Army Tactical Reconnaissance Capability (Hansard, 8 July 1998)

§ Mr. Spellar

The Strategic Defence Review has emphasised the importance of investment in the area of fast, detailed and accurate intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, known as ISTAR. This is not only vital for combat operations, but also for many peace support operations.

We have, therefore, decided to undertake a programme of work aimed at enhancing the Army's tactical reconnaissance capability. This involves an integrated series of studies into future sensors, land reconnaissance vehicles and unmanned air vehicles. These studies will enable us to identify the most cost-effective mix of reconnaissance sensors and platforms to meet our future needs.

As part of this programme, we will conduct with the United States a collaborative Project Definition study which will examine sensors, sensor integration and the vehicles needed to meet our armies' future manned land-based reconnaissance requirements. This joint project is known as the Armoured Scout and Reconnaissance Vehicle, ASRV, and seeks to provide a highly mobile, stealthy battlefield reconnaissance capability. A Memorandum of Understanding with the United States has now been signed, and an Invitation to Tender will be released to industry in the near future. The United Kingdom element of ASRV is known as TRACER—Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement. The United Kingdom will be an equal partner with the United States in this project, which will have major benefits for the United Kingdom armed forces and industry.

In parallel, we are conducting national studies into the use of Unmanned Air and Land Vehicles for meeting the Army's future reconnaissance requirements. The sensor and sensor integration work carried out under the ASRV project will inform this work. We are also examining the scope for collaboration with the United States on the Unmanned Air Vehicle element of the programme.