Ministry Of Defense And Motorsport Race Ahead To Provide Battlefield Technology

London, July 12, 2010: Technology currently used in Formula 1 cars could help our troops on the front line, the MoD's Lord Astor announced last week.

Cosworth, who supply Formula 1 engines and electronics, were awarded two defence contracts on the eve of the British Grand Prix, to explore how technologies used to protect racing drivers could protect frontline troops.

Pictures released today show a Jackal armoured vehicle next to a Williams F1 car, with Trooper Oliver Parsons, from the Household Cavalry, along with racing driver Andrew Jarman. The new products are: :: A military vehicle accident data recorder which could capture information about the severity of incidents, such as improvised Explosive Device (IED) blasts, and display it in a simple, easy-to-read format. The data could be used to better understand the incident, aiding in the development of equipment and tactics, techniques and procedures used to counter IEDs.

:: A blast event and vehicle integrity system, intended to allow a rapid assessment of the condition of a vehicle following an incident. The information could be used by engineers to assess a vehicle's condition, and potentially to spot 'hidden' damage, such as twisting of the chassis, more easily. It could also be used by commanders in the field to inform decisions on the best course of action following a blast - whether to continue, or to return to base for repairs, for instance. It combines Cosworth's motor sport sensor and data acquisition technology with blast simulation modelling from GRM Consulting Ltd.

Lord Astor of Hever, speaking at a Motorsport Industry Association event at the House of Lords on 8 July, said: "Marrying motorsport technology and military need is an exciting and innovative way forward. In the Centre for Defence Enterprise, the MoD has a very good mechanism for embracing cutting-edge research which could benefit our troops in the future."

Chief Executive of Cosworth Group, Tim Routsis, said: "We are delighted to be using our electronics expertise to assist in the military's attempts to improve the safety of our troops in Afghanistan. It is encouraging to see how the MoD is recognising the potential of the technology available in businesses like Cosworth."

These contracts are just two examples of how working with the motorsport industry has provided enhancements to military equipment.

Others include: :: The NAR Group drew on their experience of supplying equipment for the Paris-Dakar Rally to design a new dust-proof cooling system now used on the Panther, Mastiff and Ridgback armoured vehicles, increasing the number of vehicles available for operations; :: Lola Composites Ltd, who specialise in the manufacture of racing car bodies, are contributing their expertise in helping to build the Watchkeeper Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS); and :: Williams F1 Hybrid Power Ltd has adapted its technology to develop an electromechanical flywheel, to increase the power efficiency of diesel generators which power Forward Operating Bases.