Future Combat Systems Group

The Future Combat Systems team provides comprehensive expert advice, consultancy, research and education covering current and future combat systems (and similar non-combat systems) both in detailed technology and at whole system levels. The team combines world recognised expertise in vehicle and weapon system technology with broader systems expertise across a range of applications from specific elements of vehicles or weapons through to highly complex military systems.

The team expertise is founded on provision of teaching and education up to PhD and MSc level at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom including academic lecturing complemented by many practical elements such as design exercises and case studies. Academic Research is conducted often to PhD level. The team has a portfolio of recent and current funded consultancy activities for UK and overseas industry and MoD (including Dstl, DLO and DPA).

Much of the team’s expertise is based on previous Industrial experience with major international defence, engineering and automotive companies. The Group also incorporates the Engineering Dynamics Centre which provides:

Engineering Test and Evaluation
Drivetrain assessment
Suspension System testing/assessment
Mobility Assessment

and other practically based experimental and research capabilities.

Research and Consultancy

Vehicle Design Software
Hull - materials (structural analysis), packaging, design constraints and feasibility assessments
Powertrain - engine requirements/feasibility, transmission systems (technology), conventional and hybrid (technology and feasibility)
Protection - armour materials, active countermeasures, protection/survivability assessments
Running Gear - tracks vs wheels, suspension systems, terrain crossing/analysis, soil mechanics/terrain analysis, off-road locomotion
Vetronics
System Level Analysis - integration, weight, power, electrical budgets
Rapid Option Generation and Evaluation
Technology Evaluation and Analysis
Test and Evaluation Planning
Operational Effectiveness Analysis
Survivability and Lethality Assessments