By Ann Roosevelt
The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract valued at approximately $755 million with General Dynamics [GD] UK to deliver the Specialist Vehicle (SV) for the British Army.
In March, the U.K. MoD chose the General Dynamics offering over that of BAE Systems for the demonstration phase of the SV program (Defense Daily, March 23). As preferred bidder, GDUK then began contract negotiations.
Under the potential $6 billion program, GDUK would provide the SV and Common Base Platform for as many as 580 SV vehicles. This is the first block of the Future Rapid Effects Systems (FRES), a family of medium-weight armored vehicles, replacing an aging series of current force vehicles.
The demonstration phase will see the development of seven prototypes for the Scout reconnaissance vehicle and supporting variants built on the ASCOD SV Common Base Platform, as well as providing associated training equipment, the company said in a statement.
ASCOD SV is a modified military-off-the-shelf (MMOTS) platform already proven in service with a number of NATO allies. It will replace the aging CVR(T) fleet and will introduce new vehicle roles.
The SV will carry three crew members and have mounted a new type of 40mm cannon and a machine gun. It will replace the Scimitar armored fighting vehicle built by Alvis–now BAE. Scimitar was first fielded in 1971 (Defense Daily, Nov. 9).
Concurrently, work will continue to update existing armored reconnaissance vehicles in Afghanistan– such as Scimitar–to maintain their operational capabilities.
Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Peter Luff signed the contract and 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.”
Sandy Wilson, president and managing director of General Dynamics UK, said, “The MoD chose General Dynamics UK’s ASCOD SV because it guaranteed the best protection for British troops, the best value for money for the British taxpayer, the best deal for the U.K. Industrial base, the best integrated solution, and the best growth potential for the British Army to combat future threats throughout the 30-year lifespan of the vehicle,”
General Dynamics UK said key advantages to the ASCOD SV include:
- A modern drivetrain, which is good for the 30-year life of the vehicle and thereby obviates the need for a mid-life upgrade;
- Load-carrying potential of up to 42 tons with a growth path to 45 tons, which provides the ability to meet future threats likely to appear over its entire 30-year life, as well as carry its heaviest variants;
- A Common Base Platform that will support variants such as an Armored Personnel Carrier, Protected Mobility vehicle, a Repair vehicle and a Recovery vehicle;
- An open electronic architecture, available across all variants, which will make the SV fleet easier to maintain, ease the training burden, and play a key role in lowering costs throughout the life of the vehicles; and,
- An advanced turret design which, because of its internal space and leading ergonomics, delivers improved survivability and a offers the crew a better ability to fight.
Under a subcontract, Lockheed Martin [LMT] Ampthill will produce the turret.
ASCOD SV also has high export potential, as required under the Defence Industrial Strategy.
The Army is expected to begin prototype trials no later than 2013. Once the demonstration phase is successfully completed, the MoD will be prepared to proceed to the Manufacture Phase and begin production.
Luff said work on the demonstration phase will proceed alongside the wider Strategic Defence and Security Review to ensure “the capabilities that we are investing in are those best placed to provide the security we need for the future.”
In the MoD statement, Chief of Defence Materiel Gen. Sir Kevin O’Donoghue said: “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.”
The Master General of the Ordnance, Maj. Gen. Bill Moore, said: “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.”