Z-10 Attack Helicopter

The Z-10 is an attack helicopter  developed by the People´s Republic of China . It is designed primarily for anti-tank missions but is believed to have a secondary air-to-air capability as well.It is being built by Changhe Aircraft Industries Corporation.
Prototype of the Z-10 made it's maiden flight in 2003. It seems that initial production gunships were delivered to the Chinese army in 2009-2010. It is the first dedicated modern Chinese attack helicopter. It has been designed with extensive technical assistance from Eurocopter and Augusta. Other sources claim that development of the Z-10 has been assisted by Russian Kamov helicopter design bureau.

 

   The Z-10 helicopter has a standard gunship configuration with a narrow fuselage and stepped tandem cockpits. Gunner is seated at the front and the pilot is at the rear. The fuselage has sloped sides to reduce radar cross section. All vital areas are believed to be protected by armor plates.

   Weapons of the Z-10 may consist of 30-mm cannon, HJ-9 anti-tank guided missiles (comparable to the TOW-2A), newly developed HJ-10 anti-tank missiles (comparable to the AGM-114 Hellfire) and TY-90 air-to-air missiles. It can also carry unoperated rocket pods.

   The prototype of the Z-10 is powered by two Canadian Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C turboshaft engines, delivering 1 531 hp each. However indigenous engines might be used on production helicopters. It might use the same engine of the WZ-9 helicopter, but it is less powerful than Canadian design.

   This helicopter may be fitted with a fly-by-wire control, helmet-mounted sight for head-up display, television and forward-looking infrared sensors, radar and laser warning receivers, infrared jammer and decoy dispensers.

Tiger Helicopter

The Tiger helicopter is being developed for France and Germany in three configurations, HAC (French) and UHT (German) anti-tank helicopters and a combat support helicopter designated HAP for the French Army.

Tiger Cutaway

Tiger is being built by Eurocopter, a subsidiary of the EADS (European Aeronautics Defence and Space) company formed by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, Aerospatiale Matra of France and CASA of Spain. First flight of the aircraft was in 1991.
Serial production began in March 2002 and the first flight of the production Tiger HAP for France took place in March 2003. France has ordered 80 aircraft (70 combat support and ten antitank), with deliveries to commence in 2004. Germany has ordered 80 combat support aircraft with deliveries to begin by the end of 2004. Total procurement is planned to be 120 for France and 120 for Germany.
In December 2001, Eurocopter, with the Tiger ARH (armed reconnaissance), was awarded the contract for the Australian Army’s Air 87 requirement for 22 helicopters. The Tiger ARH is a modified version of the Tiger HAP with upgraded MTR390 engines and a laser designator incorporated in the Strix sight for the firing of Hellfire II air-to-ground missiles. The first Tiger ARH took its maiden flight in February 2004 and is scheduled to enter service in 2005, with final deliveries in 2008. Australian Aerospace (a subsidiary of Eurocopter) is to set up a local production facility for assembly of the helicopters and the manufacture of parts for the entire programme. ADI Ltd will be a major subcontractor, responsible for customising the mission and communications systems.
In September 2003, Spain selected a version of the Tiger HAP combat support helicopter to be called the HAD which will be armed with the Trigat LR and Mistral missile systems. 24 helicopters will be ordered which will also have an uprated Enhanced MTR390 engine and a heavier payload. Three helicopters are scheduled for delivery in 2004, the rest by 2008.

Both Tiger HAC and UHT anti-tank helicopters have an Osiris mast-mounted sight from SFIM, with infrared charge coupled device (IRCCD) camera and laser rangefinder. There is a nose-mounted forward looking infra-red (FLIR) with a 40° x 30° field of view. Tiger can be equipped with four MBDA (formerly Matra BAe Dynamics) MISTRAL or Raytheon Stinger air-to-air missiles. The air-to-air missile control functions are on the flight control grip. Target acquisition is achieved by using the joystick to steer the sight manually or with automatic tracking. The FIM-92 Stinger missile, also produced under license by EADS (formerly LFK), is equipped with a 1kg warhead and range up to 5km. The Mistral missile has a 3kg warhead and range of 6km.
The Tiger is fitted with EADS/LFK ATA firing posts for the launch of Euromissile HOT 3 and Euromissile TRIGAT LR anti-tank missiles, fired by the gunner. Only one weapon is activated at a time. The TRIGAT LR missile has a range of 500m to 5,000m and can be applied in direct attack or terminal dive attack modes. The HOT 3 missile has a range of up to 4,000m.
The Tiger ARH for Australia is being fitted with the M299 launcher for Hellfire II missiles and will also be armed with 70mm rockets.

