BAE contracted for armored vehicles

CINCINNATI, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. government has contracted BAE Systems for its armor-upgraded Chevrolet Suburban and Toyota HiLux vehicles.

British company BAE was awarded a $9.5 million deal for 120 armored commercial vehicles. As part of the contract, BAE will deliver its armored versions of the Toyota HiLux and the Chevrolet Suburban.

BAE's armored commercial vehicles, which include much of the same armor technologies deployed with the Army's mine resistant ambush protected vehicles in combat zones, are designed to provide security to government authorities and other high-profile passengers in a vehicle that looks like an everyday sports utility vehicle on the road.

"We are able to integrate our in-depth research and development efforts from our military programs, as well as our extensive commercial experience, into our commercial products to provide the highest level of protection for the vehicle occupants," Tony Russell, BAE Systems vice president of vehicle armor, said in a statement.