Basic Information

Name

Challenger 2 (FV4034) British Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Designation

—

Alternate Designation

Challenger 2, FV4034, CR2 and the retrospective designation CR2 Mk1

Equipment Type

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer

Alvis plc, BAE Systems Land & Armaments

Date of Introduction

1998

Description

The Challenger 2 (FV4034) British Main Battle Tank (MBT) is a third generation British main battle tank (MBT) in service with the armies of the United Kingdom and Oman. It was designed and built by the British company Vickers Defense Systems (now known as BAE Systems Land & Armaments). Vickers Defense Systems began to develop a successor to Challenger 1 as a private venture in 1986. A £90 million deal for a demonstrator vehicle was finalized in January 1989. In June 1991, the Ministry of Defense placed a £520 million order for 140 vehicles, with a further 268 ordered in 1994. Production began in 1993 and the unit's tanks were delivered in July 1994, replacing the Challenger 1. The tank entered service with the British Army in 1998, with the last delivered in 2002. It is expected to remain in service until 2035. The Royal Army of Oman ordered 18 Challenger 2s in 1993 and a further 20 tanks in November 1997. The Challenger 2 is an extensive redesign of the Challenger 1. Although the hull and automotive components seem similar, they are of a newer design and build than those of the Challenger 1 and only around 3% of components are interchangeable. A visual recognition feature is the armored housing for the TOGS thermal gunsight; the Challenger 2 has this above the gun barrel, the Challenger 1 has it at the right hand side of the turret. The tank's drive system provides a 550 km range, with a maximum road speed of 59 km/h. The Challenger 2 main battle tank was developed as a private venture to replace the previous Chieftain MBT in service with British Army.

Ground Specifications

Crew 4

Mobility Type Tracked

Engine Diesel (1200 hp)

Active Protection Dorchester level 2 armour

Max Speed 59.0 km/h

Range 550.0 km

Variants

Titan The Titan armored bridge layer is based on aspects of the Challenger 2 running gear and replaced the Chieftain Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (ChAVLB). The Titan came into service in 2006 with the Royal Engineers, with 33 in service. Titan can carry a single 26-metre-long bridge or two 12-metre-long bridges. It can also be fitted with a bulldozer blade.

Trojan The Trojan Armored Vehicle Royal Engineers is a combat engineering vehicle designed as a replacement for the Chieftain AVRE (ChAVRE). It uses the Challenger 2 chassis, and carries an articulated excavator arm, a dozer blade, and attachment rails for fascines. Entering service in 2007, 33 were produced

Challenger 2E The Challenger 2E is an export version of the tank. It has a new integrated weapon control and battlefield management system, which includes a gyrostabilised panoramic SAGEM MVS 580-day/thermal sight for the commander and SAGEM SAVAN 15 gyrostabilized day/thermal sight for the gunner, both with eyesafe laser rangefinder. This allows hunter/killer operations with a common engagement sequence. An optional servo-controlled overhead weapons platform can be slaved to the commander's sight to allow operation independent from the turret. The power pack has been replaced by a new 1,500 hp (1,100 kW) EuroPowerPack with a transversely mounted MTU MT883 diesel engine coupled to Renk HSWL 295TM automatic transmission. The increase in both vehicle performance and durability is significant. The smaller volume but more powerful Europowerpack power pack additionally incorporates as standard a cooling system and air-intake filtration system proved in desert use. The free space in the hull is available for ammunition stowage or for fuel, increasing the vehicle's range to 550 km (340 mi). This power pack was previously installed on the French Leclerc tanks delivered to the UAE as well as the recovery tank version of the Leclerc in service with the French Army. Further developed versions of the Europowerpack have more recently been installed in the latest serial produced Korean K2 Black Panther tank as well as the new Turkish ALTAY tank. BAES announced in 2005 that development and export marketing of 2E would stop. This has been linked by the media to the failure of the 2E to be selected for the Hellenic Army in 2002, a competition won by the Leopard 2

