Resilience and the evolving threat from CBRN weapons

CHALLENGER 3

Major Andy Pilsworth

Tank crews have a lot to look forward too, as Challenger 3 will focus its effort on lethality, survivability, mobility and obsolescence. Most notably, Challenger 3 will have a brand new, fully digitised, welded turret. The L30 Rifled Tank Gun will be replaced with the L55A1 Smoothbore Gun (which is fitted to Leopard 2 A7V) and will be capable of firing current and next generation multi-purpose and kinetic energy ammunition from NATO and the US. To compliment the gun, new sights will be fitted, which will enable day and night Hunter Killer, as the Commander will have an independent thermal. These sights will allow the crew to detect, recognise and identify at greater ranges, with improved accuracy. To protect the crew, Challenger 3 will be fitted with a modular armour scheme designed by Dstl, capable of defeating the most demanding threats. To address the threat from Anti-Tank Guided Weapons, Challenger 3 has the option to be fitted with an Active Protection System. Challenger 3 will retain the existing hull but to enhance mobility, the Heavy Armoured Automotive Improvement Project will deliver the following across the Challenger family (including CRARRV, TITAN and TROJAN): third generation Hydrogas, electric cold start, high efficiency cooling fans, improved efficiency radiators, electric cold start, improved reliability of steering units and the power pack will be upgraded from 6A to the 9A build standard.

It was the news that we had all been waiting for and on 7 May 21 it arrived. A contract with Rheinmetall BAE Systems to deliver 148 Challenger 3 had been signed. This announcement not only confirms that the RTR will have a platform to operate on until 2040 but hushes all those who claimed that the “tank was dead”.

The step change from Challenger 2 to Challenger 3 will be significant and it will mark the heaviest investment in the Armoured Capability since Challenger 2 entered service in 1998. This investment is critical, as Challenger 2 is now under Obsolescence Management until it goes out of service in 2025.

Obsolescence throughout the platform will also be addressed with all obsolete parts replaced, thus ensuring that Challenger 3 remains fit to fight until 2040. As a fully digitised platform, Challenger 3 will employ Generic Vehicle Architecture, allowing future and emerging technologies to be more easily integrated into the platform. When fielded Challenger 3 will be fitted with the existing communications bearer BOWMAN but will be capable of receiving the new system MORPHEUS when it enters service.

There is still a way to go on Challenger 3, as it now enters the Demonstration Phase of the Programme, but tank crews have been reinvigorated by the news and also had the opportunity to visit the Advanced Turret Demonstrator at ATDU and DSEI. For a senior Trooper/junior LCpl the prospect of being one of the first Challenger 3 Commanders is definitely something to look forward too.