Challenger 2
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| Challenger 2 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Challenger 2 |
| Caption | A Challenger 2 of the British Army. |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Service | 1998–present |
| Used by | British Army, Royal Army of Oman |
| Designer | Vickers Defence Systems |
| Manufacturer | Vickers Defence Systems (now BAE Systems Land & Armaments) |
| Number | ~447 |
| Variants | See text |
| Weight | 62.5 tonnes (68.9 short tons) |
| Length | 8.3 m (27 ft 3 in) |
| Width | 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) |
| Height | 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Crew | 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver) |
| Armour | Second-generation Chobham/Dorchester |
| Primary armament | L30A1 120 mm rifled gun |
| Secondary armament | 7.62 mm L94A1 coaxial chain gun, 7.62 mm L37A2 commander's machine gun |
| Engine | Perkins CV12-6A V12 diesel |
| Engine power | 1,200 bhp (895 kW) |
| Pw ratio | 19.2 hp/tonne |
| Transmission | David Brown Defence TN54 epicyclic transmission |
| Suspension | Hydropneumatic suspension |
| Fuel capacity | 1,592 litres |
| Vehicle range | 550 km (340 mi) on road |
| Speed | 59 km/h (37 mph) on road |
Challenger 2. It is a third-generation main battle tank designed and built in the United Kingdom by Vickers Defence Systems, now part of BAE Systems Land & Armaments. Entering service with the British Army in 1998, it was intended as a comprehensive replacement for the earlier Challenger 1. The tank is renowned for its formidable protection, centered on its second-generation Chobham armour, and its exceptional performance during combat operations in the Iraq War.
Development and design
The development program was launched in 1986 as a private venture by Vickers Defence Systems, following the success of its predecessor during the Gulf War. The Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) selected the design in 1991 after competitive trials against the improved Challenger 1 and the American M1 Abrams. Key design goals included achieving a high level of survivability and maintaining the use of a rifled main armament. The resulting vehicle, while bearing a familial resemblance, shared less than 5% of its components with the earlier model, featuring a new Hunting Engineering-designed turret and a more powerful Perkins Engines powerpack. The primary weapon is the unique L30A1 120 mm rifled gun, capable of firing a range of ammunition including armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding-sabot and high explosive squash head rounds.
Operational history
The tank entered operational service with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in 1998. Its most significant combat deployment began in 2003 during the Iraq War, where it served extensively in southern Iraq, notably during the Battle of Basra (2003) and subsequent security operations. The design demonstrated legendary resilience; in one notable incident during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, a single vehicle survived direct hits from multiple RPG-7s and a Milan (missile) with no crew casualties. Throughout the British involvement in the Iraq War, no tanks were lost to enemy fire, though one was destroyed in a friendly fire incident involving another Challenger 2. It has also been deployed on peacekeeping duties in the Balkans and, more recently, as part of the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia.
Variants and upgrades
Several key variants and upgrade programs have been developed to extend its service life. The Titan armoured vehicle-launched bridge and the Trojan combat engineering vehicle are specialized derivatives sharing the same chassis. The most significant modernization effort is the Challenger 3 program, a comprehensive upgrade involving a new Rheinmetall L55A1 120 mm smoothbore gun, a completely new turret, and enhanced digital systems. Prior to this, the Challenger 2 Life Extension Project (LEP) and the earlier Theatre Entry Standard (TES) packages added improved armour modules, including Dorchester blocks, and updated battlefield management systems. A dedicated driver training variant is also in service.
Operators
The primary operator is the British Army, with the fleet managed by the Royal Tank Regiment and several other armoured regiments. The only export customer is the Royal Army of Oman, which ordered 38 vehicles in the 1990s; these were delivered and remain in service. All British tanks are slated to be upgraded to the new Challenger 3 standard, with the upgraded vehicles to be operated by the newly formed Union Division under the British Army's future restructuring plans outlined in the Future Soldier reform programme.
Specifications
The vehicle has a combat weight of approximately 62.5 tonnes and is operated by a crew of four. Its powerplant is a Perkins Engines CV12-6A 12-cylinder diesel engine, producing 1,200 brake horsepower, coupled to a David Brown TN54 transmission, giving a top road speed of 59 km/h. The suspension system is of the hydropneumatic type, providing improved cross-country mobility. Standard communications and targeting systems have included the Bowman digital radio system and the Thales thermal observation and gunnery sight. The secondary armament suite consists of a 7.62 mm L94A1 coaxial chain gun and a 7.62 mm L37A2 machine gun mounted at the commander's station.
Category:Main battle tanks of the United Kingdom Category:Cold War tanks of the United Kingdom Category:Vickers