I think the next limo needs machine guns and it's own set of anti-aircraft missiles. :hmm:
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmsnbcmedia3.msn.com%2Fj%2Fstreams%2F2013%2FJuly%2F130704%2F6C8145132-130703-obama-limo-834p.blocks_desktop_medium.jpg&hash=b410c155140a6a7251c07b95ee9b06d54789f244)
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/obamas-new-limo-have-heavy-armor-blood-bank-night-vision-6C10537698
QuoteObama's limo: Heavy armor, blood bank, night vision
President Barack Obama is looking for a new ride.
Not that his current limousine – dubbed "The Beast" or "Cadillac One" – isn't faring well, but it's a 2009 model, which he takes wherever he travels, and the Department of Homeland Security says it's time for an upgrade.
Designed to look like a 2008 Cadillac DTS, The Beast is a hybrid that reportedly blends Caddy components with the guts of a Chevrolet Kodiak commercial truck – but with heavy armor. Such heavy armor that the car reportedly weighs 7.5 tons.
The armor includes 8-inch plates capable of stopping an improvised explosive device, or IED, and 5-inch multi-layer windows that make the doors as heavy as those on a 757 jet. The car is sealed against biochemical attacks.
Although details of the presidential limo are classified for security reasons, various reports say that it features James Bond-style options, including a night vision system. It also carries communications gear and, in the trunk, a blood bank matching the president's type.
Special loops replace door handles, which allow Secret Service agents to hold on when running alongside the car. Goodyear run-flat tires fit into extra-large wheel wells.
Secret Service agents who have specialized training in evasive driving techniques, including a J-turn, pilot the vehicle. The J-turn, taught at the Secret Service training facility outside Washington, D.C., can turn the limo 180 degrees in matter of seconds to escape trouble. (The J-turn is also known as the "moonshiner's turn," based on a signature bootlegger driving maneuver.)
As for which car maker will land the contract, that's a secret. Ford, Chrysler and GM have alternated as limo providers since 1939.
"We at Cadillac consider it a great honor and responsibility to carry on the tradition of presidential cars," Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell told Motor Trend. "There's absolutely nothing we would say directly about the future. The Presidential Limousine is built to an exacting set of specifications – and one of the specifications is that we not discuss inner workings of the project."
The new limo promises to be even sturdier than The Beast. According to FedBizOpps.gov, work on the New Design Armored Limousine "will include concept development, armor design, initial automotive component selection and chassis development, material testing, armor system modeling and simulation, and armor system fabrication and testing (live fire)."
Obama's current Cadillac is a significant upgrade – at least from the standpoint of safety and communications capabilities – from cars used by earlier presidents.
William McKinley was the first president to ride in an automobile in November 1899, though Teddy Roosevelt was the first to commission a government-owned car, a white convertible Stanley Steamer. (William Howard Taft, Roosevelt's successor, also opted for a Steamer when he converted the White House stables into a garage.)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt rode in the specially built "Sunshine Special." It was based on a Lincoln K-Series chassis with a V-12 engine. It was aptly named as FDR preferred to ride around with the top down.
Those early limos were convertibles, a favorite for politicians at all levels who knew the value of being seen by their constituents. But that was to change forever on Nov. 22, 1963.
As far back as 1954, a nervous Secret Service had developed a protective bubble-top for President Dwight D. Eisenhower's limousine. There was one available for the Lincoln that his successor, John F. Kennedy, was riding in that fateful afternoon in Dallas, Texas. But Kennedy liked being seen by the public – which made it easier for assassin Lee Harvey Oswald to fire a series of deadly shots from the Texas Book Depository near Dealey Plaza.
That midnight blue 1961 stretch Lincoln Continental was pulled from service, rebuilt and returned to the White House fleet – though it is today on display at the Henry Ford, a suburban Detroit museum. Among the updates available to President Lyndon Johnson was a bulletproof hardtop and additional body armor. The vehicle remained in service through the Nixon Administration.
The cruel realities of the world revealed by the Kennedy assassination changed the design of presidential limos – and for vehicles used by political leaders worldwide.
Problems do occur, however, as when the diesel-powered Beast broke down at Israel's Ben-Gurion Airport after someone mistakenly filled it with the wrong type of fuel. But such incidents are rare – and there was a backup limousine available.
Soonish we can solve a lot of security issues by having a non-human president.
