Ricardo plc, a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company, has completed a series of pioneering thermal systems projects for use in next-generation combat air systems on behalf of BAE Systems.

One of the projects saw Ricardo work as a technical partner on BAE Systems’ Tempest programme, a UK partnership that brings together industry leaders to generate technologies and experiences needed to lead the development of next-generation combat air systems. The project represents future combat air systems due to be deployed in the mid-2030s and will use pioneering technology in BAE System’s demonstrator sixth-generation jet fighter programme.

Ricardo was chosen as a partner by BAE Systems due to its proven capabilities in systems engineering, 0D and 1D simulation of thermal systems and power electronics, machines, and drives (PEMD) engineering.

Adrian Schaffer, Ricardo’s president of Emerging Mobility Automotive and Industrial, 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.

“We have been supporting BAE Systems on several projects, including Tempest, and were delighted to play a part in helping to develop these new technologies for practical future use. 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, while still delivering the performance which will be required by next-generation combat aircraft.”