Armored Law Enforcement Vehicles Cyclone

Armored Law Enforcement Vehicles for SWAT, Patrol, and Riot Control

Alpine Armoring builds armored law enforcement vehicles for federal, state, local & overseas government agencies, including Pit-Bull® SWAT trucks, POINTER® tactical vans, riot control trucks, and armored patrol SUVs. Agencies use them for active shooter response, high-risk warrants, SWAT callouts, and counter-terrorism work, where officers face rifle fire.

The Roswell Police Department in New Mexico replaced an aging MRAP that had become hard to maintain and find parts for with a Pit-Bull VX® armored to A12. The Colorado State Troopers' Tactical Team runs a Pit-Bull VXT®. Across more than 30 years, Alpine Armoring has recorded zero armor penetrations.

How Do You Choose an Armored Law Enforcement Vehicle?

Start with the mission and crew size, then set the protection level based on the threat. An entry team needs gun ports and ram bumpers, a command post needs workstations and radios, and a patrol unit needs a pursuit-rated vehicle.

Entry, Rescue and Personnel Transport

The Pit-Bull VX® is Alpine Armoring's flagship SWAT truck, with a Ford F-600 chassis, a V8 turbo diesel, 13 gun ports, and front and rear ram bumpers. The Pit-Bull VXT® is its lighter pickup version, with optional rear-facing jump seats and gun ports.

Both start at Alpine Level A9. For .50 caliber threats, order the Pit-Bull VX® .50 Cal or the Pit-Bull VXT® .50 Cal, both armored to A12. The Bulldog®, Alpine Armoring's first-generation multi-troop SWAT truck, also rides on the F-600 and is rated A9 or A12.

For narrow streets and rough ground, the CUDA® uses a Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series chassis and has the best turning radius of any APC built to date.

Command, Surveillance and Covert Work

The POINTER® armors Ford Transit and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans from A4 to A9. The Carver County Sheriff's Office tactical team in Minnesota relies on one to keep a low profile on high-threat operations.

The SWAT/APC Van seats up to 10, including the driver, and adds a self-sealing fuel tank and underbody blast protection. The Mobile Command Van holds workstations, monitors, and secure communications. The Tactical Incognito Van hides its armor behind an ordinary van exterior for undercover and surveillance work.

Crowd Control

The RECOLETA RCT-4 handles protests and civil disturbances with dual water cannons, tear gas deployment, and rubber bullet guns. It seats up to 10 on a Ford Super Duty chassis and is armored to A9 or A12.

Patrol and Rapid Response

The armored Ford Explorer Police Interceptor PPV keeps Ford's 3.3L hybrid V6 and full-time Intelligent AWD, with armor from A4 to A9. A rear cargo barrier lets it transport prisoners. For a pickup, the Cyclone® pairs a Ram 1500 with a 5.7L HEMI V8 and armor up to A12. The Typhoon® is an armored, all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning.

What Protection Level Does a Police Vehicle Need?

Match the protection level to the most powerful weapon your team expects to face; most SWAT and APC builds start at Alpine Level A9, which stops rifle fire.

• Alpine Level A4 (CEN BR4): stops 9mm Luger, .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum handgun rounds. Offered on the Explorer PPV, POINTER®, Cyclone® and Typhoon®.
• Alpine Level A6 (CEN BR5): stops the AK-47's 7.62x39 round. Offered on the same four platforms.
• Alpine Level A9 (CEN BR6+): stops AR-15 and AK-47 rifles, including 7.62x39, 7.62x51, 5.56x45, and M80 ball rounds, plus floor protection against two DM51 hand grenades. The starting level for the Pit-Bull®, Bulldog®, CUDA®, and RECOLETA RCT-4.
• Alpine Level A12 (CEN BR7+): stops the .50 BMG round fired by a Barrett rifle and armor-piercing rounds such as the .30-06 AP. Standard on both .50 Cal Pit-Bull® models and available on the Bulldog®, CUDA®, RECOLETA RCT-4 and Cyclone®.

Each step up adds weight. A9 bullet-resistant glass is about 42 mm thick, and an A9 windshield weighs nearly 200 pounds. At A12, the glass tops 72 mm, and the windshield weighs around 500 pounds, so Alpine Armoring reinforces the door frames, hinges, suspension, and brakes to carry it.

For repeated hits and blasts, see what an armored truck or SUV withstands.

How Does Alpine Armoring Build and Test Police Vehicles?

Alpine Armoring armors each vehicle with laboratory-tested, certified ballistic steel and multi-layer bullet-resistant glass. Independent labs, including the U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground, test the materials, and the company also runs live-fire tests on finished vehicles.

Equipment options range from 360-degree camera monitoring and PA systems to gun ports and weapon-vault lockboxes. See the full list of communication systems, tactical upgrades, and specialized equipment.

How Do Agencies Buy, and How Long Does It Take?

U.S. federal agencies can buy through Alpine Armoring's GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract (47QSMS26D0064). State and local departments often use Department of Homeland Security grants, such as the Urban Area Security Initiative; see how local police apply for federal grants, and ask about financing and lease options.

Most agency builds take up to 12 weeks from order to delivery, with priority scheduling for urgent needs. In-stock and in-production units are listed on the Law Enforcement Vehicles Available Now page, and Armored-SWAT.com lists full specifications for every SWAT and APC model.

Tell Alpine Armoring your mission, crew size, and threat level, and request a quote.