DIY Armored Trucks – A Uniquely Mexican
Innovation
The DIY armored vehicle is a uniquely Mexican product which
no drug cartel worth its name would be without. For the
cartel boss who has everything this is one more must-have in
his fleet. But what do you call these behemoths of the road
– Narco tanks, Rhino trucks? There’s no agreement
on what to call these monster armored vehicles being put
together by drug cartels of late. But one thing is definite;
there are more of them on Mexican roads and many more under
construction.
Setting up Shop
Authorities found the first armored vehicle – almost a
prototype on field trials – in the aftermath of a
battle in April of 2011 between two drug gangs, the Zetas and
the Gulf Cartel. And since, the Mexican Defense Department
has reported finding many more of these road warhorses on the
roads and in various stages of construction in metalworking
shops across drug country.
A Small Force
Experts who examined these vehicles were impressed with their
size and innovation. What are rolling out of these makeshift
factories are bigger than they’ve ever been before. And
they carry formidable armor plate of inch-thick steel strong
enough to resist fire from a 50-caliber weapon. The insulated
cabin can accommodate 20 armed men, with the whole assembly
mounted on a triple-axle truck bed.
Old Memories
One drug policy expert from the Washington-based Institute
for Policy Studies, a research group, said they were
reminiscent of the Merrimack and Monitor, two early American
warships which fought in the first naval battle of the Civil
War. Both were ironclad ships and first-generation
technology.
The Options are Endless
Experts predict significant technological changes in the
months ahead with protection for tires, a current weak-spot,
up-armoring, and blast pads for mines and IEDs amongst
others. Existing vehicles already feature essentials like
firing ports, gun turrets, and bullet resistant glass.
Mexican Army specialists however are unfazed. The machines,
they say, are sluggish and unmaneuverable, making them soft
targets and no match for modern military vehicles. They are
more to intimidate rivals, they maintain. Assault vehicles
have confronted the Mexican military in the past and have
been disabled by shooting out the tires. But tire technology
is evolving and with run-flat tires, this would not have
worked.
The Real Death Race
But most Mexicans pale at the sight of these elephantine
monsters in photographs taken by the military. Curious though
they are, they are a stark reminder that there are no place
as perilous as Mexican roads in the battle against organized
crime. They resemble something out of the movie Death
Race.
Fighting has been particularly vicious in border towns and
cities in Tamaulipas, a northern state, where many of these
improvised armoring factories are located. Only recently two
dump trucks in the area were found and being used, modified
to protect gunmen with steel plates. Cartels appear to be in
an arms race with each other in technological
innovations.
A Company that Sets the Bar High
Ultra Armoring of Kings Mountain, NC is a vehicle armoring
company which has supplied many armored vehicles. Ultra
Armoring has been in the vehicle armoring business for over
two decades.
The Threats are Real
Armoring a vehicle is a complex, multi-layered process. At
Ultra Armoring the team first studies the need and challenges
prevalent in that part of the globe where the vehicle will
operate. Design and selection of armoring materials are
determined by the kind of projectiles and ballistics is might
be called upon to resist.
Multiple Threats
Armored vehicles operating in many flashpoints in the Middle
and Near East for example, will have the highest level of
armoring. Cars and SUVs which operate in places like Iraq,
Pakistan, and Afghanistan will be armored to resist
high-velocity, high-caliber bullets, and also designed for
blast resistance. The threat in such countries takes many
more dangerous forms than mere high-velocity automatic
rifles.
Fire Proof
The incidence of roadside bombs is frequent, as are car bombs
which are detonated when vehicles, earmarked for destruction,
drive past. Roadside bombs or improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) are used with disastrous consequences, and almost
monotonous regularity. Another new form of terrorism is the
magnetic bomb triggered either through a timer, a remote
mechanism like a cell phone. This is becoming increasingly
popular since it is easy to attach one to a vehicle while on
the road. Invariably such devices, apart from an explosive
action set the vehicle on fire, another threat which has to
be catered for.
What is the Main Threat(s)?
When a client decides on a particular type of vehicle, the
level and type of threat is determined in consultation with
Ultra Armoring. This provides the R&D department a
standard to which to work to. Material selection is made
compatible with the perceived threat which also governs the
thickness of glass to be used.