Night vision is something you can buy for normal cars too, so it's hardly James Bond type tech.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcache.gawker.com%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Fjalopnik%2F2009%2F05%2Fnightvision.jpg&hash=f3576bb87ba05a0528bd860df616850fdc18cb36)
You sure showed the United States government, Zanza!
I thought that I just pointed out sloppy reporting by NBC...
No, you were being a dick.
I was very amused when the Prezmobile grounded on the speed bumps outside No. 10 Downing Street :lol: :bowler:
It stops an IED?
Maybe 5 gallon jug kind of IED.
That limo doesn't have a V-shaped bottom.
A 500 lbs IED would put the floor of the limo 2 inches from the limo's ceiling. Compressed like an egg shell.
It looks pretty tough, I'll give it that. I wouldn't be surprissed it can stop .50 cal rounds.
This is not a combat vehicle though, so claiming it can stop IEDs does not seem like a good idea to me.
Not to mention the thread of anti-armor weapon systems, like AT4s, RPG-22s, Javelins, etc.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on July 05, 2013, 08:58:24 AM
No, you were being a dick.
Stop being so sensitive, sugar tits.
Seedy defending an article Tim posted :wacko:
I'm defending the United States of America.
It's like he has a Batmobile.
Quote from: Zanza on July 05, 2013, 08:21:59 AM
Night vision is something you can buy for normal cars too, so it's hardly James Bond type tech.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcache.gawker.com%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Fjalopnik%2F2009%2F05%2Fnightvision.jpg&hash=f3576bb87ba05a0528bd860df616850fdc18cb36)
Looks very distracting. It seems like you need to constantly monitor two different views.
It's like the rearview mirror, you just glance at it occasionally...
Quote from: Siege on July 05, 2013, 11:25:18 AM
It stops an IED?
Maybe 5 gallon jug kind of IED.
That limo doesn't have a V-shaped bottom.
A 500 lbs IED would put the floor of the limo 2 inches from the limo's ceiling. Compressed like an egg shell.
It looks pretty tough, I'll give it that. I wouldn't be surprissed it can stop .50 cal rounds.
This is not a combat vehicle though, so claiming it can stop IEDs does not seem like a good idea to me.
Not to mention the thread of anti-armor weapon systems, like AT4s, RPG-22s, Javelins, etc.
Those aren't actually real threats, Siege.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on July 05, 2013, 11:51:13 AM
I'm defending the United States of America.
I think the United States of America can defend itself very well.
Not on Languish it can't.
Quote from: Zanza on July 05, 2013, 12:07:28 PM
It's like the rearview mirror, you just glance at it occasionally...
Would that be an effective use, though? The reason you need to only glance at the rear view mirror is that things don't develop quickly behind you. The closing speed of cars behind you is a couple of MPH, unless you have some idiots playing checkers behind you.
On the other hand, things in front happen very quickly. How many seconds do you have between first detecting those two pedestrians and driving past their location? You're going to need to do a lot of glancing to not miss the things this gizmos is intending you to not miss.
The newer ones mark pedestrians (and maybe even animals) and probably make some warning noise.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.ddmcdn.com%2Fgif%2Fin-dash-car-night-vision-system-1.jpg&hash=896a6b6a600c387bae59295a7f38909acd51b787)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autoalerts.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2008%2F06%2Ftoyota-crown-hybrid-night-vision-1.jpg&hash=f48c51ef7bfbf96087e8ef7fcbe9ca1a4edf7a4e)
Quote from: Siege on July 05, 2013, 11:25:18 AM
It stops an IED?
Maybe 5 gallon jug kind of IED.
That limo doesn't have a V-shaped bottom.
A 500 lbs IED would put the floor of the limo 2 inches from the limo's ceiling. Compressed like an egg shell.
While I'm sure you are right, there's probably an assumption being made that the limo isn't likely to drive over a 500 pound IED, since I believe they sweep routes the limo is going to drive on in advance, and there are usually other vehicles in the front of the motorcade anyway.
Quote from: Neil on July 05, 2013, 12:10:18 PM
Quote from: Siege on July 05, 2013, 11:25:18 AM
It stops an IED?
Maybe 5 gallon jug kind of IED.
That limo doesn't have a V-shaped bottom.
A 500 lbs IED would put the floor of the limo 2 inches from the limo's ceiling. Compressed like an egg shell.
It looks pretty tough, I'll give it that. I wouldn't be surprissed it can stop .50 cal rounds.
This is not a combat vehicle though, so claiming it can stop IEDs does not seem like a good idea to me.
