By: Friedrich Seiltgen

Gunpowder readers know about Dillon Aero and their Gatling guns. Dillon gave the original General Electric Minigun a second life by fixing its issues and modifying virtually every part on the gun. Their line of M-134 Miniguns, .50 caliber Gatling guns, and gun pods are mounted on vehicles, ships, helicopters, and gunships used by the U.S. Military and militaries throughout the world.

But do you know about their Convoy Escort Vehicle (CEV)? Dillon produces the CEV at their Arizona facility, so if you need serious American-Made firepower in a plain looking vehicle, Dillon has the prescription.

Dillon’s retractable gun system turns an ordinary-looking SUV into a real war wagon! The CEV is equipped with their formidable M134D minigun and a 3,000-round magazine. When the gun is retracted, the vehicle looks like any other SUV. When the system is deployed, spring-loaded doors on the roof pop open, and you’re about to see some serious action!

VEHICLES

Dillon starts out with a standard Chevrolet Suburban or GMC Yukon (with other vehicles available on special order). The Basic System consists of the vehicle with the armament package. The M134D Minigun, the retractable gun mount, turret, carrier, and armament system support cage.

ARMAMENT

Gunpowder readers know that Dillon Aero is on the cutting edge of Gatling guns, so if Dillon produces it, it’s going to be spectacular. The CEV comes with the Dillon M134D .308 caliber Minigun and 1 – 3,000 round magazine. (Additional magazines available based on vehicle type.)

Since this is not a military Humvee, you can’t really drive around with a minigun sticking out the roof of your truck, so Dillon designed a retractable gun mount from CNC-machined, aerospace-grade components.

The Minigun is out of sight and undetectable until it’s needed. The weapon can be brought into action in three seconds and is fully concealed in eight seconds. The weapon swivels 360° in both directions and has elevation adjustable from -10° to + 45°. It uses a self-contained electronics system with backup AC/DC power to keep the Minigun in the fight!

It’s equipped with a stowable gunner’s seat. The flooring is grated to give the gunner traction and allow spent casings to pass through. Power is automatically shut off when the weapon is in the stowed position, as nobody wants a 100-round burst going off inside the vehicle. There’s also an interlock system that prevents negligent discharges when it’s deployed.

OPTIONS

Depending on who’s using the CEV and what they’re using it for, armor upgrades may be in order. The CVE is available with a B6 armor upgrade that will stop up to 7.62X51 rounds. Other options include run flat tires, fuel tank protection, law enforcement strobe lights, public address system, siren, and additional magazine capacity, depending on vehicle.

The CEV offers delivers top-shelf covert threat protection. So, if you’re a protection specialist with a high dollar, high value principal, you may want them to invest in a Dillon CEV. If it works for the Secret Service, it’s probably going to work for you.

That’s all for now folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s be careful out there.”

Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism, Firearms, First Aid, Active Shooter Response, and Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations in Florida. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected].

Photo from: https://dillonaero.com/product/convoy-escort-vehicle-cev-2/