Top Secrets Of The United State President’s Motorcade – Most Expensive Motorcade in the World

The presidential motorcade is the strictest, safest, most expensive and most risky motorcade in every country. The United States isn’t left out as the country’s presidential motorcade is armoured with over 50 vehicles and 100 personnel. 

The singular object of every presidential motorcade is to secure and keep the president alive at all times. At the heart of every motorcade is the car that carries the president. Practically, all the other 49 cars driving with it are interested in a singular mission—the president and his safety. 

In this article, we walk you through some interesting facts about the motorcade of the United States of America president you never knew. 

Interesting Facts About The US President’s Motorcade 

Below are some of the never-before-heard secrets about the US president’s motorcade and the 49 other cars that play roles when the president’s car is in transit. 

• The vehicle driving the US president is known as The Beast
• It’s not exactly a limousine but a comfy tank 
• The presidential car is also known as Cadillac 1 and it is designed to withstand any and all attacks
• The Beast cost around $1.5 million and weighs 20,000 lbs (9 Tons), the same weight as a Tyrannosaurus Rex
• Every secret service protective agent that drives the president’s motorcade has to pass a five-day driving course and those that primarily drive the president undertake a more advanced training 
• The doors are 8 inches thick, the windows stop a bullet from penetrating, and the floor is built on a modified truck bed with armour floor plates to protect from bombs and grenades 
• It is also hermetically sealed to prevent biological attacks with its own oxygen supply
• Within the car, you’ll find rocket-powered grenades, night vision optics, a tear gas cannon, pump-action shotguns, and even two litres of the president’s blood type
• The Beast isn’t just one. There are always at least two identical limousines in every motorcade, with matching registration plates. With this, it’s difficult for potential attackers to identify which one the president is inside. These two limos make up what is called “The Secure Package.”
• “The Secure Package” is designed to quickly break away if and when an attack takes place

• In “The Secure Package” is the United States Secret Service CounterMeasures Suburban,” this car jams any remote explosives that might be on a route through the help of two antennas that send out a huge range of radio frequencies that block any bomb activation signal. It also has electronic warfare sensors that detect if an anti-tank missile is launched
• Within the motorcade are two SUVs called Cat Car and Halfback. It’s the job of the Halfback to defend The Beast and the job of the Cat Car to take the fight to the insurgents. Their windows are always open so they can quickly release fire at a moment’s notice 
• The car with a closed rear window is called the Control Car. It carries the most essential stuff like the president’s military aid and doctor 
• In front of “The Secure Package” are the Route Car, Pilot Car, the Lead Car, and a host of motorbikes known as Sweepers.
• The Route and Pilot car scout the route ahead and relay information to the Lead Car which leads to the Secure Package and the motorbikes behind them
• The motorbikes are in charge of clearing the way for the motorcade by ushering cars out of the way and blocking off roads and junctions 
• Behind the Secure Package is a fleet of support vehicles which includes the ID car. It liaises with other counter-surveillance agencies 
• The Road Runner acts as a mobile communications centre 
• The Hazardous Materials Unit contains equipment and personnel that can respond to chemical, nuclear and biological attacks 

• Other vehicles among the motorcade are vehicles containing secret service agents politicians, emergency personnel and members of the press 

Conclusion

All of these motorcades perform one function—prioritizing the safety of the president. But, the secret service believes that the safest motorcade is no motorcade at all. Travelling by car is seen as one of the moments when the president is at his most vulnerable. Therefore motorcades are only used for journeys of 30 minutes or less.