LONDON - A fight between BAE Systems and a General Dynamic/Lockheed Martin partnership for the first phase of the British Army's Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) - Specialist Vehicles program gets under way in earnest Nov. 5, when both sides submit bid documents to the Ministry of Defence.
The first phase of the requirement, known as Recce Block 1, is valued at about 2 billion pounds ($3.5 billion) and will include production of a scout vehicle and other supporting machines. The British expect the winner of the competition to provide a common platform for later FRES roles, including direct fire and engineering support.
BAE is offering the latest version of the Swedish developed and built CV90 vehicle. The rival General Dynamics bid will be based on the Austrian-Spanish developed ASCOD vehicle with a turret designed by Lockheed Martin.
General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin are expected to announce the turret tie-up after the bids are submitted. The MoD says it will decide on a winner early next year.
The Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS) program is ready to test a few components that soldiers may have in their hands by 2010.
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