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Challenger 2 (FV4034)

1998 MODERN

Challenger 2 (FV4034) History

The Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (MBT) represents the current standard tracked fighting vehicle of the British Army. The type represented the pinnacle of British armour development as it perfectly combined mobility, firepower and armour protection - key qualities of any modern combat machine.

To understand its development, however, one must understand its deep pedigree, which dates back to the introduction of their Centurion main battle tank by the British at the end of World War II (described in detail elsewhere on this site). This new tank, developed during the war, came too late to see combat action in the conflict, but became an integral part of the world of the Cold War (1947-1991), with postwar success both domestically and through foreign sales - from Active in many positions from 1945 to 1990s.

For the British Army, their classic Centurion is finally starting to show its age (and its limitations on the battlefield), so the new MBT is in order. A new tank developed in 1966 was the equally excellent Chieftain MBT (details elsewhere on this page), which introduced the more powerful L11A5 series 120mm rifled main gun. Later in its life, the Sheikh was upgraded to better and foreign interest increased, especially in Iran, where it procured about 700 examples for its armored forces.

The demand for a new MBT was then developed under the name "Shir 2", while an improved Chieftain form was offered as "Shir 1" during the transition. However, the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran cancelled the expected order, so the Shir 1 stock was moved to Jordan and operated there as "Khalid". However, the Shir 2 was then selected for further development by the British Army and became the state-of-the-art "Challenger" MBT following the Anglo-German MBT initiative and the "MBT-80" tank program (see details elsewhere on this site). fail. The Challenger introduced the revolutionary Chobham composite armor protection system, while retaining the powerful 120mm main gun as its main asset.

The tank replaced the Chieftain in service with the British Army, which led to the latter's retirement in 1995.

The Challenger was at the forefront from 1983 until the mid-1990s, eventually delivering 420 prototypes. Used in the ground battle of the Iraqi Gulf War in 1991 with excellent results (reportedly destroyed 300 enemy armored vehicles with no casualties). However, the Challenger series still had room for improvement (especially in terms of its slow rate of fire and fire control system equipment and software), so modifications from the 1980s led to an entirely new main battle tank - named "" Challenger 2", resulting in the original Challenger series being renamed "Challenger 1".

The Challenger 2 entered service in June 1998, with a total of 446 units delivered. Originally intended to complement the Challenger 1 series on the new digital battlefield, it was officially decided to replace the old stock with a newer generation of tanks.

Although the Challenger 2 was developed from the Challenger 1, it was a heavily modified version of the earlier tank, and all of this work was somehow related to the WW2-era Centurion. The overall design configuration is consistent with the original Challenger, with the driver centered in the front, the turret centered on the fuselage, and the rear engine. The running gear consists of six twin-tire wheels on one side of the track, with a drive sprocket at the rear and a chain idler at the front.

The glacis slabs slope well, as does the front panel of the tower. The landing gear and the upper part of the fuselage were protected by thin skirts. The Challenger 2 maintains a flat hull and turret, giving it an excellent low profile. The tank consists of four people, with the driver in the car and the commander, loader and gunner in the turret. The Challenger 2 features a completely new turret design and retains the Chobham armor (albeit an evolved form of the original) and 120mm main gun (rifled).

Only Challenger 1, Challenger 2, and American M1 Abrams are known users of the highly mysterious Chobham armor formula. Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA) blocks can also be added for added protection, but at the cost of added weight. Comes standard with a Nuclear Biochemical (NBC) protection system.

A new high pressure 120mm gun was developed for Challenger 2, designated L30A1. To address the shortcomings of the original Challenger 1's FCS, a more technologically sophisticated and advanced digital FCS has been added to the Challenger 2 series. The main gun is stabilized on both axes, allowing for precise long-range fire and firing while moving, equally deadly.

The Challenger 2 can use its main gun to engage multiple targets from a distance with good effect, as both the gunner and commander receive individually stabilized optical/thermal sights as well as an advanced aiming system. Ergonomics are also incorporated throughout the interior, creating a relatively healthy work environment for the four crew members.

