Challenger 3 fires live rounds from L55A1 main gun with crew in turret for first time
British Army tankers are on course to receive the new Challenger 3, with the first live-fire trials having taken place with a crew in the turret.
The main battle tank, which represents a major upgrade to the current Challenger 2, had been tested before on the range.
But those trials saw the L55A1 main gun, a version of the Rheinmetall Rh-120 L55 adapted for UK service, fired remotely.
Smooth v rifled
The recent crewed test was carried out by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) personnel at an undisclosed MOD training centre.
One of the key differences between the Challenger 3 and Challenger 2 is the main gun.
The 120mm L55A1 is a smoothbore gun and replaces the rifled 120mm L30A1 gun used on Challenger 2, which was itself an improved version of the 120mm L11A5 rifled gun mounted on the Challenger 1.
While the rifled L30A1 is highly accurate, it does not use Nato-standard tank ammunition, which is designed for use in smoothbore barrels.
Until now, the British Army had been unique among its Nato allies in fielding a rifled main gun on its MBTs.
The switch to the smoothbore L55A1 means the Challenger 3 can use Nato ammo.
It fires the latest kinetic energy anti-tank rounds and programmable multipurpose ammunition, including advanced APFSDS rounds – armour-piercing, fin-stabilised, discarding sabot.
This move brings the British Army into line with other Nato MBTs, increasing interoperability while reducing barrel wear.
A proud moment
RBSL managing director Rebecca Richards said: "Firing the vehicle first remotely and then with a crew in the turret reflects the enormous amount of work that has gone into ensuring the design is safe, robust and ready.
"This shows just how far the programme has progressed and marks a proud moment for UK armoured vehicle development."
Challenger 3 will now undergo further trials as it moves towards operational service as the centrepiece of the Army's modernisation programme.
The vehicles are being designed and produced by RBSL at its Telford factory in Shropshire.
Some 148 tanks will be delivered to the British Army, having been converted from Challenger 2s under a contract worth in excess of £800m.
More than just the gun
While the 66-tonne Challenger 3 is a modernised version of the Challenger 2, the vehicle does have an all-new turret as well as enhanced armour.
RBSL also points to the new tank's improved sights and targeting system.
These include advanced thermal imagers for both the tank commander and gunner, automatic target tracking, a wide-area search capability and improved driver sighting systems.
The company says these upgrades significantly enhance situational awareness and the speed at which a target can be engaged.
And new electronic threat detection systems give the tank's crew a faster warning of enemy fire.
Ukrainian crews operating the Challenger 2 loved the tank for the most part, but did criticise the engine for being underpowered.
Challenger 3, on the other hand, has an upgraded engine with improved cooling, and an enhanced hydrogas suspension system.
Initial Operating Capability is forecast to be in 2027, with all 148 Challenger 3s planned to be in service by the end of 2030.
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