CRARRV The Challenger Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV) is an armored recovery vehicle based on the Challenger 1 hull (with the updated Challenger 2 powertrain) and designed to repair and recover damaged tanks on the battlefield. It has five seats but usually carries a crew of three soldiers from the Royal Electrical And Mechanical Engineers (REME), of the recovery mechanic and vehicle mechanic/technician trades. There is room in the cabin for two further passengers (e.g. crew members of the casualty vehicle) on a temporary basis. The size and performance are similar to the MBT, but instead of armament it is fitted with: A main winch with 50 tones-force pull in a 1:1 configuration or 98 tones-force pull using an included pulley in a 2:1 configuration and anchor point on the vehicle, plus a small auxiliary winch to aid in deploying the main winch rope. Atlas crane capable of lifting 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) at a distance of 4.9 m (16 ft) (this is sufficient to lift a Challenger 2 power pack). In order to improve flexibility and supplement the transportation of power packs around the battlefield, the British Army procured a quantity of dedicated CRARRV High Mobility Trailers (CRARRV HMT). Each CRARRV HMT enables a CRARRV to transport a single (Challenger, Titan or Trojan) power pack or two Warrior power packs, by altering the configuration of dedicated fixtures and attachment of fittings. Dozer blade to use as an earth anchor/stabilizer, or in obstacle clearance and fire position preparation. Large set of recovery and heavy repair tools including a man-portable ultrathermic cutting system with an underwater cutting capability and a man-portable welder. The design prototype is on display at The REME Museum at MoD Lyneham, Wiltshire.

System

Alternative Designation Challenger 2, FV4034, CR2 and the retrospective designation CR2 Mk1

Type Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Manufacturer Alvis plc, BAE Systems Land & Armaments

Status 1993-2002

Family 3rd Generation Main Battle Tank (MBT)

Crew 4 (commander, gunner, loader/operator, driver)

Passenger Capacity INA

Maximum Effective Range (Road) 500 km

Note The Challenger 2 main battle tank was developed as a private venture to replace the previous Chieftain MBT in service with British Army.

Dimensions

Length (Hull) 8.33 m

Length (With Gun Forward) 11.55 m

Width (Normal) 3.5 m

Width (With Applique Armor) 4.2 m

Height 2.5 m

Weight, Combat 62.5 tons

Ground Pressure 0.97 kg/m

Automotive

Engine Name Perkins CV12 TCA Diesel

Engine Type Diesel

Engine Power 1,200 hp

Speed, Maximum Road 59 km/h

Cruising Range 50 km/h

Speed, Maximum Off Road 40 km/h

Speed Maximum Swim Not Amphibious

Gradient 60 %

Side Slope 30 %

Vertical Step 0.9 m

Trench 2.34 m

Fording Depth 1.07 m

Suspension Hydropneumatic suspension

Main Gun

System

Name L30A1 (LFF) Challenger Main Armament or CHARM 120 mm Rifled Gun

Type 120 mm

Manufacturer Royal Ordnance Factory

Barrel Length 6.6 m

Barrel Material Electroslag refined (ESR) steel.

Max Rate of Fire 10 rds/min

Reload Time (1 Round) 6 seconds

Barrel Life 400 effective full charges

Breach Mechanism Split sliding-block breech

Maximum Effective Range 3,000 m

Range Finder Type Laser

Loader Type Manual, with two-piece ammunition comprising a fully combustible bag charge and projectile.

Maximum Elevation -10 deg

Minimum Elevation +20 deg

Fire on the Move Yes

Thermal Jacket Yes

Muzzle Reference System Yes

Central Bore Evacuator Yes

Barrel Lining Chrome, which extends the life of the barrel

Fume Extractor Yes

Breach Machanism split-block sliding breech, with an elastomeric obturating pad made necessary by the combustible case charges.

Note 1 The Challenger 2 gun claims the longest-distance tank kill in history. During Gulf War it defeated an Iraqi tank at a range of 4 km.

Note 2 The Challenger 2 is one of the few MBTs in the world to carry a 120 mm rifled main gun.

