Defense - USA
We provide the US Department of Defense and its allies with complete solutions to solve their most complex challenges.
We are global niche specialists in designing vehicle engineering solutions that improve safety and reduce fossil fuel usage and carbon emissions.
Our capabilities are focused on leveraging cutting-edge technical knowledge to create safety-critical vehicle systems and software solutions that protect those who willingly put their lives on the line, both home and abroad, to keep us safe.
We are proud to possess a deep legacy in partnering with the US military to transition innovative technologies from science to application.
Our expertise
Book a consultationDesign, development, and integration of commercial industry products to solve safety-critical defence mobility challenges.
Design and implementation of integrated operational models linking all aspects of a complete system of systems.
Software design and development for cyber-resilient big data collection, migration, and analysis.
Defence acquisition strategy, policy, procedure, programme and life cycle management expertise.
System engineering, configuration management and supply chain support and optimisation.
To view more information about our Major USG contracts click here
Complete technical solutions
Ricardo has a long track record of success in the automotive sector and has been the engineering consultancy of choice for many well-known industry names.
We span the breadth of the sector, and from passenger cars to trucks and super bikes to Tuk-Tuks, Ricardo engineering has made a difference.
In the military sector, Ricardo was the designer and integrator of the Land Rover WMIK, a vehicle that has been the backbone of defence integration business activities, which have grown and developed in response to heightened threats in the deployed space.
Our vehicle engineering capability has supported a range of original equipment manufacturers, both in wheels and tracks, in the UK and internationally. Our ability to manufacture short production runs of technically sophisticated components, assemblies and complete vehicles has served the sector well, with a number of bespoke vehicles in service around the world.
Ricardo has delivered vehicle-performance improvements to new and legacy equipment, accepting challenges set by time- and resource-pressured clients and end users alike.
Ricardo invests in and develops its own technology and innovative solutions for application across a number of market sectors. In the defence market, we offer:
- Hybrid and electric drives
- Kinetic energy storage solutions
- Battery power and control electronics
- Drive-by-wire systems
- Infra-red sensors
- High-ballistic-absorbing seating
- Composite pods
- Overhead weapon stations
- Autonomous vehicles
- Efficient, small high-performance engines
- Waste-heat recovery systems
- Intelligent driver aids
Ricardo is committed to finding the best solutions, using leading-edge, complex modelling and simulation tools to enable reliable and proven solutions and prototypes to be developed to perform as designed.
Ricardo has been the engineering partner of choice for many original equipment manufacturers. Our wide engineering capabilities have enabled solutions to be provided in the light to heavy operating space in land and sea and air. Ricardo has redesigned and engineered land-based vehicles to improve performance in fuel efficiency and emissions, reducing weight and increasing ballistic protection in response to increased operational threat levels.
The hybridisation of powertrains for surface and sub-surface vessels is becoming more critical, giving higher efficiency, increased availability and reduced servicing. Extension of mission range through the addition of electrified powertrain components and ancillaries, in addition to low-noise approach modes, provides a compelling argument for hybridisation.
Key solutions
We deliver integrated engineering, software and sustainability solutions across the defense landscape of data security, safe mobility, and emerging technology transition.
Technical services
We address challenges customers face in the maturation and integration of complex systems for legacy and emerging mobility platforms
Field support solutions
We improve capabilities to support and sustain fielded systems throughout their life cycle to include: life cycle sustainability analysis right through to providing support with field service representatives.
Solution products
We develop and deliver integrated products in response to identified customer needs and/or requirements. We also develop complete integrated solutions as a lead systems integrator.
Maximum capability, system availability and cost effectiveness throughout product life
The most advanced equipment and capabilities in the world can become ineffective without appropriate in-service support solutions. We offer expert engineering support, comprehensive through-life capability management (TLCM) and agile operational support.
Our land and marine engineering teams provide support solutions designed on a case-by-case basis. However, the objective of all solutions we offer is to enable our clients to achieve and sustain maximum capability, system availability and cost effectiveness throughout the life of their equipment.
We offer expert engineering support, comprehensive through-life capability management (TLCM) and agile operational support. This includes a full range of Post-Design Services (PDS), configuration control, safety cases, asset and whole fleet management, spares, obsolescence, repairs and maintenance, training and mid-life upgrades with a suite of contracting options.
These services are formally contracted for in-service phases of a piece of equipment's lifecycle. PDS can comprise a broad range of activities designed to maintain in-service equipment capability.
Examples of PDS activities are:
- Configuration management
- Obsolescence management
- Technical reporting
- Function and design reporting
- Engineering surveys
- Modification implementation
- Design/prototype testing
- New component design and testing
- Technical documentation
- Onsite training
Ricardo deploys teams of specialists to carry out support of all PDS activities. Our teams have worked with various organisations, providing a flexible portfolio of services to ensure equipment fulfils its life expectancy.
Our team can also advise on mid-life equipment improvements and replacement purchases.
Our core strength is ensuring that long-term equipment capability is designed from the outset. We utilise a systems engineering approach to produce performance-based support solutions. Our aim is to provide assurance and verification of engineering designs, delivering a tailored, sustainable and cost-effective support solution.
