 potential or confirmed road rage incidents^[1]. If you find yourself in a road rage situation, take note of the following for your safety: Protect Yourself

Do not panic
Roll up all windows
Lock all doors
Double check your seatbelt security—If others are in car, have them make sure they are strapped in securely
Reduce or limit any distractions (ie. radio, fighting kids, etc.)

Keep Moving Being in constant movement, such as a freeway, gives them less advantage to block you. Freeways also typically have other travelers that can be witnesses. Alert Police or Highway Patrol Let your local authorities know that you are being pursued by an aggressive driver. Give as many details as you can about the other vehicle. License plates are especially helpful. Keep the operator in constant update of your actual location. What NOT To Do

Do not become verbally or physically confrontational yourself
Do not make eye contact
Do not pull out any weapons
Do not drive dangerously

If you would like more tips on how to handle a potential driving attack, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also published a list of tips.^[2] Road rage is an issue on your surface and interstate streets. Be aware of any potential threats. If you are not the exact victim of road rage yet witness an event, contact your local authorities to help protect the victim. This blog was inspired by recent events. On September 30, 2013, a road rage incident in New York City was caught on video.^[3] The video shown from the link is exactly why armored vehicle protection is important in today’s society. The driver’s window was smashed in with excessive force from a motorcycle helmet. The extent of the fight is unclear, but local news updates indicate serious injuries were sustained. The driver was accompanied by a small child and a woman. Armored vehicle protection is important for both the driver and its passengers. The Armored Group LLC transforms civilian vehicles to ones with superior armored protection. A wide range of protection packages are available including customization options such as smoke screens, strobe lights and fire extinguishing systems. If you are looking for more security for your family or company vehicle, contact a sales representative today or call 1.855.824.7233. ^[1]AOL Autos Staff. “Motorist Flees Accident With Man Trapped on Hood.” 6 May, 2013. AOL Autos. Retrieved November 7, 2013 from http://autos.aol.com/article/road-rage-rising/. ^[2]Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. “Road Rage is the Wrong Way.” U.S. Department of Transportation. Retrieved November 7, 2013 from http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/outreach/dsweek/rage.htm. ^[3]GIXXARDR. “Range Rover Runs Over Bikers in NYC.” 30 September, 2013. Live Leak. Retrieved November 7, 2013 from http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=319_1380522846.

The Armored Group Tackles Unique Automotive Industry Endeavor

Paz3Gpi — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 17:23:44 +0000

Armored Buses Keep Passengers Safe

The Armored Group Tackles Unique Automotive Industry Endeavor

When you think of armored vehicles, what comes to mind? Most people would say luxury vehicles of high-end brand names including Range Rover, Lexus and Mercedes. Some would recall police cruisers and military vehicles such as BATT’s. Would anyone think of a bus?

At least five shootings in the United States have been towards or within a passenger bus, and the majority of these shootings ended in fatalities. Several articles have surrounded these shootings, and among them, the topic of security was discussed. Seattle once tested shields around the driver to protect them in case of similar emergencies, but they later discontinued their use due to reflection glare^[1].

While drivers are of importance, passengers deserve to be protected as well. Many countries overseas resort to armored passenger buses to ensure safe transportation of people. Security directives are different overseas than across North America. Although other countries experience different security threat levels than the U.S., violence is still violence, and shootings almost always end in serious injuries and/or fatalities.

[caption id="attachment_402" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Armored Group (TAG) recently completed armoring a Toyota Coaster bus, suited to transport up to 30 people.[/caption]

Armored buses are a larger scale of armored vehicles such as SUVs or luxury sedans. They transport a wide variety of people both stateside and internationally. These individuals range from elite businessmen, prisoners, national and international sporting teams and other high profile clientele. When a vehicle is transformed with reinforced protection, armoring companies offer different packages to best suit the specific vehicle and client. With public service vehicles such as police cruisers, the steel plating will be thicker to armor against larger sized bullets, and extra features such as strobe lights and floor blast protection could be included.

For elite clients or those with high security clearances, the level of armor is designed to protect against a higher intensity of potential destruction. These types of clients typically purchase luxury vehicles, and the armoring package for these generally includes a reinforced vehicle frame that compensates for the extra steel plating on the vehicle's exterior and tire protection. Optional features that these clients could also benefit from are key component protection for the gas tank, radiator and battery.

Items or upgrades common with a B6 armoring package include the following:

Suspension upgrades
Tire upgrades
Installation of run flats in each of the tires
Internal engine protection including the radiator
Jack protection

Bullet-resistant glass is another option that potentially protects passengers, but it is not foolproof. Other optional accessories a passenger bus could benefit from include smoke screens, and fuel and/or battery protection. Smoke screens are crucial in aiding getaway driving by blinding any shooters from behind or alongside the bus. Armored vehicle protection is essentially meant to protect passengers. The vehicle will still sustain damage, but damage can be replaced, whereas human lives cannot.

Interstate and international security is an issue to be looked at more closely, and buses are not excluded. If armored vehicle protection is something you are considering, or if you are looking to travel by bus, ensure your vehicle or bus is armored to protect your life.

The Armored Group of Phoenix, AZ is an armored vehicle company originating in the cash-in-transit industry. From there, we received requests to design and support those needing tactical, public service and luxury vehicle transformations. Our recent assignment for a Toyota Coaster bus has opened our business to an entire new facet. If you would like more information into armored vehicle protection, please take a look at our website or give us a call at 855-824-7233 (855-TAG-SAFE)!

^[1]Prall, Derek. 21 August, 2013. “Seattle Shooting Ignites Debate on Bulletproof Buses.” American City and Country. Retrieved December 12, 2013 from http://americancityandcounty.com/public-transit/seattle-shooting-ignites-debate-bulletproof-buses.

Lodi Police Not Equipped for Crisis

Paz3Gpi — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:42:05 +0000

Lodi police officials say the department is not properly equipped to safely respond to a live-shooter situation at a Lodi school. Click here for article

The Armored Group Launches New Armored Toyota Coaster Bus

Paz3Gpi — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:50:01 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) has just announced the completion of a new armored 30-person Toyota Coaster Bus, which is primarily used as a communal passenger transport vehicle that will be used by groups that require a high-level of security. Click to read the news release.

The Armored Group and McSweney Designs Partner on MD XUV Motorcade

Paz3Gpi — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 20:17:23 +0000

The Armored Group and McSweeney Designs are pleased to announce the roll-out of the highly-specialized armored MD XUV Motorcade. This vehicle is the culmination of five months of strategic planning, project development, manufacturing, and testing performed in close collaboration between The Armored Group and McSweeney Designs engineering teams. Click here for the full release.

The Armored Group Completes Up Armor of Audi A8 W12

Paz3Gpi — Fri, 03 Jan 2014 14:28:07 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) has just announced the completion of a new armored Audi A8 W12, which was developed for a high net-worth individual. Though this was the first “up armored” Audi A8 developed by TAG, the results were so impressive that it is now in The Armored Group’s production fleet and currently available to all clients. Click here to read the full Audi A8 press release.

The Armored Group – Toyota Coaster Bus | VIP Protection

Paz3Gpi — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:08:11 +0000

Tactical Life Reports on The Armored Group armored 30-person Toyota Coaster Bus. Click here to read the entire article from Tactical Life.

The Armored Group Completes Up Armor of Mercedes Maybach 57S

Paz3Gpi — Tue, 14 Jan 2014 20:38:21 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) has just announced the completion of a new armored Maybach 57S, which was developed for a high net-worth individual. Though this was the first “up armored” Maybach developed using TAGLight composite. This composite is 63% lighter than conventional ballistic steel. Click here to read the release.

Professional Security Magazine UK Covers Up Armored Mercedes Maybach

Paz3Gpi — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 13:30:30 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) has just completed a new armoured Maybach 57S, which was developed for an unnamed high net-worth individual in an African country.Read the entire article here.

