Challenger 2 Street Fighter is the most modern version of the Challenger 2 Tank in British Army service. It is the most heavily armored tank in the world.
It was developed during the Iraq War to offer the Challenger 2 Tank and its crew the greatest level of protection available against Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFP) and RPG-7 attacks (from all angles) in populated areas.
The term “Street Fighter” is not the vehicles official designation, but rather a nickname amongst British tank crew. This upgraded Challenger 2 Tank was deployed to Iraq between 2007 to 2008.
Challenger 2 Street Fighter Upgrades
A new CCTV camera has been fitted in the rear of the vehicle, so that the driver can see what he is doing as he reverses, rather than the commander using his sights and giving instructions. The driver now has a new forward-looking thermal sight.
It is fitted with the latest Dorchester Level 2 armour on the sides of the hull and turret, new armour on the belly of the hull and bar armor on the rear.
A Remote Weapons Station is also installed. This is controlled from within the vehicle and equipped with a thermal imaging camera and replaces the loaders L7, so he is not exposed to use it. It can be mounted with either a 7.62mm or 50 cal MG or 40mm GMG (grenade machine gun).
The latest jamming technology was also installed on the vehicle to counter detonation of road side IED. These included signal jammers and a form of false thermal imagery generation projected in front of the vehicle. This was done by a box fitted at the front of the hull on either side. Each box had a whip mount so the driver could see them.
Challenger 2 Street Fighter DL2 Armor
Challenger 2 Street Fighter used DL2 E: Retained the DL2B modules on the side of the turret, DL2 C front module, cage armor and both the backing board and spaced armor.
The DL2 B hull modules are replaced with double layered ERA blocks. You can see that they stick out past the DL2 D spaced armor. They were added to defeat shaped charged IED daisy chain attacks and mean they can defeat tandem charged ATGM.
Challenger 2 Street Fighter 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 |
Reference:
- Anon ex and serving Challenger 2 crew who operated the tank in Iraq and Bovington ADTU.
- Pictures sourced from Wikipedia Multimedia