FRES Utility Vehicle Called A Shambles? [Archive]

buglerbilly

26-01-10, 11:00 PM

FRES Utility Vehicle Called A Shambles

Jan 26, 2010

By Douglas Barrie

LONDON — Former British Secretary of State for Defense John Hutton says it is “hard to imagine a worse procurement shambles” than the British Army’s Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) armored vehicle program.

Hutton, appearing before the Iraq Inquiry Jan. 25, says the FRES program was a “pretty grim episode,” underscoring the need for a “shake-up” of how the Defense Ministry goes about procuring equipment.

Hutton was referring in particular to the FRES Utility vehicle procurement debacle. The ministry shelved the procurement at the end of 2008 and shifted focus to the so-called specialist vehicles (SV) element of the FRES program, for which it is now nearing a selection. It also has tried to incorporate failings of the utility vehicle project in managing the SV procurement.

The government-commissioned inquiry is being used to identify lessons from British involvement in the Iraq war and its aftermath.

Problems with FRES — meant to produce a family of armored fighting vehicles — included the inability to “settle on the specification,” along with a “lack of clarity” as to what was required, Hutton says.

The ministry is aiming to select a preferred bidder for the specialist vehicles element of the program in the next couple of months, known as “Recce Block 1.” BAE Systems and General Dynamics are competing for the program.

The ministry’s Investment Approval Board was expected to meet to consider the FRES SV recommendation this week, with its choice then being submitted for ministerial approval.

Around 600 vehicles will be purchased in the first phase of the SV program, worth a total of £2 billion ($3.2 billion).

Along with the SV procurement, the ministry also is nearing a decision on the choice of a manufacturer for its Warrior armored vehicle upgrade program. Taken together, the two programs will shape the future of Britain’s land systems sector.

Both Hutton and his predecessor, Des Browne, who also appeared before the committee Jan. 25, warned that difficult decisions will need to be made during the forthcoming Strategic Defense Review. Browne says there is a question of whether the U.K. has the “resources” and the “collective will” to create the needed military capability. The defense review will begin following national elections, expected in May.

buglerbilly

10-02-10, 05:38 AM

GD UK Sweetens Bid for FRES Contract

By andrew chuter

Published: 9 Feb 2010 16:40 Print | Email

LONDON - Britain's state-owned Defence Support Group has signed an outline deal with General Dynamics UK to assemble its ASCOD SV locally if the armored vehicle builder secures a contract to build specialist vehicles for the British Army's Future Rapid Effects System.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the British military vehicle maintenance and upgrade specialist could see substantial work taking place at DSG's Donnington facilities, GD UK said Feb. 9.

If the ASCOD SV is selected, the two sides said, their aim is to transfer assembly, integration and testing for full-rate production of the ASCOD SV from General Dynamics' European production facilities to Donnington.

General Dynamics is pitting its Austrian-Spanish-developed ASCOD SV against another tracked infantry fighting vehicle, BAE Systems' Swedish-designed CV90, to become the base platform for more than 1,000 specialist vehicles planned to be acquired by the British military. Their roles will include scout, protected mobility, command, ambulance and direct fire.

The first phase of the program involves up to 245 scout vehicles plus repair, recovery and protected mobility machines in what is known as Recce Bloc 1.

A decision by the U.K. Ministry of Defence on the winning contractor, to undertake design and development of Recce Bloc 1 vehicles, is expected next month.

The MoD's Defence Equipment and Support Investment Board met Feb. 9 to decide on the contractors to recommend for both the specialist vehicle version of the Future Rapid Effects System and a separate Warrior infantry fighting vehicle upgrade contract.

The DE&S recommendations will go up to the MoD's Investment Approvals Board, probably later this month.

Quentin Davies, the MoD's procurement minister, has promised an announcement on the winner of both contracts by the end of the first quarter of 2010. BAE Systems is vying with Lockheed Martin in the competition to upgrade the Warrior.

Although the two programs have a high priority at the MoD, industry executives continue to express concerns that the timing and scale of one of the projects, most likely the FRES SV, could be put at risk by the government's upcoming strategic defense review and a likely need to cut defense budgets to help solve Britain's chronic public debt problem.

All three companies involved in the two competitions have inked production cooperation deals with DSG in recent months. The moves followed the publication last year of a new armored vehicle strategy that put the government-owned contractor at the heart of the government's sustainability plans for the sector.

buglerbilly

13-02-10, 12:18 AM

BAE Systems Unveils the New CV-90 Recce

Candidate for MOD FRES-SV ProgramBAE Systems unveiled the latest version of the CV-90 medium weight, tracked armored vehicle at the International Armored Vehicles exhibition last week in London. The demonstrator vehicle is proposed as one of two candidates for the FRES Scout Vehicle (FRES SV). The vehicle has been undergoing extensive testing and field trials, part of which is shown on the attached video. The chassis is based on the CV-90, applied with additional modular armor skirts for enhanced side protection. The vehicle carries the MTIP-2 manned turret, employing the CT40 automatic cannon firing case-telescopic rounds and a coaxial machine gun. The turret is also applied with modular armor, designed with attachments similar to the hull.

All photos: Noam Eshel (except where noted otherwise)

The main gun is the CT-40 automatic cannon, firing 40mm case-telescopic rounds. The demonstrator vehicle was displayed with enhanced protection for the barrel and massive protecting for the cradle, eliminating a potential weak point in the vehicle's frontal arc. Unlike conventional ammunition, the case-telescopic projectile is encased within a cylindrical container packing the propellant. Compared to the current 30mm Rarden gun and 40mm Bofors cannon, the CT-40 offers 30% saving in the weight in volumetric dimension while increasing lethality.

Also visible on the turret were four electro-optical devices – two fixed day/night sights, the gunner's main sight that can be slaved to the commander's line of sight, and the secondary sight coupled with the gun, a third, multi-sensor stabilized observation system can be operated by the commander in a 'hunter-killer' configuration as well as for teh vehicle's primary scout and recce role.

The vehicle on display has not been equipped with all-round vision, but all three crew stations are fitted with large vision blocks, day and night vision systems, covering wide field of view. The commander's sight used on the vehicle comprises an elevated, stabilized, electro-optical multi-sensor payload which fulfils the vehicle's primary scout mission. Attached to a fixed assembly well above the turret's level, this payload provides the crew with clear line of sight for observation and engagement, from defilade positions, maintaining the vehicle relatively protected and combat ready. (Modern scout vehicles have commonly been fitted with more complex telescopic masts carrying the electro-optical system, but this is not the case in this configuration)

Above and below: A forward and side views of the MTIP-2 turret on the CV-90 Recce vehicle, showing the main gun, coax, and multiple optronic systems. (Photo: Noam Eshel)

The driver shares the same, large three-part vision block similar to those provided to other crew members, providing a wide field of view. An addition three-element Driver Thermal Viewer assembly installed above the driver's hatch, covering the same field of view provides the driver with continued visibility under limited visibility, at night, through dust, smoke and fog. The driver is also provided with rear-view camera to improve reverse movements.

