British companies team for armored vehicle support contract bid LONDON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- British engineering firm Ricardo has teamed with two other defense companies to bid for a Ministry of Defense contract to support and upgrade armored vehicles. Morgan Advanced Materials and Ultra Electronics -- both of them British concerns -- are forming the partnership with Ricardo to support the British military's family of Mastiff patrol vehicles. "Ricardo is extremely pleased to be joining forces with Morgan and Ultra in what represents a highly effective and all-British partnership, drawing together world-class engineering capabilities and extensive experience in military vehicle design, development, manufacture and overhaul," said Ricardo UK Managing Director Martin Fausset. Morgan Advanced Materials Composites and Defense Systems business will lead the group. It specializes in armor technologies and developed and integrated the armor protection and electronic systems for the Mastiff vehicles manufactured by Force Protection Inc. of the United States. Ricardo, known for its automotive engineering expertise, was responsible for the initial design, development and engineering of the Foxhound vehicles, while Ultra Electronics Ultra Electronics is an international pioneer in vehicle information and power systems.