Not to mention the thread of anti-armor weapon systems, like AT4s, RPG-22s, Javelins, etc.
Those aren't actually real threats, Siege.
Ever heard of an EFP (explosively formed penetrator)?
Really small, and it penetrates combat armor.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.associatedglobaltransportservices.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F06%2Fefp.jpeg&hash=d669765f68fc10b6069e217d12ec6022c507a281)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ft3.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcQZ5hc-FXgSs3uJBAQdh7w06Uj6IdpRK1RdI7JfrD-iwD3Z-sGd&hash=56fc6c2cad06a9907b2efa53498539d0fedf127a)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.militarynewsnetwork.com%2Freference%2Fefp2.jpg&hash=cdbfdb948056e279fa4363465120800e6a71a2a2)
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbabylonscovertwar.com%2Fimages%2FEFP.jpg&hash=beece0ad21afe66affab74c76c02f51beebfce7b)
He's not gonna drive in Detroit. Chillax.
@DGuller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUa6KR4nTeg#at=221
Poor man's artillery.
What's the significance of the picture of the lump of concrete and the flattened water bottle?
Quote from: Jacob on July 05, 2013, 12:41:56 PM
What's the significance of the picture of the lump of concrete and the flattened water bottle?
Maybe if that lump of concrete fell on Obama's head while he is outside his armored car, his head would look like the flattened water bottle... :huh:
Quote from: DGuller on July 05, 2013, 12:20:26 PM
Quote from: Zanza on July 05, 2013, 12:07:28 PM
It's like the rearview mirror, you just glance at it occasionally...
Would that be an effective use, though? The reason you need to only glance at the rear view mirror is that things don't develop quickly behind you. The closing speed of cars behind you is a couple of MPH, unless you have some idiots playing checkers behind you.
On the other hand, things in front happen very quickly. How many seconds do you have between first detecting those two pedestrians and driving past their location? You're going to need to do a lot of glancing to not miss the things this gizmos is intending you to not miss.
Perhaps you just stare at the display on the camera instead of the one out the window? I mean, we're talking night time conditions anyway. :hmm:
Quote from: Zanza on July 05, 2013, 12:30:36 PM
@DGuller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUa6KR4nTeg#at=221
That doesn't answer my concern, though. I realize that night vision gives you information that you don't have without it, but my concern is that it would be too taxing on the driver to split his attention between two views. As this video shows, it's not really practical to drive through the night vision screen alone.
Quote from: CountDeMoney on July 05, 2013, 12:13:04 PM
Not on Languish it can't.
Maybe tmrw I'll post some of the vanity fair article about Europe and the us.
This is fucking ridiculous.
Presidents are replaceable. That's the whole fucking point. We are a nation of laws, not of men.
What a fucking joke. Charles II walked about London unarmored, and the people of London wandered St. James's Palace freely.
This is madness.
Spirit of the age Scip............nervous, frightened and cowardly :(
Is this proof that our leaders are secretly vampires? :ph34r:
Quote from: Scipio on July 05, 2013, 10:31:04 PM
This is fucking ridiculous.
Presidents are replaceable. That's the whole fucking point. We are a nation of laws, not of men.
What a fucking joke. Charles II walked about London unarmored, and the people of London wandered St. James's Palace freely.
This is madness.
Out of the 44 US presidents, 4 have been assassinated, 2 have been injured in assassination attempts and there have been at least 20 attempts to kill sitting or former US presidents. This is not an issue of the president not being replaceable, it is a matter of Workplace Health and Safety. No other job in the world has a 9% death rate by murder.
Quote from: Viking on July 06, 2013, 03:57:30 AM
Quote from: Scipio on July 05, 2013, 10:31:04 PM
This is fucking ridiculous.
Presidents are replaceable. That's the whole fucking point. We are a nation of laws, not of men.
What a fucking joke. Charles II walked about London unarmored, and the people of London wandered St. James's Palace freely.
This is madness.
Out of the 44 US presidents, 4 have been assassinated, 2 have been injured in assassination attempts and there have been at least 20 attempts to kill sitting or former US presidents. This is not an issue of the president not being replaceable, it is a matter of Workplace Health and Safety. No other job in the world has a 9% death rate by murder.
Mexican drug gang soldier?
Quote from: Viking on July 06, 2013, 03:57:30 AM
Quote from: Scipio on July 05, 2013, 10:31:04 PM
This is fucking ridiculous.
Presidents are replaceable. That's the whole fucking point. We are a nation of laws, not of men.
