Markets : Defence

Uncertainty and rapid change are just two of the challenges facing the defence community.  MIRA's experience of meeting similar challenges in the highly competitive automotive market has enabled us to forge successful partnerships with the MOD, prime contractors and defence equipment suppliers.  Fast programme delivery, innovative solutions and rigorous quality procedures combined with over 60 years of engineering experience make MIRA an attractive partner in the development of new military vehicles and defence equipment.

Providing our defence customers with a high degree of flexibility MIRA can operate as a straightforward test-house through to a prime contractor responsible for the design, development engineering and build of vehicles.  With 30 major facilities, confidential, dedicated workshops and Subject Matter Expertise across the whole range of transport technologies MIRA can deliver new products at minimal risk.

The Engineering Services MIRA provides to the Defence industry include:

• Vehicle, system and component design
• Modelling and simulation
• Vehicle and systems integration
• Mid-life upgrades
• Prototype build, test and development
• Certification and homologation

Defence vehicle projects call on certain of MIRA's specialist areas including:

• Control systems engineering
• Electro-magnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineering (Def Stan 59-41 & 59-411)
  • Design, development & test of components and systems
  • EMC certification
• Thermal management / Environmental Engineering (Def Stan 00-35)
  • Powertrain cooling/heating
  • Climate control systems
• Vehicle durability and reliability
• Occupant Safety
  • Mine blast
  • Roll cage
• Vehicle Performance
  • Ride, handling and mobility
  • Noise and vibration
  • Brake engineering

Control Systems Engineering

MIRA's experience of developing safety related systems using robust hardware and MISRA compliant software instills a culture of quality in our approach to control systems engineering.  Typical projects include systems integration and architecture design through to work on autonomous vehicles.

BAE Systems ATC's autonomous vehicle developed in conjunction with MIRA

Electro-magnetic Compatibility (EMC)

Electro-magnetic Compatibility (EMC) for defence vehicles is becoming a major challenge due to the complex nature and number of electrical and electronic systems that need to be fitted.  For both safety and reliability it is essential that the vehicle's electromagnetic compliance is designed in from the start.  MIRA's wealth of experience gained across thousands of automotive and non-automotive products is invaluable in both avoiding EMC issues and solving them in the most cost effective manner.

MIRA's design services range from the design of high performance ruggedised EMC enclosures and filters through to fully engineered vehicles

In addition to expertise in design for EMC, MIRA has Europe's most comprehensive suite of independent EMC development and test facilities.  With EMC chambers capable of testing small components through to large facilities that can accommodate a main battle tank, MIRA can cater for most defence vehicles.

3 Saxon wheeled Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) in
MIRA's Heavy Vehicle Semi-Anechoic Chamber (HVSAC)

Thermal Management

Defence vehicles tend to be heavy and high powered.  Their very nature demands that they have minimal apertures such as air intakes and ventilation holes.  The additional pressure of being placed in territories with extreme ambient temperatures, dust, humidity and hazardous terrain present considerable demands upon the powertrain cooling and HVAC (heating, ventilation and cooling) systems.  MIRA's specialists in thermodynamics employ their experience gained on a variety of high-performance, commercial and off-highway vehicles to deliver efficient and cost effective solutions where possible employing Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components and systems.

Vehicle Performance: Dynamics and Braking

The demands for increased armour plating, advanced sensors, weapons, electrical and communications systems can compromise the handling and the braking of defence vehicles.  MIRA has worked on a number of projects to ensure that defence vehicles offer the required protection whilst still being able to manoeuvre effectively.

Interview "In the Line of Fire" - Interview with Major General Alan Sharman CBE CEng FIMechE