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FRES Contract Efforts

A contract was awarded to Atkins in November 2004 to lead a number of activities, under the strategic direction of MoD, during the initial Assessment Phase. The FRES initial Assessment Phase has 3 broad aims. They are to further define the FRES capability as the basis for the development of a series of affordable options; to develop optimum procurement and support strategies for future phases; and to manage technology and supplier risk to acceptable levels. This risk reduction work involves a series of TDPs. This TDP work is currently being progressed. It will serve as a means of assessing and, where necessary, accelerating, the maturity of candidate technologies in order to determine if they are applicable to FRES.

A total of nine Technology Demonstrator Programmes (TDPs) were launched to investigate and mature technologies and integration issues.

FRES Electronics Architecture Technology Demonstrator Programme (EA TDP) is an 18-month programme to demonstrate the readiness of an open, scalable, network enabled architecture and its ability to support the current and future FRES electronics requirements, as well as the integration of the architecture onto a third party Chassis Concept.

On 28 December 2005 it was announced that Land Systems Hägglunds in Örnsköldsvik, together with BAE SYSTEMS Land Systems in UK, had been awarded a contract for technology studies for the British army´s vehicle project FRES. The order is valued at approximately 65 million SEK, including an option. The study aims to evaluate the technology of the Swedish developed SEP and its performance and adaptability towards the demands of the FRES project - mainly the electrical hybrid running. The option part of the contract contains practical tests of using electrical hybrid running.

The early development of SEP in Sweden and the continuous export success of CV90 positioned Hägglunds in a world leading position regarding the technical level on military vehicle systems. One result of this is participation in the study and evaluation phase in the FRES project. This contract of technology studies helps to establish a firm ground for a more profound bilateral cooperation on both industry and government to government level between Sweden and the UK. Without the development made in the Swedish SEP project Land Systems Hägglunds would never have had the possibility to participate at this early stage of the FRES project. A participation that will strengthen Land Systems Hägglunds chances in coming series purchases which were expected during 2007.

BAE SYSTEMS is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, fighting vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE SYSTEMS has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £14 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.

Land Systems Hägglunds designs, manufactures and markets military vehicle systems. The company's primary products are infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), armoured all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and turret systems. The head office and production facility is in Örnsköldsvik. Land Systems Hägglunds employs around 1100 personnel and in 2004 had a turnover of 3 billion Swedish Kronor (£220 million).

In 2010 General Dynamics UK and the MoD's Defence Support Group (DSG) signed a high-level agreement on the FRES Specialist Vehicle (SV) program. The Memorandum of Understanding would see substantial work taking place at DSG's Donnington facilities and become the basis for a long-term relationship in support of the UK's defence industrial capabilities. General Dynamics offered ASCOD SV, the latest development of a proven European AFV family, for FRES SV. Designed to a rating of 42 tonnes and with a transmission rated at 45 tonnes, ASCOD SV offers excellent protection against current and future threats, a common base platform that fully meets the FRES SV requirement, and substantial growth potential for future enhancement.