Programme Initial Gate, Main Gate and Contract Signature Dates

Project / Initial
Gate / Main
Gate / Contract Signature / Notes
GRAPEVINE 2 / Aug 12
Joint Combat Aircraft –Production Sustainment and Follow on Development Phase / Oct 06 / The Lightning Programme is following an incremental acquisition approach and therefore did not have a traditional Initial Gate. Main Gate 1, which approved the UK’s entry into the US System Design and Development phase of the JSF Programme was equivalent to Initial Gate. There have been a total of 4 Main Gates to date; Main Gates 2, 3 and 4 being specific to Production, Sustainment & Follow on Development (PSFD). The UK Main Gate Business Case seeking commitment to participate in the PSFD phase of the Joint Strike Fighter Programme was approved in 2006 at Main Gate 2. Main Gate 3 (2009) provided approval for the procurement of aircraft for Joint Operational Test and Evaluation. Main Gate 4 (2014) provided approval for procurement of aircraft and support required to deliver Initial Operating Capability which is currently scheduled for 2018.
Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information System – Legacy Support Project / Mar 14 / Mar 14 / The Legacy Support Project (LSP) sustains capabilities that have been in service since 2004. There was no discrete Initial Gate for LSP as it was addressed as part of the MORHPEUS Initial Gate approval in May 2013.
Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information System – Legacy Update / Jan 14
Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information System (MORPHEUS) – Future Capability / May 13
Typhoon Meteor Integration / Apr 13 / Jun 13 / No Initial Gate required as included in the Meteor Business Case in 2007, where the integration requirement was assured and approval was given to engage internationally to devise and agree the associated aircraft enhancement activity.
MARSHALL / Dec 07 / Jul 14 / Oct 14
Merlin Life Sustainment Programme / May 12 / Nov 13 / Dec 13
Mine Countermeasures, Hydrographic and Patrol Capability / Jul 14 / The Mine Counter Measures Patrol Capability programme is still in its Assessment Phase. The project has an incremental programme with four separate contracts.The two contracts awarded to date are as follows:
  • Minesweeping Demonstrator – March 2014
  • UK/French Maritime Mine Counter Measures Demonstrator – February 2014

Mode 5 Identification Friend and Foe projects / Dec 11 / As Stage 2 of a 2 part Assessment Phase, two contracts were signed in October 2014 to conduct a 12 month Integration Study and Planning Phase.
Defence Core Network Service – GRAPEVINE / Aug 12 / Oct 12 / Apr 13
Defence Information Infrastructure Increment 2C / Dec 08 / Jan 09 / DII Increment 2C was not subject to a separate Initial Gate but was part of the overarching DII Main Programme which received Initial Gate approval in February 2002. DII Increment 2C came into service in July 2012.
E-Purchasing / Jul 11 / Aug 12 / Dec 12 / E-Purchasing is not a contract title in its own right but is a methodology. The most significant part of that methodology, to date, is the electronic purchase to payment contract that was within the Defence E Commerce Service contract.
Future Local Area Aids Defence System (FLAADS) (Maritime)-T23 / Jun 08 / Sep 13 / Sep 13
FLAADS (Land) / Jan 14 / This programme is in development for which a contract was signed in January 2014.
Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon Heavy / May 08 / Nov 13 / Mar 14
Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon Light / May 08 / Nov 13 / Jun 14
Ground Based Air Defence / Feb 10 / This programme is currently in its Assessment phase.
Next Generation Nuclear Propulsion Plant / Mar 11 / This programme is included within the Successor Programme approvals.
Scavenger / Nov 13 / This programme is in its Assessment Phase.
Scout SV / Jun 08 / Aug 14 / Sep 14
SPEAR Capability 3 / Apr 10 / This programme is in development for which a contract was signed in April 2010.
ShortRange Anti-Air Missile Sustainment / Jul 14 / This programme is in development for which a contract was signed in September 2014.
Storm Shadow – integration on Typhoon / Oct 13 / Jul 14 / No Initial Gate date required as the missile already in service on Tornado.
Submarine Dismantling Project / Dec 12 / Mar 13 / Contract for initial dismantling of submarines has not yet been signed.
Successor Projects / Mar 11
A400M Training Service / Nov 07 / Jul 12 / Feb 13
Airseeker / Aug 03 / Mar 10 / Mar 10 / Procured through Foreign Military Sales for which a Letter of Acceptance was signed in March 2010
Brimstone 2 / Jun 08 / Apr 10 / Apr 10
Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile on Lightning II / Mar 14
Common Missile Compartment / Nov 08 / Not applicable / Not applicable / Elements of the CMC have been approved under the Successor Programme and others approved separately.
Core Production Capability / Sep 07 / Apr 12 / Apr 12
Crypto Enabling Services / The Crypto Enabling Services Project received approval for initial Concept Phase activities in July 2014 which is currently planned to end in Spring 2015.
De-Equip, Defuel and Lay-up Preparations Facility projects / Jul 04 / Apr 07 / Not applicable / DDLP was incorporated into the overarching Future Nuclear Facilities Contract (Partnering Agreement) which was signed in October 2005