In its combat support role the Tiger uses a gun for short-range engagements, 68mm rockets at medium and long range and Mistral missiles to engage airborne threats. The helicopter is equipped with a turreted 30mm gun together with: either four Mistral missiles, 44 rockets plus four Mistral missiles, or 68 rockets. Only one weapon can be activated at a time. The combat support Tiger helicopter for the French Army (Tigre HAP) is equipped with a 30mm AM-30781 automatic cannon from Giat. Rate of fire is 750 rounds per minute. Tigre HAP also carries four Mistral missiles and two pods each carrying 22 SNEB 68mm rockets.
The Combat Support Tiger has a SFIM Strix roof-mounted sight, with a gyro-stabilised platform, infrared camera, charge coupled device television camera (CCD TV), laser rangefinder and direct optical sight.

DESIGN

In order to minimise the weight, approximately 80% of the airframe has been constructed of composite materials. The frames and beams have been fabricated from Kevlar and carbon laminates. Panels are composed of Nomex honeycomb material with carbon and Kevlar skins. The helicopter blades are of fibre-composite construction. Radar reflective structures and surfaces have been minimised.
 Each cockpit is equipped with two multi-function colour displays supplied by Thales Avionique and VDO Luftfahrtgerate Werk GmbH, which display imagery from the gunner's sight, the FLIR and video image from the Dornier/VDO Eurogrid digital map generator.
The French Tigre helicopter has a helmet-mounted sight for both crew stations, and a head up display for the pilot, all supplied by Thales Avionique. The German Tiger crew is equipped with BAE Systems Integrated Day and Night Helmets.
Each crew station is equipped with a Control and Display Unit (CDU). Navigation, communications and system status are controlled via the CDU. The CDU includes a Data Insertion Device (DID), which is a removable memory pack preprogrammed with mission data at a ground station.
 EADS Defence Electronics is providing the EWS electronic warfare suite for the Tiger, which will include a radar warning receiver, laser warner, missile launch detector developed by EADS DE, central processing unit from Thales and chaff / flare dispenser from MBDA. This system will also be fitted in the NH 90 helicopter.

Countermeasures

EADS Defence Electronics is providing the EWS electronic warfare suite for the Tiger, which includes a radar warning receiver, laser warner, MILDS missile launch detector developed by EADS DE, central processing unit from Thales and SAPHIR-M chaff / flare dispenser from MBDA. This system is also fitted in the NH 90 helicopter. Indra is providing the electronic warfare suite for the Spanish Tigers.

 

Navigation

The navigation system contains two Thales Avionique three-axis ring laser gyro units, two magnetometers, two air data computers, BAE Systems Canada CMA 2012 four-beam Doppler radar, radio altimeter, global positioning system and a suite of low air speed sensors.

Turboshaft engines

The Tiger HAP / UHT is powered by two MTU / Turbomeca / Rolls-Royce MTR390 turboshaft engines rated at 960kW (1,285shp). Self-sealing crashworthy fuel tanks have explosion suppression and non-return valves.
Tiger HAD has two MTR390-E enhanced engines rated at 1,094kW (1,467shp).