How Certifications Affect the Armored Automobile Industry

Paz3Gpi — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 18:14:44 +0000

As you can imagine, bullet proof automobiles have prices ranging from the high tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars! Because there are differing protection levels due to the large variety of ammunition and the accompanying damage it sustains, the quality of armored vehicle protection is impacted by that range. While The Armored Group’s (TAG) output is always top-notch, what goes behind the scenes to ensure quality? There are a variety of organizations authorized by national and worldwide governing institutions that oversee testing and certification. TAG proudly boasts their ISO 9001 certification in addition to blast certification of VPAM – BRV 2009 and VR7 Ballistic ERV 2010 for both the Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux. The Armored Group recently completed a seven-week renovation of a Maybach 57S, an armored vehicle built especially for one of our high-profile clients. Our innovative practices have allowed us to debut our newest invention, TAGLight. To make a vehicle not look obviously armored, we have created a composite of ballistic steel to be 63 percent lighter than thick steel plating. How can a company like TAG be allowed to create and implement inventions for their industry? The answer is simple: certifications. Exploring the ISO 9001 certification ISO represents the International Organization for Standardization, which was founded in 1947 to assist in international trade by providing the specifications necessary for global standards for three categories: products, services, and good practices. The ISO 9001:2008 certification, according to ISO^[1], is provided to organizations and businesses that meet the standards for quality management system in two distinct categories: (a) consistent production of consumer and industry expectations as well as meeting requirements for both statutes and regulations; and (b) meets and exceeds consumer expectations by offering more efficient products or practices than current methods. Based on their explanation, TAG has met those requirements because they have several projects lined up post-Maybach production, and the Maybach effectively rolled out their newest product, TAGLight. What is NTOA? Some of TAG's vehicles, such as the Rapid Deployment Vehicles (RDVs), are mandated by the testing agency known as the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). Organizations most likely to use NTOA tested vehicles include police departments, sheriff’s offices and other tactical associations. The NTOA’s main mission^[2] is split between empowering and informing those employed by law enforcement agencies and creating an area of discussion to assist in tactical development and exchange of information. This applies to TAG since we work closely with law enforcement agencies on both a local and national level, whether it is the police department or various government military operations. On the whole, certifications mean that a company consistently desires to prove themselves worthy of their consumers. This not only displays transparent honesty but also exhibits a hungry need to set a business apart from the rest of the industry. Certifications contribute to wider networks, and organizations can therefore be exposed to a larger business audience. Other TAG certifications are available here. The Armored Group is a worldwide operating company with three manufacturing locations (two in North America and one in the Middle East). Our company has exceptional sales associates who are thoroughly knowledgeable about our products and practices for all of your armored vehicle needs. Take a look at our selection, and then call us at 855-TAG-SAFE (855-824-7233) about making one yours today!

^[1]ISO. “ISO 9001:2008: Quality Management Systems - Requirements: Abstract.” Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://www.iso.org/iso/home/store/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=46486.

^[2]National Tactical Officers Association. “Our Mission.” Retrieved January 13, 2014 from http://ntoa.org/site/about/our-mission.html.

Lodi California Police Explain Benefits of Owning Armored Vehicle.

Paz3Gpi — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 21:57:56 +0000

Click on the link to read article from Police One discussing why The Armored Group's BATT is needed to save lives. Lodi Police Expain Need for Armored BATT

Why The Armored Group Uses Exhibitions as a Marketing Tool

Paz3Gpi — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 06:50:34 +0000

Marketing in today’s economy means thinking outside the box. Lately, to get more of a presence to a wider variety of businesses or exposure to select markets, exhibitions have seemingly become the answer. The exposure can also set the platform for word-of-mouth marketing to other businesses who may find themselves in need of armored vehicles. When a company with large items decides to go to an exhibition, they first need to seek an exhibition either in a new market to broaden their reach or find a like-minded industry type. Exhibitions we at The Armored Group (TAG) have found to best benefit us are security-related, since our brand seeks to protect drivers and passengers from gun fire and other security threats. After selecting an exhibition and getting our business established to have a presence there, we then discuss space and how to make it the most effective for our brand. Sometimes we have the choice of booth size, and other times we have to work with what the exhibition managers provide for us based on selection or first-come first-serve conditions. If there is a large enough space, armored vehicle manufacturing companies typically bring several models to show off their capabilities. Space means everything. Space design sets you apart from your potential competitors. Be smart and make your space memorable. At wedding conventions, for example, event planners can make their space stand out by featuring a live example of a glamorous wedding reception. Other companies may feature a snack or personalized water bottles to refresh attendees. We feature a vehicle or two, provide pamphlets, have large size posters and have knowledgeable representatives there who understand the entire manufacturing process to educate anyone who asks questions or needs more information. Prior to going to any convention, expo or exhibition, some would even recommend having goals pre-planned in addition to booth materials and design. Goals could include the following:

Dedicated number of sales leads – “active sale” method
Releasing or unveiling a new product – “exclusive” or “roll-out” method
Seeking new representatives – “recruitment” method
Distributing materials – “plant the seed” method

When a company such as ours makes a presence at such an event, understanding the industry and market is extremely important. The best way to keep up-to-date on all of it is to make contacts. From previous events we have attended, we developed relationships with certain police departments, tactical accessories organizations and many more! We continue to keep up these connections via phone calls, face-to-face meetings and even social media. Speaking of which, when we are able to include other companies within our social media posts, we broaden our post views to their audiences too. This is great for keeping curious minds informed and allowing them the approachability to seek additional armored vehicle information. Additionally, social media is a great tool we use to get word out that we are going to be at a certain location showcasing our items. This type of marketing also boosts attendance for the exhibition, so it becomes a win-win situation all around. Making the attendance to any type of promotional event for our company is the first step. Making an impression on the attendees is the next step. Making the time to reconnect with attendees and team members by sharing additional information including event recaps and following-up with potential leads makes the event worthwhile. If you would like to see TAG make an appearance at your security or safety related event, contact one of our armored car company representatives today! The Armored Group, LLC is an armored car company dedicated to protecting drivers and passengers. Our wide product line ensures we have vehicles for every individual in every industry. See what our vehicles can provide you; then give us a call at 1.855.TAG.SAFE today!

How to Protect Your Imported or Exported Products in Transportation

Paz3Gpi — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 13:00:18 +0000

Are you a horrible wrapper when it comes to gifts? Sometimes the items that need to be wrapped require extra care, such as thicker paper, reinforced boxes or special packing materials. What if the items were being sent overseas? Suddenly the costs for shipping the item can overshadow its initial price. Even then, how can you ensure its protection and guarantee that the package will be successfully delivered in the exact same condition you initially prepared it? Businesses worldwide face this problem on a daily basis because many of their most valuable transactions are done on an international scale. Doing import and export business carries extra risk including the potential for tampering. Some businesses handle small shipments of valuables, and others work with larger items that need the exact same amount of protection. Occasionally, a little extra packing is simply not sufficient. These types of businesses are more likely to enlist the help of armored transport. Armored trucks and trailers look similar to unarmored ones, but it is more difficult for intruders to break in and steal the valuable goods inside. Here is a small selection of the types of priceless cargo needing armored protection:

Weaponry and ammunition
Silver, gold or platinum jewelry and other high-class valuables made from these metals
Precious stones
Historical artifacts
Art
Materials for developmental organizations (pharmaceutical, medical, ballistics, or other armory and technology)
Money

Depending on the type of cargo, accommodations may need to be made in addition to armored transportation. This could vary from the availability of air conditioning, secured slots or storage compartments, safes and more. A standard semi-truck trailer has an external lock, and the rear door either slides up or opens outward. An armored version may have several external locks, an interior door and be reinforced with several composite steel plates to protect against different bullet sizes. If you have viewed any of the most recent Fast and Furious movies, you will see that semi-truck drivers are at high risk of hijacking and need to be protected. Therefore, bullet-resistant glass, reinforced cab walls and floor-blast protection can be lifesaving for the driver in control of a large vehicle and its shipment. A common Achilles' heel for any tractor trailer is the connection, or "hitch." While it is extremely rare for connections to become compromised, movies such as Fast and Furious have dramatized how it can occur. Thankfully, there are heavy regulations and frequent checks for all safety components for the short- and long-distance transportation of goods. Businesses dealing with imports and exports develop strong relationships with automotive industry businesses, especially for those providing armored transportation like us. Speak to our industry professionals today for your needs! The Armored Group (TAG) specializes in renovating vehicles that provide armored protection for drivers and passengers. Some of our most sought-after vehicles include our heavy-duty Ballistic Armored Tactical Transports (BATTs), Cash-in-Transit vehicles and luxury automobiles. Our dedication to supplying superior security is what keeps our customers satisfied. If you are looking for customizable protection, TAG can help. Please contact us today to see what we can do for you!