Below: The driver's hatsh attached with the new Driver Thermal Viewer on top. (Photo: Noam Eshel)

The vehicle's electronic systems design is based on open and scalable architecture employing the new standard-based Generic Vehicle Architecture (GVA) – a new technological initiative launched by the British MOD and industry. This architecture was first demonstrated in the Panther and is applied to the CV90 Recce and Warrior Capability Sustainment Program (WCSP) programs.

© Copyright 2010 - Defense Update, Online Holdings International.

Gubler, A.

14-02-10, 10:45 AM

Looks good. Even looks good enough for LAND 400.

JimWH

14-02-10, 11:09 AM

It could do just about everything we need. A big roomy hull, and lots of way to use it, very much on the pattern of the "Bradley Family of Vehicles" idea.
Part of me does like the extra speed of a wheeled AFV for the cavalry role, but realistically speaking the off-road performance of a CV-90 compared to a Piranha/LAV probably makes it much of a muchness in practice. And the efficiencies associated with building and operating a few thousand CV-90 Aus would have to be pretty significant.

Riđđu

14-02-10, 06:31 PM

And the efficiencies associated with building and operating a few thousand CV-90 Aus would have to be pretty significant.

A few thousand?!

JimWH

14-02-10, 08:55 PM

A few thousand?!

Maybe more like 2,000, but yes. LAND 400 will replace the ASLAV with 2 Cav and 12/14 Light Horse, in addition to the M113 in 5 and 7 RAR, and all the M113 floating around 1 and 3 Brigades. And qite possibly replace some of the Bushmasters in 3 Brigade. It all adds up.

Gubler, A.

15-02-10, 12:29 AM

Part of me does like the extra speed of a wheeled AFV for the cavalry role, but realistically speaking the off-road performance of a CV-90 compared to a Piranha/LAV probably makes it much of a muchness in practice. And the efficiencies associated with building and operating a few thousand CV-90 Aus would have to be pretty significant.

It’s not the off road mobility of the CV90 that is important. Any tracked vehicle is going to be deficient to an 8x8 wheeled tactical vehicle. What is important is the ability to sustain mobility in the face of multiple attacks from IEDs. The later is vital for the close combat role.

If because of the size of the army and long term funding limitations mean that LAND 400 Phase 1 has to be a single type of vehicle the trade off then becomes what is more important: cavalry speed or close combat mobility after IED attacks? Now since the tracked vehicle can do the cavalry mission but slower and the wheeled vehicle can’t do the close combat mission then it’s the tracked vehicle that wins.

Riđđu

15-02-10, 09:01 AM

If because of the size of the army and long term funding limitations mean that LAND 400 Phase 1 has to be a single type of vehicle the trade off then becomes what is more important: cavalry speed or close combat mobility after IED attacks? Now since the tracked vehicle can do the cavalry mission but slower and the wheeled vehicle can’t do the close combat mission then it’s the tracked vehicle that wins.

I see. How serious are they about getting a single type of vehicle? What about the usually higher support costs of tracked vehicles? I know that this wheeled vs. tracked debate is ancient, but had to ask...

Gubler, A.

15-02-10, 12:05 PM

LAND 400 won't be a single type of vehicle but Phase 1 for the IFV to replace the ASLAV and M113AS4 is to be a single type of vehicle. Basically armd cav want another 8x8 and mech inf want a tracked IFV. But LAND 400 is supposed to be more than just type for type with some UAVs and UGVs considered to replace currently manned vehicle capabilities. So potentially an armd cav unit can have some integral UAVs and UGVs providing rapid and low signature coverage with some slower tracked vehicles providing the weight for when cavalry has to tough it out.

JimWH

15-02-10, 12:27 PM

But surely the preference would have to be for a family of vehicle solution?

Ecky

15-02-10, 08:53 PM

Hi All

The Defence White Paper of 2009 (Pg75) states: "Defence intends to acquire a new fleet of around 1,100 deployable protected vehicles. These new vehicles will replace existing armoured personnel carriers, mobility vehicles and other combat vehicles which, in the past, have had limited or no protection." This is the upper bound for the LAND 400 capability.

Ecky

Gubler, A.

16-02-10, 12:12 AM

No its not Ecky. This is the basis of provisioning for Phase 1 of LAND 400. Phase 1 is to acquire an IFV type vehicle to replace the ASLAV, M113AS4 and Bushmasters in IMV roles in the motorised infantry battalion. So six regt/bn worth of IFV. Later phases of LAND 400 will acquire more and different vehicles to replace the balance of the Bushmaster fleet in the CS/CSS roles and replace manned vehicles with unmanned and new systems to enhance survability across the Army. One part of LAND 400 has already been acclerated and made part of LAND 121 that is Phase 4 for the PMV-L which was originally the RSV of LAND 400.

Raven22

16-02-10, 08:57 AM

One part of LAND 400 has already been acclerated and made part of LAND 121 that is Phase 4 for the PMV-L which was originally the RSV of LAND 400.

Meanwhile, the rest of Land 400 has been put back to after 2019...

buglerbilly

24-02-10, 02:33 PM

£4.5M BAE Systems Test Rig Will Speed FRES Scout and Warrior Upgrade

(Source: BAE System; issued February 22, 2010)

LEICESTER, United Kingdom. --- BAE Systems has begun building work on a new test rig designed to reduce cost, risk and timescales on the UK Ministry of Defence’s two most important programmes for the British Army.

The £4.5m Turret Test Rig (TTR) will mimic field testing of turrets for FRES Scout and Warrior upgrade by subjecting them to “shake, rattle and roll” tests under extremes of temperature. It will be able to take a turret through a 20-year life-span in 12-18 months.

The facility is closely modelled on BAE Systems’ Mission Equipment Vibration Table (MEVT) in Minneapolis, built for the US FCS programme. Until now this was unique.

The vibration created by tracked vehicles makes attaining good reliability very challenging, particularly for electronic components. Testing in the field, while necessary, is time-consuming, expensive and inefficient.

Systems modelling and analysis manager Vince Whelan has relocated from Minneapolis where he worked on the MEVT to commission and use the new facility. He explains:

“The TTR will replace a large proportion of field trials with testing under tightly-controlled conditions. We will be able to begin these trials much earlier in the development process so that field trials become a matter of verification rather than investigation. We will also be able to test and iron out any snags in suppliers’ equipment earlier.

“Having the TTR where the design team is based will help us pinpoint – and therefore solve - the source of any problems much more quickly and easily, so that we and the MoD can have confidence in meeting their demanding reliability targets.”

The rig was ordered four months ago and the facility is expected to be commissioned in September this year and will sit alongside the Systems Integration Facility which is already being heavily used for work on FRES and Warrior upgrade.