No Second Chances
Ultra Armoring of Kings Mountain, NC is one of the industry
leaders in armored passenger vehicles. The company is
meticulous about every stage of modification, acutely aware
that even the slightest oversight can be disastrous in a
firefight or a bomb blast.
DIY Armored Trucks – A Uniquely Mexican
Innovation
The DIY armored vehicle is a uniquely Mexican product which
no drug cartel worth its name would be without. For the
cartel boss who has everything this is one more must-have in
his fleet. But what do you call these behemoths of the road
– Narco tanks, Rhino trucks? There’s no agreement
on what to call these monster armored vehicles being put
together by drug cartels of late. But one thing is definite;
there are more of them on Mexican roads and many more under
construction.
Setting up Shop
Authorities found the first armored vehicle – almost a
prototype on field trials – in the aftermath of a
battle in April of 2011 between two drug gangs, the Zetas and
the Gulf Cartel. And since, the Mexican Defense Department
has reported finding many more of these road warhorses on the
roads and in various stages of construction in metalworking
shops across drug country.
A Small Force
Experts who examined these vehicles were impressed with their
size and innovation. What are rolling out of these makeshift
factories are bigger than they’ve ever been before. And
they carry formidable armor plate of inch-thick steel strong
enough to resist fire from a 50-caliber weapon. The insulated
cabin can accommodate 20 armed men, with the whole assembly
mounted on a triple-axle truck bed.
Old Memories
One drug policy expert from the Washington-based Institute
for Policy Studies, a research group, said they were
reminiscent of the Merrimack and Monitor, two early American
warships which fought in the first naval battle of the Civil
War. Both were ironclad ships and first-generation
technology.
The Options are Endless
Experts predict significant technological changes in the
months ahead with protection for tires, a current weak-spot,
up-armoring, and blast pads for mines and IEDs amongst
others. Existing vehicles already feature essentials like
firing ports, gun turrets, and bullet resistant glass.
Mexican Army specialists however are unfazed. The machines,
they say, are sluggish and unmaneuverable, making them soft
targets and no match for modern military vehicles. They are
more to intimidate rivals, they maintain. Assault vehicles
have confronted the Mexican military in the past and have
been disabled by shooting out the tires. But tire technology
is evolving and with run-flat tires, this would not have
worked.
The Real Death Race
But most Mexicans pale at the sight of these elephantine
monsters in photographs taken by the military. Curious though
they are, they are a stark reminder that there are no place
as perilous as Mexican roads in the battle against organized
crime. They resemble something out of the movie Death
Race.
Fighting has been particularly vicious in border towns and
cities in Tamaulipas, a northern state, where many of these
improvised armoring factories are located. Only recently two
dump trucks in the area were found and being used, modified
to protect gunmen with steel plates. Cartels appear to be in
an arms race with each other in technological
innovations.
A Company that Sets the Bar High
Ultra Armoring of Kings Mountain, NC is a vehicle armoring
company which has supplied many armored vehicles. Ultra
Armoring has been in the vehicle armoring business for over
two decades.
The Threats are Real
Armoring a vehicle is a complex, multi-layered process. At
Ultra Armoring the team first studies the need and challenges
prevalent in that part of the globe where the vehicle will
operate. Design and selection of armoring materials are
determined by the kind of projectiles and ballistics is might
be called upon to resist.
Multiple Threats
Armored vehicles operating in many flashpoints in the Middle
and Near East for example, will have the highest level of
armoring. Cars and SUVs which operate in places like Iraq,
Pakistan, and Afghanistan will be armored to resist
high-velocity, high-caliber bullets, and also designed for
blast resistance. The threat in such countries takes many
more dangerous forms than mere high-velocity automatic
rifles.
Fire Proof
The incidence of roadside bombs is frequent, as are car bombs
which are detonated when vehicles, earmarked for destruction,
drive past. Roadside bombs or improvised explosive devices
(IEDs) are used with disastrous consequences, and almost
monotonous regularity. Another new form of terrorism is the
magnetic bomb triggered either through a timer, a remote
mechanism like a cell phone. This is becoming increasingly
popular since it is easy to attach one to a vehicle while on
the road. Invariably such devices, apart from an explosive
action set the vehicle on fire, another threat which has to
be catered for.