How Armored RDVs Can Benefit Your Local Police Department

Paz3Gpi — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 13:50:10 +0000

It is a weekday night, and you are immersed in your favorite crime investigation TV show. You have followed the current storyline obsessively since the new season premiered, and your friends can quiz you on the different characters as well as obscure facts about the show. Well, we want to challenge you. How observant are you in relation to the undercover operation scenes in these types of TV shows? Have you noticed that police and SWAT teams typically use the same vehicles during a surveillance operation? Did you know: stakeout operations exist for gathering intelligence in drug buys, hostage negotiations, uncovering human or sex trafficking rings, as well as high profile criminal activities? Think of some of the different types of vehicles most commonly used in these operations. Do you recognize oversized sedans or unmarked vans in day-to-day life? Police and SWAT teams nationwide use a wide variety of mainstream vehicles to carry out sting operations. For all you know, the vehicle at the end of your street could be occupied by an undercover cop! Armored vehicle companies like us have the ability to provide vehicles of nearly every make and model, but some of the most common that police departments and SWAT units utilize are rapid deployment vehicles, otherwise known as RDVs. These types of vehicles look like delivery trucks. Because these trucks are initially an empty shell, our company can work with each individual department's personalized needs. If they want the vehicle to serve multiple purposes, we can install standard bench seating with storage options for the different components needed, as well as multipurpose tables. Ample lighting, comfortable, removable seating, electrical outlets and multiple exits are all highly important for the individuals housed within the vehicle. Did you know: undercover personnel using RDVs can use interchangeable magnetic signs to mimic different utility companies, so that they can remain "under the radar?" Storage is vital to police specialty vehicles, seeing as police officers require a vast array of different items for any given operation. Some of the most common items include bulletproof vests, ammunition, artillery, undercover clothing and special items for mimicked trades, such as narcotics used in drugs busts. Since crime never stops, we prepare our RDVs for every type of terrain and extreme weather condition. The tires have to be able to perform for every worst-case scenario imaginable. Another option to take into consideration is gas versus diesel engines. While gas can be less expensive and provide a quieter ride, diesel engines are best suited for situations that call for extra torque. RDV interiors can also be insulated to provide maximum heating and cooling benefits for its occupants. Did you know: stakeouts can last for hours, days and even weeks? Therefore, comfort and ease of movement are both extremely important factors. Before you consider carrying out your next sting operation in a conventional unmarked police vehicle, we urge you to explore the potential benefits that RDVs can offer your department. The Armored Group, LLC (TAG) has unparalleled dedication to protecting individuals with our top-of-the-line vehicles. Our specialized vehicle associates can educate you on what TAG can offer, so please visit our website today to view our large selection of armored vehicles!

Guest Post: The Armored Group Offers Bodyguard and Protection Agency Tips

Paz3Gpi — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 23:50:56 +0000

The Armored Group is proud to work with a large variety of clients including security companies. including bodyguard agencies or private investigators. No matter what your purpose and job description, make sure you have armored vehicle protection! We recently had the opportunity to work with Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations, Inc. Take a look at the types of questions you and your clients could benefit from!

Guest Post: The Armored Group Discusses Safety with Seat Belts

Paz3Gpi — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 18:05:36 +0000

Vehicle safety has come a long way since the days of horse and carriages. Since 1885, seat belts have been one way to ensure passenger safety within a motorized vehicle. Join your favorite armoured car manufacturer as we discuss the history of and the significance of seat belts from their origination to present day.

Guest Post: Armored Vehicle Customization Can Protect You

Paz3Gpi — Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:18:43 +0000

Whether you are preparing for a zombie apocalypse or travel into dangerous conditions, having a bullet proof automobile is a great way to protect yourself. Recently, The Armored Group prepared an article discussing the customized features our manufacturing locations can provide for standard civilian vehicles for a boost of protection. Check out our article!

Guest Post: Exploring the History of Air Bags and Their Importance

Paz3Gpi — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 22:46:12 +0000

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="720"] This photo is courtesy of Motor Coach Central. Click to view our article on air bags![/caption] The Armored Group, LLC, as you well are aware, is a leader in bullet-resistant vehicles. What you do not know is that our company appreciates the technological advancements in standard vehicle safety including seat belts, air bags, rear view cameras and so much more. Take a look at an article we wrote about how air bags have changed over the years!

THE ARMORED GROUP INTRODUCES NEW RAID EQUIPMENT VAN AT INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE

Paz3Gpi — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 21:31:38 +0000

(Phoenix, AZ -- November 11, 2015) The Armored Group (TAG) introduced one of their newest vehicles at last weeks’ International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference in Chicago. The new Raid Equipment Van (REV) was primarily developed to offer a smaller, discreet platform that could rapidly deploy 4-6 operators and also house an abundance of gear. TAG also had the Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (B.A.T.T.) onsite, which is used for deployment, extraction and medic services. The REV is just one in a series of new vehicles that TAG has introduced, and is available on multiple platforms. These include the GMC and Chevrolet Cargo Vans, Ford Transit, Nissan, Dodge ProMaster, and Mercedes Sprinter Vans. Standard build is non-armored, but does have an available NIJ III/B6 armor package that can be added. Base package layout includes, but not limited to the following: Equipment housing area in rear shelving, under seats as well as long pole cam storage

Real shelving accessible from rear or insider van
Red and white internal lights
Hidden LED emergency lights
Siren and PA system
Weapons locker
Rear HVAC system
Power inverter system
Plug in strips/outlets

“The Armored Groups’ team developed the Raid Equipment Vehicle to offer yet another solution to law enforcement and other groups requiring a high-level of safety. We foresee the REV becoming a critical solution because of its level of protection, deployment, storage area and operational capabilities,” said Robert Pazderka, president and founder of The Armored Group. “This vehicle is extremely versatile as it can be acquired either with armor or non-armored based on the level of protection and scenario in which it will be used.” The Armored Group continues to partner with leaders in the tactical/security space to provide specialty vehicles to meet the unique needs of law enforcement, military, Government and others who need added security and safety. For more information about armored cars and all other types of armored vehicles, visit www.armoredcars.com. ABOUT THE ARMORED GROUP: The Armored Group (TAG) has over 20 years of experience engineering, manufacturing and modifying specialty vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses and individual citizens around the world. TAG will engineer, design, build or modify both armored and non-armored vehicles for any terrain and any environment. They specialize in multiple categories of specialty vehicles that include armored personnel carriers, personal protection vehicles, cash-in-transit vehicles and a full line of non-armored specialty vehicles. TAG provides the highest quality specialty vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 Ballistic/ERV 2010 Blast Certification for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux armoring solutions. All facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line commercial armored and non armored vehicles builder and has provided customized engineering, design and building solutions to a vast array of clients including law enforcement agencies all over the world, Brinks, Loomis, Dunbar Armored, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, U.S. Army and Air Force, U.S. and foreign governments and agencies such as the DOD, DOS and the United Nations. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com/ and http://www.4swat.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

See an Armored BATT in Use in California by Lodi Police Department

Paz3Gpi — Thu, 26 May 2016 23:21:26 +0000

The Lodi Police Department's SWAT team near Sacramento, CA is the newest customer of The Armored Group's BATT vehicles. Our SWAT-type vehicles help them on missions serving warrants, distilling crowds during riots, and other active shooter or hostage situations. Here is a look how they used their newest vehicle while serving search warrants to armored gang members in Stockton, CA. Capt. Jacobson worked directly with our custom SWAT vehicle team. Together, we created an armored multi-purpose BATT vehicle outfitted with mobile communications and other extras for his SWAT team for missions in and around Lodi, California.

LPD SWAT & K-9 Kael helped Stockton PD this morning serving search warrants on armed gang members. #stopgangviolence pic.twitter.com/H6ez0lnOOB — Capt. Chris Jacobson (@JacobsonLodiPD) May 18, 2016

Our BATT vehicles are available in both armored and non-armored formats with two-, four- and six-doors for team transportation. We know that protecting the members of your SWAT team is important to you. We use the latest mobile and satellite communications to help your team stay connected in all missions. If you want your police department to join the #stopgangviolence movement, contact The Armored Group. We will work with you to create a custom BATT vehicle that will prove to be a great addition to your fleet of SWAT trucks and vans. Shop our line of ready-made armored BATT vehicles or give us a call!

The Armored Group and Paramount Group Announce Strategic Alliance to Promote Complete Portfolio of Armored Vehicles

Paz3Gpi — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 17:37:26 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) today announced a strategic alliance with the Paramount Group to promote a complete portfolio of armored vehicles for military, civilian, commercial and law enforcement purposes for markets around the world. This strategic alliance combines the best defense and security technologies and was announced at the African Aerospace and Defense Expo (AAD2016) at Waterkloof Air Force Base in South Africa. TAG is a leading International builder of armored personnel carriers (APC), SWAT tactical vehicles, personal protection vehicles and cash-in transit vehicles for governments, military, law enforcement and commercial clients. TAG also offers the up-armoring of Toyota Land Cruisers, Toyota Hiluxs, and other commercial specialty vehicles that are in high demand across the African continent for government and law enforcement. Paramount Group, Africa’s largest privately-owned defense and aerospace company, produces highly advanced, mine-protected infantry combat vehicles(ICVs) for military globally. Incorporating the engineering “lessons-learned” into vehicle and soldier survivability for asymmetrical conflicts in Africa and the Middle East, their line of vehicles is amongst the most advanced in the world. “This strategic alliance represents each company’s ambition to provide our clients with the most complete armored vehicle portfolio possible—ranging from civilian, to law enforcement, to military solutions. TAG’s highly respected products and capabilities are a natural enhancement to our offerings, and we can jointly promote a comprehensive, world-class portfolio to our clients,” said Ivor Ichikowitz, Founder and Executive Chairman of Paramount Group. “Likewise, our relationship with TAG, which has an excellent, long-standing track record in North and South America, will allow us to better market our products into those regions. Robert Pazderka, President of The Armored Group, said, “Our customers trust us to provide the best armored vehicle solutions and through this strategic alliance we will offer the most comprehensive range of vehicles on the market. Our armoring of commercial vehicles offers the finest ballistic protection in its class available today, and by collaborating with Paramount Group, we can promote an unrivalled offering of vehicles across the commercial, defense and security industries.” TAG’s clients include the U.S. Army and the U.S government, multinational companies including BAE, G4S, and Exxon Mobile, as well as foreign governments. All the vehicles they manufacture meet or exceed U.S. Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards (FMVSS), and they have extensive production facilities in Canada, Dubai, India, Egypt and Detroit. TAG’s American client and manufacturing base also provides Paramount with further access to the U.S. Armed Forces and law enforcement agencies. In turn, Paramount Group offers TAG access to its significant and well-established markets in Africa the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe. This alliance to target selected markets together will offer the respective companies’ clients an end-to-end solution for civilian, law enforcement and military armored vehicles.

