Superior Equipment and Speed
Pratt & Miller is working with the US Army’s research and development organizations on manned and unmanned ground and combat support systems. These groups recognize the potential for tapping Pratt & Miller’s expertise in racing-related technologies, and applying it to military vehicles. They are particularly interested in Pratt & Miller’s capabilities, ingrained in the racing culture, for development time compression and speed of execution. The goal is to apply the latest and best technologies to providing – as quickly as possible – superior equipment for the armed forces.

To this end, Pratt & Miller is leveraging its expertise in modeling and simulation, specifically focusing on a subject that is very much a part of race car design – survivability of both a vehicle and its occupants in an environment that is often both harsh and demanding of peak performance. In racing, tremendous improvements have been made in this area over the past 20 years, and now Pratt & Miller is applying this knowledge to “force protection” in such military equipment as seats, helmets, cockpit design, and vehicle structure for both manned vehicles, and unmanned robotic systems.

Case Study – Tactical Wheeled Vehicles
As the nature of armed conflicts in the world has changed, the needs of the military for versatile and efficient Tactical Wheeled Vehicles (TWV) also have evolved. Although race cars and military vehicles have vastly different missions, they both share the need for efficiency, reliability, durability, and performance under extreme stress. Now Pratt & Miller is applying the expertise developed in motorsports to multiple Tactical Wheeled Vehicle programs. Pratt & Miller Engineering has been contracted to provide engineering and manufacturing support for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP), MRAP All-Terrain Vehcile (M-ATV), Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), and Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) programs. Pratt & Miller was selected due to the company’s proven ability to provide weight-optimized solutions with expeditious timing.

DESIGN:
Pratt & Miller Engineering has designed body structures, engine, driveline, steering and suspension components for the MRAP, M-ATV, JLTV and LAV programs.

DEVELOP:
Pratt & Miller Engineering has led development on body structures, engine, driveline, steering and suspension components for the MRAP, M-ATV, JLTV and LAV programs.

BUILD:
Pratt & Miller Engineering has manufactured carbon composite body structures and engine components. These strong yet lightweight components are designed to enhance the TWVs’ fuel efficiency, maneuverability, and payload capacity. Pratt & Miller has also manufactured driveline, steering and suspension components for these programs.

RACE:
Pratt & Miller Engineering has provided all of these services on tight deadlines in a compressed schedule.

WIN:
Customer vehicles employing Pratt & Miller’s technology and components are among the finalists for the U.S. military’s TWV programs based on their performance, payload and protection.