ST. LOUIS, Feb. 06, 2008 -- The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) today announced the award of a contract to Thales UK in partnership with The Boeing Company for the System-of-Systems Integrator (SOSI) role on the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) program.

The initial six-month contract, valued at £4 million (US$8 million), defines the framework for the SOSI's ongoing role in the subsequent phases of this key program, which will provide the British Army with a new family of medium-weight, network-enabled armored vehicles. The role of the SOSI is to drive the successful delivery of a coherent FRES capability.

The Thales UK-Boeing SOSI team will be integrated into the MoD's FRES project team to form an Integrated Customer Team that will manage the delivery of FRES. The SOSI will provide expertise in the following areas:

• Program management

• System-of-systems engineering and integration

• Through-life capability and technology management

• Alliance development and supply chain management

• Development of MoD's SOSI competence

"The rapid downselect and now contract award for the FRES SOSI reflects not only MoD's desire to inject pace into the program, but also our ability to work together effectively," said Alex Dorrian, CEO of Thales UK. "The SOSI role highlights Thales UK's position at the heart of UK land systems integration, alongside FIST and WATCHKEEPER."

Rick Baily, vice president and general manager, Boeing Combat Systems, added, "We look forward to working with the MoD and the entire FRES industry team to deliver the optimal capability for this important program for the British Army."

Boeing
07.02.2008