BAE Systems FRES director Mike Duckworth explains the continued investment in Leicester: “As armoured vehicles become more complex, the value and the battle-winning advantage lies more and more with their sophisticated electronic systems. We are investing in Leicester as part of our business transformation to create a centre of excellence for these new technologies so that we can develop, integrate and bring them into service as efficiently as possible.”

BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

-ends-

buglerbilly

25-02-10, 12:52 AM

U.K., France To Fund Tests on 40mm Cannon

By andrew chuter

Published: 24 Feb 2010 11:20

LONDON - The British and French governments have signed a deal to fund the qualification of a unique cased telescoped 40mm cannon and ammunition system earmarked for use on armored vehicle programs being pursued by both countries.

The qualification work, designed to prove the weapon system is safe, effective and reliable, is scheduled for completion by early 2012. Britain and France adopted a common process to qualify the cannon and ammunition in early 2009 but have been haggling over the funding. The deal, which involves firing some 15,000 rounds, was finally signed Feb. 8.

The weapon system has already been mandated by the British for use on the scout variant of the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) armored vehicle and an update to the in-service Warrior infantry fighting vehicle. France has earmarked the weapon for use on a future reconnaissance vehicle but has not formally selected the cannon.

The British Ministry of Defence's Investment Approval Board is due to meet later this week to select the winner of the FRES specialist vehicles requirement and the Warrior capability sustainment program.

The FRES SV requirement includes some 245 CTAI cannon-equipped scout vehicles.

BAE is battling to secure both contracts. Its CV 90 is competing with General Dynamics UK's ASCOD SV vehicle for the FRES requirement while it is contesting the Warrior upgrade with Lockheed Martin. The Warrior upgrade includes a new turret and gun.

Lockheed Martin is also designing the turret for the scout version of the ASCOD SV.

Advance in Technology

The Anglo-French CT40 weapon is a major break from conventional technology. CTAI officials have previously described it as the biggest advance in gun technology since the advent of rifling.

The projectile is placed inside its case with the propellant packed around it, giving the round the appearance of a large can of beer. CTAI said the design halves the length of the round and improves the volumetric efficiency by 30 percent for a given level of performance.

The 40mm cannon itself is said to occupy the space of a conventional 25mm weapon inside the turret.

The CTAI design means ammunition is introduced to the gun from a static ammunition feeder into a rotating breech via a hollow trunnion, rather than from the rear in a conventional breech.

CTAI and Lockheed Martin are offering separate ammunition feeder designs.

Qualification of the new weapon system's ammunition will initially cover armor-piercing, training and general-purpose rounds. A BAE spokesman said a round with an airburst fuse will be qualified between six and nine months after the other ammunition types.

BAE's Global Combat Systems-Munitions recently submitted proposals to the Ministry of Defence for series ammunition production proposals for the British military. Nexter is expected to follow with proposals for series ammunition production for France.

Both nations are expected to operate their own assembly and packing facilities, but the components, like the case and the projectile, will be sourced collectively by the two countries.

buglerbilly

25-02-10, 12:54 AM

U.K. Panel Likely To Pick Builders of FRES, Warrior

By andrew chuter

Published: 24 Feb 2010 14:02

LONDON - The British Ministry of Defence's powerful Investment Approvals Board (IAB) is scheduled to meet Feb. 25, with the key item on the agenda likely to be selection of contractors to supply the British Army with two major new armored fighting vehicle capabilities.

Together, the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) Specialist Vehicles (SV) program and a significant makeover for the in-service Warrior infantry fighting vehicle could eventually be worth up to 5 billion pounds ($7.7 billion) to the winning contractors so long as the programs are not blown off course by the black hole in government finances and an upcoming strategic defense review.

The contest pits BAE Systems against U.S.-based General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin in competitions which will help dictate the future shape of the British-based company's armored fighting vehicle sector.

BAE is offering its CV90 against General Dynamics UK's ASCOD SV vehicle fitted with a Lockheed Martin UK turret designed especially for the FRES requirement.

For the Warrior Capability Sustainment program, BAE finds itself competing head-to-head against Lockheed Martin UK.

The IAB - which includes top scientific, military, procurement and finance officials - will be considering recommendations endorsed Feb. 9 by the investment board of the MoD's procurement arm, the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organization.

The recommendations remain for the moment a closely held secret by the MoD. Although the Sunday Express newspaper here recently quoted sources saying General Dynamics had secured the FRES SV bid, that has not been confirmed.

Defence Procurement Minister Quentin Davies told Parliament earlier this week that he would announce winners of the FRES and Warrior bids "once the assessment is complete and the investment decision approved."

If approved by the IAB, the recommendations will then pass to various government departments for signing off.

To help smooth the approvals process, the Treasury, unusually, embedded officials in the project teams leading the DE&S procurement effort.

Davies has previously said he will announce the decision next month. Failure to meet that timetable could see at least one of the programs delayed or eventually canceled. The U.K. government has been racing to select contractors for the two programs ahead of a general election being called, most likely for early May.

A roughly six-week period of purdah, when no new or controversial equipment purchases or other initiatives can be announced by the government, comes into force during the pre-election period.

With all three major political parties saying they will hold a strategic defense review immediately following the election, that could further delay progress on the vehicle programs.

Most industry executives here reckon the program to upgrade nearly 450 Warriors with a new turret and gun, plus improvements to the electronic architecture and a new armored system, is the least likely to be impacted by the need to cut the already overheated equipment budget.

They are less certain, though, about the fate of the FRES program. Although they say they have so far seen no evidence of a government weakening in its intention to pursue the project, concerns about the future timing and scope remain.

A project to buy the Piranha five-wheeled vehicle from General Dynamics as the utility element of the FRES requirement was axed by the MoD after it failed to agree on terms with its preferred contractor. The MoD also had a change of heart regarding its immediate priorities after it acquired large numbers of mine-protected patrol vehicles as urgent operational requirements for Afghanistan.

The FRES SV contract is to provide a common platform for what could eventually be a fleet of more than 1,000 specialist vehicles covering roles which include scout, command and control, direct fire and ambulances.

The initial deal, though, is for the design and development, but not production, of a group of FRES SV vehicles known as Recce Block 1.

The priority is to replace the Army's existing CVR(T) scout vehicles with a new machine fitted with the CTA International's new case-telescoped 40mm cannon.

CTA International is the BAE/Nexter joint venture mandated by the U.K. government to supply its weapon system for the FRES scout and the Warrior upgrade.

The CVR(T) is on its last legs and the Army is desperate to replace it as soon as possible. The intention is to purchase 245 FRES scout vehicles along with recovery, repair and protected mobility machines with an in-service date of 2015.

Recce Blocks 2 and 3 and a medium armor direct-fire vehicle would follow. The FRES program as it stands is completed by future requirements for a wheeled utility vehicle and maneuver-support vehicles.