Ka-50 Black Shark Attack Helicopter, Russian Federation

The Ka-50 Black Shark helicopter, developed by Kamov Helicopters JSC, carries the Nato codename Hokum A, with Hokum B the two-seat version, Ka-52. Ka-50 is also known as Werewolf. It is a high-performance combat helicopter with day and night capability. It entered service with the Russian Army during 1995 and is manufactured at the Sazykin Aviation Company Progress based in Arseniev Maritime Territory, Russia.
The main purpose of Ka-50 is the extermination of military targets including tanks, troops and aircrafts in the battlefield and in the frontline area during the daytime in any season. Black Shark excels all the world counterparts in its powerful armament and high-precision guidance system. In terms of climbing capacity and maneuverability Ka-50 excels the new American combat helicopter AH-64D. The helicopter is capable of operating in the high mountains at high outside temperatures. It is able to move in any direction.
A first batch of eight Ka-50 aircraft has been delivered. 12 Ka-52 were to be procured for Russian Air Force special operations in 2005, but funding for the programme was cut. The Russian Air Force operates 15 Ka-50 and 20 Ka-52 helicopters
A night attack version, Ka-50N, with Samshit-50T thermal imager, day TV and laser rangefinder was also developed but did not enter full productio. Kamov also joined with Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) to produce a version for the Turkish defence forces, the Ka-50-2 Erdogan that was compatible with Nato weapons and had an Israeli equipped cockpit. The contract was eventually awarded to the A129.

Ka-50 attack helicopter design

The coaxial rotor design provides a hovering ceiling of 4,000m and vertical rate of climb of 10m a second at an altitude of 2,500m. The rotor blades are made from polymer materials. The coaxial-rotor configuration results in moments of inertia values relative to vertical and lateral axes between 1.5 to two times less than the values found in single-rotor helicopters with tail rotors. Absence of the tail rotor enables the helicopter to perform flat turns within the entire flight speed range. A maximum vertical g-load of 3.5 combined with low moments of inertia give the Ka-50 a high level of agility.

Extensive all-round armour installed in the cockpit protects the pilot against 12.7mm armour-piercing bullets and 23mm projectile fragments. The rotor blades are rated to withstand several hits of ground-based automatic weapons.
The Ka-50 is the world's first operational helicopter with a rescue ejection system, which allows the pilot to escape at all altitudes and speeds. The K-37-800 rocket-assisted ejection system is manufactured by the Zvezda Research and Production Enterprise Joint Stock Company in the Moscow region.

Ka-50 orders

A request for proposal (RFP) to buy 22 attack helicopters was issued by the Indian Defence Ministry on 30 May 2008 as part of the $550m contract. The attack helicopter should encompass weapons, to boost the air force's surveillance and combat capabilities.
The air force expected that the helicopter would weigh 2,500kg or more when empty and have two engines. It should encompass a modern anti-armour capability along with a turret gun of 20mm or higher calibre and be able to fire 70mm rockets a range of 1.2km. The helicopter should be capable of working in all weather, day and night, and in desert and mountaineous regions.
The second RFP was issued in June 2009, stating that around 384 additional light helicopters were cleared for purchase. The $2bn order was for the Indian Air Force and Army, of which 125 would be for the air force and 259 for the army.

Weapons

A combination of various armaments to a maximum weapon load of 2t can be selected according to the mission, including anti-tank missiles, unguided aerial rockets of different calibres, air-to-air missiles, guns, bombs and other weapons.
The helicopter has small mid-mounted wings, fitted with four underwing suspension units and wingtip countermeasures pods. Up to 12 Vikhr supersonic anti-tank missiles can be mounted on the helicopter's two underwing external stores. The laserbeam-riding Vikhr missile is stated as having a target hit probability close to one, against a tank at a range of up to 8km, and the capability of penetrating all types of armour, including active armour up to 900mm thick.
The Ka-50 is armed with a 2A42 quick-firing 30mm gun, which has an unrestricted azimuth and elevation range mounting for use against airborne or ground targets. The gun is equipped with 460 rounds of ammunition: two types being carried, high-fragmentation and explosive incendiary rounds and armour-piercing rounds. The pilot selects the type of ammunition in flight. The weight of the ammunition is 0.39kg each round, the muzzle velocity is 980m/s and the range is up to 4km. The gun provides an angular firing accuracy of two to 4mrad.
Flight systems include inertial navigation system (INS), autopilot and head-up display (HUD). Sensors include forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and terrain-following radar.
The Ka-50 is fitted with a radar warning receiver, electronic warfare system and chaff and flare dispenser.

