| Challenger 3 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Main battle tank |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | from 2027 |
| Used by | British Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land |
| Produced | 2027–2030 (projected) |
| No. built | ≈ 148 (Projected) |
| Specifications | |
|
| |
Main armament | Rheinmetall L55A1 120mm smoothbore gun[1] |
Challenger 3 (CR3) is a planned third generation[citation needed] British main battle tank in development for the British Army. It will be produced by conversion of existing Challenger 2 tanks by the British/German Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land joint venture.
Improvements to Challenger 2 began in 2005 as the Capability And Sustainment Program (CSP) to keep the Challenger 2 competitive until the 2030s. Lack of funding[2] meant that it wasn't until 2014 that the program was formally reorganised into the "Challenger 2 Life Extension Program" (LEP). In response to the LEP program, two prototypes were submitted for evaluation; one from BAE Systems in 2018[3] and the other from Rheinmetall in 2019.[4] Later that year BAE and Rheinmetall merged their British operations into Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), effectively leaving Rheinmetall's proposal the only option available without replacing the Challenger 2 fleet with non-indigenous models.[5]
The Challenger 3 has an all-new turret with an improved hull. The most significant change from Challenger 2 to Challenger 3 is the replacement of the Challenger's main armament from a 120mm L30A1 Rifled main gun to the 120mm L55A1[6] smoothbore gun (which itself is an upgraded version of the L55 fitted to the Leopard 2A6/A7 family of main battle tanks[7]) giving commonality with other NATO members.
History[]
The Challenger 3 will be the fourth tank of this name, the first being the Second World War Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger, which was developed from the Cromwell tank chassis and armed with a QF 17-pounder gun. The second was the Gulf War-era Challenger 1, which was the British army's main battle tank (MBT) from the early 1980s to the mid-1990s when it was succeeded by the Challenger 2 which saw action following the Iraq War in 2003.
"Megatron", the British TES reference vehicle, at Bovington fitted with a Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) in 2016
In 2005, the MOD recognised a need for a Capability Sustainment Programme (CSP) to extend the service life of the Challenger 2 into the mid-2030s and upgrade its mobility, lethality and survivability.[8] The CSP was planned to be complete by 2020 and was to combine all the upgrades from CLIP[Clarification needed], including the fitting of a 120 mm smoothbore gun.[9][10] By 2014, the CSP programme had been replaced by the Life Extension Programme (LEP) which shared a similar scope of replacing obsolete components and extending the tank's service life from 2025 to 2035, however the 120 mm smoothbore gun had seemingly been abandoned.[11][12][13]
In 2015, the British Army provided an insight into the scope of the LEP, dividing it into four key areas, namely:[14]
- Surveillance and Target Acquisition: Upgrades to the commander's primary sight and gunner's primary sight, as well as the replacement of the thermal observation and gunnery sights (TOGS) with third-generation thermal imaging.
- Weapon Control System: Upgrades to the fire control computer, fire control panel and gun processing unit.
- Mobility: Upgrades including third-generation hydrogas suspension, improved air filtration, CV-12 common rail fuel injection, transmission and cooling.
- Electronic Architecture: Upgrades to the gunner's control handles, video distribution architecture, generic vehicle architecture compliant interfaces, increased on-board processing and improved human machine interface.
