United Kingdom Co-operative Engagement Capability Frigate and Destroyers Programme

The Capability

The Co-operative Engagement Capability is a United States Naval System fitted to an increasing number of United States assets including ships, aircraft, and Army and Marine Corps land systems. It optimises war-fighting capabilities inherent in existing and future combat systems.

UK Co-operative Engagement Capability is a UK Network-Enabled Capability project which provides an advanced air and missile defence capability by sharing and fusing engagement quality data from suitably equipped platforms to deliver a single, coherent, stable air picture. It will fill the capability gap originally identified in Commander-in-Chief Fleet's Military Capability reports and re-affirmed in the Above Water Effects capability audit in 2007, updated in 2009, to detect, monitor, and counter air-warfare threats. It will also reduce a gap in interoperability with the United States.

Overview of Cost Time and Performance

Approved

Forecast/Actual

Variation

IY Variation

Assessment Phase

£25m

£53m

+£28m

-

The Assessment Phase

The objective of the Assessment Phase is to establish the most cost-effective solution to the requirement for a Co-operative Engagement Capability for maritime platforms. It is a proven programme which the UK is considering purchasing via the Foreign Military Sales process. The UK, with United States assistance, is developing and testing the platform architecture and support and integration aspects, to reduce risk prior to Main-Gate.

A contract was placed with BVT Surface Fleet (now BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd) in January 2009, amended in 2010, to complete the design and installation aspects of Assessment Phase 3. Activity during 2010 and up to 31 March 2011 has focused on de-risking equipment interfaces, developing programme and technical project plans, updating the Operational Analysis, and drafting a Statement of Work to deliver the next phase following the main investment decision.

The Planning Round 2011 has changed the platform fit from Type 23 Frigates to Type 26 Global Combat Ships.