Engines

The Ka-50 is powered by two TV3-117VMA turboshafts engines, each providing 2,200hp (1,660kW). The engines are placed on either side of the fuselage to enhance the combat survivability. The helicopter also has an auxiliary power unit (APU) for self-contained operation.

Performance

The Ka-50 attack helicopter can climb at a rate of 16m/s. It can fly at a maximum speed of 390km/h. The maximum range and service ceiling of the helicopter are 1,180km and 5,500m respectively. It can fly at a cruise speed of 270km/h. The combat radius and disc loading of the helicopter are 460km and 30kg/m² respectively. The endurance of the helicopter is three hours. The helicopter weighs around 7,800kg and the maximum take-off weight is 10,800kg.

Apache Helicopter

The AH-64 Apache helicopter is an attack helicopter built by Boeing  and used by the Army since 1984. Over 800 Apaches are in the Army’s force. Apache’s are used for close and rear support of troops and for conducting precision strikes. Night vision and electronics allow for day, night, bad weather and obstructed view operations. Apache’s have been successfully used in Iraq, Afghanistan and other battles. In Iraq Operation Desert Storm Apache’s are credited with the destruction of hundreds of tanks, armored vehicles and radar sites. The US Army Apache fleet has logged over one million flight hours. The Apache helicopter has been called a flying tank due to its array of weapons and firepower.
The Apache helicoptor remanufacture effort incorporates a millimeter wave fire control radar (FCR), radar frequency interferometer (RFI), fire-and-forget radar-guided HELLFIRE missile and cockpit management and digitization enhancements. The combination of the FCR, RFI, and the advanced navigation and avionics suite of the aircraft provide increased situational awareness, lethality and survivability.

Capabilities

There are two variations of the Apache helicopter – AH-64A is the original model and AH-64D Longbow is the current production model. The Longbow, delivered first in 1997, is more survivable than the AH-64A, can hit moving and stationary targets from 7 kilometers away and require less maintenance. Armor on the Apache protects it from up to 12.7 mm rounds while the rotor blades can survive 23 mm rounds. The engines are also armor protected. Near real-time situational awareness provides the Apache pilots with radar and laser enhanced vision of the battlefield and weapons control. The cockpit has multifunction displays and decision aids to improve pilot effectiveness and reduce workload. Implementation of integrated information grid will allow for smooth battlefield communications. It is capable of controlling UAV´s The Apache’s composite rotor blades allow for improved range and speed. The helicopter is armored to survive attacks and allow for close combat missions.
The Apache is fitted with fire control radar with capability of target identification and threat assessment. The fire control radar can monitor up to 128 targets at one time with 30 second target acquisition. Pilot night vision capability allows for day or night operation. Night vision is supplemented by FLIR, GPS, optics and laser rangefinder equipment in a rotating turret for enhanced, 360 degree operation. Countermeasures include warning radar by Northrop Grumman, target acquisition system, infrared countermeasures, laser warning system, radar jammer and chaff dispensers.
A C-5 transport aircraft can carry six Apache helicopters. Apaches can be carried by many Navy ships. The Apache can carry one to four external 230 gallon fuel tanks for extended range operation (up to 1900 kilometers). The thermal signature of the Apache is greatly reduced to reduce the ability for radar to see the craft.

Weapons

 

• Apache Longbow variation carries 16 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles which is a “fire and forget” missile with a range up to 12 kilometers
• M230 chain gun that fires 625 rounds per minute 30mm; carries 1200 rounds of ammunition. The chain gun is located on the bottom of the helicopter.
• Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System with 70mm rockets; carries up to 76 rockets
• Can carry air-to-air missiles such as Stinger, AIM-9 Sidewinder, Mistral and Sidearm 

 

Specifications

• Engines = two turbo shaft  General Electric engines  producing 1265 kW of power each
• Climb rate = 860 feet per minute
• Cruise speed = 167 miles per hour
• Range = 300 miles
• Flight endurance = 2.5 hours
• Length = 58 feet
• Rotor diameter = 48 feet
• Height = 12 feet
• Crew size = two – pilot and co-pilot/gunner
• Weight = over 11,000 pounds empty and 17,650 pounds fully loaded
• Maximum speed = 150 knots
• Approximate cost = $12 million each

 

Production and Exports

The US Army has over 800 Apache helicopters in its fleet. Over 1,000 Apache helicopters have been exported to Egypt, Greece, Japan, Saudi Arabia, UK and Israel.

