The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) Oct. 5 announced that Thales UK in partnership with Boeing [BA] were selected as the preferred bidder for the role of System of Systems Integrator (SOSI) for the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) program.
The through-life FRES program could have a potential total worth of as much as $100 billion.
Boeing and Thales were tapped over bids from other multinational bidding teams to include Lockheed Martin [LMT] and Ultra Electronics PLC; General Dynamics [GD], BAE SYSTEMS and Finmeccanica, and a team led by Qinetiq.
The next step is to hold contractual discussions.
The FRES SOSI will help coordinate the complex procurement of over 3,000 vehicles of different types to provide the British army with a family of medium-weight, network enabled air-deployable armored vehicles to meet as many as 16 battlespace roles.
The SOSI’s principle services aim to achieve overall program objectives: program management; system of systems engineering and integration; alliance development and management; development of MoD’s SOSI competence; through life capability and technology management.
Several competitions are under way in the FRES program as part of the acquisition strategy. For example, by the end of next month, the winner of the utility vehicle design competition will be made.
In June for the utility design vehicle “trials of truth,” MoD chose the Piranha Evolution from General Dynamics [GD], the Boxer military vehicle from Artec, a German-Dutch consortium of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, Rheinmetall Landsysteme and Stork, and the VBCI vehicle from France’s Nexter, formerly Giat Industries (Defense Daily, June 8).
At the end of October, a pre-qualification questionnaire will be issued to industry for the competition for a selection of a unmanned vehicle integrator. In future, other competitions will select the designs for other variants for roles such as reconnaissance, direct fire and engineering support, the MoD said in a statement.
In the United States, Boeing holds a somewhat similar role as Lead Systems Integrator with SAIC [SAI] on the U.S. Army Future Combat Systems. The U.K. SOSI role is different. For example, the acquisition strategy looks at the FRES program thoughout its life.
In making the announcement, Defence Minister Lord Drayson said: “The FRES project is the British Army’s highest equipment priority. This announcement, almost two months ahead of schedule, demonstrates the excellent progress now being made on FRES. The selection of the SOSI is a key part of our innovative acquisition strategy designed to ensure that we deliver the best solution for the Army as quickly as possible.”
Gen. Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff (CGS), said: “This is an important decision, soon to be followed by even more significant FRES announcements, including the selection of the Utility Vehicle Designer. Progress has been rapid in the FRES program over the past 18 months and I am committed to maintaining this momentum towards the introduction into service of the first FRES vehicles and beyond.”
The MoD has also appointed the legal firm Herbert Smith to provide the FRES team with intellectual property, commercial and legal advice.
Alex Dorrian, CEO of Thales UK, said, “We are ready to build upon the rapid decision made by the MoD to drive forward with pace to the successful delivery of the program.”
Dennis Muilenburg, vice president and general manager, Boeing Combat Systems, said, “We have developed a strong and collaborative relationship within our integrated team, a characteristic that we will bring to our relationship with the MoD for the System of Systems Integrator for FRES.”