The British Ministry of Defense has finally launched the billion pound (US$1.6 billion) worth Warrior Capability Sustainment Program (WCSP) that will extend the vehicles’ service life to beyond 2040, ensuring that Warrior continues to play an essential role in future land operations. The upgraded Warriors are expected to enter service by 2020, with the first deliveries beginning in 2018.
The vehicles will be fitted with a new turret built by Lockheed Martin, mounting a stabilized 40mm Case Telescope Ammunition, offering improved firepower and lethality. The new cannon will be provided by the Anglo-French co-operation through CTA International, a joint venture between BAE Systems Global Combat Systems Munitions and Nexter Munitions. The turret will also employ new armor system offering modular upgrades in the future. The upgraded Warriors will also benefit from a new electronic architecture, which will be able to work with advancing technology.
Lockheed Martin UK will develop and manufacture the upgraded package vehicles along with similar turrets developed for the FRES SV vehicle. Lockheed martin UK will get the lion’s share of the program, £642 million will create and sustain around 600 British jobs across the country within Lockheed Martin UK and its supply chain. Among the members of the Warrior Transformation Team (WTT) established by Lockheed Martin are Ultra Electronics; the Defence Support Group; SCISYS; Rheinmetall Defence; Curtiss Wright; Thales UK; Moog; Meggitt; CTA International; Westwire; TKE; MTL and Caterpillar UK.
The British government recently announced its commitment to a one-per-cent-a-year real-term increase in the MOD’s equipment and support budget from 2015 – the equivalent of an extra £3 billion.
The Warrior has been in service with the British Army since 1989 and has distinguished itself on the battlefield throughout its extensive deployments, including in Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq, and it continues to do so in Afghanistan.