What is the Main Threat(s)?
When a client decides on a particular type of vehicle, the
level and type of threat is determined in consultation with
Ultra Armoring. This provides the R&D department a
standard to which to work to. Material selection is made
compatible with the perceived threat which also governs the
thickness of glass to be used.
No Second Chances
Ultra Armoring of Kings Mountain, NC is one of the industry
leaders in armored passenger vehicles. The company is
meticulous about every stage of modification, acutely aware
that even the slightest oversight can be disastrous in a
firefight or a bomb blast.
Our experience in dealing with the nuances of unique
armor components as required by the U.S. Military has honed
our skills and positioned Ultra as the complete armoring
source.
VEHICLE INTERIOR DISASSEMBLY: Prior to armor
design, our skilled technicians carefully remove the entire
vehicle interior. All parts are then inventoried and stored
in a coded, on-site secure, dust-free compartment.
DESIGN & MEASURING: Using
state-of-the-art technology, our technicians replicate the
vehicle interior. A highly precise FARO arm develops an exact
digital blueprint of each shape, panel and bend.
CAD DRAWING: As part of Ultra's rigorous
routine of measurement and design, digital data is
transferred to our expert staff of CAD designers. Custom
armor patterns are then digitally built into a 3D model.
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Ultra Armoring's experience and technology
set us apart from other armorers. Our ongoing
commitment to research and development
works to produce the best-armored
vehicle on the market.
TRACEABILITY: All materials are
certified, batch-tested and completely traceable. To verify
and ensure the integrity of our product, we can trace any
part used in armoring any vehicle back to the heat lot and
plate number.
BENDING: Ultra's 2,000-ton press brake can
form steel up to 40 feet in length.
CUTTING: Our top-of-the line laser cutters
can produce parts of all shapes, sizes and thicknesses with
tight tolerances.
WELDING: Our crew of highly trained
welders can
expertly produce top-quality welds that
meet or exceed all applicable codes.
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Ultra's large-format laser cutters allow
for larger
core panels with less welded components.
LASER CUTTING & PLATE
FINISHING:
Every piece of armor is precisely cut on a
state-of-the-art
CNC-operated Tanaka laser cutting station. This keeps
part
dimensions accurate and tolerances tight between armor
plates, allowing for better protection.
SINGLE-PIECE SIDEWALL
TECHNOLOGY:
To reduce weld joints that can weaken armor, Ultra
has developed proprietary technology which allows
the use of just one piece of armor to cover the entire
side of a vehicle.
COMPLETE ARMOR CAPSULE:
Using technology developed
for Mine Resistant Ambush
Protected (MRAP) and other
heavy armor combat programs,
Ultra has pioneered the
"box within a box" protection
system of the Complete
Armor Capsule.
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Just as important as quality armoring is a vehicle
equipped to perform optimally in any situation.
RUNFLAT DEVICES:
Ultra's armored vehicles come equipped with either Rodgard
OEM runflat inserts or Hutchinson Mil-Spec certified blast
wheels with VFI runflat devices.
BRAKE KIT:
To compensate for the extra weight added by the armor, we
install an exclusive six-piston big brake kit designed
specifically for Ultra's vehicles by Performance Friction
Corporation.
INTERIOR:
Meticulous design and planning allows the interior of Ultra's
armored vehicles to fit in ways other armorers can't dupli-
cate. With exact match materials pro- vided by original
equipment manufactur- ers (OEM), the interface between armor
and vehicle is seamless.
HINGES:
Ultra Armoring has designed a high-strength steel hinge for
all doors to support added weight, eliminate sagging and the
need for ramp guides.
FUEL CELL:
Ultra replaces the standard fuel tank with a SAFETANK
protected fuel tank. The SAFETANK is self-sealing,
effectively sealing wounds from rifle rounds and shrapnel
from IED, mine or RPG blast events, preventing fire and
explosion from leaking fuel, and assuring the vehicle
maintains drivability.
SUSPENSION:
Ultra integrates an upgraded vehicle suspension system that
is purpose built, test validated and field proven. Working
with industry leaders in vehicle ride control allows us to
provide our customers with an accurate sense of confidence
while maximizing vehicle life cycle through focused upgrades.