Ricardo plc

Ricardo plc is a leading technology consultancy with heritage in both the automotive and land based defence sector. Our capabilities cover powertrain (engine and transmission including hybrid / electric drive technologies),control and electronics, testing services and all aspects of vehicle systems integration and low volume vehicle build. We have over 1,500 highly qualified engineers with extensive experience in design, simulation, system development and integration for both advanced and existing technologies.

We also focus on developing highly cost effective versatile and purpose built specialist military vehicle applications derived from commercially available platforms and in providing training and logistics support and infrastructure.

As a result of our independent approach we work in conjunction with various MoD’s, large defence contractors and OEMs to deliver world-class cost effective solutions. As a consequence, Ricardo is fully aware of the complex product challenges that are driven by rapidly changing theatres of operation. Ricardo has a broad range of capabilities and technologies that can be utilised across a series of different defence sector applications. Our business consists of four major activities:

Military Vehicle Conversions and Military Products

A core strength that augments our integration capabilities is the development and production of low-volume niche and special vehicles for military and police customers. For example Ricardo has undertaken conversions and upgrades of the Land Rover Defender such as WMIK and more recently Snatch. These include installation of ring-mounted weapons systems, chassis upgrades, armour protection, power generation and payload enhancement. With our significant power upgrade experience we can provide improvements with in-service vehicles to realise significant payload, servicing and cost benefits. Recent upgrade / re-life programmes include HMWWV and Wolfhound TSV.

Military Vehicles System Integration (Armour, Communications and Weapon Systems)

Ricardo has undertaken systems integration programmes across all vehicle types, from highmobility all-terrain vehicles to heavy equipment transporters. Our through life approach includes a full analysis of requirements definition at the beginning of the process through vehicle system trade studies and comprehensive technology management and risk studies. Our systems approach is fully augmented by our advanced tools and our ability to undertake prototype build, test and development. In particular we can undertake EMC development, electrical and control system integration including the development of electronic control units and supporting architectures.

Military Vehicle Programme Leadership and Support

To meet our customers’ requirements, as part of our design and systems Integration capability, we can provide either leadership of, or support to, vehicle programme. Previous examples include:

• The design, development and prototype manufacture programmes for tracked and wheeled armoured vehicle for a number of OEMs including BAE Systems, L3 Communications, Land Rover, Oshkosh, Hyundai Rotem, Force Protection and Steyr.

• MoD Research programmes through the SEA Ltd consortium. As part of a team with Navistar, we had full vehicle responsibility for the engineering, build and development of the Future Tactical Truck System Utility Vehicle Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstrator that included hybrid electric drive technology.

Advanced Tools and Technologies

Ricardo has a wide range of advanced tools that underpin its design and development capabilities to rapidly prove out new concept designs, minimise hardware commitments and optimise product solutions. These tools cover armour and blast, chassis design, vehicle & driveline dynamics, structural, component strength & fatigue, noise & vibration and human factor analysis. Ricardo R&D activities include hybrid systems and unmanned ground vehicles. Our hybrid systems activities are focussed on design and integration, including vehicle build and productionisation. Our experience covers micro, full parallel and series hybrid configurations.