The Armored Group Launches the "Protector" at the IACP Expo

Paz3Gpi — Tue, 25 Oct 2016 13:43:29 +0000

[caption id="attachment_617" align="alignleft" width="300"] The Protector from The Armored Group[/caption] The Armored Group (TAG) is proud to announce the launch of their new Protector at the IACP conference that took place last week in San Diego. The Protector is the first in a new a line of discreet armored vehicles that were developed to provide unequalled safety features and tactical capabilities in the field for deployment, extraction and medic services. The Armored Group’s Protector line of vehicles offer rifle around rated personnel protection, blast/ricochet rated floor and run flat tire system, all in a platform that doesn’t draw attention. It features certified, light weight ballistic materials, multiple exterior sizes and interior layouts. The Armored Group’s Protector is available on a Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Nissan NV and Chevrolet/GMC Vans. Both 4x2 and 4x4 models are available to make it adaptable for rural and urban use in a variety of weather conditions, environments and terrains. Because the Protector features state-of-the-art armoring processes, the vehicles are able to protect against NIJ III Threats, including but not limited to the 7.62x51mm rounds and blast-type threats. “The Protector family of armored vehicles has become a critical solution to agencies because of its level of protection, discretion, deployment ability, operational capabilities, versatility and size,” said Robert Pazderka, President and Founder of the Armored Group. For agencies that require a different type of vehicle, The Armored Group offers a complete line of armored personnel carriers (BATT Line of Vehicles), armored SUVs/Trucks/Sedans, and TAG also has a full, non-armored specialty division that builds units for warrants/raids (i.e. our NTAO Tested and Recommended RDV), Hostage Negotiators, EOD, Command Centers, Crime Scene, Equipment trucks, etc. Media inquiries or to request additional information, contact Mary Garrett at 602-432-2010. About The Armored Group: The Armored Group (TAG) has nearly 25 years of experience engineering, manufacturing and modifying armored and non-armored vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses, individual citizens and anyone needing a high level of personal protection around the world. TAG engineers, designs, builds and modifies vehicles for any terrain and any environment. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 Ballistic/ERV 2010 Blast Certification for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux armoring solutions. All facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line commercial armored vehicles builder and has provided customized engineering, design and building solutions to a vast array of clients including law enforcement agencies all over the world, Brinks, Loomis, Dunbar Armored, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, U.S. Army and Air Force, U.S. and foreign governments and agencies such as the DOD, DOS and the United Nations. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com and http://www.4swat.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

The Armored Group Opens New Manufacturing Facility in the United Arab Emirates

Paz3Gpi — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 19:32:28 +0000

[caption id="attachment_625" align="alignleft" width="300"] DCIM100MEDIADJI_0010.JPG[/caption] The Armored Group, LLC (TAG) has announced the opening of their newest manufacturing facility located in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. The manufacturing facility is 110,000 square feet and is situated on a 280,000 square foot parcel of land, which is used for vehicle storage. The new facility employs over 100 people who work on a large catalog of armored vehicles including, but not limited to, personal protection vehicles, cash in transit/bullion movement, and armored personnel carriers (APCs). The new state-of-the-art facility replaces the smaller facility which has housed TAG ME for the past several years. Due to TAG’s immense growth it was necessary to build this larger facility and keep it in the geographically advantageous UAE. This new facility will further TAG’s presence in the International market and allow the ability to produce more vehicles for TAG’s growing client list. The opening of the new facility coincides with the announcement that last month with TAG announcing their strategic partnership with Paramount Group, located in South Africa, to better serve high profile personnel, military and law enforcement members that needed the highest level of personal security. “The Armored Group is proud to produce the “Best in Class” armored vehicles for those that need an added level of protection. Our exceptional engineering capabilities and our manufacturing driven approach, enables us to provide the highest level of manufacturing required to be the premier armored vehicle builder internationally,” said Robert Pazderka, president of The Armored Group. “We provide the highest quality armored vehicles available and set the standard for customization, reliability, and protection in a wide varieties of terrain across the world.” For more information about The Armored Group or to coordinate an interview with a company spokesperson, please contact Mary Garrett at 602-432-2010 or mary@mgpublicrelations.com. About The Armored Group The Armored Group (TAG) has nearly 25 years of experience engineering, manufacturing and modifying armored and non-armored vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses, individual citizens and anyone needing a high level of personal protection around the world. TAG engineers, designs, builds and modifies vehicles for any terrain and any environment. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 Ballistic/ERV 2010 Blast Certification for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux armoring solutions. All facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line commercial armored vehicles builder and has provided customized engineering, design and building solutions to a vast array of clients including law enforcement agencies all over the world, Brinks, Loomis, Dunbar Armored, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, U.S. Army and Air Force, U.S. and foreign governments and agencies such as the DOD, DOS and the United Nations. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com and http://www.4swat.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

The Armored Group launches the "Protector" at IACP in San Diego

Bob Pazderka — Thu, 17 Nov 2016 21:11:57 +0000

The First of the New Line of Discreet Armored Vehicles on Display at IACP The Protector is the first in a new a line of discreet armored vehicles that were developed to provide unequalled safety features and tactical capabilities in the field for deployment, extraction and medic services. Read the entire article here.

The Armored Group Opens New State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Facility in United Arab Emirates

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 22:18:49 +0000

The Armored Group, LLC (TAG) has announced the opening of their newest manufacturing facility located in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. The new state-of-the-art facility replaces the smaller facility which has housed TAG ME for the past several years. Due to TAG’s immense growth it was necessary to build this larger facility and keep it in the geographically advantageous UAE. To read the complete story, click here.

The Armored Group Introduces the Versatile Super Duty SUV

Bob Pazderka — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 18:37:00 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) is proud to announce the launch of the most versatile and innovative “Super Duty®” SUV/TUV on the market built on a variety of Ford Super Duty® truck platforms and in models including the MCV, Tactical SUV, and Frontiersman, these are the only diesel SUV’s manufactured in the USA. To read the entire press release, Super Duty SUV final.

Police use BATT and K-9 unit to deliver holiday cheer

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 17:42:30 +0000

Sault Ste Marie police use their BATT to collect items that will be distributed to those in need. Read the article here.

Police Expect Trump to Lift Ban on Surplus Military Gear

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 13:57:10 +0000

If president-elect Donald Trump keeps his promise, surplus military gear will once again be available to state and local police departments. Click to read full article.

The Armored Group Sponsors Shot in the Dark Vegas to Benefit Law Enforcement Community.

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 00:33:45 +0000

Shot in the Dark Vegas 2017 is a joint Military and Law Enforcement community fundraiser to raise money in support of Operation 300, Cops Helping Cops and The American Legion. For more information, Shot in The Dark Media Alert 2017.

U.S. Department of State Awards 10-year Blanket Purchase Agreement to The Armored Group, LLC

Bob Pazderka — Thu, 12 Jan 2017 02:26:53 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG) has just announced they have been awarded a 10-year blanket purchase agreement (BPA) with the Department of State. A blanket purchase agreement offers a simplified acquisition method that government agencies use to fill anticipated repetitive needs for supplies and services. Read the entire article here.

The Armored Group Introduces New Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport Designed for Law Enforcement Agencies

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 22:49:24 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG), the provider of a wide range of armored vehicles, has just introduced its newest armored vehicle, the BATT-APX, an armored rescue vehicle (ARV) designed for law enforcement agencies. For more information on the new click here, BATT-APX final 1.

The Armored Group Honored as One of the Fastest Growing Companies by Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 10 Feb 2017 17:08:12 +0000

The Armored Group was recently recognized as one of the fastest growing medium- and large-sized companies by the Ras Al Khaimah Free Trade Zone after opening their newest location in the UAE. [caption id="attachment_692" align="alignleft" width="300"] ?????????[/caption]

Springfield, Oregon, Chooses The Armored Group's Suburban

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 17 Feb 2017 14:54:31 +0000

Eugene Weekly recently reported that the Springfield, Oregon, police department recently purchased an armored 2017 Suburban because it doesn't have a military-style appearance, yet provides the same high-level of personnel protection. Read the entire story here: Springfield purchases police armored Suburban

Police Chief Magazine features Super Duty SUV in their March issue

Bob Pazderka — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 22:21:54 +0000

Police Chief Magazine features the Super Duty SUV in the March issue of their publication in the Product Update section. To read the article, click here.

