Lucas Bell 
So far we’ve seen military vehicles from General Motors and Jeep. Now here’s something based on a Ford product. While we’ve seen plenty of custom and conceptual versions in preparation for the 2019 SEMA show, UK-based defense company Ricardo has just dropped a Ford Ranger fit for military application.
Ricardo is no stranger to combat-ready vehicles, as the company designed and constructed of a fleet of WMIK light attack Land Rovers, as well as the all-new Foxhound vehicles that are currently used by the British Army. This militarized version of the Ford Ranger is the company’s latest offering for potential use as a defense, security, or rescue vehicle.
The mid-sized Ranger pickup truck may still be a newer commodity here in the states, but the truck has been on sale elsewhere in the world for quite some time. In fact, the Ranger is currently the best-selling pickup in Europe, where it is more appropriately sized for the tight roads of the Old World.
In order to get the Ranger ready for the battlefield, Ricardo has worked closely with Polaris Government and Defense, in particular for support in the areas of onboard power management and C4i Integration. Ricardo upgraded the suspension for improved durability and increased ride height. Extensive skid plates have been added to the underside to protect the important bits, including an upgraded electrical system ready to handle radio communication gear complete with EM shielding. The floors of the truck have also been fitted with thick armor for better blast protection. Behind the beefy tires made to tackle the toughest of situations sits a set up upgraded brakes.
Moving to the top of the truck, Ricardo has fitted this Ranger with a big roll cage over the top of the bed, complete with the necessary equipment to install a ring-mounted weapons system (also known as a really big machine gun). The glass has been replaced with the bulletproof variety, and the exterior is clad in NATO IRR painted camouflage.
While Ricardo has said that it plans to offer a variety of powertrain options, the truck currently comes with the 210-horsepower 2.0-liter turbodiesel mill found as standard for the European market. The horsepower figure might seem low, but the 369 pound-feet of torque on tap is sure to be enough in most situations. Power is routed through the standard Ford 10-speed automatic transmission. While this truck isn’t heading to the market over here in the states, but the existence of a battle-ready Ford Ranger is enough to tide us over for now.