All three companies in the two competitions have inked deals with the Defense Support Group for various degrees of production and assembly following the government's publication last year of an armored vehicles strategy which put the state-owned contractor at the center of its sustainability plans for the sectors.

buglerbilly

03-03-10, 02:37 PM

UK procurement body calls for delay on WCSP programme

By Tim Ripley

03 March 2010

Funding shortfalls have led a top UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) procurement body to call for a delay of at least a year in the launching of a GBP1 billion (USD1.5 billion) programme to install new turrets and weapons in the British Army's BAE Systems Warrior infantry fighting vehicles.

The recommendation on the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP) was made following the 25 February meeting of the MoD's Investment Approvals Board (IAB). It will be a disappointment to UK Defence Equipment & Support Minister Quentin Davies, who had hoped to formally launch the programme in March in time to beat the period of 'purdah' on major government contractual announcements during the run-up to the UK's forthcoming general election.

118 of 486 words
Copyright © IHS (Global) Limited, 2010

buglerbilly

11-03-10, 05:00 AM

Ares

A Defense Technology Blog

UK Vehicle Competition Results Expected on March 26

Posted by Christina Mackenzie at 3/10/2010 12:17 PM CST

According to Philippe Burtin, CEO of French land armaments' company Nexter, Britain will announce the winners of its €5 billion programs for the mid-life upgrade of the Warrior and acquisition of the FRES SV (Future Rapid Effect System Specialist Vehicle) on March 26. General Dynamics and BAE Systems have both submitted bids for the FRES SV while for the Warrior upgrade BAE is competing with Lockheed Martin UK.

Whatever the decision, unless one of the programs is cancelled for budgetary reasons, Nexter is in a win-win situation because the CT40 CTWS (cased telescoped weapon system) and its 40mm ammunition will equip both Warrior and FRES-SV. The system is produced by CTA International (CTAI), an Anglo-French joint venture between BAE Systems and Nexter.

Ecky

15-03-10, 12:30 AM

Defense News (http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4538157&c=EUR&s=LAN) has the following story...

Published: 13 Mar 2010 14:51
LONDON - American firm General Dynamics is the winner over BAE Systems in the race to build a new generation of armored reconnaissance vehicles for the British Army, The Financial Times reported March 13.

A MARCH 13 report said that General Dynamics has been selected to build 750 next-generation armored reconnaissance vehicles for the British Army.

The contract for scout variant of the British Army's Future Rapid Effects System vehicles is worth more than 1 billion pounds ($1.5 billion, 1.1 billion euros), the newspaper said.

British defence equipment minister Quentin Davies will name General Dynamics as the preferred bidder in the deal to build an initial 750 vehicles, The Financial Times said.

General Dynamics' ASCOD 2 was in a head-to-head fight with BAE Systems' CV-90 MkIII.

Losing out on the scout contract would be a blow for Britain-based BAE and could put jobs at risk in its armaments division.

The British Ministry of Defence declined to comment when contacted by AFP.

Gubler, A.

15-03-10, 02:29 AM

Defense News (http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4538157&c=EUR&s=LAN) has the following story...

LOL the CV90 fan boys will be in uproar!

February 17th 2010 - General Dynamics Reveals Future Potential for ASCOD SV FRES Vehicle

General Dynamics UK has announced that its ASCOD SV candidate for the FRES Specialist Vehicle programme offers the option of early delivery for the heaviest direct fire variants, as a result of its weight capability and turret design.

Chief Engineer John Abunassar said: “From day one, ASCOD SV offers full operation at 42 tonnes. This means it can carry a 120mm gun easily without compromising armour or performance. Our design for a large turret ring is an advantage for the soldiers inside that opens up the flexible option of an early path to the heaviest FRES SV vehicles.”

ASCOD SV is capable of full operation at 42 tonnes. This performance is based on the technical maturity of the engine and transmission, which enable tremendous through-life growth. This is a significant advantage for the programme, which is founded on a Common Base Platform to satisfy the full FRES SV fleet of 1200-plus vehicles, including the heavy weight Direct Fire and bridge-layer.

The first FRES SV variants include the Scout, for which ASCOD SV has a turret designed to maximise space for soldiers inside. The large turret-ring diameter of 1.7m is wider than older vehicles such as Warrior, and the design increases space further by placing the main ammunition feed under armour outside the turret crew compartment. This gives soldiers considerable room for modern display screens, comfort for long periods inside the turret and ease of movement, even wearing full body armour and future wearable systems. With the need for military electronics ever-expanding on operations, the turret allows significant room for new systems to be fitted without compromising the design of the vehicle.

ASCOD SV is designed to offer the option of an early, low-risk path to a Direct Fire variant. General Dynamics has already fitted earlier variants of ASCOD in Europe for heavy direct fire roles. ASCOD SV’s large turret diameter is designed to be expanded to 2.1m, easily carrying, for example, a 120mm gun on a 1.9m turret ring. The vehicle’s 42-tonne capability allows it to carry such a gun at this higher weight without compromising full performance or its ability to carry the full FRES armour.

The turret design combines with the high power-distribution capability of the General Dynamics open Electronic Architecture, which allows new-generation systems to be plugged in as required and power generation to be expanded.

ASCOD SV is designed to a rating of 42 tonnes. FRES SV must meet today’s need. But it also needs to be the right vehicle for tomorrow. Growth is key in a vehicle that will be around for 30 years. The FRES SV Scout variant will initially weigh about 34 tonnes, but will need to grow to accommodate the addition of new technology and equipment to meet new threats as they emerge over its 30-year life cycle.

ASCOD SV more than meets this requirement. It has been designed to have room to grow to 42 tonnes with only minor component upgrades. It avoids costly major redesigns halfway through a vehicle’s life. This growth is possible thanks to General Dynamics UK’s selection of drivetrain.

Despite its modernity, the Renk 256B transmission is tested and proven, currently helping to drive the new generation of German Puma IFVs. Capable of operating to 45 tonnes it combines with MTU’s 600kW 8V engine to provide unparalleled growth potential for FRES SV.

buglerbilly

15-03-10, 02:33 AM

Gubler, A.

15-03-10, 02:52 AM

IF true then I'll be disappointed for one.............but then again its undoubtedly been driven by what is cheapest NOT what is best especially in the case of the current UK Labour government................

I don't know about that. The GD FRES SV has the Renk/MTU powerpack which is pretty much best in world. I’m not sure what BAES was offering for FRES but the all german combo is a lot more advanced than the Perkins/Scania powerpack in the CV9035DK. There is a bit of controversy about the turret but the LM turret is common with the WR upgrade. Which apart from cost savings is a big training advantage for the soldiers – even if they can’t get out of the hatches! I don’t think the ASCOD II will be a bad vehicle. It may not look as good as the CV90 but that’s not all in life.

buglerbilly

15-03-10, 04:51 AM

Nothing wrong with the Perkins/Scania powerpack............

