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UK Government: FRES: preferred bidder selected for system of systems integrator (SOSI)(M2 PressWIRE Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) RDATE:05102007 The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has today selected the Thales UK and Boeing team as the preferred bidder for the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) Systems of Systems Integrator (SOSI) role. The SOSI will help coordinate the complex procurement of over 3,000 vehicles of many different types. The SOSI will provide independent support to the MoD by bringing expert programme management and system of systems engineering skills to the FRES programme. 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." The FRES fleet of armoured fighting vehicles will have high levels of protection and will be air-transportable, allowing troops to deploy rapidly across the globe at short notice. General Sir Richard Dannatt, Chief of the General Staff (CGS), said: "I welcome the announcement today by Lord Drayson of the FRES System of Systems Integrator. I am sure that the Thales UK and Boeing team will play a pivotal role in the delivery of FRES capability. "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 programme 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. "FRES will be at the heart of the future Army and remains the Army's highest equipment capability priority after support to current operations." The MoD has also appointed the legal firm Herbert Smith to provide the FRES team with intellectual property, commercial and legal advice. Lord Drayson said: "Herbert Smith's appointment reflects the MOD's commitment to ensure that Intellectual Property, Design Authority, and systems architecture for FRES will reside in the UK as set out in the government's Defence Industrial Strategy." 1. The FRES programme will equip the UK Armed Forces with new medium weight armoured vehicles. 2. Operational experience provides valuable user input to the development of the Army's FRES requirement and associated specification. 3. The SOSI role is one of a number of competitions that will be conducted as part of the innovative acquisition strategy for FRES. The utility vehicle design competition is underway on which a decision on the winner will be made by the end of November 2007. The next significant step will be the selection of a UV Integrator for which a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire will be issued to industry by the end of October 2007. Further competitions will select the designs for other variants for roles such as reconnaissance, direct fire and engineering support. 4. SOSI will provide six principle services to the MOD in order to help MOD achieve its overall programme objectives. They are; * Programme Management * System of Systems Engineering and Integration * Alliance Development and Management * Development of MoD's SOSI competence * Through Life Capability Management * Through Life Technology Management CONTACT: Tim Orr, Thales UK Tel: +44 (0)1932 824 855 Nick West, International Communications, The Boeing Company Tel: +44 (0)20 7930 5000 ((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to [email protected])). Copyright 2007 M2 Communications Ltd. |