Vickers Defence Systems Challenger 2 The Vickers Defence Systems Challenger 2 is the British designed and built winner of the British Army's Staff Requirement (Land) 4026 replacement programme for the remaining Chieftain MET fleet. The other contenders were the American MlA2 Abrams, the German Leopard 2 (Improved) and the French Leclerc. The Challenger 2 was developed under a UK MoD 'proof-of-principle' fixed-price phased contract which involved the production of nine prototype tanks and two additional turrets to demonstrate
that it can fully meet the operational requirements laid down and be produced to the specified production standard at a previously stated cost. The initial contract for 127 Challenger 2 MBTs plus 13 Challenger 2 Driver Training tanks was placed in June 1991. The hull and powerpack are similar to that used in Challenger 1 but the transmission, hydro-pneumatic suspension and running gear are to a higher standard than the Challenger Improvement Programme (CHIP) requirements. The major change is the use of a
UK
completely redesigned turret, made with second-generation Chobham laminated special armour and fitted with the high pressure 120 mm L30 CHARM 1 rifled gun system firing APFSDS-T (the depleted uranium CHARM 3 Kinetic Energy projectile type for use against both special passive and ERA armour), HESH and smoke rounds. Challenger is fitted with a state-of-theart fire-control system based on the CDC Mission Management Computer System. There is also a joint SAGEM/Vickers Defence Systems SAMS stabilised gunner's
