Challenger 2

Overview

Challenger 2

Challenger 2 main battle tank with additional armor on hull front and sides in Kuwait in 2003.

Source: UK MOD - © Open Government License

Origin

United Kingdom

Type

Main battle tank

Entered service

1998

Status

In service

Development

1986 - early 1990's

Developer

United Kingdom - Vickers

Production

1993 - 2002

Producer

United Kingdom - Vickers

Unit cost

GBP 4.2 million

Number produced

446, excluding engineer variants

Designations

FV4034

Notable users

United Kingdom
Oman

Details

Facts Challenger 2

General

Origin

United Kingdom

Type

Main battle tank

Crew

4 (commander, driver, gunner, loader)

Dimensions

Weight

62.5 t combat load, without add-on armor

75.0 t combat load, with add-on armor

Length

13.5 m gun forward

8.3 m hull

Width

3.5 m hull

4.2 m with add-on armor

Height

2.49 m turret roof

Main armament

Type

120mm L30A1 L/55 rifled gun

Ammunition

47 rounds

Traverse

360 degrees, powered, 40 degrees/s

Elevation

-10 to + 20 degrees, powered

Stabilizer

Yes, both axis

Coaxial armament

Type

7.62mm L94A1 (Hughes EX-34) chain gun

Mount

Coaxial with main armament

Ammunition

4.200 rounds in total

Secondary armament

Type

7.62mm L37A2 (FN MAG) machine gun

Mount

Pintle mount on turret roof

Ammunition

4.200 rounds in total

Traverse

360 degrees, manual elevation and traverse

Automotive

Chassis

Tracked chassis, 6 roadwheels, idler front and drive sprocket rear

Suspension

Hydropneumatic

Engine model

Perkins CV12-6A

Engine type

26.1 L V12 diesel

Power output

1.200 hp at 2.300 rpm

Torque

4.126 Nm at 1.700 rpm

Fuel

About 1.600 L, optional external fuel tanks

Auxiliary power unit

Exel Wedel APU

Transmission

David Brown TN54E epicyclic

Gears

6 forward, 2 reverse

Mobility

Max speed

59 km/h on road

40 km/h off road

Range

550 km/h on road

250 km/h in the field

Ground clearance

0.5 m

Wall

0.9 m

Trench

2.3 m

Gradient

60 %

Slope

30 %

Fording

1.1 m

Protection

Armor type

Dorcherster composite armor

Applique armor

Optional armored side skirts

NBC system

Yes

Smoke

2x5 smoke grenade dischargers

Media

Challenger 2

Challenger 2 main battle tank with additional armor on hull front and sides in Iraq in 2004.

Source: UK MOD

Challenger 2

Challenger 2 main battle tank with additional armor on hull front and sides in Iraq in 2003.

Source: UK MOD

Challenger 2

Challenger 2 in desert camouflage without additional armor.

Source: Fiorellino

Challenger 2

Challenger 2 on the move in 2004.

Source: Fiorellino

Challenger 2

Challenger 2 main battle tank training in Germany in 2012.

Source: US Army (SSgt Brooks Fletcher)

Challenger 2

Challenger 2 main battle tank creating a smoke screen by injecting fuel in the exhaust.

Source: UK MOD

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Armament

120mm Royal Ordnance L30

The 120mm L30 rifled cannon is the primary armament of the Challenger 2 main battle tank.

Read more about 120mm Royal Ordnance L30

7.62mm L94A1

A 7.62mm L94A1 chain gun is mounted as a coaxial weapon.

7.62mm L37A2

A 7.62mm L37A2 (FN MAG) is mounted as a flexible weapon on the turret roof.

Challenger 2 family of vehicles

Trojan

The Trojan is a combat engineer vehicle based on the Challenger 2 chassis. Its main focus is to breach minefields.

Titan

The Titan is a bridge laying vehicles designed to accompany the Challenger 2. It is based on the same chassis as the Challenger 2 and the majority of automotive components is interchangeable.