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Challenger 3 MBT


 

Challenger 3 MBT

Main Battle Tank RBSL - United Kingdom

 
Challenger 3 MBT Main Battle Tank RBSL United Kingdom 925 001

Description

The Challenger 3 is a new British Main Battle Tank (MBT) developed and designed by the company Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), a joint venture between the United Kingdom’s BAE Systems and Germany's Rheinmetall AG for military vehicle design, manufacture, and support. It is a modernized version of the British Challenger 2. The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) initiated the Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme (LEP) to address the need for upgrading and extending the service life of the Challenger 2 tank, which had been in service since the late 1990s. The Challenger 3 features several advanced upgrades and improvements, making it a formidable platform on the modern battlefield. In May 2021, the British MoD (Ministry of Defense) announced an order for 148 Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) as part of an £800 million contract with RBSL. The Challenger 3 will offer more mobility, protection, and firepower. 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 smoothbore gun. The first Challenger 3 is planned to enter into service with the British army by 2030. The Challenger 3 MBT is expected to serve as the backbone of the British Army's armored forces in the coming decades, replacing the aging Challenger 2 tanks fleet. On January 18, 2024, British Company Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) revealed the signing of a pivotal contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to equip the Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank with a new, advanced modular armor system. This significant development, born from the collaboration between Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) experts and RBSL, promises to enhance the survivability of the Challenger 3 against formidable threats on the battlefield. On January 23, 2024, RBSL announced the delivery of the first pre-production Challenger 3 tank to the British Army for trials.

- No variants at this time.


Technical Data

Armament
Main Armament:  Challenger 3 MBT is armed with a 120mm L55A1 cannon
Ammunition:  Armor-piercing discarding sabot (APDS), DM33, DM43, DM53 kinetic energy penetrator, DM63
Second Armament:  One coaxial 7.62mm L8A2 machine gun is mounted to the left of the main armament, a 7.62 mm L37A2 machine gun can be mounted at the commander's cupola.
Ammunition:  7.62x51mm NATO
Missile:  No 
Other:  Two blocks of five 66 mm smoke grenade dischargers. One block is mounted on each side at the front of the turret.
Protection
Crew:  4 including commander, gunner, loader, and driver.
Standard Armor:  The turret and hull incorporate second-generation Chobham armor over the frontal arc for increased battlefield survivability.
Add-On Armor:  New modular armor
Passive Armor:  NA
Active Armor:  NA
Active Protection System:  Trophy active protection system can be integrated on the tank
Challenger 3 MBT Main Battle Tank RBSL United Kingdom details 925 003
The Challenger 3 MBT is fitted with improved armor and Trophy APS Active Protection System
Mobility
Engine:  Challenger 3 is fitted with a new improved engine
Transmission:  New transmission, at this time no information about the type
Suspension:  3rd generation of Hydrogas suspension, six double tires, road wheels, drive sprocket at the rear and track idler at the front
Speed:  96 km/h (The Sun source)
Cruising Range:  500 km
Crossing Capacity:  Gradient: 60% - Side Slope: 30% - Vertical step: 0.9 m - Trench: 2.3 m
Fording:  1 m
Combat Equipment
Fire Control: The Challenger 3 MBT features an upgraded fire control system that offers superior accuracy and targeting capabilities, allowing for faster target acquisition and engagement.
Laser Rage Finder:  YES
Night Visions Systems  YES 
Day Vision Systems  YES
NBC Protection System  YES
Radio Systems:  YES
Challenger 3 MBT Main Battle Tank RBSL United Kingdom details 925 002
Close view of gunner and commander sights

Specifications

 Type  Crew
 Main Battle Tank  4
 Service Since  Number in service
 Planned for 2030  148
 Weapons Traverse  Weapons Elevation
 360°  - 9° to + 20°
 Dimensions  Weight
 Length: 11.5 m; Width: 3.5 m; Height: 2.5 m  66,000 kg
 Country producer  Countries user
 United Kingdom  United Kingdom

Details View

Challenger 3 MBT Main Battle Tank RBSL United Kingdom line drawing 925 001
   
 Challenger 3 MBT Main Battle Tank RBSL United Kingdom front view 001  Challenger 3 MBT Main Battle Tank RBSL United Kingdom rear view 001
   
Challenger 3 MBT Main Battle Tank RBSL United Kingdom left side view 001 Challenger 3 MBT Main Battle Tank RBSL United Kingdom left side view 001

Pictures - Video

 

 


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