The MOD also began assessing active protection systems (APS) on the Challenger 2, including MUSS and Rheinmetall's ROSY Rapid Obscurant System.[15][16][17]
In August 2016, the MOD awarded assessment phase contracts to several companies for the Life Extension Programme. These included Team Challenger 2 (a consortium led by BAE Systems and including General Dynamics UK),[18] CMI Defence and Ricardo plc, Rheinmetall and Lockheed Martin UK.[19][20] In November, the MOD shortlisted two teams led by BAE Systems and Rheinmetall to compete for the LEP which was then estimated to be worth £650 million ($802 million).[21][22][23]
In October 2018, BAE Systems unveiled its proposed Challenger 2 LEP technology demonstrator, the "Black Night".[24] The new improvements included a Safran PASEO commander’s sight, Leonardo thermal imager for the gunner and Leonardo DNVS 4 night sight.[citation needed] The turret also received modifications to improve the speed of traverse and to provide greater space as well as regenerative braking to generate and store power. Other enhancements included a laser warning system and an active protection system.[24] In January 2019, Rheinmetall unveiled its proposal which included the development of a completely new turret with fully digital electronic architecture, day and night sights for the commander and gunner, and a Rheinmetall L55 120 mm smoothbore gun. Whilst a more substantial upgrade than Black Night, the turret was developed on Rheinmetall's initiative and was not funded by the UK MOD, nor was it part of the MOD's LEP requirements.[25]
In June 2019, BAE Systems and Rheinmetall formed a joint venture company, based in the UK, named Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL).[26] Despite the merger, the company was still expected to present two separate proposals for the LEP contract,[citation needed].[27] At DSEI 2019, RBSL first showed the 120mm proposal.[28]
In July 2020, Rheinmetall Defence showed a testbed vehicle on the Challenger 2 chassis, with a brand new turret, autoloading system and a powerful 130mm smoothbore gun, the Rheinmetall Rh-130 L/51.[29]
In October 2020, the MOD argued against buying a new main battle tank from overseas instead of pursuing the Challenger 2 LEP, stating that an upgraded Challenger 2 would "be comparable—and in certain areas superior—to Leopard 2 or M1 Abrams".[30]
On 22 March 2021, the MOD published the command paper, Defence in a Competitive Age, which confirmed the British Army's plans to upgrade 148 Challenger 2 tanks and designate them Challenger 3.[31][page needed][32][page needed] The MOD confirmed the contract with RBSL had been signed, valued at £800 million (USD$1 billion), on 7 May 2021. Rheinmetall's more extensive upgrade proposal, including the new 120 mm smoothbore gun, had been accepted. The initial operating capability for the upgraded tanks is expected by 2027, with full operation capability expected to be declared by 2030.[33]
See also[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Lye, Harry (7 May 2021). "UK MOD signs Challenger 3 contract with RBSL". https://www.army-technology.com/news/challenger-3-signed/.
- ↑ "Challenger 2 Life Extension Project – Interim". 21 November 2015. https://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2015/11/challenger-2-interim-life-extension-project/.
- ↑ "DVD 2018: BAE Systems displays Challenger 2 LEP nicknamed Black Night". 21 September 2018. https://www.armyrecognition.com/dvd_2018_show_daily_news_coverage/dvd_2018_bae_systems_displays_challenger_2_lep_nicknamed_black_knight.html.
- ↑ "IAV 2019: Rheinmetall unveils proposal for Challenger 2 LEP". https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/iav-2019-rheinmetall-unveils-proposal-for-challenger-2-lep.
- ↑ Allison, George (14 January 2020). "Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme decision due late 2020". UK Defence Journal. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/challenger-2-life-extension-programme-decision-due-late-2020/.
- ↑ "Rheinmetall Defence - Latest news Rheinmetall modernizing the UK's main battle tank Challenger 2 fleet". https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/public_relations/news/latest_news/index_27584.php.
- ↑ "Large Calibre Weapons and Ammunition". https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/weapons_and_ammunition/direct_fire/large_calibre/index.php.
- ↑ Defence Industrial Strategy: Defence White Paper. London: The Stationery Office. 2005. p. 79. ISBN 0101669720. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/272203/6697.pdf. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ↑ The King's Royal Hussars: Regimental Journal 2007. https://www.krh.org.uk/uploads/4/5/0/9/45090939/krh_2007.pdf. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ↑ Case Studies in Defence Procurement and Logistics. 2014. p. 236. https://research-repository.griffith.edu.au/bitstream/handle/10072/63083/97211_1.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
- ↑ "DVD 2014: UK Challenger 2 LEP numbers may drop". Janes.com. http://www.janes.com/article/40057/dvd-2014-uk-challenger-2-lep-numbers-may-drop.
- ↑ "Dynamic Security Threats and the British Army - Presentation to RUSI by Sir Nick Carter CGS of the British Army". https://rusi.org/event/dynamic-security-threats-and-british-army.
- ↑ "The Defence Equipment Plan 2017". UK Government. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/677999/20180125-EP17_Final.pdf.
- ↑ "RTR December 2015 Newsletter". http://www.royaltankregiment.com/Uploads/Files/en-GB/RAC_Newsletter_Dec_2015.PDF.