The turret aspect is FAR more serious and an area where BAE was leaps and bounds ahead. It should have been a compulsory design need/specification for a crew member to eb able to climb in and out of the hatches, all of the hatches, whilst wearing current and forecast personal body armour.

Stupid in extreme for it not to be a requisite need.

buglerbilly

15-03-10, 03:13 PM

BAE urges Government rethink on £4bn arms contract by unveiling jobs package

BAE Systems is to offer the Government a jobs and investment package in an effort to persuade ministers to think again about awarding a potential £4bn contract for armoured vehicles to General Dynamics, the US arms manufacturer.

By Roland Gribben

Published: 10:57PM GMT 14 Mar 2010

The Warrior upgrade has been delayed because of spending constraints and uncertainty about its firepower Photo: Crown

Amid fears that BAE's share price could be hit today, chief executive Ian King is expected to table the offer after receiving informal guidance that ministers are poised to name General Dynamics as the preferred bidder for the replacement of the current Scout vehicles because its proposals were more attractive and would support more jobs.

Initial BAE plans to cut 500 jobs in Britain and for the manufacture in Sweden of most of the parts for a sophisticated vehicle offering greater firepower than the current generation of Scouts in Afghanistan have been quickly ditched. BAE is now promising to create or sustain 800 jobs in Britain, 500 of them in Newcastle, the home of Britain's last tank-making facility.

But BAE's swift reaction to the Scout decision is expected to be welcomed by ministers as an indication that competition for defence contracts can be made to work more effectively. BAE is understood to have been initially told it was in the "box seat" to win the order after spending £50m and five years designing a "big beast" it believes is technically superior to the General Dynamics rival.

The Scout order is part of a bigger armoured vehicle replacement programme that also involves the Warrior. The Warrior upgrade has been delayed because of spending constraints and uncertainty about its firepower but ministers say there is no intention of cancelling the contract for a frontline armoured vehicle.

Alan Garwood, BAE's business development director, said: "We want the Army to have the best kit and we want to protect vital skills in the UK. To achieve this we are proposing to transfer work to Newcastle. This will create or sustain 800 skilled jobs.

"It would also sustain manufacturing at our Newcastle site until at least 2020. Finally, it would provide a platform for exports from the UK worth hundreds of millions."

McDethWivFries

16-03-10, 03:03 AM

Gubler, A.

16-03-10, 03:37 AM

bit of a left field question, but just looking at the above shot of the Warrior has got me thinking. Do any armoured tracks have the 'V' shapped hull or are they all flat bottomed? If the later, how feasible do you think it would be to design a 'V' hulled track but jig it in such a way that the blast is directed to go out between the road wheels?

Yeah they can. The Merkava has a V shaped hull bottom as part of its double hull design. The bottom plate is actually bent and not two plates welded together at a V. The original Mk 1 Merkava stored fuel between the two bottoms until some testing showed that the fuel passed the force of the blast unto the inner plate and damaging the interior. Now the gap is empty.

The degree to which the V is sharply angled depends a lot on the ground clearance. This is what GD/BAE were talking about as part of the FCS MGV that because the suspension was external (like Merkava) new suspension units could be added with much higher ground clearance allowing a sharply angled V hull to be fitted. On a tank like the M1 and WR where the suspension is internal (torsion bars) this kind of change isn’t really possible.

McDethWivFries

16-03-10, 03:43 AM

Cheers for that Abe, explains a lot.

buglerbilly

18-03-10, 03:11 PM

BAE Systems Engineers Deliver on FRES Demonstrator Contract for MoD

(Source: BAE Systems; issued March 17, 2010)

FARNBOROUGH, UK --- The BAE Systems FRES Scout contender and common base platform has completed mobility performance trials which verify it meets demanding UK Ministry of Defence growth targets for its top-priority FRES SV programme.

BAE Systems engineers completed initial proving tests at the vehicle's planned 40.4 Tonnes gross vehicle weight. It was put through a series of trials which proved that its drive train, brakes and suspension components operate as predicted, verifying the inherent growth potential of the CV90 platform.

The demonstrator will go on to complete endurance trials during March of this year as required by the UK MoD FRES risk mitigation contract.

The trials have shown that the BAE Systems FRES Scout contender can successfully operate with well over 15 tonnes of add-on protection.

"These trials, in common with every other aspect of our bid, were designed to provide hard evidence to show that we can meet MoD requirements within the timescale our soldiers deserve," said Chief Engineer Malcolm Robinson. "All along we have taken a rigorous test-based approach with sound engineering to back up our claims, including investing five years and £50m in world-beating turret technology for FRES Scout and the related Warrior upgrade programme to deliver the best solutions for the British Army."

BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US$ 36.2 billion).

-ends-

Ecky

23-03-10, 01:12 AM

Its official - GDUK Wins. :D

General Dynamics has just distributed the following news release.

Title: General Dynamics UK Team Awarded Contract to Deliver Specialist Vehicle for British Army

Date(s): 3/22/2010 3:48:05 PM

GENERAL DYNAMICS

South Wales-based defence contractor to bring jobs to seven other UK regions through ASCOD SV programmeLONDON, March 22, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/
-- General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited has been selected by the Ministry of Defence to provide the next generation of armoured fighting vehicles to the British Army. The MoD has chosen General Dynamics' ASCOD SV tracked vehicle as the winning design for the demonstration phase of the Specialist Vehicle competition, providing both the Scout variant and the Common Base Platform for up to 580 SV vehicles. ASCOD SV is the latest generation of a proven European design which has been significantly redesigned by General Dynamics' UK engineering team, and will provide unparalleled military capability for the British Army over the 30 years of the vehicles' life.
"The General Dynamics UK team won this competition to provide the British Army with its next generation of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) because it is the best vehicle for the British troops," commented Dr. Sandy Wilson, President and Managing Director of General Dynamics UK. "We offered the best integrated solution, the best growth potential over the 30-year life of the vehicle, the best value for money for the British taxpayer and the best deal for the UK Industrial base.

The ASCOD SV programme is British to its bootstraps, delivering a Military off the Shelf vehicle with British design by British engineers to the British Army while safeguarding or creating 10,600 jobs for British workers."

British troops using the ASCOD SV will have the best protection available in this vehicle class, both as it is delivered and as it grows to meet future threats. The vehicle will be immediately capable of delivering load- carrying growth potential of up to 42 tonnes thanks to a modern, proven drivetrain. This means that ASCOD SV is capable now of being equipped to meet future threats likely to appear over its entire 30 year life, without the need to upgrade its engine or transmission during that time. Finally, 80% of ASCOD SV's full rate production will be based in the UK, securing or creating over 10,600 jobs for British workers.

