Project Falcon (Hansard, 29 January 2002)

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what budget cuts have been made to Project Falcon; and if he will make a statement. [31101]

§ Dr. Moonie
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 9 January 2002,Official Report, column 825 to the hon. Member for New Forest, West (Mr. Swayne).

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if down selection for the Falcon project will be made on the basis of the original specifications set out in November 2000; and if he will make a statement; [28726]
(2) what role the new study required by 4 February will play in the down selection for Falcon; and if he will make a statement. [28727]

§ Dr. Moonie
There are no plans for the supplementary Falcon study to play a role in the current down selection process.
The current work on Falcon is examining a possible reduction in the number of competing consortia prior to the assessment phase but competition will continue. The down selection is being conducted on the basis of the original capability requirement set out in November 2000.
214W
In keeping with the principles of Smart Acquisition, capability requirements may evolve to ensure that trade-offs between time, cost and performance are used to provide the best value for money and reflect user needs—final down selection to a single supplier will therefore take place against a requirement developed on this basis.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure that capabilities of the Falcon system remain as specified in the operational requirements issued in November 2000. [28719]

§ Dr. Moonie
A key element of Smart Acquisition is an evolutionary requirements process that reflects the need to trade between time, cost and performance. Therefore, the Falcon capability requirement may evolve from that set out in November 2000, to ensure delivery of the most effective solution within cost and time constraints. We will, however, ensure that the competing consortiums are kept fully informed of the requirements against which their bids are being assessed.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capacity for battlefield integrated system applications Falcon is specified to support; and if he will make a statement. [28721]

§ Dr. Moonie
Project Falcon will provide an operational level communications infrastructure. As such, it will support the transfer of data generated from any Battlefield Information System Application being developed as part of the Land Digitisation process.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the specification for the Falcon system will retain the requirement to avoid a single point of failure. [28720]

§ Dr. Moonie
We have defined Falcon system failure in capability terms by stating a required service availability, so providing contractors with the freedom to deliver efficient and effective solutions within time and cost constraints.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the down selection for the Falcon project will be made. [28722]

§ Dr. Moonie
We are currently examining a possible reduction in the number of competing consortia prior to the assessment phase. This initial down selection process is due to report in February 2002. In accordance with the principles of Smart Acquisition, it is planned that subsequent down selection to a single supplier will take place following completion of the assessment phase.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision has been made to adapt AFV 432 vehicles to carry the Falcon system; and if he will make a statement. [28723]

§ Dr. Moonie
There is no specific requirement for AFV 432s to carry the Falcon system. In the longer term, Falcon will be incorporated into armoured vehicles and this process will be aligned with plans to deliver new armoured fighting vehicles.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what encryption system has been specified as part of the Falcon project; and if he will make a statement. [28725]
215W

§ Dr. Moonie
The Falcon project includes plans to develop a new generation encryption system to enable secure communication. The precise encryption system requirement has not yet been confirmed.

§ Mr. Swayne
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what provision is being made to integrate the Apache attack helicopter into the Falcon system; and if he will make a statement. [28728]

§ Dr. Moonie
On current plans, the secure voice and data communications infrastructure provided by Falcon will include Apache attack helicopter ground support facilities.