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Ricardo announced that it has completed the build of the Fed Alpha vehicle as part of the Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED) programme for the U.S. Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) – the company has been awarded a contract for the testing phase, which is currently underway.

The Fed Alpha vehicle as part of the Fuel Efficient Ground Vehicle Demonstrator (FED). The goal of the FED programme, launched in late 2008, is to improve military vehicle technology, reduce fuel consumption on the battlefield and reduce the nation’s dependence on oil. Ricardo has applied its expertise in the design, development and manufacturing of special vehicles, and advanced automotive technology to create a demonstration vehicle that maximizes fuel economy while maintaining the capability and performance of light tactical wheeled vehicles.

In early July 2011, the Fed Alpha was on display for two days in the centre courtyard of the Pentagon. Since that time, Fed Alpha has been successfully completing government testing at the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland. One key facility that is paramount to validating the fuel economy of the vehicle is Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) Roadway Simulator. This facility is the world’s largest automotive test simulator and designed to perform vehicle dynamics, powertrain performance, shock and vibration testing in a laboratory environment.
Army Power and Energy along with TARDEC will be showing the Fed Alpha vehicle at the 2011 AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in booth 4224.