Ricardo completes combat air craft technology research

Engineering consultancy company Ricardo, has completed a series of pioneering thermal systems projects on behalf of BAE Systems.

The project saw Ricardo work as a technical partner with BAE Systems on its its Tempest programme, a UK partnership that brings together industry leaders to generate technologies and experiences needed to lead the development of the next generation of combat air systems.

The Tempest project represents future combat air systems due to be deployed in the mid-2030s and will use the technology in BAE System’s demonstrator sixth generation jet fighter programme.

Adrian Schaffer, the president of emerging mobility, automotive and industrial at Ricardo, said: “Ricardo is world-renowned for its innovation, R&D capabilities and is a trusted engineering partner to businesses operating in the global automotive, aerospace, rail, environmental and defence sectors.

“This project is testament to our design and engineering skills, which puts us at the forefront of developing advanced technologies for next generation aircraft.”

Saman Samarasekera, Tempest thermal management system team lead, said: “Ricardo and BAE Systems have been collaborating on electric technologies within the thermal domain since 2020.

“Our aim as we mature these technologies in support of the Tempest programme is to make them as lightweight and compact as possible, whilst still delivering the performance which will be required by next generation combat aircraft.”