By default, a 7.62mm L94A1 machine gun is mounted on a coaxial mount next to the main gun (both guns are operated by the gunner). The commander's cupola is armed with a 7.62mm L37A2 machine gun for attacking infantry and low-flying aerial threats. The main shell can store 52x120mm ammunition, including High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) and Armor Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarded (APFSDS) ammunition.

Smoke grenades are also available. Also carries 4,200 x 7.62mm machine gun ammunition. The Challenger 2 crew also manages 10 electric smoke grenade launchers, which are mounted as two groups of five on each front side turret plate.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service

1998

Origins

Status

Active.

Crew

Production

446

Manufacturer

Vickers Defense Systems / Alvis Vickers Ltd / BAe Systems Land Systems - UK

Operator

Oman; Poland; United Kingdom

Roles

Main Battle Tank (MBT)

The primary armored ground combat unit of the modern army, utilizing speed, protection, and/or firepower to lead armored attacks.

Frontline Assets

Frontline troops used for direct engagement in forward operations against enemy positions/targets.

Tanks vs. Tanks

Fight with armored vehicles of similar form and function.

Notable Features

Crawler layout

The vehicle uses a track wheel arrangement to provide improved off-road capability.

Main Tower

This vehicle is of modern tank quality and its main armament is housed in a turret.

Drive-through owner weapon

The weapon is located in the traversing module, which can strike the enemy threat in all directions.

Increased recoil

The main gun has an integrated recoil mechanism that allows the system to remain in training after firing at the target.

Shoot anytime, anywhere

Airborne systems of modern quality ensure the accuracy of the main weapon and allow firing on the move.

Cross-country skiing

The design includes features like a chain linkage system or high ground clearance for better traversing of terrain.

horn armor

Angled armor on critical faces adds inherent ballistic protection to the vehicle.

Improved armor protection

Increased protection by installing additional armor on top of the standard grade; old-design steel plates and modern types of reactive armor.

Panzerrock

Additional protection of the upper track area and running wheels is achieved by additional armored skirts along the sides of the hull.

ABC Protection

Crew are protected (standard or optional) by nuclear biological and chemical agents to improve survivability in contaminated areas.

Smoke shield

The vehicle itself can create a smoke screen either through fired projectiles or built-in engine function (raw fuel injection).

Night Vision

Night vision equipment is available to the crew to allow operation in low light conditions or at night.

Available for air defense/air defense

The system will receive an air defense component to protect itself from low-flying threats from afar.

Anti-Infantry

Vehicles have built-in anti-infantry capabilities for local vehicle defense or general troop suppression.

Versatility

The vehicle's proven chassis and overall configuration are ideal for other battlefield roles through special design.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

37.9 feet

11.55m

width

11.5 feet

3.52m

Height

8. 2 feet

2.49m

Weight

137,789 lbs

62,500 kg

Tonnage

68.9 tons

Power and Performance

Engine:

1 x Perkins Engines Condor CV12 12-cylinder diesel engine producing 1,200 hp at 2,300 rpm, driving a conventional sprocket arrangement.

Transfer:

David Brown TN54E planet with six forward speeds and two reverse speeds.

Speed

36.7 km/h

(59.0 km/h)

Area

279. 6 miles

(450.0 km)

Weapons

1 x 120mm L30 CHARM main gun (CHhallenger main weapon) in the turret. 1 x 7.62mm coaxial machine gun in the turret. 1 x 7.62mm anti-aircraft (AA) machine gun on top of turret. There are 2 x 5 smoke grenade launchers on the turret.

AMMOTION

52 x 120mm APFSDS, HESH or smoke bomb. 4,000 x 7.62mm ammunition. 10 x Smoke Grenade.

VARIANTS

Challenger 2 The name of the base model series. Challenger 2E - Export model with improved cooling system; 1,500 hp engine; since cancelled. Challenger 2 Trainer - Driver's trainer. Challenger 2 TITAN - Bridge Tier Vehicle. Challenger 2 TROJAN - Battlefield engineering vehicle.

Challenger 3 - 2021 model; Life EXTension (LEX) program change standard.

Overall Rating

firepower

Performance

survivability

Versatility

Impact

Scores are derived from various categories related to this entry's impact on the design, overall functionality, and history of the service.

Overall Rating

Overall score takes into account

30 individual factors

to this entry.