New line of armored SUVs announced

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SAN ANTONIO, June 28 (UPI) -- A U.S. company that produces armored passenger sports utility vehicles has announced a new line of explosion-resistant SUVs.

Texas Armoring Corp. said the vehicles are based on the Toyota Land Cruiser and offer an "unprecedented amount of protection" against undercarriage blasts, roadside explosions, improvised explosive devices, anti-personnel mines and car bombs.

"Nothing like this has ever been introduced in the market and Bravo Zulu has done the research to ensure that our clients will be safer than we ever previously thought possible," said TAC President and Chief Executive Officer Trent Kimball.

Bravo Zulu Services is an engineering company that produces threat protection shielding panels.

Vehicles on offer, which require U.S. government approval for purchase, are the LC50, which carries a price tag of $150,000. It features TAC's T6 ultra-lightweight armoring package angled ballistic-steel undershield and spall liner for protection from high-power rifle fire, fragmentation mines, and small explosions.

In addition to standard floor-board protection against explosions, an additional protective layer of blast-mitigating material has been added to outside of the vehicle.

The TAC LC100 (cost, $275,000) has a T7, ultra-lightweight armoring package, composite undershield co-developed with Bravo Zulu Services and can withstand over 20 grenades blasts, about four pounds of high-explosive.

The TAC LC250, at $595,000, is a heavier duty protection vehicle that can withstand .50-caliber rounds as well as explosive devices.