HC Deb 30 March 1998 vol 309 cc412-3W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made by the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency in developing the future infantry soldier technology; at which of his Department's establishments work on this project has been carried out; when this work started; how many reports on the progress of this project have been written; what are the security classifications of each report; and how much money has so far been spent on this project. [35361]

Mr. Spellar

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA). I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from John Chisholm to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 30 March 1998I have been asked to reply to your question about the Future Infantry Soldier Technology as this matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. The Future Infantry System Technology (FIST) programme was established in Autumn 1994. DERA is highly focused to meeting the needs of its customer on what is a most demanding systems project. There are three main thrusts to the programme: research on technologies likely to benefit the individual soldier, development of the systems engineering approach to soldier modernisation, and operational analysis studies and trials to establish the operational requirement. The initial aim of the FIST programme was to demonstrate the potential of technology to enhance soldier effectiveness. Experimental hardware was designed and developed by a small team within the Guns Department at DERA Fort Halstead, with extramural support from Pilkington Optronics, to determine the feasibility of possible sub-systems. Test and trials of this early equipment, many highly successful, were undertaken during 1995 and in the summer and autumn of 1996. A Technical Demonstrator (TD) programme, in place since April 1997, has built on the success of earlier hardware trials. This is a jointly funded programme between MOD and a UK consortium led by Pilkington Optronics. Separate from the TD, a systems engineering approach, identified as necessary by DERA/MOD to underpin cost effective procurement, has been adopted for the FIST research programme. A research strategy has been developed, linking study methodologies to trials and other analysis. The current FIST research programme covers operational modelling and field trials. The trials provide data for validation of the models being used to examine the operational need and identify capability deficiencies. Operational analysis supports the formulation of the Staff Target and will lead to cost effectiveness analysis to support the decisions of the Equipment Approval Committee. The FIST programme also includes work on human factors, which are particularly important in relation to the individual soldier's effectiveness on the battlefield. This overall approach, now well advanced, has put the UK into a leading position in NATO. Industry will now be best placed to offer a real alternative to the Land Warrior programme (US). In addition, the UK (including a representative from DERA) is playing a leading role in NATO Land Group 3 Working Group III on Soldier Modernisation, which aims to produce a NATO approach to the issue. DERA is also an active participant in other international groups. The cost of the FIST Technology Research Programme up to the end of FY96/97 was £1.9M. The cost for FY97/98, including the part funding of the TD, will be £3.3M. This cost is split between the Applied Research Programme (£2.3M) and the consortium (£1M). The operational analysis costs were £850K for trials for the period FY96/97 to FY97/98 and £1M for operational studies for the period FY94/95 to FY97/98. Direction and tasking for the project is given to DERA by the Director of Operational Requirements (Land) through the medium of the Applied Research Package. Within DERA the project is led and managed by the Guns Department at DERA Fort Halstead. Support on operational analysis, including trials, is provided at DERA Fort Halstead and DERA Farnborough. Human factors support is provided at Farnborough. External support is provided by the Defence Clothing and Textile Agency at Colchester. The military team advising the project is based at Warminster (Infantry Trials and Development Unit and Headquarters Infantry). The programme maintains essential external links with the Defence Clothing and Textile Agency, Headquarters Infantry and the Infantry Trials and Development Unit. Progress reports are issued on a quarterly basis, each report being classified UK RESTRICTED. Thirteen other reports have been issued on FIST—seven on the technical aspects, three on operational trials and three on operational analysis. All are classified UK RESTRICTED. Progress is also monitored by the Dismounted Close Combat Committee meetings, chaired by Director of Operational Requirements (Land) (two meetings per year) and previously the Research Strategy meeting which ran from 1995 until 1997, chaired by Director of Science (Land) (two meetings per year). Minutes of these meetings are classified UK RESTRICTED. I hope this information is helpful.