Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral evidence by Charlie Forte to the Public Accounts Committee on the Digital Defence Strategy on 14 November 2022, HC 72; what steps he is taking to ensure that technology ordered for individual pieces of equipment for Morpheus is not restricted by a lack of digital capabilities when it is integrated with AJAX.
Answered by Alex Chalk
The component that caused MORPHEUS to be delayed, as briefed to the Public Accounts Committee on 14 November 2022, is the Evolve to Open (EvO) element, which will reduce vendor lock-in to General Dynamics Mission Systems UK.
The delivery of MORPHEUS is not a requirement for the Armoured Cavalry Programme to achieve Full Operating Capability. As planned, AJAX will be integrated with the latest version of Bowman and will be upgraded to MORPHEUS alongside other in-service platforms.
The MOD will continue to meet all of its operational requirements, providing secure Battlefield Communication and Information Systems (CIS) until MORPHEUS is fielded.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he plans for Morpheus to be fitted to Ajax vehicles.
Answered by Alex Chalk
The component that caused MORPHEUS to be delayed, as briefed to the Public Accounts Committee on 14 November 2022, is the Evolve to Open (EvO) element, which will reduce vendor lock-in to General Dynamics Mission Systems UK.
The delivery of MORPHEUS is not a requirement for the Armoured Cavalry Programme to achieve Full Operating Capability. As planned, AJAX will be integrated with the latest version of Bowman and will be upgraded to MORPHEUS alongside other in-service platforms.
The MOD will continue to meet all of its operational requirements, providing secure Battlefield Communication and Information Systems (CIS) until MORPHEUS is fielded.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the oral evidence by Charlie Forte to the Public Accounts Committee on 14 November 2022, HC 727, which component of Morpheus is causing delays to installation in Ajax.
Answered by Alex Chalk
The component that caused MORPHEUS to be delayed, as briefed to the Public Accounts Committee on 14 November 2022, is the Evolve to Open (EvO) element, which will reduce vendor lock-in to General Dynamics Mission Systems UK.
The delivery of MORPHEUS is not a requirement for the Armoured Cavalry Programme to achieve Full Operating Capability. As planned, AJAX will be integrated with the latest version of Bowman and will be upgraded to MORPHEUS alongside other in-service platforms.
The MOD will continue to meet all of its operational requirements, providing secure Battlefield Communication and Information Systems (CIS) until MORPHEUS is fielded.
Asked by: Chris Evans (Labour (Co-op) - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether Elbit Systems UK Ltd will continue to provide the MORPHEUS Battlefield Management Application.
Answered by Alex Chalk
The Battlefield Management Application (BMA) was delivered under the terms of the contract with Elbit, which expired on the 30 April 2022. As all obligations had been met, there was no requirement to extend this contract further.
The Ministry of Defence is actively considering how best to deliver the totality of the MORPHEUS project, including the delivery of a number of subsequent capability elements necessary for a fielded system, including the BMA.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Rawmarsh and Conisbrough)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current planned Initial Operating Capability for the Morpheus radio system.
Answered by Alec Shelbrooke
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer the previous Minister for Defence Procurement gave on 15 June 2022 to Questions 13638, 13639 and 13640 to the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey).
Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with regard to the new Morpheus communications system, (a) what definition of initial operating capability his Department has set for the programme; and (b) what is the estimated date for (i) initial operating capability and (ii) full operating capability.
Answered by Alec Shelbrooke
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer the previous Minister for Defence Procurement gave on 15 June 2022 to Questions 13638, 13639 and 13640 to the right hon. Member for Wentworth and Dearne (John Healey).
Asked by: Lord Beamish (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Department will declare initial operating capability for the AJAX Armoured Fighting Vehicle without initial operating capability being declared for MORPHEUS.
Answered by Alex Chalk
I refer the right hon. Member to the answer provided to him on 28 April 2022 to Question 160459.
Oral Evidence Nov. 14 2022
Inquiry: The Defence digital strategyFound: TacCIS th e land environment tactical communications programme have either delivered or are on track
Oral Evidence Nov. 14 2022
Inquiry: The Defence digital strategyFound: TacCIS the land environment tactical communications programme have either delivered or are on track
Oral Evidence Nov. 14 2022
Inquiry: The Defence digital strategyFound: It is important to note that, through the LE TacCIS programme , and indeed Morpheus, we are continuing