Cosworth engages with UK MoD to develop on-vehicle electronics to improve safety
Cosworth has extensive experience in designing and manufacturing high performance electronics capable of withstanding extreme environmental and dynamic stresses gained from over two decades of developing solutions for Formula One motorsport. In recent years Cosworth has led the way in transferring high performance motorsport technologies into a diverse array of adjacent markets including aerospace & defense, automotive and clean energy generation.
The Accident Data Recorder program is the result of ongoing engagement with the Centre for Defense Enterprise and will rely on Cosworth’s capabilities to engineer and deliver custom solutions in short timescales to provide forensic information on road traffic accidents, IED (improvised explosive device) incidents and structural integrity for vehicles used by UK armed forces in Afghanistan.
Further initiatives are already underway in which Cosworth engineers are working alongside relevant Project Teams to identify and address requirements for high performance mechanical and electronic technologies that can improve crew safety and fuel efficiency within the defense arena.
Tim Routsis, Chief Executive, Cosworth Group:
“We are delighted to be using our electronics expertise to assist in the MoD’s attempts to improve the safety of our troops in Afghanistan. It is encouraging to see how UK MoD, particularly the Centre for Defense Enterprise, is recognizing the potential of the technology available in businesses like Cosworth."
Helen Almey, MoD Centre for Defense Enterprise:
“CDE is keen to pull through technology and innovation from outside the traditional defense sphere. We have a commitment to improve the protection and safety of our troops in Afghanistan and this announcement represents another step forward by CDE in this endeavor. CDE is always open to new ideas and innovation that could be used by our Armed Forces."
Chris Aylett, Chief Executive Officer, Motorsport Industry Association:
“The MIA is pleased that our 'Motorsport to Defense Initiative’, launched just three years ago by the new Minister of Defense Lord Astor, is yielding such immediate results. The UK motorsport industry can play a vital part in the recovery plans of our economy. We employ world-beating engineers delivering rapid, highly innovative, high performance engineering solutions. The UK’s Ministry of Defense has recognized how this unique British resource can enhance the protection and effectiveness of our front-line armed forces".
Lord Astor of Hever, Under Secretary of State for Defense:
"These contracts we have placed with Cosworth could provide important innovations in battlefield technology. Enabling combat medics to have an early idea of what injuries they may have to treat could lead to more lives being saved as a result. And by assessing the damage to the vehicle caused by an IED we can both capture forensic details to help tackle insurgents and make more informed decisions on repairing the equipment and future designs."