Ministry of Defence - DCC2-FIST Project Profile / Forward Programme

FIST Forward Programme

FIST is a Category A funded project. Whilst under Smart Procurement, firm dates are not now set until the end of the Assessment Phase, key targets are:

Early 2001: Lead Up To Initial Gate (IG). Information will be disseminated to industry through the DCC IPT Web-Site and an Information CD-ROM (due to be released by March). Industry will be requested to comment on a number of ‘Key Documents’ including the User Requirement Document (URD), which will be issued on the CD-ROM.

Mid 2001 - "Initial Gate". Following on from IG, an Assessment Phase will be conducted to propose how the requirement can be most cost effectively met, in both the short and long term. The aim will be to reduce risk and identify which options should be taken forward as components of an affordable, coherent solution. An SRD and a company equipped with prototype FIST equipment for User trials is likely to be the output of this phase.

Target 2005 - "Main Gate". Following trade-off analysis, solutions will be chosen for the concept(s) to be taken into the Demonstration Phase, with clear views on international collaborative opportunities. The objective will be to reduce risk to an acceptable level and gain confidence in the product specification and associated programme for production. Cost/capability trade-offs that might still be required to keep the project within budget will be undertaken.

Target 2007 - "Manufacture". Whilst some long lead-time items will need to have been ordered during the Demonstration Phase, this milestone represents the point where the major financial commitment to full-rate production is made.

Target 2009 - "Initial Operating Capability" (IOC). The first major items of equipment delivered. This does not preclude provision of early solutions, if the appropriate situation arises. Due to the constraints of "legacy" equipment, the IOC is likely to fall short of the full requirement.

Target 2015 – 2020 - "Full Operating Capability (FOC)"

At this stage of the project exact numbers of soldiers who will be equipped with a FIST capability can not be categorically stated, but it is anticipated that between 30,000-40,000 units will be procured.

Last Updated - February 2001