House of Commons - Defence - Written Evidence

Select Committee on Defence Written Evidence

Annex A

FRES INITIAL ASSESSMENT PHASE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR PROGRAMMES (TDPS)

AIM

1. Analysis of the technologies, capabilities and issues associated with Key User Requirements identified critical technologies and risks that must be mitigated in order to deliver the overall FRES capability. The main aims of the FRES TDP programme are to:

— Inform the development and analysis of the FRES programme options and to inform future design and investment decisions. This will include, but not be limited to, benchmarking for potential vehicle/system designs and informing the capability/engineering trade-offs.

— Identify and mitigate timescale, cost and performance risks. The data captured will build our understanding of the key performance and systems integration risks associated with the candidate technologies, and enable appropriate mitigation plans to be developed.

— Provide tangible evidence that a technology or system performs to the criteria specified (including aspects of safety, reliability, maintainability, durability etc).

— Provide early resolution of risks to key Enablers and Technologies that are time drivers for IOC and/or key to subsequent incremental growth.

— Develop technology strategies that maximise coherence across the full FRES Fleet.

2. The iAP TDPs are:

Serial Title Contractor Status

1 Stowage and Capacity Dstl Contract placed February 2005 Completed in May 2006

2 Hard Kill Defensive Aid System Akers Krutbruk Contract placed May 2005 Completion due December 2006

3 Chassis Concept TDP (AHED) General Dynamics Contract placed August 2005 Completion due February 2007

4 Chassis Concept TDP2 (SEP) BAES Contract placed December 2005 Completion due September 2007

5 Electronic Architecture TDP 1 Lockheed Martin Contract placed August 2005 Completion due March 2007

6 Electronic Architecture TDP 2 Thales Contract placed August 2005 Completion due March 2007

7 Electric Armour Lockheed Martin/Insys Contract placed December 2005 Completion due June 2007

8 Integrated Survivability Thales Contract placed December 2005 Completion due November 2006

9 Gap Crossing BAES Contract placed December 2005 Completion due October 2007



© Parliamentary copyright 2007	Prepared 21 February 2007