Challenger 2 Megatron is a Challenger 2 Tank based at the British Army Bovington Camp in Dorset, UK. It is operated by the Armoured Trials and Development Unit and is commonly seen in the Challenger 2 Street Fighter configuration.

ATDU use Megatron for the trialling of new and possible future equipment for all British Army Challenger 2 Tanks.

The name “Megatron” is a nickname given to the vehicle and at one stage had the Transformers logo added. It is a regular addition to the Tank Museums annual show “Tankfest” and has participated in arena displays.

Challenger 2 Megatron Trials

Dorchester Level 2 Armor –

Megatron has been fitted with many of the DL2 packages over the year. Though not used to test the effectiveness, it is used to test the practical application such as mobility with the additional weight etc.

Currently Megatron is the only Challenger 2 Tank fitted with DL2 F. Not yet issued, they are ERA blocks mounted on the DL2 B turret side modules. They are represented in terms of weight by metal plates on top of the DL2 B.

Suspension –

The Challenger 2 Street Fighter with DL2 F has a projected 73+ tonne combat weight. ATDU trialled a new Hydrogas Suspension system to handle the increased weight during 2010.

1500hp Engine –

Megatron has been fitted with the Challenger 2E 1500hp MTU MT 883 diesel engine in the last couple of years. The increased power and reduced weight of the engine significantly increased overall mobility and The crew reported that the Bovington Camp track could not cope with Megatron.

It is not known if Megatron has retained the new engine, but proves that British Army Challenger 2 could successfully be installed with the engine.

120mm Ammunition –

during 2009, a new HESH round manufactured in Belgium was trialled. In 2015 a new Tungsten Armour Piercing Fin-Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) supplied by BAE Systems Land was trialled.

Challenger 2 Megatron Specifications

References:References:

Firepower
Main Gun	120mm, calibre Length 55 Rifled L30 CHARM Elevation -10 to +20
Secondary Weapons	x1 coaxial 7.62mm MG, x1 7.62mm MG
Ammunition Storage	x50 120mm, x4,000 7.62mm
Mobility
Engine	Perkins Condor V-12 1200hp Diesel
Transmission	David Brown TN54 epicyclical (6 forward/ 2 reverse gears)
Top Road Speed	56 km/h (Governed)
Road Range	450 km
Fuel Capacity	1592 Litres
Vertical Obstacle	Unknown
Water Capability	Unknown
Trench Crossing	Unknown
Gradient	60%
Side Slope	30%
Dimensions
Length Gun Forward	11.55m (excluding bar armor)
Length Hull	8.327m (excluding bar armor)
Width	3.52m+
Height	2.49m (roof top)
Ground Clearance	Unknown
Weight	73,000kg aka 73 tonne combat
Protection
NBC Protected	Yes
Armor Type	Steel/Composite/modular/passive/ERA
Active Protection Systems	No
Crew
Commander	Yes
Gunner	Yes
Loader	Yes
Driver	Yes
Additional Crew	—
Troops Carried	n/a

References:

• https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/4462/atdu-armoured-trials-and-developement-unit/