Minnetonka, Minnesota, Uses The Armored Group's BATT in Shooting Case

Bob Pazderka — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 18:43:12 +0000

Minnetonka police used The Armored Group's BATT to investigate a shooting at a local park and ride. The offender was arrested after three hours using the BATT, helicopter and K9 unit.

The Armored Group Receives New ISO 9001:2015 Certification

Bob Pazderka — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 18:24:10 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG), a worldwide provider of armored and non-armored vehicles for military agencies, law enforcement, private business and individuals needing a high-level of personal protection, has just announced they have received the ISO 9001:2015 certification from Smithers Quality Assessments. This certification is significant as it shows that TAG has reached the benchmarks for each of the areas covered under the certification. The newly revised ISO 9001:2015 is the world’s most popular standard for quality management. To receive the certification numerous internal and external requirements must be met.

Businesses must demonstrate their ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Businesses must enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of systems and protocols, including processes for improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

The Armored Group previously held the ISO 9001:2008 certification, which is due to expire in 2018. In 2016, the TAG team started the lengthy audit process to ensure that each standard was being met. The areas that were scrutinized include: manufacturing, inventory management, purchasing, accounting, human resources, contract review and regulatory requirements. “Having the ISO 9001:2015 certification makes TAG’s vehicles very attractive to the agencies, organizations and individuals as it proves that our vehicles are manufactured with top-level procedures and systems that meet or exceed the International Standards Organizations’ stringent requirements,” said Robert Pazderka, founder and president of The Armored Group. “Our team has worked very hard to not only receive the certification, but continually uses best practices to maintain the highest level of quality and service.” TAG has made considerable news lately with the introduction of the BATT-APX, which is an armored vehicle designed for law enforcement agencies and the Super Duty SUV/TUV, one of the most versatile vehicles on the market with the appearance of a four or six door sport utility vehicle. In addition, in the last quarter of 2016, they formed a strategic alliance with the Paramount Group and opened a new facility in Dubai to provide a higher level of service to that part of the globe. About The Armored Group: The Armored Group (TAG) has nearly 25 years of experience engineering, manufacturing and modifying armored and non-armored vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses, individual citizens and anyone needing a high level of personal protection around the world. TAG engineers, designs, builds and modifies vehicles for any terrain and any environment. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 Ballistic/ERV 2010 Blast Certification for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux armoring solutions. All facilities are ISO 9001:2008/ISO 9001:2015 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line commercial armored vehicles builder and has provided customized engineering, design and building solutions to a vast array of clients including law enforcement agencies all over the world, Brinks, Loomis, Dunbar Armored, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, U.S. Army and Air Force, U.S. and foreign governments and agencies such as the DOD, DOS and the United Nations. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com and http://www.4swat.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

The Armored Group Mentioned in Industry Article on Armored Vehicle Trends

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 16 May 2017 18:43:08 +0000

The Armored Group was recently featured in a study on Armored Vehicles in Global market, especially in North America, China, Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan and India, with production, revenue, consumption, import and export in these regions, from 2012 to 2016, and forecast to 2022. Read the article here: Armored Vehicle Market Survey

Law Enforcement Product News Features The Armored Group in Cover Story

Bob Pazderka — Thu, 18 May 2017 19:03:51 +0000

The Armored Group was the cover story in the March/April issue of Law Enforcement Product News article.

Demand for Armored Vehicles Expected to Grow in Major Global Markets

Bob Pazderka — Tue, 23 May 2017 23:02:13 +0000

The Armored Group is included in New Research Report & Survey for Defense Forecast through 2022

Armored vehicles are in high demand all across the globe, and The Armored Group is here to answer to the call for your private and tactical needs. A new report was released by QY Research Groups, and it covers all the details necessary to understand how to secure an armored vehicle in your market. The countries highlighted in the initial report include North America, Asia (China, India, and Japan), and Europe. It is possible to request your region as well. QY Research Groups surveyed and compiled data to explain the background details for the industry. They cover vehicle production, revenue earned, products consumed, and import and export statistics between 2012 and 2016. The data they pulled provided adequate information to put together a forecast all the way through to 2022. It is possible to narrow the report based on defense and commercial armored vehicles, country serviced, research and development, and so much more. Request your country’s report today, and feel free to reach out to The Armored Group for further information on the company, available inventory, countries serviced, and more.

TAG BATT Used to End Standoff in Sault Ste. Marie

Bob Pazderka — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 16:59:14 +0000

Sault Ste. Marie Police used a TAG BATT to end a standoff and safely take a man in for standing warrants. Read entire article here.

The Armored Group Exhibits at SEMA Middle East Business Development Program

TAGadmin — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 18:00:34 +0000

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) was the venue for the sixth annual SEMA Middle East Business Development Program in March. The 2017 event brought together pre-vetted trade buyers from 11 nations to meet with a delegation of 40 U.S. SEMA-member companies. To read more, click here.

The Armored Group Launches the Latest Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport

TAGadmin — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 23:09:24 +0000

(Phoenix, AZ – August 2017) The Armored Group (TAG), a worldwide provider of armored vehicles, has just unveiled its newest armored vehicle, the BATT®-X series (Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport®) is a larger version BATT®-APX. Additional length is added to the APX to allow the BATT®-X to carry 12-14 Officers, depending on size of operators and amount of gear. The vehicle was created for law enforcement agencies and tactical teams to carry out rescue operations in a variety of settings. BATT®-X Features: The new Armored Group BATT®-X series includes features that add a higher level of comfort and safety than most other armored vehicles on the market. The BATT®-X was designed to accommodate fully geared officers comfortably and with the utmost security. The BATT®-X model includes, but are not limited to the following options: • B7/NIJ IV+ .50 Cal Ball Ammo Protection or B6/NIJ III Armor Levels • Blast mitigating floor • Internal armored firewall • Rifle-rated roof protection • Fully armored hood clip • TAG Exclusive Flip Forward Front Clip System • Best-in-class climate control system • Dual heating and air conditioning systems in front and back • Oversized Rear Deployment bumper and Side Running Boards for safe and easy use • Insulation package • Front door lockout ability at 90° and 45° • Rear door lockout ability at 90° • Optic-ready gun ports • Four-wheel drive off-road capabilities • Enclosed under-seat storage in rear compartment with back board slat cut outs • 360° Rotating Counterbalanced Turret with Over-sized flush-mounted sniper step Roof Hatches • Emergency Lights and Siren System BATT®-X The BATT®-X was based on the Ford F-550 4×4 chassis, available in either gas or diesel engines. The diesel version offers more torque and a faster throttle response, while the gas model is quieter and less expensive, but still offers adequate horsepower. The BATT®-X can achieve highway speeds of over 80 miles an hour (128 kph) with 12 to 14 fully geared officers inside. The BATT-X features proven and independently verified .50 CAL armor protection and offers a slew of capabilities including adjustable multi-angle hydraulic ram, gas injection devices, ram camera with sound, thermal cameras, winches, run flats, turret protection, 4 side door/crew cab/ off road tire/rim packages and more. The BATT-X also includes an industry leading innovation, the flip forward or removable front clip, which provides easy access to the engine bay. This new modular platform, combined with TAG's production and design capabilities, allows for reduced production time and quicker delivery to law enforcement agencies in need of armor protection. The platform can also be adjusted for EOD, Medevac, and Border Patrol teams. “The Armored Group designed the BATT®-X series of vehicles using input provided by tactical teams around the world; it stems from a need for vehicles that offer protection, comfort, ease of maintenance, storage, and maneuverability superior to the competition. The BATT-X offers unparalleled protection for our law enforcement agencies. The wide range of technical attributes found in the BATT-X makes it a desirable transport vehicle when lives are on the line,” said Robert Pazderka, founder and president of The Armored Group. “All of our armored vehicles are manufactured with the end user in mind and keeping our military, law enforcement personnel, government officials and others that need top level security measures to keep them safe and secure.” For more information, please visit www.armoredcars.com Media inquiries or to request additional information, contact Mary Garrett at 602-432-2010. About The Armored Group: The Armored Group (TAG) has nearly 25 years of experience engineering, manufacturing and modifying armored and non-armored vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses, individual citizens and anyone needing a high level of personal protection around the world. TAG engineers, designs, builds and modifies vehicles for any terrain and any environment. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 Ballistic/ERV 2010 Blast Certification for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux and the Toyota 70 Series armoring solutions. All facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line commercial armored vehicles builder and has provided customized engineering, design and building solutions to a vast array of clients including law enforcement agencies all over the world, Brinks, Loomis, Dunbar Armored, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, U.S. Army and Air Force, U.S. and foreign governments and agencies such as the DOD, DOS and the United Nations. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com and http://www.swat-vehicles.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

New armored vehicle on the Brooklyn Park police force, The Armored Group BATT

TAGadmin — Thu, 10 Aug 2017 16:56:02 +0000

Brooklyn Park, MN police have retired their previous armored vehicle due to high repair costs and replaced it with The Armored Group BATT. The bulletproof vehicle can transport up to 12 people to or from the scene of an emergency. Much of the money that paid for the BATT was from money seized from drug operations. View the video and read the article here.