- ↑ "Armour MBT 2025 programme: SRO appointment letter". UK Ministry of Defence. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/543458/20160801-Letter_to_Maj_Gen_Gaunt_from_CGS.pdf.
- ↑ "Active Protection for our Armed Forces". DSTL / UK Government. 5 July 2016. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/active-protection-for-our-armed-forces.
- ↑ "Challenger 2 trialled with ROSY, Iron Fist APS". Jane's International Defence Review. 16 November 2017. http://www.janes.com/article/75743/challenger-2-trialled-with-rosy-iron-fist-aps.
- ↑ "BAE Systems' Team Challenger® 2 awarded Assessment Phase for Life Extension Project". 22 December 2016. https://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/article/bae-systems--team-challenger--2-awarded-assessment-phase-for-life-extension-project.
- ↑ "UK Announces Life Extension Project". Battlespace. 22 August 2016. https://battle-updates.com/uk-mod-announces-challenger-2-life-extension-projectlep-by-julian-nettlefold/.
- ↑ "Several contenders line up for Challenger 2 life extension programme". IHS Jane's. 11 August 2016. https://janes.ihs.com/Janes/Display/1761650.
- ↑ Chute, Andrew (2 November 2016). "Field Narrows for UK Battle Tank Modernization". Defense News. http://www.defensenews.com/articles/field-narrows-for-uk-battle-tank-modernization.
- ↑ "Challenger 2 LEP contracts due in December". IHS Jane's. 14 November 2016. https://janes.ihs.com/Janes/Display/1788580.
- ↑ "MOD awards £46M to start Challenger 2 Tank life extension project competition". gov.uk. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mod-awards-46m-to-start-challenger-2-tank-life-extension-project-competition.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Allison, George (8 October 2018). "BAE unveils 'Black Night' – the first fully-upgraded Challenger 2 tank". UK Defence Journal. https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/bae-unveils-black-knight-the-first-fully-upgraded-challenger-2-tank/.
- ↑ "IAV 2019: Rheinmetall unveils proposal for Challenger 2 LEP". Jane's JDW. https://janes.ihs.com/Janes/Display/FG_1520905-JDW.
- ↑ Sprenger, Sebastian; Chuter, Andrew (21 January 2019). "Rheinmetall, BAE Systems launch joint venture for military vehicles". Defense News. https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/01/21/rheinmetall-bae-systems-launch-joint-venture-for-military-vehicles/.
- ↑ "Challenger 2 Upgrade Decision Will Not Be Made Until 2021". Forces News. 1 July 2019. https://www.forces.net/news/technology/challenger-2-upgrade-decision-will-not-be-made-until-2021.
- ↑ Cazalet, Mark (12 September 2019). "DSEI 2019: RBSL's Challenger 2 LEP contender comes out in the open". Defence News. https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/dsei-2019-rbsls-challenger-2-lep-contender-comes-out-in-the-open.
- ↑ "Rheinmetall – MBT 130 mm Gun" (in en). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Sa_q-Lz6g.
- ↑ "Written evidence submitted by the Ministry of Defence HCDC Inquiry: Progress in delivering the British Army's armoured vehicle". UK Parliament. 6 October 2020. https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/12523/pdf/. "The Challenger 2 Life Extension Project will be the first significant upgrade since it entered service in 1998...it will be comparable..in certain areas superior – to the latest version of Leopard 2 and Abrams."
- ↑ Defence in a Competitive Age. Ministry of Defence. March 2021. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-5286-2462-6. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/971859/_CP_411__-_Defence_in_a_competitive_age.pdf. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
- ↑ "Future Soldier: Transforming the British Army". 22 March 2021. https://www.army.mod.uk/media/11826/20210322-army-future_soldier-publication-final.pdf.
- ↑ "Britain awards $1 billion contract to upgrade Challenger 2 tanks". Defense News. 7 May 2021. https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/05/07/britain-awards-1-billion-contract-to-upgrade-challenger-2-tanks/.
References[]
- "British Army to get 148 Challenger 3 tanks in £800m deal". BBC. London. 7 May 2021. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-57025266.
- "Major order from Her Majesty's Armed Forces". Rheinmetall. 10 May 2021. https://www.rheinmetall.com/en/rheinmetall_ag/press/news/latest_news/index_24768.php.
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The original article can be found at Challenger 3 and the edit history here.