§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of potential barriers to interoperability between Watchkeeper and(a) other elements of the ISTAR capability, (b) systems used by US forces and (c) systems used by other NATO forces; and if he will make a statement; [68675]
(2) whether the platforms offered by the firms competing in the Watchkeeper tendering process are mutually compatible; and if he will make a statement; [68676]
(3) when the results of the Watchkeeper tendering process will be published; and if he will make a statement. [68674]
§ Dr. MoonieIn the current assessment phase of the Watchkeeper project we are considering proposals for more detailed assessment phase work from four potential prime contractors. Two of the companies will be selected to undertake a series of systems integration and assurance activities before we make our main investment decision. Studies conducted by the four contractors have not identified any significant barriers to achieving interoperability with other elements of ISTAR capability, whether national or NATO (including US). The platforms offered by the contractors within their proposed solutions
158Ware mutually compatible. We expect to announce the selection of the two companies to go forward into the next stage by the end of August 2002 and to select a preferred bidder to undertake demonstration and manufacture in the 2003–04 timescale.