LONDON -- Smiths Aerospace is selected as part of the Lockheed Martin team to play a key role in the design, integration and demonstration of electronic architecture concepts for the Future Rapid Effect System (FRES).

The FRES programme is the most significant armoured vehicle project of the next decade. It will provide a family of medium-weight, armoured fighting vehicles to fulfill a wide range of roles. FRES will be an integral part of an interoperable network, rapidly deployable, by sea or air, and will deliver modern, battle-winning equipment to the Army. "Smiths is pleased to be a part of Lockheed Martin`s team to provide leading technologies for the increasingly complex and demanding requirements of the UK`s armed forces," commented John Ferrie, President, Smiths Aerospace.

"We believe our systems integration and engineering expertise will compliment the capabilities of the team and will make a valuable contribution to the success of the FRES programme." Lockheed Martin is leading one of two teams that have been selected for the initial design, assessment and integration of electronic architecture for the vehicles. Other team members are SciSys, Ultra, PA Consulting and Cranfield University. Delivery will be 18 months after contract award and the key objectives of the programme are risk reduction, demonstration of the candidate electronic architecture and validation of the requirement in preparation for the development and manufacturing phase.

Smiths Aerospace, a part of Smiths Group plc, is a leading transatlantic aerospace systems and equipment company, with more than 10,000 employees and $2 billion revenues globally. The company holds key positions in the supply chains of all major military and civil aircraft and engine manufacturers and is a world-leader in electrical power, digital and mechanical systems, engine components and customer services.

Smiths Aerospace
25.09.2005