Challenger 1 | |
| Kraju | Uk |
| Typu | Główny czołg bojowy |
| W eksploatacji | 1983–2001 |
| Zbudowany | 420 |
Tthe FV4030/4 Challenger 1 – brytyjski czołg podstawowy używany przez British Army w latach 1983-2001, kiedy to został zastąpiony przez Challengera 2. Większość floty Challenger 1 została następnie sprzedana Jordanii, gdzie pozostała w służbie Królewskiej Armii Jordanii do czasu ogłoszenia wycofania w 2018 roku. Pojazdy te, znane lokalnie jako Al-Hussein, otrzymały różne jordańskie modyfikacje, zanim zostały zastąpione przez francuskie czołgi Leclerc ze Zjednoczonych Emiratów Arabskich i ex-włoskie kołowe niszczyciele czołgów B1 Centauro 8×8. Jordańska flota Challenger 1 została wycofana do stycznia 2023 roku
Źródła: Challenger 1 I na Wikipedii
| Challenger 1 Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Fotograf | Darren Baker |
| Lokalizacja | Niewiedzy |
| Zdjęcia | 32 |
| Challenger CRARRV Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Fotograf | Niewiedzy |
| Lokalizacja | Niewiedzy |
| Zdjęcia | 30 |
From Persian Order to British Service
Tthe Challenger 1 began its life as the “Shir 2,” a tank intended for the Imperial Iranian Armoured Forces. Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the project was taken over by the British Ministry of Defence to replace the aging Chieftain. While it shared the Chieftain’s lethal 120mm rifled gun, the Challenger 1 introduced a revolutionary leap in protection: Chobham Armour. It served as the UK’s primary Main Battle Tank throughout the late Cold War and cemented its legendary status during the Gulf War.
| Attribute | Technical Specification (Challenger 1) |
|---|---|
| Roli | Main Battle Tank (MBT) |
| Załogi | 4 (Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver) |
| Uzbrojenie główne | L11A5 120 mm Rifled Gun |
| Uzbrojenie dodatkowe | 2 x 7.62 mm L8A2 & L37A2 Machine Guns |
| Protection | Chobham Armour (Ceramic/Steel Composite) |
| Zespół napędowy | Perkins CV12 26-litre V12 Diesel (1,200 hp) |
| Zawieszenie | Hydrogas (Hydropneumatic) |
| Max Road Speed | 56 km/h (35 mph) |
The Chobham Revolution
- Composite Matrix: Unlike previous tanks made of solid steel, the Challenger 1 used Chobham armour, a classified “sandwich” of ceramics and metals. This provided world-leading protection against both Kinetic Energy (KE) rounds and High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) shaped charges.
- Sloped Turret Design: The turret was characterized by sharp, flat-sloped cheeks designed to maximize the thickness of the Chobham matrix that an incoming shell would have to penetrate.
- Hydrogas Suspension: The Challenger 1 replaced traditional torsion bars with a nitrogen-filled hydropneumatic system. This allowed the 62-ton tank to maintain high speeds over rough terrain while providing a stable platform for the gunner.
The Gulf War Performance
- World Record Sniper: During Operation Granby (1991), a Challenger 1 achieved the longest confirmed tank-to-tank kill in history, destroying an Iraqi T-55 from a distance of 5.1 kilometers (over 3 miles) using an L15 APFSDS round.
- Combat Readiness: Despite early concerns regarding its Fire Control System (FCS) during NATO’s “Canadian Army Trophy” competitions, the Challenger 1 proved exceptionally reliable in the harsh desert, achieving zero losses to enemy fire during the conflict.
- Rifled vs. Smoothbore: British tanks remained unique by sticking with rifled guns. This allowed the use of the HESH (High-Explosive Squash Head) round, which is devastating against bunkers and light structures, though it required two-part ammunition (projectile and charge).
Retirement and Succession
The Challenger 1 was replaced by the Challenger 2 (właso) in the late 1990s. While they look similar, the Challenger 2 is almost entirely new, with only 5% part commonality. Most retired Challenger 1 tanks were sold to Jordania, where they served as the “Al-Hussein” MBT until their recent retirement.
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