Ammunition (Option 1)

Type Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) L23

Caliber 120 mm

Muzzle Velocity 1,534 m/s

Diameter 120 mm

Height 500 mm

Armor Penetration INA

Effective Range 3,000 m

Penetrator Monobloc tungsten alloy rod

Case Charge L8 combustible case charge

Basic Load 50 total rounds of any combination of 120mm Projectiles

Note Average Projectile Load would consists of the following: 33 L26 APFSDS rounds, 13 L31A7 HESH, and 3 white L34 phosphorous smoke rounds.

Ammunition (Option 2)

Type APFSDS L26 (CHARM 1)

Caliber 120 mm

Muzzle Velocity INA

Effective Range 2,100 m

Penetrator Monobloc tungsten nickel copper long rod

Case Charge L14A1 or L14A2

Basic Load 50 total rounds of any combination of 120mm Projectiles

Variant APFSDS L27A1 (CHARM 3).

Ammunition (Option 3)

Type HESH L31

Caliber 120

Muzzle Velocity 670 m/s

Effective Range 2,000 m

Basic Load 50 total rounds of any combination of 120mm Projectiles

Coaxial Weapon System

System

Name 1 x L94A1, Hughes EX-34 7.62mm Chain Gun

Type 7.62mm Chain Gun mm

Manufacturer Heckler & Koch

Produced 1980 to early 1990s, 1996-1998

Max Rate of Fire 500-600 rds/min

Range Finder Type INA

Weight 17.86 kg

Length (Total) 1.25 m

Length (Barrel) 703 mm

Action Electrically driven

Feed System disintegrating link belt

Variants EX-31, L95A1 (short barreled version)

Ammunition

Type Chain Gun Ammunition

Caliber 7.62 mm

Cartridge 7.62×51mm NATO (linked)

Muzzle Velocity 862 m/s

Basic Load INA

Effective Range 200-3,000 m

Armor Penetration No, Low penetration makes it ineffective against armor

Loader's Weapon System (Operator/Loader's hatch)

System

Name L37A2 Machine Gun

Type 7.62 mm

In Service 1963-present

Length (Overall) 1,232 mm

Length (Barrel) 630 mm

Weight 10.90 kg

Action Gas-Operated

Max Rate of Fire 750 rds/min

Effective Range 800 m

Range Finder Type INA

Ammunition

Type Rifle

Caliber 7.62 mm

Cartridge 7.62x51mm NATO

Muzzle Velocity 840 m/s

Effective Range 800 m

Armor Penetration No

Basic Load INA

Fire Control

Name Mk5, IFCS Mk 11/12

Computerized FCS Yes

Thermal Sight Tank Commander SAGEM VS 580-10 gyro stabilised sight

Thermal Sight Gunner Yes, Thales Gunner's Primary Sight

Main Gun Stabilization Yes, 2-plane

Range Finder Laser

Infrared Searchlight

Battle Management System Yes, similar to that used in the M1A1 Abrams Tank

Gun Control Equipment (GCE) MIL-STD-1553 databus

Protection

Hull Armor Chobham / Dorchester Level 2 (classified)

Turret Armor Chobham / Dorchester Level 2 (classified)

Applique Armor Available, The sides of the vehicle are protected by short armoured skirts, which stretch the full length of the vehicle.

Explosive Reactive Armor Available

Active Protection System Yes, Dorchester level 2 armour

Mine Clearing Plow Variant

Self-Entrenching Blade Yes, Pearson Engineering Combat Dozer Blade

NBC Protection Yes, MDH Defence Vehicle NBC filtration system

Smoke Equipment Yes, VIRSSS (Visual and Infra-Red Smoke Screening System).

IR Signature INA

Automatic Fire Suppression Systems Yes

Meteorological Sensor Available

Note It is one of the most protected tanks in the world. This main battle tank provides a very high level of protection against direct fire weapons.

Image Sources

Notes https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-significance-of-the-inverted-V-on-the-side-corners-of-US-tanks; https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/01/09/696027/British-government-tanks-Challenger-western-arms-conflict-; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Challenger_2;