Designed from the ground up by the Secret Service, President Barack Obama‘s $1.5 million “Cadillac One,” aka “The Beast,” is a moving fortress impenetrable by bullets and bombs.
The president has 12 identical limos in rotation and, when not in use, they’re parked in the basement of the Secret Service’s headquarters and are under 24-hour surveillance.
Obama, who arrived Kenya hours ago will ride ‘The Beast’ throughout his stay in his father’s home country.
Check out 10 facts about the armoured vehicle below:
1. REAR SEAT/COMPARTMENT
The president’s seat has a state-of-the-art satellite phone and direct line to the Vice-president and the Pentagon. It can seat up to four persons. The glass partition can be lowered only by the president.
2. DEFENCE ACCESSORIES
It is equipped with night-vision camera, pump-action shotgun, teargas cannons. The car also has a cache of the first family’s blood types.
3. TYRES
It has run-flat tyres reinforced with Kevlar and is shred and puncture resistant
4. DOORS
Its armour-plating is 8 inches thick. It weighs as much as a Boeing 757.
5. It has Night-vision camera around the full light area
6. FUEL TANK
It is sealed with a specially designed foam which prevents if from exploding
7. BOOT
It hold oxygen tanks, firefighting equipment
8. DRIVER’S COMPARTMENT
The car has standard steering wheel, but the dash baord contains a communications centre and GPS tracking systems. The driver’s window can be lowered only 3 inches. The driver is trained by the Secret Service to escape and evade enemy and perform a 180-degree ‘J-turn’
