mhr@compsci.aberystwyth.ac.uk (06/27/91)
From: mhr@compsci.aberystwyth.ac.uk Dear All. Friday 21st June 1990. It was announced in the House of Commons by Alan Clark MP, Minister for Defence Procurement that the next generation of British MBTs will be the Vickers Challenger II, the successor to the highly effective Challenger I used in the Gulf War (II). The competition was originally between the Challenger II, the German Leopard II, the French designed LeClerc and the Chrysler M1A2. The tank is intended to replace the 1960s vintage Chieftan tank. An original order of 600 + tanks has been reduced to 140 due to the effects of the White Paper `Options for Change' published last year. The reasons for choosing the Challenger II are said to be as follows : 1 : The better than expected performance of the Challenger I in the Gulf. Challenger has long been known for slightly dodgy aiming, and poor reliability in Germany, but these fears proved unfound. Challenger is claimed to have destroyed 300 Iraqi tanks with no losses, and less than 5% being unserviceable by Day 3 of the land conflict. 2 : The M1A1 and the Krauss Maffei Leopard II both use the Rhine- mettall designed 120mm smoothbore gun. Challenger II is compatible with the Challenger I retrofitted XL30 CHARM (CHallenger ARMamment) 120mm rifled gun. Compatibility within the British Army (although not necessarily NATO) was seen as vital. 3 : Criticisms have been levelled at the M1A1s performance. They are are likely to be equally valid for its successor. The high fuel usage of the tank in particular was cited. (A theoretic range of 200 miles was often no more than 40 miles under combat). The lack of an auxiliary power unit and lack of substantial under-armour were also mentioned. 4 : The Leopard II is not at present fitted with the same degree of armour protection as the Challenger and the M1A1. IMPROVEMENTS TO CHALLENGER. 1 : New 120mm XL30 CHARM main cannon. Rifled, capable of firing HESH and APDS. Range classified, but Challenger I is credited with destroy - ing a T 55 in the Gulf at nearly 6000 yards WITH THE FIRST SHOT! 2 : All ammo is stored below the turret ring. Capacity 50 rounds. 3 : New version of the Canadian CDC fire-control computer linked to the new French developed SFIM commander's sight. 4 : All new hydro-gas suspension. A mix of compressible gas, and non-compressible fluid is used to absorb shot. PROSPECTS. Deliveries begin in 1992 - 93 (probably), with exports expected to Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Sweden and Canada. Retrofitting of Challenger I with new cannon is due to start immediately. SOURCE `The Independent' Saturday 22nd June. Mike. E mhr@aber.cs (UK) \S Mike Richards \V M mhr@cs.aber.ac.uk (inet)\N Dept of Computer Science \O +44 A ...!mcsun!ukc!aber-cs!mhr\A University College of Wales,\I 970 622435 I (uucp) \I Aberyswyth, Dyfed. \C L \L SY23 3BZ. UK \E