GM Defense teams with Ricardo on Infantry Squad Vehicle

GM Defense LLC has selected Ricardo Defense Inc. to support key product logistics and fielding requirements associated with its pursuit of the U.S. Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV) Program.

In June 2019, the U.S. Army awarded a $1 million contract to GM Defense to develop two ISV prototypes for testing and evaluation. A production and deployment contract award decision is expected later this year. GM Defense’s ISV is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 architecture, which leverages 70 percent commercial off-the-shelf parts in a flexible, light, all-terrain vehicle.
 
Ricardo Defense will assist GM Defense with integrated product support, typically consisting of vehicle technical manuals and training materials for operators and maintenance personnel.
 
“We’re excited to join forces with Ricardo Defense to significantly strengthen our submission for the ISV contract pursuit,” said GM Defense president David Albritton. “Ricardo’s experience with military fleet readiness, performance and sustainment combined with GM’s expertise in engineering, manufacturing and product quality at scale creates a powerful team that is able to meet and exceed the Army’s demands for this platform.”
 
Specific details about the teaming arrangement between the two companies will not be provided due to competitive reasons.
 
“On behalf of the Ricardo Defense team, I am extremely pleased that we have been selected to support GM Defense on the ISV initiative,” said Chet Gryczan, president of Ricardo Defense. “Ricardo Defense has extensive experience in acquisition logistics and life cycle sustainment efforts for military ground vehicle programs, and I feel that we will be able to ensure the application of a COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) vehicle to the Army is both seamless and successful.”