The Armored Group Acquires JPA Armoring GmBH and Fahrzeugbau Stadthagen GmbH

TAGadmin — Tue, 31 Oct 2017 19:54:00 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG), a worldwide provider of armored and highly specialized vehicles, announces the recent acquisition of JPA Armoring GmBH and Fahrzeugbau Stadthagen GmbH, two German-based vehicle armoring companies. The acquisition includes the entire manufacturing facility, all tools, fixtures, and equipment, as well as all intellectual property, designs, certifications and testing results. The new company will be known as TAG Germany GmbH formerly JPA & Fahrzeugbau Stadthagen GmBH. To retain the company’s outstanding reputation and industry-leading quality standards TAG has retained all original key employees and will add to the staff as production requirements increase. This move ensures that the production facility will continue to produce the same level of world-class products and offer the same exceptional customer support as it has for the past 20+ years. This acquisition complements TAG’s already extensive armoring capabilities with:

VPAM VR7 and VPAM VR9 – Ballistic and Blast Designs with 2, 3 and 4-meter Side Blast Protection
Expanded Access to European Based Customers
European Production Capacity
Highest Level of Quality Standards
Worldwide Collaboration Between Industry Leaders

“This acquisition is important to TAG as it brings the company increased market share in Europe and strengthens our service capabilities for global customers. It enables TAG to compete for business around the globe while we continue to build the best product and maintain the highest quality standards,” said Robert Pazderka, president of The Armored Group. TAG Germany GmbH formerly JPA & Fahrzeugbau Stadthagen offers reliable, discrete protection to reduce individual risks and to meet the objectives of security missions by governments, law enforcement, military, and VIPs. “TAG’s primary objective has always been to create the most secure and survivable environment for the occupants and operators of our vehicles. This mission extends to all our production locations and remains at the forefront of our culture,” said Pazderka. For more information, please visit www.armoredcars.com. Media inquiries or to request additional information, contact Mary Garrett at 602-432-2010. About The Armored Group: The Armored Group (TAG) has over 25 years of experience engineering, designing and manufacturing armored and non-armored vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses, and individual citizens needing a high level of personal protection around the world. TAG engineers, designs, manufactures and modifies vehicles for any terrain and any environment. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability, and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 and VR9 Ballistic and /ERV 2010 Blast Certification with up to 18,5Kg TNT for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux, Toyota 70 Series, Nissan Patrol and Lexus LS460 armoring solutions. All TAG facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line manufacturer of armored and specialty vehicles and has provided customized engineering, design and manufacturing solutions to the highest-level clients in the world. Some of them include: U.S. Navy – SPAWAR, DOS, DOD, USSOCCENT, USSOCOM, U.S. Army and Air Force, United Nations, NGOs, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, Loomis, Brinks and many foreign governments and agencies. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com and http://www.swat-vehicles.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

The Armored Group SWAT Vehicle Used in Manteca, California, Standoff

TAGadmin — Thu, 09 Nov 2017 14:08:50 +0000

MANTECA — The Manteca Police Department reports a man refused to leave an apartment Sunday morning after shooting another man in the residence. Initial reports of the shooting came in from the man’s wife, who told police her husband had shot someone inside an apartment at 350 North Union Road. The woman’s 35-year-old husband was seen inside the apartment, watching officers as they arrived on scene. When he refused to leave and officers could not make contact with anyone inside the apartment, the SWAT Team was called in.

(Credit: City of Manteca)

Negotiators were able to get the man to exit the residence and he was detained by police. Officers located a man with a life-threatening gunshot wound inside the apartment. He is in critical condition at a local hospital. The shooter’s 35-year-old wife was upstairs when officers made entry into the apartment. She was uninjured. The incidents leading up to the shooting have not been reported.

Thank You to Our Brave Military Veterans

TAGadmin — Fri, 10 Nov 2017 16:27:06 +0000

Veteran's Day is a time to thank all the brave military veterans who have fought for and given their lives to maintain our freedom in our great country, the United States of America. The sacrifices of the men and women in the military past, present and future should never be forgotten. --Thank you from the team at The Armored Group, dedicated to keeping our military safe

Potter County’s new ‘Peacemaker’ to help protect deputies during dangerous situations

TAGadmin — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 17:56:31 +0000

The Potter County sheriff wanted to let people know there’s a new armored truck in town. On Thursday, Sheriff Brian Thomas and deputies unveiled a new, $250,000 armored personnel carrier that Thomas said would bring his office up to speed with other agencies and help deputies better respond to shootings. The hulking, unmarked personnel carrier with a Ford F-550 chassis and engine had already caught some people’s attention. The day before, deputies had taken it to serve a search warrant. “We got lots of looks at us,” Thomas said. “It’s been here since Monday. I think I saw one car driving around as we were pulling it off the trailer. I think I saw the car drive around about five times, and he was eyeballing it.” The armored truck — marketed as Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport, or BATT — is designed to stop .50 caliber rounds. According to the manufacturer’s website, the model bought by Potter County “is for law enforcement agencies and tactical teams to carry out missions in both rural and urban settings.” Features include a blast mitigating floor, internal armored firewall, rifle rated roof protection and a fully armored hood clip. It can reach speeds up to 80 miles per hour with 12 to 14 fully geared officers inside, the website says. Thomas said the new vehicle would be useful during active shooter or hostage situations. He said the need for the vehicle was apparent after at least four recent incidents where rifle-wielding suspects made it unsafe for deputies to approach. In those situations, the county relies on Randall County Sheriff’s Office and the Amarillo Police Department, which have their own armored vehicles. In one incident that he recounted to Potter County commissioners earlier this year, a person with a rifle was threatening to shoot motorists on Interstate 40. “Actually, I had to shut down I-40 for about an hour and a half until we could get down there,” he told them. The BATT costs $250,000, but is being paid for from the sheriff office’s federal forfeiture fund, according to the county auditor’s office. “Taxpayers didn’t pay for it,” Thomas said Thursday. “The people that are out committing crimes are the ones that actually paid for this.” The fund had $358,000 in it Thursday with about $198,000 set aside to finish paying for the vehicle, the auditor said. Thomas showed off a hydraulic ram at the front of the vehicle that swung up and down and side to side. The tip of the ram resembled the iconic bat symbol from the Batman comics and movies, but Thomas brushed aside jokes that the vehicle should be dubbed the “BATT mobile.” “We’re going call it the Peacemaker,” he said. “This is our peace maker.”

Elgin, Illinois, residents get up-close look The Armored Group BATT during local SWAT training event

TAGadmin — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 16:35:56 +0000

"The overtime killers" is what the Elgin Police Department's SWAT team has dubbed its most effective pieces of equipment — the Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport and accompanying robot cameras. When the ballistic truck — BATT — rolls up to a hostage situation, standoff, or warrant arrest, less-than-cooperative suspects often give up immediately, said Elgin Police Sgt. Jim Lalley. Four residents got to see BATT and the robot up close this week as part of "SWAT for a Day," an event offered to local nonprofits looking for auction items in fundraising drives. At the Community Crisis Center's annual gala last spring, the package was the subject of a bidding war between Scott Budd and Glenn Murphy. When Budd won the bid — a present for his son Justin's birthday — he invited Murphy and Mark Seigle to come along. SWAT for a Day groups watch for an hour of the all-day training. Participants wear ear protection because officers were using live fire while practicing sweeping hallways, classrooms and offices for "active shooters." The officers aim at steel-backed shooting targets placed throughout the building while practicing throwing flash-bangs into rooms and looking for both suspects and civilians. The training regimen and the department's equipment were chosen by Chief Jeff Swoboda and the city council following an armed standoff in February 2007, Lalley said. A man holed up in a Chicago Street house kept officers at bay for nearly 28 hours before shooting himself. The city purchased BATT in 2011. Its radio-controlled unit has cameras that can both climb or descend stairs and allow officers to talk to a suspect remotely, he said. In other training, Elgin SWAT was taught how to use small explosives to break down doors without injuring those inside a room by the Las Vegas Metro Police's SWAT team and by the federal Department of Homeland Security. Elgin is one of the few departments in the state trained for "explosive breaching," Lalley said. The four men watching training in SWAT for a Day asked questions about the types of guns and equipment officers carry when called out for emergencies. Lalley also explained that their first concern is for the lives of any hostages and civilians. Concern for officers comes next, followed by the suspects. Training allows officers to make calm, rational decisions in any high-stress situations they may face, Lalley said.