Merkava Main Battle Tank, Israel

The Merkava is the main battle tank in service with the Israeli armed forces. The first Merkava mk1 tanks were supplied to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in 1979.

Merkava Mk3 Baz main battle tank development

The Merkava mk3 Baz entered service with the IDF at the beginning of 1990. The main features of the Merkava mk3 are a new suspension system, a 1,200hp engine and new transmission, a higher power main gun, and particularly new armour protection. Ballistic protection is provided by special armour modules, which are attached to the tank by bolts. These are easily replaced whenever better ballistic technology is introduced. About 1,200 Merkava mk2 and mk3 tanks are in service with the IDF.
The first battalion of Merkava mk4 tanks entered service with the Israel Defence Forces in 2004. Improvements include; new 120mm gun, new modular ballistic armour and new fire control system developed by El-Op.

Armament

The main gun is a 120mm smoothbore gun developed by Israeli Military Industries. The gun has a Vidco Industries thermal sleeve, which increases accuracy by preventing distortion through the effects of weather, heat and shock. The tank carries an ammunition store of 50 rounds of 120mm ammunition.
The tank is also equipped with three 7.62mm machine guns, two roof mounted and one co-axial with the main gun. The tank carries a store of 10,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
The 60mm mortar system, which is a large-calibre gun with a low muzzle velocity, is capable of firing high-explosive rounds and illumination bombs. The crew can load, aim and fire the mortar system from within the turret. The mortar system is developed by Soltam Limited of Haifa.

Turret

Hydraulic systems can be susceptible to impact damage and cause a fire hazard so the electro-hydraulic turret control system installed on the mk1 and mk2 has been replaced by a totally electrical and electronic system in the Merkava mk3 for increased survivability and safety. Either the gunner or the commander operates the turret control system.
The crew is protected against nuclear, chemical and biological warfare by a high positive pressure system with air conditioning and filtration.

Protection

The tank is fitted with the Amcoram LWS-2 laser warning system, with threat warning display installed at the commander's station.
The turret and the hull are fitted with a modular armour system which can be changed in the field. The forward section of the turret is fitted with additional blocks of armour which provide extra protection against the latest generation of top attack anti-tank missiles.
A skirt of chains with ball weights is installed on the lower half of the turret bustle. Incoming HEAT projectiles detonate on impact with the chains instead of penetrating the turret ring. Sprung armour side skirts protect the wheels and tracks.
The welding and machining technology for the large armour body sections of the Merkava was developed by the Israeli Army Tank Depot, and the casting of ballistic steel materials was developed by Urdan Industries Ltd at Natanya.

 Fire control and observation

The Knight mkIII advanced fire control system, from Electro Optics Industries (EL-OP) and Elbit Ltd, integrates with the turret control and gun control units and provides the tank with the ability to engage moving targets while on the move.

The gunner's station is equipped with a thermal sight and day television channel, which are stabilised in two axes.
A laser rangefinder and target tracker are integrated into the gunner's sight. The Elbit automatic target tracker is able to automatically aim at the target using the image data presented on the day or night sights.
The commander's station is fitted with a sight which can be optically relayed to the gunner's sight. The Merkava 3 is being fitted with a new day/night stabilised panoramic sight, giving hunter/killer capacity.

Propulsion

The Merkava mk3 is equipped with an AVDS-1790-9AR diesel supplied by Teledyne Continental Motors. The air-cooled diesel provides 1,200hp, compared to the 900hp engine installed in the mk1 and mk2. The tank's transmission system was developed by the Ashot Ashkelon Industries Limited subsidiary of Israel Military Industries. The Merkava m3 carries 1,400l of fuel.

AMX-56 Leclerc Tank

The AMX-56 Leclerc, commonly known as the Leclerc, is a  main battle tank  (MBT) built by  Nexter of France . It was named in honour of General   Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque who led the French element of the drive towards Paris  while in command of the Free French 2nd Armoured Division.

