DVD 2024: UK trials of key Challenger 3 capabilities have started

Prototype 2 of the British Army's Challenger 3 main battle tank displayed for the first time at the Defence Vehicle Demonstration 2024 exhibition in Millbrook, UK, on 18 and 19 September. (Janes/Tom Barton)

Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) displayed its Challenger 3 main battle tank (MBT) at the Defence Vehicle Demonstration (DVD) 2024 exhibition in Millbrook, United Kingdom, on 18 and 19 September.

Warrant Officer Class 2 Stewart Baird, Challenger 3 User Engagement Team (UET) leader, told Janes how much was changing as the Challenger 3 programme progresses. “Everything's at pace at the moment, whether it's by luck or design. It's huge,” he said.

Confirming that UK trials have started, WO2 Baird said, “The trials in Germany were purely to test the strength of design of the turret. That was prototype one. This is prototype two. We've already started tests with things like casualty evacuation, firefighting, [and] use of the driver's front and rear cameras.”

RBSL said its engineers are working side-by-side with army personnel to adapt features and construction where needed within the parameters of the vehicle design and requirements.

After joining the rest of NATO's MBTs in using Rheinmetall's 120 mm L55A1 smoothbore gun, WO2 Baird wanted to dispel the persistent thinking that a rifled main gun is more accurate than a smoothbore. “If we fire a set amount of rounds [with Challenger 3's smoothbore gun], the ammunition is incredibly consistent,” he said, adding that with Challenger 3's fire control, it is undoubtedly more accurate than Challenger 2. “The ammunition is better with smoothbore. The long-rod penetrator on the armour-piercing round is almost twice the length [of its predecessor],” WO2 Baird said.

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