An In-depth Study of the Challenger 2 Tank: The Indomitable Warrior on the Battlefield

The British Challenger 2 tank, an unyielding powerhouse of defence technology, boasts a historic record of survival on the battlefield. It has endured the onslaught of 14 RPG rockets and an ATG missile, and in another striking episode, withstood an attack of approximately 70 RPGs. The tank owes its survival capabilities to the unique Dorchester or Chobham armour, thoughtfully designed with layers of steel and plastic. The following article offers a detailed exploration of the Challenger 2 tank, taking a closer look at its fire and control systems, ammunition loading process, and basic driving techniques.

A Historical Perspective

The Challenger 2, currently the United Kingdom’s most advanced main battle tank, traces its lineage back to the British Mark IV. This first battle-tested tank, created by British engineers during the First World War, was the forebearer of the Challenger 2. The latter, boasting impressive specifications and features, has emerged as a towering figure in modern warfare.

Dimensions and Comparison

The Challenger 2 spans a length of 8.3 meters (or 27 feet 3 inches) and a width of approximately 3.5 meters (or 11 feet 6 inches). With the reactive armour included, the width extends to around 4.2 meters or 13.9 feet. The tank stands at a height of approximately 2.95 meters or 9.7 feet.

Weighing in at 68.1 US tons (or 62.5 metric tons), the Challenger 2 is one of the heaviest tanks worldwide, comparable to the Leopard 2, the Abrams, and the Israeli Merkava at 71 US tons. In contrast, the Russian T90 weighs 50 US tons and the Ukrainian T-72 weighs around 45 US tons.

A comparison with other main battle tanks such as the Leopard 2, the Abrams, the Merkava, the Argent tank, the T90, and the Ukrainian T-72B shows an interesting aspect of Soviet-era strategy. The Soviets preferred low-profile tanks to avoid being hit when dug in the trenches. However, this strategy has become obsolete in today’s battlefield scenario dominated by drones and top attack missiles.

Firepower and Protection

The 120-millimeter rifled gun of the Challenger 2 is unique among NATO forces. It uses a muzzle reference system, and towards its rear, there is a fume extractor. On firing, the shell travels through this system, and the extractor acts as a pressure vacuum that helps in evacuating the harmful gas, pushing it outwards.

The tank’s top features the Commander’s primary sight, offering a 360-degree field of view. Additional periscopes are installed for use in case the primary sight is damaged. There’s also the Gunner’s primary site, a thermal observation, and Gunnery sight located on top of the rifle gun. Besides this, the Gunner’s auxiliary sight, a remote weapon station enforcer (fitted with a 7.62 millimeters NATO machine gun or occasionally a grenade launcher), and smoke grenade dischargers are fitted.

In certain upgraded versions like the Challenger 2 Black Knight, an Iron Fist APS (Active Protection System) system’s radar and hard-kill countermeasures are attached to the tank, providing almost 360-degree protection. This system works by detecting and intercepting threats like anti-tank rockets. When a threat is identified, the APS launches a small warhead, which intercepts the threat at a safe distance and defeats it using a shockwave effect.

Another layer of protection is the explosive reactive armor fitted on the tank. If an incoming shell or rocket

hits this armor, it activates the explosive charge and armor blocks within. These then detonate, pushing the projectiles outwards and preventing the deadly shells from penetrating the vehicle. As a last line of defense, the Challenger 2 has the battle-tested Chobham armor. This armour comprises multiple layers of steel and plastic, or ceramic and steel, spaced at different angles, which significantly slows down and neutralizes incoming projectiles.

Interiors and Operations

The tank’s interiors are thoughtfully designed with dedicated sections for the commander, gunner, and loader. The commander section houses the control panel, the Fire Control Panel (FCP), the commander display unit, and the Commander’s primary sight. The commander uses a stationary joystick to locate and track targets. This information is then relayed to the gunner, who uses the gunner’s control panel, fire control switch, gunner’s day sight (or thermal imagers), and other switches to fire the gun or the coaxial 7.62 millimeters chain gun located at the front of the turret. Interestingly, the main gun can also be operated manually if all the electrical power and gunner’s and commander primary sights are destroyed.

The loader section handles the ammunition loading process, which has three parts for the Challenger 2. First, the gunner puts the high explosive squash head (or HESH) round. Next, the loader slides the propellant bag filled with propellant sticks. Finally, the loader slides a magazine containing 10 blank bullets. This process allows the gun to fire HESH rounds with a range of 8 kilometers or 4.9 miles.

Unlike Abrams Tanks, the Challenger 2 does not have any blow-off panel, but the ammunition is stored in a ready charge bin that insulates the tank in case of penetration by an enemy projectile.

Driving the Challenger 2

The Challenger 2 tank is powered by a Perkins CV12 diesel engine that produces 1200 horsepower at 2300 RPM. The engine is paired with a fully automatic transmission featuring six forward and two reverse gears. This combination allows the tank to achieve a maximum speed of 37 miles per hour on-road and 25 miles per hour off-road. The tank has an internal fuel capacity of 421 gallons or 1592 liters, offering a maximum operational range of 280 miles on road and 156 miles cross-country. With an additional external fuel drum, the range could be extended to 341 miles.

Conclusion

The Challenger 2 tank embodies advanced technological features that ensure its supremacy on the battlefield. Its powerful armor, versatile fire control system, and impressive manoeuvrability make it an indomitable force. The tank stands as a testament to British engineering prowess, offering robust defensive capabilities and effectively adapting to modern warfare scenarios. The tank’s impressive performance history, surviving numerous attacks and continuing to serve in challenging circumstances, makes it a formidable warrior on the battlefield.