BAE SYSTEMS2003-02-10 13:35:02
BAE SYSTEMS FIST SOLUTION WOULD CREATE LONG-TERM EMPLOYMENT
BAE SYSTEMS today revealed the long-term employment benefits to Britain that will accrue from its down-selection to fulfil the Assessment and Demonstration & Manufacturing phases of the UK Ministry of Defence's Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme.
During the Assessment Phase, between 2003 and 2006, some 60 highly skilled engineers and support staff will be employed. Half will be sustained within BAE SYSTEMS and the balance in UK-based Small-and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Systems engineering and hardware assessment activities will be undertaken at BAE SYSTEMS' Leicester and Christchurch sites. Ninety per cent of the intellectual property rights generated during this phase will be UK-hosted.
The Demonstration & Manufacturing Phase, beginning in 2007, will raise employment levels significantly. Several hundred British jobs will be created within BAE SYSTEMS and in SMEs across the UK. Seventy-five per cent of the technology content and intellectual property rights are expected to be domestically sourced, and all FIST technologies will be UK controlled. BAE SYSTEMS has included Thales UK in its preparations for the Assessment Phase and would expect Thales to become a major sub-contractor.
Export opportunities of FIST technology from the UK are expected to sustain a further 200 posts in the longer term.
Phill Blundell, Managing Director of the company's C4ISR Group, comments "FIST will create new levels of capability for the British front-line soldier. We must combine technology from across the supplier base with the skills of British workers to optimise the solution. The FIST Prime Contractor will be the long term partner to the British Army in developing the doctrine and tactics to make the best use of the new generation of equipment. We will generate a market-leading system that will be in demand overseas - supplying UK-designed equipment from the UK will ensure that our systems integration, development and manufacturing skills are retained for the future.�
BAE SYSTEMS today revealed the long-term employment benefits to Britain that will accrue from its down-selection to fulfil the Assessment and Demonstration & Manufacturing phases of the UK Ministry of Defence's Future Integrated Soldier Technology (FIST) programme.
During the Assessment Phase, between 2003 and 2006, some 60 highly skilled engineers and support staff will be employed. Half will be sustained within BAE SYSTEMS and the balance in UK-based Small-and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Systems engineering and hardware assessment activities will be undertaken at BAE SYSTEMS' Leicester and Christchurch sites. Ninety per cent of the intellectual property rights generated during this phase will be UK-hosted.
The Demonstration & Manufacturing Phase, beginning in 2007, will raise employment levels significantly. Several hundred British jobs will be created within BAE SYSTEMS and in SMEs across the UK. Seventy-five per cent of the technology content and intellectual property rights are expected to be domestically sourced, and all FIST technologies will be UK controlled. BAE SYSTEMS has included Thales UK in its preparations for the Assessment Phase and would expect Thales to become a major sub-contractor.
Export opportunities of FIST technology from the UK are expected to sustain a further 200 posts in the longer term.
Phill Blundell, Managing Director of the company's C4ISR Group, comments "FIST will create new levels of capability for the British front-line soldier. We must combine technology from across the supplier base with the skills of British workers to optimise the solution. The FIST Prime Contractor will be the long term partner to the British Army in developing the doctrine and tactics to make the best use of the new generation of equipment. We will generate a market-leading system that will be in demand overseas - supplying UK-designed equipment from the UK will ensure that our systems integration, development and manufacturing skills are retained for the future.�
For more information contact:
Warwick House
Po Box 87
Farnborough Aerospace Centre
Farnborough
Hampshire
GU14 6YU
United Kingdom
Tel: + 44 1252 373232
Fax: + 44 1252 383000