As US President Donald Trump started to move around China for his high-stakes visit to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a rarely seen vehicle, said to have remarkably sophisticated technology inside, was spotted.
The US conducted an enormous operation flying Mr Trump’s motorcade and support vehicles from the US to China for the official visit.
It’s a common move by the US, with the Secret Service usually transporting its own vehicles on military planes for visits by the US President or other high-profile officials when abroad.
Many will likely be familiar with “The Beast”, Mr Trump’s heavily armoured, high-tech Cadillac limousine, often described as a fortress on wheels, however, another vehicle has gripped the attention of eager-eyed internet sleuths.
The vehicle, which appears not to have a name yet, looks like a black van with a very high roof.
The windows are completely blacked out, and what’s inside is said to be some of the most high-tech anti-electronic warfare that can be put in a car.
Although officials have not publicly shared details of the vehicle’s capabilities, reports of what it can do have quickly circulated.
Matt Wallace, a creator on X, claimed the vehicle “is basically an entire electronic warfare base on wheels”.
The vehicle is believed to block eavesdropping devices, remote triggers for explosive devices and can jam multiple signals.
“The vehicle with the big roof is a counter-surveillance / electronic warfare van in the motorcade. It monitors, detects, and jams signals to block eavesdropping, remote explosives, or other threats,” Grok says on X when prompted by users.
Wallace also shared video of a C-17, which landed in China in the past few days as the Secret Service flew Mr Trump’s fleet in.
Although details have not been shared by officials, claims have emerged that the fleet includes vehicles that can “see through walls”,
“Trump had his entire motorcade flown in on C-17s a few days ago!” Wallace claimed.
“500+ tons of equipment and vehicles, including these advanced surveillance/deterrence SUVs.”
The Beast
Mr Trump’s main limo is described by GM, the owner of the Cadillac brand, as a “custom-built, highly secure fortress on wheels”.
“The current version, modelled after the Cadillac CT6, debuted in 2018 during a trip by President Trump to New York City.”
Exactly what the car is capable of is a highly-protected security secret. However, consisted claims continue to surround the car.
It is said that the car features pump-action shotguns, grenades, tear gas grenades and not vision equipment.
It’s values at $US1.5 million, and travels with medical supplies including oxygen and the US President’s blood type.
It is usually closely followed by other SUVs, one of which has the president’s military doctor in it.
The glass is bulletproof and it is said that the other armour makes the inside of the car basically soundproof.
Mr Trump rarely takes long trips in the car, with his Secret Service reportedly setting a limit of around 30 minutes for travel. If a trip requires longer than they, they encourage the US President to take Marine One, his equally high-tech presidential helicopter.