RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Interesting the new turret looks flatter and taller from the front versus the more angled previous turret.
I see they have moved the front facing lights that where central previously to just above the tracks on the hull. I wonder if that has something to do with heavier armour protecting the driver. I thought they might use something more streamlined like on the leopard, although for servicing the bolt on lights would be much easier to service.
I see they have moved the front facing lights that where central previously to just above the tracks on the hull. I wonder if that has something to do with heavier armour protecting the driver. I thought they might use something more streamlined like on the leopard, although for servicing the bolt on lights would be much easier to service.
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
DE&S awards contract to fit next-generation modular armour on Challenger 3.
https://des.mod.uk/des-awards-contract- ... llenger-3/
https://des.mod.uk/des-awards-contract- ... llenger-3/
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
TT Electronics to provide Challenger 3 cable assemblies
Posted 26 January 2024
TT Electronics have announced that the company’s Abercynon facility has been awarded another significant contract with Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), which will see it design, manufacture and integrate complex cable assemblies on Challenger 3 prototype vehicles.
https://www.adsadvance.co.uk/tt-electro ... blies.html
Posted 26 January 2024
TT Electronics have announced that the company’s Abercynon facility has been awarded another significant contract with Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL), which will see it design, manufacture and integrate complex cable assemblies on Challenger 3 prototype vehicles.
https://www.adsadvance.co.uk/tt-electro ... blies.html
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Reported that Challenger 2 with its Chobham-Dorchester armour weighed 75 tonnes. In May 2021 it was said the Challenger 3 with its new Epsom and Farnham armour will significantly lower the weight to around 66 tonnes and claimed to give unparalleled survivability, will be layered with the Israeli Trophy Active Protection System and with an upgraded 3rd generation hydrogas suspension, making it lighter than the Leopard 2A7HU (Hungary) one of the world's heaviest tanks, weighing upwards of 73 tonnes without its optional add-on armor.Jackstar wrote: ↑29 Jan 2024, 09:04 DE&S awards contract to fit next-generation modular armour on Challenger 3.
https://des.mod.uk/des-awards-contract- ... llenger-3/
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Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
From recent events, I think we really need to see a revised Hard-Kill APS that can handle bomb dropping UAVs and FPVs attacking from above. I think Abrams X was displayed with a fully hemispherical APS. Merkavas are now sprouting cope cages/canopies, presumably as an interim solution.
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Yesterday it was reported on several sites that the Dutch program to upgrade their CV90's had been modified to add a C-UAS capability to its APS Iron Fist. I know this is not the same system as Cr3 but interesting that at least one APS now offers the capability you desire.Chris Werb wrote: ↑30 Jan 2024, 13:24 From recent events, I think we really need to see a revised Hard-Kill APS that can handle bomb dropping UAVs and FPVs attacking from above. I think Abrams X was displayed with a fully hemispherical APS. Merkavas are now sprouting cope cages/canopies, presumably as an interim solution.
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Not really, it is presented with Trophy APS. Technically, T-14 Armata has vertical launching APS, together with horizontal one, but not sure if it is working (as there is no any public presentation of it) and, if it is, how effective it is. But it is still questionable could it counter drones as there is no radar on the top of the turret so not sure would those on turret sides effectively detect drone dropped munition directly above the tank.Chris Werb wrote: ↑30 Jan 2024, 13:24 I think Abrams X was displayed with a fully hemispherical APS.
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Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Armata only had vertical soft kill. Its hard kill APS was the Afghanit launchers which covered the frontal arc only. Not a good APS.sol wrote: ↑30 Jan 2024, 18:52Not really, it is presented with Trophy APS. Technically, T-14 Armata has vertical launching APS, together with horizontal one, but not sure if it is working (as there is no any public presentation of it) and, if it is, how effective it is. But it is still questionable could it counter drones as there is no radar on the top of the turret so not sure would those on turret sides effectively detect drone dropped munition directly above the tank.Chris Werb wrote: ↑30 Jan 2024, 13:24 I think Abrams X was displayed with a fully hemispherical APS.
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Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Hi Sol.sol wrote: ↑30 Jan 2024, 18:52Not really, it is presented with Trophy APS. Technically, T-14 Armata has vertical launching APS, together with horizontal one, but not sure if it is working (as there is no any public presentation of it) and, if it is, how effective it is. But it is still questionable could it counter drones as there is no radar on the top of the turret so not sure would those on turret sides effectively detect drone dropped munition directly above the tank.Chris Werb wrote: ↑30 Jan 2024, 13:24 I think Abrams X was displayed with a fully hemispherical APS.
Not directly from General Dynamics, but close:
"The AbramsX also includes more protection from the growing threat of aerial drones. Reese said the design features an amped-up active protection system with three radars and launchers instead of two creating a perimeter around the tank.
“So instead of the two that normally create the donut around the vehicle, we have a third one that creates a dome over the top of the vehicle, for 360 degrees,” he said. “It’s not fully developed yet, but it’s close.”"
While the demonstrator features the Rafael-made Trophy APS the Abrams currently uses, Reese said the design is agnostic and capable of working with whatever APS the Army might choose.
https://coffeeordie.com/abramsx-tank-army
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Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Before anyone jumps all over me - yes, Abrams X is just a company concept demonstrator. I wasn't claiming it had been adopted or was likely to be.
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Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
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Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Babcock: UK military manufacturer scoops £75m contract for British army training.
“Babcock will continue to deliver training on our legacy vehicle fleet, seeking continuous improvement in delivery throughout this contract and our future Ajax, BOXER and Challenger 3 crews will benefit from the developments made.
https://www.cityam.com/babcock-uk-milit ... -training/
“Babcock will continue to deliver training on our legacy vehicle fleet, seeking continuous improvement in delivery throughout this contract and our future Ajax, BOXER and Challenger 3 crews will benefit from the developments made.
https://www.cityam.com/babcock-uk-milit ... -training/
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
CR3 of to Germany for firing testing
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Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Headline in the Daily Mail:
"Army fields world beating drone tank"
"Army fields world beating drone tank"
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Whats the reason for going to Germany for the test firing?
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Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
Probably because the range belongs to RLS' gun development team and all the time and equipment is available.
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Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
As the Government got rid of all the establishments the MOD lost the knowledge and facilities to do much in the way of R&D. Its now over reliant on the private sector as the problems with Ajax demonstrated.
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
That might be the case but don't QinetiQ have a range available?whitelancer wrote: ↑15 Feb 2024, 00:06As the Government got rid of all the establishments the MOD lost the knowledge and facilities to do much in the way of R&D. Its now over reliant on the private sector as the problems with Ajax demonstrated.
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
You got an answer. I'm sure there's more to it. After all, the world experts on the guns mostly live in Germany.
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
PS A comment on UKDJ speculates they may want to test with overcharges which sounds like it makes sense. In which case, the UK ranges will definitely not be certified for.
Re: RBSL Challenger 3 (Future) Main Battle Tank (British Army)
I was going to suggest exactly the same thing, to really test the gun and turret installation using using non destructive overcharged rounds to get the forces up would make sense.