LONDON, UK: BAE Systems has released the first images of its new demonstrator vehicle for the Scout variant of the multi-billion pound UK FRES SV (Future Rapid Effect System Specialist Vehicles) competition. The vehicle is based on a modified version of its highly-successful CV90 chassis with an all-new turret and cannon.
The UK-developed turret will allow accurate firing on the move, a first for a medium-calibre vehicle weapon system in British service, while the cannon features a revolutionary new 40mm “cased telescoped” design from the BAE Systems/Nexter joint venture CTAI. This will give much greater punch than existing medium-calibre designs against armour, buildings and dismounted troops.
BAE Systems has delivered more than 1,000 CV90 vehicles to six nations, with more than hundred more on order. It is currently in service in Afghanistan with Swedish and Norwegian forces, while Denmark will deploy it there next year. Through these programmes, taxpayers have seen real value for money, new jobs have been created in the customer nations and technology has been transferred successfully in each case.
Commenting on the vehicle system design, BAE Systems FRES SV Campaign Director Arne Berglund said: “Each successive contract has resulted in further development and CV90 is a mature, fully digitized, very mobile, reliable and well-protected vehicle. It is ideally suited for the range of variants required by the FRES SV programme.
“The demonstrator vehicle has allowed us to integrate complex systems and gives confidence that we can meet the demanding UK Ministry of Defence timescales for the high-priority FRES SV programme. It incorporates technology and learning from our very successful MTIP2 turret programme which integrated the CT40 gun and culminated in a successful live firing demonstration in January this year, from a moving Warrior vehicle against a moving target.”
FRES SV consists of three Blocks of Reconnaissance vehicles, plus Medium Armour and Manoeuvre Support. Up to 1300 could be required in total. Recce Block 1, which consists of Scout, Repair, Recovery and Protected Mobility variants, is the biggest and seen as the highest priority.
BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.