Police Officers' Association of Lodi hosts holiday toy drive

TAGadmin — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 21:25:55 +0000

Hosted by the Police Officers’ Association of Lodi, the annual Fill the BATT campaign collects donated toys to give to underprivileged children in Lodi for the holidays. This year’s campaign begins on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the SWAT Team’s BATT armored vehicle parked at the Walmart lot located at 1600 Westgate Dr. From 2 to 4 p.m., the BATT will be located in the Lowe’s lot, located at 1389 S. Lower Sacramento Road.

The Lodi Police Department plans to schedule several additional times and locations to collect toys throughout the month of December

.

The Armored Group Celebrates 25 Years in Business Manufacturing State-of-the-Art Vehicles Designed to Keep Military, Law Enforcement and High-Profile Clients Safe

TAGadmin — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 20:15:41 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG), a worldwide provider of armored and highly specialized vehicles, announced they are celebrating their 25^th anniversary this month. Starting as a cash-in-transit (CIT) business in 1992, the company has expanded to include armored vehicles used by law enforcement, SWAT, police, tactical and individuals needing the highest level of personal protection. Today, the company is one of the largest full-line commercial armored vehicles suppliers with manufacturing facilities in the U.S., Canada, Dubai, India and now in Germany with their recent acquisition of JPA Armoring & Fahrzeugbau Stadthagen GmBH. Below is a timeline of milestones leading TAG’s growth over the last 25 years:

1992: The Armored Group is founded by Robert Pazderka; the company’s first order for armored Cash in Transit (CIT) vehicles is from Illinois Armor, now a Garda Company
1993: TAG is contracted as the exclusive builder of armored CIT vehicles for industry leaders like (Garda), Loomis, Dunbar and Brinks
2004: TAG begins production of armored SUV’s and Sedans for the US Government
2005: TAG designs and manufactures its first APC, the Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT), an armored personnel carrier 2006: TAG is awarded a 20-Year Long-Term Agreement (LTA) contract for armored vehicles to the US Federal and State Governments2006: TAG begins production of non-armored vehicles with Rapid Deployment and Mobile Command Vehicles
2008: TAG expands its global footprint with a new manufacturing plant in Toronto, Canada
2008: TAG is awarded its first LTA with the United Nations
2009: TAG expands its global footprint with a new manufacturing plant in the United Arab Emirates
2010: TAG expands its global footprint with a new manufacturing plant in Detroit, Michigan
2010: TAG is awarded a second 20-Year LTA contract for custom tactical vehicles to the US Federal and State Governments 2011: TAG’s LTA with the UN was renewed
2012: TAG’s VR7 armor solution is tested and certified by Beschassamt in Ulm, Germany
2013: TAG is awarded a second LTA with other United Nation offices
2014: TAG extends its LTA with the United Nations
2015: TAG’s awarded a third LTA with the United Nations 2016: TAG is awarded contract from SPAWAR for Custom Mobile Communications Vehicles (MCV’s) for top US Government officials
2016: TAG is selected for a 10-year blanket purchase agreement for armored vehicles to the U.S. Department of State
2017 TAG acquires German-based JPA Armoring & Fahrzeugbau Stadthagen GmBH, and opens new manufacturing plant expanding their presence in European Market

2017: TAG obtains VR9 certification from Beschassamt in Ulm, Germany, for the Nissan Patrol platform “Over the last 25 years, we have seen The Armored Group grow from a company in a niche market, cash-in-transit vehicles, to a leading manufacturer of armored and non-armored vehicles around the world,” said Robert Pazderka, founder and president of The Armored Group. In the last five years especially, TAG has experienced impressive growth. We have a talented management, manufacturing and sales team in place that design, manufacture and deliver state-of-the-art vehicles based on clients operational needs. Today, The Armored Group, LLC has grown to become one of the largest full-line commercial armored truck suppliers in the country, and continues to set the standard for customization, reliability and protection. For more information, please visit www.armoredcars.com. Media inquiries or to request additional information, contact Mary Garrett at 602-432-2010. About The Armored Group: The Armored Group (TAG) has over 25 years of experience engineering, designing and manufacturing armored and non-armored vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses, and individual citizens needing a high level of personal protection around the world. TAG engineers, designs, manufactures and modifies vehicles for any terrain and any environment. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability, and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 and VR9 Ballistic and /ERV 2010 Blast Certification with up to 18,5Kg TNT for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux, Toyota 70 Series, Nissan Patrol and Lexus LS460 armoring solutions. All TAG facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line manufacturer of armored and specialty vehicles and has provided customized engineering, design and manufacturing solutions to the highest-level clients in the world. Some of them include: U.S. Navy – SPAWAR, DOS, DOD, USSOCCENT, USSOCOM, U.S. Army and Air Force, United Nations, NGOs, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, Loomis, Brinks and many foreign governments and agencies. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com and http://www.swat-vehicles.com or call: 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

The Armored Group's BATT Featured in Netflix Series DOPE

TAGadmin — Wed, 31 Jan 2018 16:27:19 +0000

The Armored Group's Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT) vehicle was featured in a recent segment of the original Netflix series DOPE.

The Armored Group Introduces its Newest Vehicle, the Terrier LT-79

TAGadmin — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 20:57:37 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG), a leading worldwide provider of armored vehicles, has just introduced its newest law enforcement vehicle, the Terrier LT-79. This new vehicle developed by the TAG Research and Development Team represents a well-balanced combination of protection, off-road mobility and payload. Most importantly, it offers unparalleled tactical mobility and survivability to armored vehicle end-users worldwide, in any climate or setting. The standard Terrier LT-79 will hold up to eight officers (2+6 in individual MIL-STD seats) or alternatively, seating for 10 (2+8) with optional bench seating, depending on the size of operators and amount of gear. The vehicle is agile and extremely versatile and is designed to protect individuals in dangerous operational environments. The vehicle is bound to become a vital means of transportation for SWAT teams, law enforcement and military personnel that need a highly armored vehicle while staying economical and budget friendly. Terrier LT-79 Features: The Terrier LT-79 model includes, but are not limited to the following features: • Full Protection against Kinetic Energy Weapons conforming to STANAG 4569 Level 1 • Heavy Duty Suspension & Axles • Upgraded Tires & Brakes for better off-road capability • Category-Leading Ground Clearance • UK Military Grade Locks & Heavy Duty Hinges • Conveniently Placed High Visibility Gun Ports • 3 Doors with Optional Roof Turret • Crew Cab or 5 Door Option • Hatch (2 Cabin, 1 Rear) • 5100kg Curb Weight (Standard Protection); 1000kg Payload; 6100kg Combat Weight • Modern LED Headlights & Standard Military Convoy Lights • 5-Speed Manual Transmission • Diesel 195 HP High Sulfur 1VD-FTV Toyota 4.5L V8 • NATO Standard Slave Starting System • TAG Exclusive Flip Forward Armored Front Clip System • Hydraulically Assisted Recirculating Ball Steering • Rear HVAC System Optional Equipment Includes: • Public address system, acoustic deterring system and intercom • Alternator upgrade • Auxiliary service battery with smart isolator switch and battery monitor • Blast attenuating seats • Interior weapon mounts • VHF/UHF communication system; MF/HF communications system • GPS • DVR • GSM-based live video monitoring system • Tracking system (depends on deployment region) • Smoke grenade launchers • Multiple launch systems for smoke grenades • Roof turret with a ring bearing and split hatch • Remote controlled weapon station • Gunshot detection system • Remote controlled searchlights • Forward-looking thermal camera • Reverse day/night camera • Perimeter day/night cameras • Outboard telescopic mast • IR driving and convoy lights • Overpressure air filtration system • Semi-automatic tire inflation system • Ballistic protection upgrade to STANAG 4569 Level 2 • Fire suppression systems • Power inverters • Winch • Ballistic skip round shields • Emergency lighting systems • Cupola turret/hatch protection system • Interior compartment additional cooling fans • Computer workstations • Intercom systems • LRAD audio systems • Rescue medic/trauma pack with backboard/litter Terrier LT-79: The Terrier LT-79 is built using a reinforced and militarized Toyota VDJ79 truck chassis, and COTS components. The vehicle can be built to B6 or NIJ-III protection standards and is powered by a 195 HP high sulfur 1VD-FTV Toyota 4.5L V8 diesel and readily available in LHD and RHD configurations. Using upgraded axles, clutch and a reinforced frame as well as large super single wheels, the vehicle combines excellent mobility and high payload in all operating environments. “The Terrier LT-79 is a modern era hybrid that combines the requirements needed for combat and fire support situations as well as mission-specific roles such as transport and logistics. The new Terrier LT-79 was designed on the Toyota chassis because parts are widely available enhancing serviceability in many parts of the world. It is also an affordable option to end users that need superior protection and fleet longevity while staying within their budget parameters,” said Robert Pazderka, President and Founder of TAG. For more information, please visit www.armoredcars.com Media inquiries or to request additional information, contact Mary Garrett at 602-432-2010. About The Armored Group: The Armored Group (TAG) has over 25 years of experience engineering, designing and manufacturing armored and non-armored vehicles for use by government military agencies, law enforcement, private businesses, and individual citizens needing a high level of personal protection around the world. TAG engineers, designs, manufactures and modifies vehicles for any terrain and any environment. TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available and sets the standard for customization, reliability, and protection. To ensure that all TAG vehicles meet the highest standards of safety, they undergo extreme ballistics testing and have received VPAM-BVR 2009/VR7 and VR9 Ballistic and /ERV 2010 Blast Certification with up to 18,5Kg TNT for their Toyota Land Cruiser and Toyota Hilux, Toyota 70 Series, Nissan Patrol and Lexus LS460 armoring solutions. All TAG facilities are ISO 9001 certified and managed by fully qualified and experienced professionals who serve customers around the world. TAG is a full-line manufacturer of armored and specialty vehicles and has provided customized engineering, design and manufacturing solutions to the highest-level clients in the world. Some of them include the U.S. Navy – SPAWAR, DOS, DOD, USSOCCENT, USSOCOM, U.S. Army and Air Force, United Nations, NGOs, KBR, Lockheed Martin, DynCorp, Loomis, Brinks and many foreign governments and agencies. For more information, please visit these company websites: https://www.armoredcars.com and http://www.swat-vehicles.com or call 1 888-997-5607 or 602 840 2271.

