SubscribeThe Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) from General Dynamics Land Systems
Program Name:
FRES - (Future Rapid Effects System); Chassis Concept & Electronic Architecture Technology Demonstration Program (CC & EA TDP).
Program Description:
FRES is the largest UK Army program intended to provide a highly deployable medium weight class family of vehicles with the capability for long term technology growth.
In the UK acquisition cycle, it is currently in the Assessment Phase (AP) of examining key technologies and concepts that could be candidates for moving into full development in the Demonstration & Manufacturing (D&M) Phase as early as 2007.
Production could start as 2011 and run through 2026 for a fleet up to 3750 vehicles. The CC & EA TDP is an AP activity and is part of a broader technology assessment of other electric drive approaches, electric armor, electronic architectures, integrated survivability and gap crossing.
Under the CC & EA TDP, GDLS’ scope is focused on demonstrating the maturity and reliability of Hybrid Electric Drive (HED) in-hub permanent magnet motor technology. The intent is to help the UK define FRES by demonstrating key HED subsystems in an integrated platform supporting the development of achievable concepts and requirements.
GDLS is using its Advanced Hybrid Electric Drive (AHED) 8x8 demonstrator vehicle to test HED technology and serve as a “point of departure” design for FRES platforms.
Customer(s):
FRES IPT is the UK Program Management Office with key members from the Defense Procurement Agency (PDA), Ministry of Defense Directorate for Equipment Capability, Ground Maneuver or DEC(GM) or “Customer 1” and the Army community “Customer 2.”
WS Atkins, under the title of “System House” provides program management and system engineering support to the IPT to include management of the Technology Demonstration Programs (TDPs).
Contract Value:
Duration of the CC& EA TDP is from August 2005 through Feb 2007.
Total GD contract value is $27M (£15.5 M) with GDLS content at $19.7 M (£11.3M).
Deliverables:
Chassis Concept TDP - Focus on Electric Drive readiness and integration
•“Extended Running” reliability trials at 16t, 18t, 20t (4500km) & Mobility Trials
•Mine Blast Trials of E-Drive (hull, shock, wheel stations)
•E-Drive Maturation (water-cooled motors tested in SIL)
•Logistics analysis (RAM, HFI, Training, etc.)
•E-Drive Manufacturing & Supplier Assessment
•45 Products (reports/analysis of performance & viable concepts), 111 payment milestones
Electronic Architecture (EA) Integration
•Lockheed Martin-UK “EA” on the AHED 8x8
•GDLS - crew and C2 work stations, provide power & signal
•Support EA trials in UK (July – Dec ’06)
Key Dates:
Fleet Review – December 9, 2005
System Design Review (Variant) – March 2006
Completion of 20T and Mobility Trials – May 2006
AHED in UK for EA Trials – August 2006 to Feb 2007
System Design Review (Segment) – September 2006
Main Gate Review – December 2006
Prime Contractor:
General Dynamics United Kingdom (GDUK)
Team Members:(GDLS – primary subcontracts)
Magnet Motor (providing permanent magnet electric drive motors and power electronics)
MTU (providing 199VBV6 engine to AHED)
GDLS – Canada (providing survivability analysis and mine blast testing)
L3Com (providing mechanic/technician support and test facilities)
Challenges:
UK FRES acquisition strategy evolving from fielding in 2012/13 to meet urgent replacements of aging FV430 and Saxon fleet to slipping program to right to allow for technology maturation (2-3+ years). This may prompt UK to pursue a Military off the Shelf option for near term requirements. Also gives time for UK-developed HED solutions to potentially catch-up.
Defense Industrial Policy/Strategy is driving ownership of core technology without ITAR burden, especially for future exports. This may impact US content during D&M Phase.
Photographs: (AHED 8x8 and FRES 8x8 Concept)
Other Pertinent Information:
ITAR authorization for services and export covered under TA 1977-03