Armament

 

The Leclerc is equipped with a GIAT (Nexter) CN120-26 120mm smoothbore cannon. This cannon is theoretically capable of firing the same Nato standard 120mm rounds as the German Leopard 2 and US M1 Abrams , but in practice only French-produced ammunition is issued. The gun is insulated with a thermal sleeve and has an automatic compressed air fume extraction system instead of the usual bore evacuator. The Leclerc has a unique autoloading system which was specifically designed for it, and reduces the crew to three by eliminating the human loader. The turret of the Leclerc was designed around the auto-loading system  in order to avoid the problems common to other tanks with an autoloader. The AMX-56 Leclerc autoloader allows a rate of fire of 12 shots per minute and holds 22 rounds of ready ammunition; it can accommodate up to five different types of ammunition at once, although like most autoloader systems it cannot change ammunition types once a round has been loaded. The most common types are the armour piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS) with a tungsten core and the high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round. There are 18 other rounds available for reload. A Leclerc tank can fire while traveling at a speed of 50 km/h on a target 4,000 metres away. The gun is 52 calibres long instead of the 44 calibres common on most tanks of the Leclerc's  3 generation, giving the rounds a higher muzzle velocity.
The Leclerc is also equipped with a 12.7 mm coaxial machine gun and a remote-controlled 7.62mm machine gun, whereas most other NATO tanks use 7.62mm weapons for both their coaxial and top machine gun mounts; the major exception is the American M1 Abrams, which has a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and two top-mounted machine guns, one 7.62mm and one 12.7mm.

Protection

 

The Leclerc has the GALIX combat vehicle protection system from GIAT , which fires a variety of smoke grenades and infra red screening rounds, as well as anti-personnel grenades.
The hull and the turret are made of welded steel fitted with modular armour, which can be replaced easily for repair or upgraded over the years. The French army in the late seventies rejected Chobham armour  as being overly specialised in its optimisation to defeat  hollow charge-weapons; it therefore opted to develop a steel perforated armour system, comparable to that on the early Leopard 2. When the Leclerc was introduced in the early nineties this was still considered adequate, due to the larger thickness of its modules compared to the armour of other modern western tanks, made possible — for a given weight limit — by the compact design of the tank as a whole. However during the nineties standards for tank armour protection increased, as exemplified by the Leopard 2A5, its main rival on the export market, being fitted with an additional spaced armour system. Thus it was decided to follow the Germans (Leopard2A4) and British (Challenger 2) in their application of a titanium-tungsten system, which was introduced to the Leclerc in 2001, in Batch 10. The inner spaces are filled with NERA.

Fire control and observation

The last 96 AMX XL Leclerc have the FINDERS battle management system and an ICONE TIS digital communication system which integrates data from other tanks and upper levels of command.
The Leclerc's digital fire control system can be operated independently by the gunner or the commander, and it offers real time integrated imaging from all of the tank's sensors and sights, including the gunner's SAVAN 20 stabilised sight, developed by SAGEM and the driver's night/day OB-60 vision system from Thales Optrosys. The system can track six targets concurrently and is very much like a similar system made by the same company for the Challenger 2 tank of the United Kingdom

Propulsion

 

The Leclerc has an eight-cylinder SACM  V8X-1500 1,500 hp Hyperbar diesel engine  and a SESM EMS500 automatic transmission, with five forward and two reverse gears. The official maximum speed by road is 72 km/h and 55 km/h cross country (speeds in excess of 80 km/h were reported on road). The maximum range is given as 550 km, and can be extended to 650 km with removable external tanks. The "hyperbar" system integrates a Turbomeca TM 307B gas turbine  in the engine, acting both as a turbocharger and an APU giving auxiliary power to all systems when the main engine is shut down. The Hyperbar name comes from the unusually high boost pressure of 7.5 bar and the resulting mean effective pressure of 32.1 bar. To compare, the largest diesel engine in the world has a mean effective pressure of 18.6 bar. In addition, being the boost available even at idle, this arrangement also works as an anti-lag system.
At a combat weight of just 56 tons, the Leclerc is one of the lightest main battle tanks in the world; this gives it one of the best power-to-weight ratios among the Western tanks (27 hp per tonne) and makes it one of the fastest MBTs of its generation (0 to 32 km/h in 5 seconds).
The engine exhaust, exiting at the rear left, is cooled to reduce the thermal signature of the tank. Transmission is a hydromechanical type with five forward and two reverse gears. Fuel tanks carry 1,300 litres and act as extra protection; two 200-litre external tanks can be fitted on the rear of the turret, but have to be jettisoned before entering combat since they limit turret rotation.
The gear box is equipped with a hydrokinetic retarder which can slow the Leclerc down at a deceleration rate of 7 m/s² (0.7 g) which can be very useful at the last moment before it could be hit. The crew must be strapped in safely by their harnesses to use this.

