MoD selects Raytheon for MARS

The

(MoD) has awarded a contract to

(RSL) to begin competitive "Assimilation Phase" studies for The Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) programme.

MARS will provide logistics support to Royal Navy vessels at sea comprising Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers and specialist logistics ships to support expeditionary forces and carrier strike force operations.

The assimilation contract will lead to the final selection of the industry MARS Programme Integrator, which will be responsible for forming the alliance to procure and support the MARS capability.

Jack Cronin, RSL's president and managing director, said: "This is an exciting contract for Raytheon and builds on our capability here in the UK as a major supplier to the MoD and experience as a Mission System Integrator for major US Navy programmes."

Raytheon says the programme will leverage Raytheon’s investment in tools, processes, and subject matter expertise developed on its US Naval programmes.

The MARS programme will be executed in the UK. Financial details of the deal have not yet been released.