These new jobs will be secured or created over the duration of the SV programme in South Wales where General Dynamics UK is based, Scotland, the North of England, the North West, the East and West Midlands, and the East and South of England. General Dynamics UK has sub-contracted Lockheed Martin UK INSYS to produce the turret of the Scout variant of ASCOD SV, and will transfer full rate production of the entire ASCOD SV programme to DSG in Donnington, ensuring 80% of ASCOD SV production happens in the UK.

Lord Peter Levene, Chairman of General Dynamics UK Limited said: "We are delighted that the MoD has selected ASCOD SV for its SV programme, a decision we believe will sustain the British tank industry for future generations. We are confident that the decision will, most importantly, provide the best protection for British soldiers, as well as provide both the greatest long-term value and the best military capability for the UK Government and the MoD. We look forward to delivering this contract in partnership with the MoD for the benefit of Britain's armed forces."

For images of ASCOD SV go to
http://www.generaldynamics.uk.com/FRES/Image_Gallery.asp
For video footage of ASCOD SV go to
http://www.generaldynamics.uk.com/FRES/video/ASCOD_Drive.avi
About ASCOD SV
ASCOD SV has been designed to a rating of 42 tonnes, and incorporates a fully proven transmission rated at 45 tonnes. This means the load carrying ability of ASCOD SV meets the full SV requirement now and won't require a major upgrade programme to deliver all proposed variants.

Based on a proven European design, it is the latest-generation vehicle developed specifically for SV by a team of General Dynamics UK's engineers in Britain and Europe. It is a low-risk choice for SV, with excellentweight and growth potential.

The vehicle offers one common-base platform which can meet the range of SV roles. Its turret is designed by Lockheed Martin UK INSYS, specifically for the British Army's scout role. ASCOD SV also offers high value to the UK Defence Industrial Base. Its Intellectual Property will be based in the UK, part of the sovereign capability available to the British Government. By value, 80% of the vehicle manufacture will be completed in the UK, with 70% of the supply chain companies UK-based. Overall, ASCOD SV will create or safeguard more than 10,500 jobs in the UK.

About General Dynamics
General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), is a leading player in the UK's knowledge economy and industrial base. Established in the United Kingdom for over 40 years, it employs over 1,600 people at 10 UK and international facilities.
A prime contractor and complex systems integrator, working in partnership with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and other allies, growing key intellectual property, skills and capabilities in its UK research facilities and workforce, whilst harnessing world-leading technology.

General Dynamics UK led a key MoD Defence Technology Centre research consortium and, together with a growing C4I export programme, plays a central role manufacturing and developing technology to deliver network enabled capability and ISTAR in the battlespace. The Company is widely recognised as a leading contender to supply and integrate the next generation of Armoured Fighting Vehicles for the British Army. For further information visit www.generaldynamics.uk.com

General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, employs approximately 91,700 people worldwide. The company is a market leader in business aviation; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and information systems and technologies. More information about the company is available on the Internet at www.generaldynamics.com.

SOURCE General Dynamics United Kingdom

buglerbilly

23-03-10, 06:02 AM

It may be the cheapest choice but I don't believe it's the best choice.........my opinion! :p

New contract for more armoured fighting vehicles

An Equipment and Logistics news article

22 Mar 10

A contract which will lead to the delivery of a new fleet of medium weight armoured fighting vehicles has been announced by Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth today, Monday 22 March 2010.

The first tranche of the Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme should deliver around 600 vehicles to the front line, with the possibility of further purchases in the future.

The Ministry of Defence has selected General Dynamics UK as the preferred bidder for the demonstration phase of the new SV programme.

This will include development of Scout, the principal reconnaissance vehicle that will replace the Scimitar vehicle currently deployed in Afghanistan.

The Specialist Vehicle fleet will provide improved protection against a wide range of threats and bring significant benefits to the Army, including greater firepower, longer range sensors and sighting systems and a higher level of reliability.

Under the proposed solution, around 70 per cent of the work on the vehicles would take place in the UK, which would ensure the creation or sustainment of over 10,000 British jobs within the armoured vehicle sector.

The announcement of the first of the Specialist Vehicles comes after the commitment to order an initial batch of 200 new Light Protected Patrol Vehicles (LPPVs) for Afghanistan.

The LPPVs being assessed by the MOD are at the cutting-edge of technology, providing the right balance between protection, weight and manoeuvrability required by our Armed Forces on operations in Afghanistan.

Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:

"I am pleased to announce the successful outcome of the Specialist Vehicle competition. This represents a very important milestone towards replacing the ageing CVR(T) [Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)] and is one of the highest equipment priorities for the Army.

"In addition, the development of the Common Base Platform will enable the delivery of further vehicles to meet requirements informed by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review.

"We are determined to provide the Armed Forces with the capabilities they require, and the Specialist Vehicle decision follows the announcement of our commitment to order an initial batch of 200 LPPVs that we will get to Afghanistan as quickly as possible."

The SV and the LPPV will add to the vast array of vehicles available to commanders which include the heavy protected vehicles such as Mastiff, medium protected vehicles such as Husky, Ridgback and Panther, and lighter vehicles like Jackal.

Chief of Defence Materiel, General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue, said:

"Today's announcement marks an important step in the Specialist Vehicle programme. The Scout is one of the Army's highest equipment priorities and will be the cornerstone of its reconnaissance capability. To have reached this point in a complex programme so soon after the assessment phase began in summer 2008 reflects highly on the Defence Equipment and Support staff involved."

buglerbilly

24-03-10, 03:25 AM

The final bit on this for the moment..................

General Dynamics UK Selected for British Specialist Vehicle Programme

GD's ASCOD SV platform chosen to replace the Scimitar.

General Dynamics‘ ASCOD SV tracked vehicle prevails in UK competition

09:33 GMT, March 23, 2010 defpro.com | Yesterday, UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth announced the selection of General Dynamics UK as the preferred bidder for the demonstration phase of the Specialist Vehicle (SV) programme over its rival BAE Systems. This clears the path towards a multi-billion-pound contract for the production of a first tranche of up to 580 vehicles as well as towards ensuing lucrative orders for further tranches and related maintenance work and services.

The initial contract will provide the British Army with the next generation of Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFV) and will replace the Scimitar reconnaissance vehicles which entered service in 1971. The vehicles will be based on General Dynamics’ ASCOD SV which has been significantly redesigned by the company and is intended to provide the Army with the required capabilities over a life span of more than 30 years. This long period, during which the vehicles will probably have various opportunities to thoroughly prove their capabilities, puts into perspective the magnitude of this contract.

“I am pleased to announce the successful outcome of the Specialist Vehicle competition. This represents a very important milestone towards replacing the ageing CVR(T) [Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)] and is one of the highest equipment priorities for the Army,” said Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and further explained: “In addition, the development of the Common Base Platform will enable the delivery of further vehicles to meet requirements informed by the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review. We are determined to provide the Armed Forces with the capabilities they require, and the Specialist Vehicle decision follows the announcement of our commitment to order an initial batch of 200 LPPVs that we will get to Afghanistan as quickly as possible.”

