The latest phase reportedly included a series of assessments covering off-road mobility, crew cooperation, movement on public roads and firing in different scenarios. The tests were described as an important milestone in the Challenger 3 programme.
The trials were conducted in conditions described as representative of realistic scenarios. They covered the full set of tasks that the British Army expects the upgraded tank to perform.
During the trials, contractor Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land and the users sought to gather data on Challenger 3 performance. The aim was also to verify programme assumptions and check procedures related to operating the tank.
Lessons from this phase will be used in later stages of testing. Each new stage builds on previous work, allowing progress in the programme to be verified step by step.
This process is particularly important because different optional tank configurations are being tested. The article said that using such configurations may have both positive and negative effects.
Under the Challenger 3 programme, 148 Challenger 2 tanks will undergo a major upgrade. These will be taken from the 227 Challenger 2 tanks available to the British Army.
The modernisation mainly involves replacing the turret with a new one fitted with a 120 mm Rheinmetall L/55A1 smoothbore gun. The upgrade is intended to improve the capabilities of the British Army’s main armoured weapon system.
The programme is also intended to help rebuild critical industrial capabilities in the United Kingdom. The Challenger 3 is expected to remain in service until at least 2040.
