FRES

Description: The Future Rapid Effects System (FRES) is a new modular armored vehicle designed to replace current armored vehicles in the British Army. It will meet requirements for rapid deployable forces while providing enhanced protection and survivability over current heavyweight armored vehicles. It is also intended to fill the gap left by the cancelled Multi Role Armored Vehicle (MRAV) program. FRES systems are expected to enter service by 2010. The program was dropped in 2016 in favor of the Boxer armored vehicle.

The FRES was envisaged as the British counterpart to the American FCS program. It will be designed to provide netted combat capability and full compatibility with the digitized battlefield. Ranging from combat to combat support services roles, the FRES will replace many types of existing armored vehicles in the British Army. The FRES vehicles were expected to feature maximum commonality at platform, subsystems and component levels.

In early May 2004, the MoD launched the FRES program with a two-year assessment phase. The purpose of this phase is to select a Systems House, prime contractor, for the FRES program. The Systems House will determine the technologies, capabilities, industrial partners, total number of FRES vehicles and roles needed by the British Army. Atkins Defence was selected by the UK MoD to perform the Systems House role on October 6, 2004. Atkins will perform the 24-month assessment phase of the FRES project. In May 2008, the UK MoD selected the General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited Piranha V as the preferred bidded for the FRES utility vehicle.