As General Dynamics stated yesterday, the contract will include the purchase of the Scout variant as well as the Common Base Platform, both based on a low-risk evolution of the ASCOD 2 IFV tracked vehicle platform. According to the company, the ASCOD SV has been designed to a rating of 42 tonnes, and incorporates a fully proven transmission rated at 45 tonnes. This means the load carrying ability of ASCOD SV meets the SV requirement and won't require a major upgrade programme to deliver all proposed variants. The vehicles turret is designed by Lockheed Martin UK INSYS, specifically for the British Army's scout role.

Despite having a US parent company, GD UK emphasises that it provides a entirely British solution. Dr. Sandy Wilson, President and Managing Director of General Dynamics UK, said “The ASCOD SV programme is British to its bootstraps, delivering a Military off the Shelf vehicle with British design by British engineers to the British Army while safeguarding or creating 10,600 jobs for British workers.” The UK Ministry of Defence further detailed that around 70 per cent of the work on the vehicle will take place in the UK, ensuring the creation or sustainment of over 10,000 jobs within the armoured vehicle sector.

Competitor BAE Systems expressed its disappointment about the UK Defence Ministry’s choice. “While disappointing, today's announcement does not impact the previously stated outlook for the land and armaments business,” said Bob Murphy, president of BAE Systems' land and armaments operating group.

The on-schedule decision of the Specialist Vehicle within the framework of UK’s Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programme is a positive signal for General Dynamics in light of the unfortunate development in the FRES Utility Vehicle (UV) programme. The latter was put on hold after General Dynamics was awarded a contract in early 2008 and invested a significant amount of money into the programme. As General Dynamics told defpro.com in late 2009, the company has not abandoned its hope for a possible resumption of the FRES UV programme.

Until then the Specialist Vehicle programme will allow General Dynamics to prove its industrial performance and its ability to provide the British Army with urgently required state-of-the-art equipment. In the event of a more favourable budget situation in the UK, a further enhanced market position may indeed award General Dynamics with a resumption of the UV programme.
----
By Nicolas von Kospoth, Managing Editor

Ecky

31-03-10, 11:05 PM

More details emerge of the GD bid - a German turret.
Deagel (http://www.deagel.com/Weapon-Stations/Lance_a002205001.aspx) describes the Lance turret.

U.K.'s ASCOD SV Vehicle To Feature German Turret
Source: Defense News (http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4562506&c=EUR&s=LAN)

By ANDREW CHUTER
Published: 31 Mar 2010 12:35

LONDON - Lockheed Martin UK will use a German design on the turret it is supplying to General Dynamics UK as part of the ASCOD SV machine selected last week by the Ministry of Defence for a new British Army armored scout vehicle requirement.

General Dynamics appointed the Ampthill-based arm of Lockheed as its turret provider for the scout element of the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) program last year. But until now, the two companies had not revealed details of the design.

Now with the ASCOD SV, a tracked armored vehicle, named as the preferred vehicle to meet the scout and other specialist vehicle requirements, Lockheed has revealed it has teamed with Rheinmetall Land Systems to use a version of the German company's Lance turret.

General Dynamics beat BAE Systems' CV90 tracked vehicle to an initial deal to supply about 250 scout vehicles, plus recovery, protected mobility and repair versions of the ASCOD SV, to the British Army.

The medium-caliber Lance turret, which will only be carried on the scout version of the British tracked vehicle requirement, will house the 40mm CT40 cannon developed by BAE and Nexter, its French partner in the venture. More than 75 percent of the scout turret will be manufactured in the United Kingdom, Lockheed officials said.

Lockheed also is using key aspects of the Rheinmetall turret in an extensive upgrade program being considered by the MoD for the British Army's Warrior infantry fighting vehicle. A decision on the winner of the upgrade program, known as the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme, was expected last week. BAE also is competing for the Warrior program.

However, the MoD said it was postponing an announcement and asking the two companies to revise their bids. The delay is attributed to how strapped for cash the British defense budget will be in the early years of the program.

Media reports here say the program could be pushed back a year.

Industry executives last week said Lockheed's selection for the scout role could give it an edge in the Warrior contest on commonality grounds.

Defence Procurement Minister Quentin Davies sought to play that issue down. Speaking to Defense News, he said, "In my view, commonality is not an overriding requirement."

Lockheed officials, though, appear to think otherwise. In a statement to Defense News on the Lance, the contractor listed a range of common subsystems.

"The Lockheed Martin UK turret system has a level of commonality between Scout SV and Warrior CSP. ... We have developed a bespoke turret for the FRES SV scout mission with common subsystems to Warrior, which include the ammunition handling system, CT40 cannon, cannon mounting structure, turret drive motors and electronics, displays, processors, power nodes, elevation drive and counterbalance structures," the company statement said.

buglerbilly

26-04-10, 10:03 AM

From The Times April 26, 2010

Armoured car runs up £207m bill before it is built

David Robertson, Business Correspondent

The Ministry of Defence has spent £207 million on an armoured vehicle that has yet to leave the drawing board, despite seven years of development.

The Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) was supposed to provide soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan with better protection against roadside bombs but its development has dragged on and costs have continued to rise.

The MoD released the costs of the FRES programme after a freedom of information request by The Times. Last month General Dynamics, the American defence company, was awarded a contract to build a handful of FRES demonstration models. This will enable the company to turn the blueprint into a real vehicle, although FRES remains years away from entering service.

A report into the MoD’s procurement processes last October found that about £2 billion a year was wasted on poorly managed equipment projects. Bernard Gray, the report’s author and former special adviser to the ministry, said that procurement methods were harming Britain’s “ability to conduct difficult current operations”.

According to the information released by the MoD, it spent £6 million on an initial concept phase for FRES and then £133 million on the FRES Utility Vehicle, which was effectively scrapped last year when the MoD restructured the programme. The new model is called the FRES Specialist Vehicle and the MoD has spent a further £68 million on this variant.

According to military insiders the money has been spent on salaries for the bureaucrats managing this project, outside consultants and to pay some of the costs of companies competing for the contract. The MoD confirmed that at least £14 million of the total had been spent on administration of the project.

Armoured vehicles have been a top priority for the Army since it was deployed to Iraq in 2003. The Snatch Land Rovers that had been traditionally used to transport soldiers provided insufficient protection against the roadside bombs favoured by insurgents in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The MoD has spent more than £1 billion on new armoured vehicles such as the Mastiff and Ridgeback but these are seen as temporary solutions and FRES was meant to be the long-term answer and become the backbone of the Army’s vehicle fleet.

As such, FRES was originally planned as a £16 billion project to buy 3,000 armoured vehicles but this has been steadily scaled back. The contract is now worth about £2 billion for 600 vehicles. General Dynamics hopes that its FRES vehicle will reach battlefields in 2013 or 2014 but this could be delayed or the whole project cancelled depending on the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review to which all political parties are committed after the election.

