Since 1981[8] the Massachusetts-based Lenco Industries, known as Lenco Armored Vehicles, has designed and manufactured armored vehicles for law enforcement, military, government and private security forces.[9] Lenco has produced more than 5,000 armored vehicles for use in more than 40 countries worldwide.[10][11]

The BearCat is one type of vehicle produced by the company that is in use by numerous US military and law enforcement agencies and it also used by all state and territory Police Tactical Groups in Australia purchased by the Australian Government.[5][12] The Bearcat is based on a Ford F-550 Super Duty commercial truck chassis with two available engines (the V10 Triton Gasoline and the 6.7L Turbo Diesel), and a six-speed automatic transmission.[13] The .5-1.5 inch thick mil spec steel armored bodywork is completed with .50 BMG rated[14] ballistic glass capable of multi-hits, blast-resistant floors, gunports, roof hatches/turret and agency specific equipment and/or modifications such as lights/sirens/battering ram/winches/thermal cameras and spot lights.[15]

The first BearCat was designed and completed in August 2001 as a spin-off product of the larger Lenco BEAR, with input from Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) as an updated and improved version of their military surplus Cadillac Gage RangerPeaceKeeper armored vehicles.[10]