The New TAG Terrier Featured in Government Fleet

TAGadmin — Fri, 01 Jun 2018 20:31:40 +0000

Specialty Vehicles for Law Enforcement The Armored Group Ballistic Armored Technical Transport (BATT-APX) is a fully modular armored rescue vehicle that can be built on a variety of chassis, allowing ease of use and reduced maintenance costs. Designed and engineered in Detroit, the BATT-APX features proven and independently verified .50 caliber armor protection and offers capabilities including adjustable hydraulic ram, gas injection devices, thermal cameras, winches, and turret protection. This new modular platform can also be adjusted for EOD, Medevac, and Border Patrol teams to help save law enforcement officers' lives.

Lufkin, TX, Police Department Unveil New BATT-X

TAGadmin — Tue, 19 Jun 2018 14:50:08 +0000

See the video here. [video poster="https://www.armoredcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/default.jpg" width="640" height="360" mp4="https://www.armoredcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/KTRE_20180618165420693AB-1.mp4"][/video] The Lufkin Police department debuts its newest piece of safety equipment, The Armored Groups' BATT-X rescue vehicle. Read the entire article here

TAG's BATT-X and Suburban Featured in Police Magazine's Vehicle Spotlight

TAGadmin — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 03:57:03 +0000

Police Magazine recently featured The Armored Group's Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport-X (BATT-X) and its Discreet Armored Suburban (DAS) in a recent issue. To read the full article click the link: Police Mag.

The Armored Group Vehicle Passes 15KG Blast Test at 2 Meters, on the Driver and Passenger Side

TAGadmin — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 18:13:21 +0000

The Armored Group (TAG), a leading worldwide provider of armored vehicles, recently tested their patented armoring technique, which withstood 30 KG blast tests at close range. The test was conducted by a leading independent third party, at their test facility in Texas, on May 3^rd and 4^th. The vehicle tested, a Toyota Land Cruiser 200 that was up-armored by The Armored Group, was hit by 15kg TNT blasts on both the driver and passenger side at 2 meters. The third-party testing house certified that the vehicle withstood the blasts in accordance with the requirements of the vehicle acceptance test (Blast Certification) by full scale trial according to the VPAM standard – ERV 2010 (VR6/VR7). This same type of armor is available for other vehicles, making them some of the most highly protected vehicles on the market. Most armored vehicle manufacturers conduct blast tests at a farther range, typically 4 meters, which lessens the direct impact to the vehicle. The successful results of this recent test at such close range makes it a highly-desirable vehicle for those looking for the highest degree of protection for law enforcement, SWAT, military, government agencies and others that require added safety. The TAG Research and Development Team created this new armored build design to raise the bar on vehicular safety for anyone in the line of heavy artillery fire and blast threats. “Our team is constantly striving to find new and better solutions to keep first responders, military personnel and others safe from harm. The certification of the 15KG TNT blast test at just 2 meters on both, the driver and passenger side of the vehicle, achieves this goal. Because this same armor can be used on other vehicles, it enhances the versatility of our products and vehicles, offering the highest level of personal protection,” said Robert Pazderka, President and Founder of TAG.

The Arab Organization for Industrialization and The Armored Group Team Up to Strengthen Middle East/United States’ Security

TAGadmin — Thu, 08 Nov 2018 18:57:48 +0000

The Arab Organization for Industrialization (AOI) and The Armored Group, LLC (TAG) today announced a strategic alliance to enhance Middle East Security, combat terrorism, create jobs in both the U.S. and Egypt and improve the quality and safety of armored vehicle products used throughout the region. This is the first time in AOI’s 43-year history, that they are considering having a partner in their defense sector. The alliance is expected to further strengthen ties between the United States and Egypt, elevate manufacturing standards inside Egypt and cement TAG as a Global leader in the production of armored vehicles worldwide. The alliance, the first of its kind for AOI, builds on each organization’s strengths to accomplish the following:

Establish a strong manufacturing presence in Egypt for the production of armored and specialty vehicles to be used by civilian and defense forces inside Egypt and throughout the region.
Integrate industry leading technology into armored vehicles used by Egyptian Defense forces to combat terrorism and provide internal security.
Educate and train a workforce inside Egypt to build world-class vehicles for use in Egypt and throughout the Middle East region.

“Today’s alliance highlights the importance of utilizing international expertise in the field of defense industries, creates real opportunities for investment in many modern industrial fields and is an important step on the road to industrialization, transfer and localization of technology inside Egypt,” said Abdul Moneim, Chairman of AOI. “This partnership will further enhance cooperation between the United States and Egypt and expand the industrial marketplace in the Middle East region especially in light of the strength and robustness of relations between Egypt and the United States over the long-term.” Robert Pazderka, President and CEO of TAG, said, “This is an historic opportunity for TAG to build a significant manufacturing presence inside Egypt and throughout the Middle East region. This will enhance the internal security of the entire area, increase the native manufacturing base and promote world-class armored vehicle products for use by both civilian and military agencies throughout the Middle East. Egypt is a vibrant and pivotal market for the U.S. and this alliance allows TAG to promote American manufacturing products and standards that will serve both Egypt and the U.S. well for a long-time.” This alliance is due in part to President Trump’s positive relationship with Egypt and discussions between Trump and Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s during his first trip to the White House. According to an article from Reuters, both leaders look forward to closer ties that may “set the tone for a new era of warmer U.S.-Egyptian ties that could herald more military and political support for Cairo.” “This new level of cooperation between the U.S. and Egypt has made this alliance possible and we hope to see many more mutually-beneficial opportunities between our two countries come to fruition,” said Pazderka. For more information, please visit www.armoredcars.com. Media inquiries or to request additional information, contact Mary Garrett at 602-432-2010. Arab Organization for Industrialization is the largest state-owned organization in Africa. It manufactures mechanical and electronic products for military as well as civil applications. It offers missile systems, aircraft and related products, military vehicles, electronic equipment, weapon systems; and infrastructure plants, railway and metro equipment, capital equipment and spare parts, stadium equipment and fiberglass, household’s appliances, vehicles and vehicle outfitting, and medical equipment. The company was founded in 1975 and is based in Cairo, Egypt. The Armored Group, LLC has more than 25 years of experience in engineering, designing and manufacturing armored and specialty vehicles for use by governments, military agencies, law enforcement agencies, commercial banks, private businesses and individual citizens around the world. TAG offers a full-line of military and commercial armored and unarmored vehicles, including the Ballistic Armored Tactical Transport (BATT) APC vehicles, Personal Passenger Protection Vehicles (PPPV) and cash-in-transit vehicles (CIT). TAG provides the highest quality armored vehicles available in the industry and sets the standard for customization, reliability and protection, while delivering the best possible value for its customers. The company is based in Phoenix, Arizona. With Manufacturing facilities in Dearborn Hight’s Michigan, Toronto Canada, Stadthagen Germany, Mumbai India, Ras Al Khaimah UAE.

The Armored Group, LLC Introduces its Newest Vehicle, the Terrier Armored Personnel Carrier

TAGadmin — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 19:14:20 +0000

The Armored Group, LLC (TAG), a leading worldwide provider of armored vehicles, has just introduced its newest law enforcement vehicle, the Terrier APC. The vehicle will be used by military, police, SWAT, regional response teams and non-governmental organizations.

The Armored Group, LLC Introduces its Newest Vehicle, the Terrier Armored Personnel Carrier

TAGadmin — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 21:25:25 +0000

Read the entire article here.