Liam Fox, the Shadow Defence Secretary, said: “The whole FRES programme is just another example of a procurement programme going over time and over budget. This is yet another reason why the procurement process needs radical reform that only a new government can provide.”

An MoD spokesman said: “The Specialist Vehicle fleet will provide improved protection against a wide range of threats and bring significant benefits to the Army, including greater firepower, longer-range sensors and sighting systems and a higher level of reliability, and is one of the highest equipment priorities for the Army.

“The vital work that has so far been done on the Utility Vehicle element will inform the remainder of the programme. That money has not been wasted.

“Considering the overall size of the programme and its importance in equipping our Armed Forces this is not an excessive assessment-phase spend.”

buglerbilly

01-07-10, 03:12 PM

Britain Inks Deal With General Dynamics For Armored Scout Vehicles

By ANDREW CHUTER

Published: 1 Jul 2010 08:10

The British Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with General Dynamics UK to provide a new generation of armored scout vehicles for the army.

ASCOD SV features a 40mm CT40 cased telescoped cannon system mandated by the U.K. government and provided by the BAE System/Nexter CTA International joint venture. (GENERAL DYNAMICS)

The deal will see General Dynamics supply its ASCOD SV vehicle to meet the scout element of the Future Rapid Effects System requirement as well as become the baseline machine for a range of other potential roles in the British Army.

Defence minister Peter Luff announced the signing in a Parliamentary statement earlier July 1.

The initial 500 million pound development and demonstration phase, which involves building and testing seven prototypes, is slated to run until 2013. The deal could eventually be worth up to 9 billion pounds for General Dynamics UK.

The first production version of the ASCOD SV will be delivered in 2015 if the contract runs to schedule.

Up to 240 scout vehicles and a number of other support variants are expected to be purchased in the first element of the FRES SV program, known as Recce Block 1.

The signing comes despite Britain being in the midst of a strategic defense and security review, due to report in late October on the future role, shape and size of the military here.

FRES was one of hundreds of equipment programs being looked at as part of the review - only the replacement of Britain's nuclear missile submarine fleet was exempted.

The decision by the MoD, which has been endorsed by other senior government ministers, appears to effectively taken the FRES scout requirement outside of the review.

Industry and the armed services are bracing themselves for heavy program, capabilities and personnel cuts as a result of the defence review.

The FRES SV, which will replace the aging and increasingly unreliable CVR(T), is a top priority program for the British Army.

However, it's unlikely the FRES SV will be destined for the war in Afghanistan.

The MoD is looking at having a small number of new CVR(T) hulls built by BAE Systems to maintain an armored scout capability in the short to medium term.

BAE Systems was the losing contender for the FRES SV program. The British company offered a version of its Swedish-designed and built CV-90.

The loss of FRES SV was another nail in the coffin of a BAE armored vehicles business here, which is on the way to becoming a readiness and sustainment operation.

The Daily Telegraph reported last week BAE is expected to announce further job losses in a land armaments business here that has already seen hundreds of redundancies over the past two years.

General Dynamics was named preferred contractor by the MoD in March, but the then Labour Government failed to get the contract signed before the general election saw it pushed out of office in early May to be replaced by a Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

The selection of General Dynamics UK as the preferred contractor FRES SV was one of 19 defense programs approved by Labour between January and the May 6 election. The programs were reviewed by the new government.

The U.K. Treasury approved 17 of those deals late last month, including the FRES SV.

The vehicle being developed by General Dynamics is a heavily modified version of the ASCOD infantry fighting vehicle developed by the company's European sister operations for the Austrian and Spanish armies.

ASCOD SV features a 40mm CT40 cased telescoped cannon system mandated by the U.K. government and provided by the BAE System/Nexter CTA International joint venture.

The US-based company also significantly uprated the ASCOD SV to be capable of operating at 42 tons with a transmission rated at 45 tons.

The turret design is being supplied by Germany's Rheinmetall Land Systems while Lockheed Martin UK is the turret integration authority.

General Dynamics has already inked a deal with the U.K. government owned Defense Support Group which will see it assemble and test FRES SV production vehicles.

General Dynamics estimates that over 75 percent of the work on ASCOD SV production vehicles will be done in the U.K.

buglerbilly

01-07-10, 03:33 PM

MOD signs contract for new armoured vehicle

An Equipment and Logistics news article

1 Jul 10

The MOD has signed a £500m contract with General Dynamics UK for the demonstration phase of seven prototype Scout armoured fighting vehicles for the Army.

General Dynamics' ASCOD SV armoured fighting vehicle can be adapted to meet the reconnaissance requirement with the stretch potential to meet other roles (computer generated impression)
[Picture: General Dynamics UK Ltd]

The powerful, sophisticated Scout vehicle will provide improved protection against a wide range of threats and bring greater firepower, improved situational awareness, more protection and enhanced mobility.

It will carry three crew members and have mounted both a new type of 40mm cannon and a machine gun. It will replace the Scimitar armoured fighting vehicle.

Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, Peter Luff, who signed the contract, said:

"Military commanders have stressed the importance of having a wide range of vehicles from which they can select the most appropriate for specific tasks.

"This contract is a major step towards providing an additional fleet of combat vehicles, capable of undertaking operations in the most demanding terrain and fully incorporating lessons from current conflicts.

General Dynamics' ASCOD SV armoured fighting vehicle (computer generated impression)
[Picture: General Dynamics UK Ltd]

"Work on this phase of the programme will go ahead alongside the wider Strategic Defence and Security Review which will make sure that the capabilities that we are investing in are those best placed to provide the security we need for the future."

The design is derived from modifying the ASCOD SV vehicle, which is already in service with some NATO nations, is well-proven and is suitable for export sales.

Work will continue alongside this programme to update existing armoured reconnaissance vehicles in service in Afghanistan, such as the Scimitar, to maintain their operational capabilities.

The Chief of Defence Materiel, General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue, said:

"Today's announcement is the result of months of hard work by a wide range of stakeholders across MOD and General Dynamics UK enabling us to reach this point, ahead of the original plan.

General Dynamics' ASCOD SV armoured fighting vehicle (computer generated impression)
[Picture: General Dynamics UK Ltd]

"The work that has been done has been, and continues to be, subject to the most careful scrutiny to ensure the decision is the right one for the long-term needs of the Army."

Master-General of the Ordnance, Major General Bill Moore, said:

"This is a very good moment for the Army. Scout will provide a much better capability to find and track the enemy, so necessary for the successful prosecution of operations in the 21st century.

"Scout will also deliver improved situational awareness, increased firepower, more protection and enhanced mobility, and it will be a key capability for land operations over the next few decades."

The Army will be heavily involved in the project from the start, particularly in the exhaustive trials with prototype vehicles, which are expected to start in 2013. When this phase concludes the MOD will be in a position to place a production contract.