NYPD buys mobile surveillance vans to watch Sandy-hit neighborhoods

Jeffrey N. Ross — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 12:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Government/Legal, Ford, Police/Emergency

To keep an eye on some of the neighborhoods hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy, the New York City police department has acquired a small fleet of innovative surveillance vans. Built by TerraHawk, LLC of Dallas, Texas, the NYPD is using four Mobile Utility Surveillance Tower (MUST) vans to patrol some areas of the city that lost power. Animal New York says that the vehicles are being used in Staten Island, Far Rockaway, Coney Island, and Howard Beach.

The idea of mobile surveillance is nothing new, since we've all seen those little trailers in mall parking lots around the holiday shopping season, but TerraHawk has created an all-in-one vehicle that can be deployed to an area quickly. Driving around, the MUST looks like a raised-roof, four-wheel-drive Ford E-Series, but when needed, a tower extends from the rear of the van using scissor lifts to a height of 25 feet. Raising the pod takes less than two minutes, and it can be used in areas with winds of up to 40 miles per hour. For added stability, built-in jacks are used at each corner of the 9,600-pound van.

When parked, the MUST uses an efficient lithium-ion battery pack rather than a generator, which would burn fuel and create exhaust emissions.

How much does one of these eye-in-the-sky trucks cost? Well, in base form (without any on-board technology, ballistics protection or four-wheel drive), they start anywhere from $150,000 to $175,000. The units purchased by the NYPD are powered by Ford's 6.8-liter V10.

Scroll down to read more about the TerraHawk MUST in an official press release.

Continue reading NYPD buys mobile surveillance vans to watch Sandy-hit neighborhoods

NYPD buys mobile surveillance vans to watch Sandy-hit neighborhoods originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 17 Nov 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terrahawk shows you how to erect a mobile sniper's tower in under two minutes

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Minivan/Van, Etc., Police/Emergency, Specialty

Just one minute and 45 seconds after purchasing a Mobile Utility Surveillance Tower from Terrahawk, you can have a (low-flying) bird's-eye view of your surroundings. You'll be more comfortable than any bird, however, in your climate-controlled guard tower, but you might be slightly more constrained when it comes to handling your 'business.'

Pitched as a tool for surveillance or emergency response, Terrahawk will be demonstrating the M.U.S.T. for Congress this week. it's a seriously sinister-looking Ford E-Series van, but we suppose bad guys can't be caught with the Good Ship Lollipop. Still, Terrahawk might want to paint "Free Hugs!" on the side and avoid parking near any schools if the 25-foot tower isn't deployed. Either way, we can see this being just the thing for anything from well-heeled game hunters to the NASCAR fan who wants to outdo everyone else in a camper. No word on cost, but while you check your disposable income, you can follow the jump to watch the video of it in (slow) action.

Continue reading Terrahawk shows you how to erect a mobile sniper's tower in under two minutes

Terrahawk shows you how to erect a mobile sniper's tower in under two minutes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Sep 2011 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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