What a fucking joke. Charles II walked about London unarmored, and the people of London wandered St. James's Palace freely.
This is madness.
Out of the 44 US presidents, 4 have been assassinated, 2 have been injured in assassination attempts and there have been at least 20 attempts to kill sitting or former US presidents. This is not an issue of the president not being replaceable, it is a matter of Workplace Health and Safety. No other job in the world has a 9% death rate by murder.
I'm sure the answer is obvious, but who beside Reagan was seriously injured in an assassination attempt? I'm coming up blank.
Quote from: jimmy olsen on July 06, 2013, 04:21:13 AM
Quote from: Viking on July 06, 2013, 03:57:30 AM
Quote from: Scipio on July 05, 2013, 10:31:04 PM
This is fucking ridiculous.
Presidents are replaceable. That's the whole fucking point. We are a nation of laws, not of men.
What a fucking joke. Charles II walked about London unarmored, and the people of London wandered St. James's Palace freely.
This is madness.
Out of the 44 US presidents, 4 have been assassinated, 2 have been injured in assassination attempts and there have been at least 20 attempts to kill sitting or former US presidents. This is not an issue of the president not being replaceable, it is a matter of Workplace Health and Safety. No other job in the world has a 9% death rate by murder.
I'm sure the answer is obvious, but who beside Reagan was seriously injured in an assassination attempt? I'm coming up blank.
:ultra:
Quote from: katmai on July 06, 2013, 04:32:29 AM
:ultra:
TR wasn't president when that happened, it doesn't count.
If I google for the answer, the NSA puts me on a watch list. :hmm:
Quote from: Scipio on July 05, 2013, 10:31:04 PM
This is fucking ridiculous.
Presidents are replaceable. That's the whole fucking point. We are a nation of laws, not of men.
What a fucking joke. Charles II walked about London unarmored, and the people of London wandered St. James's Palace freely.
This is madness.
Guess it'll take more then your rabid dogs to stop Obama.
I thought he was veep when he took one.
I thought it was in 1912.
As Timmay already said and wigger just mentioned it was when running as third party candidate after he had been president.
Ah.
No need to spaz out about it.
He came back and said "I feel as healthy as a bull moose" IIRC.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on July 06, 2013, 04:23:49 PM
Ah.
No need to spaz out about it.
Don't tell me what i can and can't spaz out about!!!
Quote from: Jacob on July 05, 2013, 12:41:56 PM
What's the significance of the picture of the lump of concrete and the flattened water bottle?
That piece of concrete is an IED. Basicly you build the IED and then case it in concrete, leaving the wiring facing the ground, to use the dirt to cover the wires.
Quote from: Siege on July 07, 2013, 07:24:52 AM
That piece of concrete is an IED. Basicly you build the IED and then case it in concrete, leaving the wiring facing the ground, to use the dirt to cover the wires.
I think the President's motorcade would be long gone by the time the concrete dries.
It's a fast drying concrete!
Quote from: Viking on July 06, 2013, 03:57:30 AM
Out of the 44 US presidents, 4 have been assassinated, 2 have been injured in assassination attempts and there have been at least 20 attempts to kill sitting or former US presidents. This is not an issue of the president not being replaceable, it is a matter of Workplace Health and Safety. No other job in the world has a 9% death rate by murder.
Yeah but most of that is historical information. All four were assassinated in the same 100 year period and it has been 50 years since the last one. It has been 30 years since a President has even been injured. I think that is a pretty good run for most jobs in the world.
I don't quite get why Scip is upset about it.
Quote from: Valmy on July 08, 2013, 12:42:34 AM
Yeah but most of that is historical information. All four were assassinated in the same 100 year period and it has been 50 years since the last one. It has been 30 years since a President has even been injured. I think that is a pretty good run for most jobs in the world.
That's because we spend the money to protect them now.
Quote from: The Brain on July 05, 2013, 12:30:27 PM
He's not gonna drive in Detroit. Chillax.
The copper disk would get stolen and sold for scrap there before the IED would go off in any case.
Quote from: Razgovory on July 08, 2013, 02:45:00 AM
I don't quite get why Scip is upset about it.
Because money is being spent to protect the president. That's reprehensible!
Quote from: garbon on July 09, 2013, 08:42:39 AM
Quote from: Razgovory on July 08, 2013, 02:45:00 AM
I don't quite get why Scip is upset about it.
Because money is being spent to protect the president. That's reprehensible!
Agreed. Good point.