BaE unveils FRES-SV candidate

[eddie]

It looks like this is one of the competitors for the recce variant of FRES (Future Rapid Effects System). From what I have read FRES is aimed at replacing most of the CVR-T and CVR-W family of vehicles in the British Army. This contender would replace the FV-107 Scimitar.

So, here are some pictures:

YouTube Video

Link here.

[Element66]

looks like a impressive piece a kit, even if it is a fair bit larger than the scimi...

i assume the protected mobility is some sort of Spartan replacement?

haven't seen a great deal from GDuk proposal (ASCOD2?), whens the MoD due to make a decision on this? first quarter of 2010 was what i read a while back iirc

[eddie]

Yeah it's what I read too.

I'm not sure why the other variants are included in the video to be honest as I thought the Piranha V (Piranha III is Stryker btw) was going to make up the rest of FRES with the FRES-SV being a seperate competition altogether. I think the ASCOD-2 is the other competitor, not seen or heard much about it tbh.

I do know GD pulled out of the WFLIP/WCSP competition though as BaEs 40mm cannon was already selected and had the turret for it ready made. Looks like the same turret on this one too.

[Element66]

i think that though the Piranha V won that aspect of FRES, the MoD decided not to use it for some reason or other... i remeber there being some drama about what a waste of money the program was, but not sure why they didn't go through with it

random source - "provisional selection of Piranha 5 as the preferred design"
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/De...shArmyfres.htm

[eddie]

Interesting, got a link for it? I heard that the program had been effectively shelved as there we more pressing matters at the moment, which is fair enough, but I'm the kind of person who looks to what could happen, not what is happening. We'll need some kind of FRES vehicles implemented within the next ten years I think.

Also, call me stupid but would it not be better to replace the Warriors we're upgrading rather than just buy expensive add-ons? It's a Cold War machine constantly playing catch-up with 21st century technology.

[space]

Any reason for the square barrel?

[Element66]

trying to find the specific article but some stuff here

BBC NEWS | UK | UK Politics | Armoured vehicle delays condemned

"It warned that the Fres programme could be caught up in a "vicious circle of delays" as the requirement was continually revised. "


""We are concerned that the Fres requirement may simply be unachievable without a major technical breakthrough." "

"Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson acknowledged Fres had taken several years to reach its present stage and that the requirements had changed in the light of the experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. "


filler quote here:

BBC NEWS | UK | Carriers victim of cash crisis

"The Army will suffer its own further delays to its long-awaited FRES family of utility vehicles, with the project now being "restructured","

[eddie]

In the article

Originally Posted by Defense-Update

The demonstrator vehicle was displayed with enhanced protection for the barrel and massive protecting for the cradle, eliminating a potential weak point in the vehicle's frontal arc.

Edit: Thanks for that Element, it's as I thought. I suppose this wouldn't be the forum to rant about Labours funding of the Social Security budget?

[Element66]

RE: the warrior, im sure one of the military experts will be able to provide a better judgement, but as far as i know its suppose to be a good peice of kit in that its fairly fast and has good protection (should do with all the armour packages they spent on it lately), just the guns a bit rubbish (can't be fired on the move, suppose to be a pain in the arse to operate/reload).

but again this is just random things ive heard about it, so best to see what people who actaully use it have to say...

[eddie]

Well I've read somewhere the cannon is fired in 3 round stripper clips and can fire up to six. No FCS although the first round is supposed to be very accurate.