Washington, D.C.-based GM Defense, a subsidiary of General Motors Co. in Detroit, has won a 10-year, $300 million U.S. State Department contract to deliver the next generation of heavy-duty armored sport utility vehicles in support of the department’s diplomatic security service.
Under terms of the contract, GM Defense will deliver OEM-integrated HD SUVs with a ceiling value of $300 million. GM Defense was awarded an initial task order through the IDIQ contract for vehicles, training, and engineering services valued at approximately $25 million.
The contract follows the development and validation contract awarded in 2021 that delivered prototype vehicles for comprehensive testing and evaluation.
“This is a very important program for GM Defense as it showcases our ability to leverage the proven commercial platforms and world-class engineering and manufacturing processes of GM to provide a first-of-its-kind vehicle for the Department of State,” says Steve duMont, president of GM Defense.
“Everyone on our team has committed to partnering with the State Department to ensure we deliver the best vehicles to support their mission. We look forward to continuing this partnership and bringing this exciting new platform to other U.S. government and allied defense and security customers around the world.”
The newly designed GM Defense HD SUV incorporates protective armor into the original design and manufacturing process, diverging from current after-market tear-down and rebuild practices. The new approach is designed to provide superior vehicle performance while improving efficiencies in build and lead-time, resulting in faster vehicle delivery to the end user.
GM Defense also provides additional benefits through a manufacturer’s warranty and extended vehicle lifespan that delivers value as compared to the current multi-stage aftermarket armoring process.
GM Defense’s HD SUV solution uses a high percentage of commercial-off-the-shelf parts, including the body, exterior, propulsion, interior, and brakes. The vehicle includes a new body-on-frame chassis and suspension, specifically designed to support the increased vehicle weight and performance requirements. Advanced manufacturing tools and techniques will continue to be used to support low-volume production of the new chassis and frame to meet all customer requirements.
The company hosted State Department leaders in July at the Summit Point Training Facility in West Virginia for a half-day of briefings and demonstrations of the newly designed HD SUV prototype. The engagement included high-performance driving demonstrations, showcasing the vehicle’s handling and maneuverability.
