General Dynamics Land Systems-UK (GDLS-UK) and Ricardo have teamed up to develop light mobility vehicles for the British Army’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP).
The joint effort centers on adapting the Ford Ranger Super Duty to military requirements, including payload, mobility, and sustainment demands.
Prototypes include 4×4 and 6×6 variants, built to retain the Ranger’s safety, drivetrain, and trailer capabilities while integrating defense-grade upgrades.
This approach leverages the Ranger’s existing commercial strengths, such as safety ratings, global parts logistics, and durability, while converting it into a military-grade vehicle with enhanced power, protection, and off-road performance.
The program is also intended to support UK industry jobs, supplier networks, and long-term sustainment, according to the company.
GDLS-UK Vice President and General Manager Scott Milne said that the partnership seeks to deliver “a solution that is not only fit for purpose but also aligned with the army’s Land Industrial Strategy.”
Modernization Across the UK’s Land Combat Vehicle Fleet
The partnership is part of the UK’s broader effort to modernize its land combat vehicles under the LMP, which seeks to consolidate older fleets into a smaller number of versatile platforms.
The program covers classes such as Light Mobility Vehicle, Light Protected Mobility, and Medium Protected Mobility, with the first operational systems expected by the end of the decade.
This initiative builds on several parallel modernization projects. For example, the Ministry of Defence is converting retired MCV-80 Warrior infantry fighting vehicles into remotely operated mine-breaching systems under Project Atilla.
NP Aerospace, meanwhile, recently secured a contract to support the UK’s armored and utility fleets.
