A new vehicle allows police and other law enforcement personnel to take on heavily armed bad guys from behind the safety of armor.
Built on a small platform with tank-like tracks, the Tactical Response Armored Car, or TRAC, is a mini armored assault vehicle designed to get police closer to the action, says its manufacturer, Dolmen Corp., based in Johnson City, N.Y.
Occupants are surrounded by level II, III and IV armor plating, while ballistic glass allows them to look outside. Armor attachments can be swapped out to address different situations, the company says. Interchangeable options include an assault platform, breaching arm with wireless camera, grapple bucket and vehicle extraction tool. The assault platform is adjustable and can be raised so police standing on it can enter a building from the second floor.
Dolmen says the vehicle is small enough to fit through corridors, freight elevators, and high-rise buildings but large enough to carry eight or more personnel.
The vehicle was recently tested by members of the Binghamton, N.Y., police SWAT team.