Weighing 64 tons, the Challenger 2 is likely one of the heaviest primary battle tanks round, nevertheless it nonetheless has plenty of velocity regardless of the majority. Most of the burden is right down to the tank’s heavy armor plating. Flat out, Britain’s primary battle tank will do 37 mph. This is noticeably slower than the likes of the Leopard 2 and M1 Abrams, however nonetheless pretty quick contemplating the automobile’s weight. The tanks which can be upgraded to Challenger 3s over the subsequent few years will obtain a brand new engine which ought to up the velocity to a point. 

With its gasoline tanks full, the Challenger 2 has an efficient operational vary of 340 miles — although that drops if the tank is working off-road. The primary gun is a 120mm L30A1 designed primarily as an anti-tank weapon. The L30A1’s barrel can be rifled, although there’s plenty of debate about how a lot of a bonus that gives in a tank. Given that the Challenger 3’s primary gun will probably be smoothbore, the rifling in all probability wasn’t well worth the effort. The gun additionally has sights on the barrel, which is fairly distinctive to the Challenger 2.

Despite its thick armor, the Challenger 2 does have one fairly important weak point: it is one of many few trendy tanks with exterior gasoline tanks. The gasoline tanks are hooked up to the rear of the automobile, and theoretically susceptible to assault. Maintenance could also be one other challenge, with the Challenger requiring two instrument kits because the hull is constructed with imperial measurements and fittings whereas the turret is constructed utilizing the metric system.