The Beast goes wherever the United States president travels. So whether
or not Barack Obama follows protocol and hops into his Indian
counterpart Pranab Mukherjee’s ride to head out for the Republic Day
parade, the potently-luxurious limousine will be around the corner.
Here are 10 things you should know about Cadillac One, the US president’s official car:
Windows: The
windows on Obama’s limo are reportedly 5 to 6 inches thick, bomb-proof,
and can withstand armour-piercing bullets. Compared to previous
versions of the presidential limos, this newer model has more window
space providing better outward visibility. The driver’s window is the
only window that opens, at only 2.75 inches, so the driver can speak
with secret service agents outside the vehicle.
Doors: The
doors, which were seen both in photos of the vehicle leaked prior to
Inauguration Day and afterwards on the finished product, are
armour-plated and 8 inches thick–three inches thicker than President
Bush’s limo doors. These doors are the same weight as a Boeing 757 cabin
door. An additional safety feature includes steel overlaps between the
seams to protect against bullets entering in the space between the doors
and body.
Interior: The
interior of Obama’s limo is rumoured to be completely sealed in case of
a chemical attack. Another safety feature that may possibly be included
on the car is a lock-safety mechanism that, in case of emergency, seals
off the entire car similar to how a bank vault can be locked during a
robbery.
Driver: Obama’s
driver is not just a regular chauffeur, but a CIA agent
specially-trained for situations ranging from driving during challenging
situations to regular types of mechanical break-downs as well as how to
handle any emergency that may come up. The driver also has access to
helpful equipment such as a communications system and GPS unit in his
compartment.
Fuel Tank: The
limo’s fuel tank is armour-plated to help repel bullets. As a second
line of defense, similar to what race cars use, the fuel tank on Obama’s
limo is filled with a special foam that prevents it from exploding even
if it sustains a direct hit.
Defense equipment: There
are several pieces of defense equipment rumored to be on board.
Night-vision cameras, pump-action shotguns, and tear-gas cannons are
among some of those weapons speculated to be included. If Obama is
injured during an attack while in the car, there are supposedly bottles
of the president’s blood in case he needs emergency transfusions.
Additionally, the trunk houses an emergency oxygen supply and
firefighting equipment.
Tyres: To
protect President Obama from bullets, spike strips, or any other device
aimed at disabling the car’s Goodyear tyres, the limo is likely
equipped with specially designed, Kevlar-reinforced, shred and
puncture-resistant tires. If indeed someone or something was able to
destroy the tyres, the car also has steel rims and a run-flat device so
that if the tyres are disabled, the car can still drive at high speeds
to escape any imminent danger.
Chassis: The
car, commonly known as Cadillac One, but nicknamed by the Secret
Service as The Beast, is thought to be based on a Cadillac DTS when it
comes to style, but may be built on a truck chassis in order to support
the weight of the car and all its special equipment. There is also
speculated to be a reinforced, 5-inch steel plate that runs underneath
the car in the event that a bomb is placed there.
Passenger section: The
area in which Obama and any of his approved guests ride is a space of
both security and luxury. This section generously seats four and
includes a glass partition that can only be opened by President Obama as
well as a panic button for summoning help. While riding in the limo,
Obama can still work and stay connected safely on his fold-away desktop
that includes a laptop with secure Wi-Fi capabilities and a satellite
phone with a direct line to the Pentagon and the Vice President.
Body: To
fend off anything from bullets to rocks, the body of the car is
probably composed of a mixture of hard and soft material that work to
halt and dissipate the energy of the projectile so that no matter what
type of projectile may be hurled toward the car, the outside protection
will not be penetrated. Typical materials used for these types of cars
are a combination of dual-hardness steel, aluminum, titanium, and
ceramic.
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