March 2007
TA contract awarded by Future Business Group
The MoD’s Future Business Group (FBG) has selected systems and engineering technology company Frazer-Nash Consultancy to support its Technology Assurance role on the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) programme. Frazer-Nash is one of only five companies on the FBG’s panel eligible to carry out this type of work.
At an estimated cost of many billions of pounds, FRES is the UK’s largest land programme, encompassing a fleet of network-enabled armoured vehicles which will support the operations of land forces. A key technology challenge will be the ability to meet demanding weight and size limits to allow rapid deployment by air, while at the same time increasing effectiveness and survivability.
The Technology Assurance assessment is an essential part of the MoD’s review process prior to future investment decisions. Frazer-Nash will be working with the FBG to assess FRES on three key elements: Technology Readiness Levels, System Readiness Levels and Technology Road Maps.
Effectively this will amount to an independent view on whether the technology required to deliver thousands of air portable, network-enabled vehicles is being managed effectively, and technology related risk has been identified and is being managed.
According to Jasper Chalk, Vehicles Business Manager at Frazer-Nash Consultancy, this new TA role is one of a number of similar assurance roles the company has in supporting MOD:
“The fact that the function is required reflects the technical challenges in the FRES and the overall importance of the success of the programme to MOD. We are pleased to be selected for the role as it is further evidence of the firm’s growing reputation as a specialist in systems requirements and technology assessment. The role sits nicely alongside a role with have with the FRES IPT as Independent Safety Auditor.“
The initial technology assessment phase is due to be completed by later this year.
Notes to Editors
Frazer-Nash Consultancy has its roots firmly in Mechanical Engineering, providing systems and engineering technology expertise to its clients across a range of industries from defence, to rail and offshore. |