Ricardo pushes to open US defence doors

Ricardo plc in the UK is exploring every possible avenue that has the potential to bring in both revenue and profits.

Thus Ricardo is in the process of completing the extensive approval process required for a US Special Security Agreement.

It is doing this along with the necessary investments in people, processes, and facilities to enable the company to expand its role in the US defence market.

The new Ricardo Defense Systems (RDS) will be located within its own facility at Ricardo’s existing Detroit Technology Campus in Van Buren Township, Michigan.

The formation of RDS reinforces Ricardo’s role as a leading provider of advanced automotive technology and innovation, focused on the needs of this exceptionally demanding market sector.

Ricardo can point to a proven track record of successfully addressing a wide range of critical challenges such as the development of innovative vehicle designs, hybrid-electric powertrains, improving vehicle stability, reducing vehicle weight, decreasing development timelines, and improving modelling and simulation for its defence customers.

The ‘dedicated’ RDS facility and full-time core team of the new subsidiary organization will enable greater focus on the needs of the defence market, while leveraging the resources that Ricardo has available through its affiliated global technical consultancy and specialist niche manufacturing operations.

“We are excited to have created an organization that brings to bear all of Ricardo’s existing expertise in wheeled and tracked vehicles, powertrain, electronics, and software engineering to better serve our military customers and servicemen and women,” noted Paul Luskin, president of Ricardo Defense Systems. “At the same time, we will be expanding our skills and pursuing previously unavailable opportunities.”