Law Officer Volume 6 Issue 1 Remember your defensive tactics classes: the application of continually increasing force is based on the use-of-force continuum. This wheel or ladder establishes the relationship between the threat presented and the degree of appropriate force to be used. At its base, the mere presence of law enforcement in readily definable form can often be enough to provide deterrent to criminal action and promote compliance. An officer who is in excellent physical shape; wears a clean, pressed uniform with an orderly duty belt; drives a clean patrol vehicle: and speaks and acts in a confident, concise manner sends a message to the public about their ability and willingness to enforce the law.
This goes for vehicles too. The first contact many civilians and criminals have with law enforcement is observing a patrol vehicle. Choice of vehicle can, therefore, instill a sense of ability and proficiency from the get-go.
This is certainly true in high-risk encounters with violent offenders.The bottom line: If you bring a bazooka to a knife fight, chances are the offender will see overwhelming firepower, and the situation will be resolved sooner rather than later.
The Protector
In this area, Oshkosh s new Tactical Protector Vehicle (TPV) delivers. The TPV, which is an evolution of the prototype SandCat first seen at the 2008 IACP conference, is positioned as a high-mobility, protected tactical vehicle and can be configured in a number of ways.
It delivers when it comes to protection and visual presence. From its underbelly blast protection, gun ports and angular lines to the optional massive winch and run-flat tires, it looks like a vehicle that can go anywhere and do anything. Step closer, and the thickness of the TPV armor and glass becomes apparent. As you take a tour around the chassis, the aggressively styled TPV begins to show its pedigree.
The first clue: Built on a modified Ford Heavy Duty F-550 chassis, the TPV sports a reconfigured rear suspension that replaces the standard Ford leaf-spring suspension with beefy coilovers. This allows much better suspension articulation and control on and off road, as well as a better ride. This rear suspension rework has allowed Oshkosh to push the wheelbase as far to the corners as possible, which makes for more interior space, better handling and a more stable platform. It also means better approach and departure angles off road, which are 38 and 30 respectively.
The TPV has a Ford 6.4-L twin-turbo diesel engine that churns out 325 hp and a whopping 650 lbs./foot of torque. Fuel capacity is 31.7 gallons. Transferring this torque to the part-time 4-x-4 system with electric transfer case, traction control and auto-locking hubs is a TorqShift five-speed electronic automatic transmission with overdrive. Add in a rear limited slip differential and locking front, and the TPV can climb a 60% grade like a goat.
On the road, the powertrain combination translates to a maximum governed speed of approximately 75 mph. That s plenty for a vehicle of this type because the protective goodies that make the TPV so strong also make it heavy, with a curb weight of 13,300 15,280 lbs., depending on configuration and options. Add in the payload capacity, and the TPV tips the scales at 19,500 lbs. total GVWR for the Utility and Transport models.
That s a lot of truck, but given its 116'' wheelbase and 73'' track, coupled with its 13'' ground clearance and 21.3' turning radius, the TPV remains highly maneuverable. It can also climb steps and clear obstacles up to 18 inches high. And when it comes time to stop, braking duties are handled by a four-wheel disc system with antilock capabilities.
Ballistic Protection
The TPV has been engineered from the ground up to offer what the company calls its Integrated Survivability System. It s a series of progressively increased threat protection levels, which can be tailored to the needs of the customer. Example: The threat protection needed by a relief organization operating in unstable environments may differ from that required of a tactical insertion team.
All TPVs come equipped with a standard armor kit, which is a metal-composite design. Optional composite-based armor can be added to that for even more protection. The cabin structure is a specially designed set of armor panels with significant overlap for ballistic integrity and prevention of intrusion by shrapnel and other projectiles.
The system features three layers, the first being ceramic segments packed into special panels that make up the armor s foundation. This structure is most apparent in the angular lines of the TPV and allows for coverage of 3-D curved shapes inherent in the design. The second layer is the vehicle wall. The third is a protective inner layer, called the Spall liner. This liner is designed to counter interior projectiles that may develop from a large external blast or from penetration by a projectile. This three-layer system is in addition to the optional belly deflector that disperses blasts from below.
On the Inside
Swing open one of the heavy doors on the TPV and you immediately know this is one serious ballistic cocoon. The multi-layered armoring leaves little doubt as to the purpose of this seven-ton vault on wheels. Hop into the driver s seat, and the dash isn t that out of place with what you d find on a local Ford lot. There s the expected array of HVAC controls, plus some extra switches for the optional fire suppression system and other options.
What is different is the seating system. The TPV is outfitted with either bucket seats with collapsible seat bases or an optional, suspended seat system. Both of these seating systems are designed to mitigate shock to the occupants in a heavy blast situation. Because such conditions might not be frequent in law enforcement applications, the bucket seat/collapsible seat base option will probably be most popular, but the military-heritage suspended seats offer an increase in blast protection while remaining comfortable, functional and affordable.
The view from the driver s seat out the front window is quite good, considering the amount of armoring. The small side windows make for more of a challenge, but given its purpose, less is more in this case. The view out the rear is eased with a rear-view camera. The TPV can also be equipped with gun portals that provide more tactical options specific to law enforcement.
Options & Pricing
The backseats of the TPV can be suspended or conventional in design. The vehicle comes in two basic designs: utility and transport. The biggest difference is the slope of the rear shell. The transport configuration makes the most sense for law enforcement because of its capacity to carry between four and eight fully outfitted officers. Other options exist, including gunner protection kits, nuclear biological chemical protection, front and rear self-recovery winches, central tire inflation, run-flat tires, dual air-conditioning/heating systems and rear-view camera, to name a few. According to Oshkosh, pricing for a well-armored and fully equipped TPV runs in the neighborhood of $225,000 to $250,000. Regardless of what ends up suiting your department s needs best, the Oshkosh Tactical Protector Vehicle certainly lives up to its name.
For more information, visit www.oshkosh-tacticalprotector.com or call call 920/235-9151 x22815.