Challenger IÂ (FV 4030)
Service history
Military Vehicle Type: Main battle tank (MBT)
Country Of Origin: UK
Operators: UK, Jordan
Service Life: 1983 – 2001 (Still in service with Royal Jordanian Army)
Conflicts: Gulf War
Manufacturer: Royal Ordnance
Units Built: 420 (UK), 274 (Jordan)
Unit Cost: $1.5 million (1987)
Specifications
Combat Weight: 60 tonnes
Length: 11.5 metres (37ft 9in)
Width: 3.51 metres (11ft 6in)
Height: 2.95 metres (9ft 8in)
Crew size: 4
Armour: Chobham armour
Main Armament: Royal Ordnance L11-A5 120mm Rifled gun
Secondary Armament: 7.62 mm L8A2 or 7.62 mm L37A2 Machine guns
Engine: Rolls-Royce CV12 26 litre diesel (1200 hp)
Transmission: David Brown TN37 transmission
Suspension: Hydrogas suspension
Operational Range:450 km (279.62 miles) on road
Maximum speed: 43 mph
Overview
The Challenger otherwise known as Challenger 1 MBT (Main Battle Tank) was used by the British army from 1983 – 2001. The British developed the Challenger as a response to the Russian advancements in their anti-tank capability and as a replacement for the ageing Chieftain MBT which, come 1983, had been in active service for 20 years. After being in active service itself with the British army for 18 years the Challenger 1 was fazed out and replaced by its younger sibling the Challenger 2, however the Challenger 1 is still in active service with the Jordanian army as the Khalid MBT.
Development
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Combat
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Strengths & Weakness
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