Combat experience

 

In service only since 1992 , the Leclerc has no notable experience in true warzone environments, but has seen deployment on multiple low-intensity conflicts, including 15 AMX-56 Leclercs stationed in Kosovo (KFOR) and others in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the context of UN peace-keeping operations, where their performance was judged satisfactory by French officials.
Until 2010, 13 Leclercs were deployed in the south Lebanon for a peacekeeping mission with UNIFIL

Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank

Challenger 2 is an advanced main battle tank built by BAE Systems Land Systems (formerly Vickers Defence Systems, then Alvis Vickers Ltd). Challenger 2 is in service with the British Army and with the Royal Army of Oman. The UK placed orders for 127 Challenger 2 tanks in 1991 and an additional 259 in 1994. In 1993 Oman ordered 18 Challenger 2 tanks and an order for a further 20 tanks was placed in November 1997.

Challenger 2 main battle tank development

Challenger 2 entered service with the British Army in June 1998 and the last of the 386 tanks was delivered in April 2002. Deliveries for Oman were completed in 2001. Challenger 2 has seen operational service in Bosnia and Kosovo. British Army Challenger 2 tanks were deployed on active service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In July 2004, the UK Ministry of Defence announced plans for a reduction of seven Challenger 2 armoured squadrons (about 100 tanks) by March 2007 and the change of role of one Challenger 2 regiment to an armoured reconnaissance regiment.
Challenger 2E, the latest development model, has been designed for the export market and is suitable for harsh environmental and climactic conditions. The 2E has been extensively trialled in Greece, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Challenger 2 armament

Challenger 2 is equipped with an L30, 120mm rifled tank gun from BAE Systems Land Systems (formerly RO Defence). In January 2004, Land Systems was awarded a contract to develop a new smoothbore 120mm gun for the British Army Challenger tanks. Under the contract, a Challenger 2 has been armed with the Rheinmetall L55 smoothbore gun, as fitted on the Leopard 2A6 tank, and began firing trials in January 2006.
The L30 gun is made from electro-slag refined steel (ESR) and is insulated with a thermal sleeve. It is fitted with a muzzle reference system and fume extraction. The turret is capable of 360° rotation and the weapon elevation range is from -10° to +20°.
There is capacity for 50 120mm projectiles, including armour-piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot (APFSDS), high-explosive squash head (HESH) or smoke rounds. The L30 gun can also fire the depleted uranium (DU) round with a stick charge propellant. With the DU round, the L30 is part of the Charm 3 gun, charge and projectile system.
The gun control is provided by an all-electric gun control and stabilisation system from BAE Systems. Challenger 2 is also equipped with a Boeing 7.62mm chain gun, which is located to the left of the main tank gun. The loader has a 7.62mm GPMG L37A2 anti-air machine gun, mounted on the cupola.

Self-protection

The turret is protected with second generation Chobham armour. A nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection system is located in the turret bustle. On each side of the turret are five L8 smoke grenade dischargers, from Thales AFV Systems Ltd (formerly Helio Mirror Company).
Challenger 2 can also set a smoke screen by the injection of diesel fuel into the engine exhausts.

Fire control and observation

The digital fire control computer is produced by Computing Devices Company (now General Dynamics – Canada). General Dynamics UK is supplying the platform battlefield information system application (PBISA) for the British Army Challenger 2 tanks. PBISA integrates the commander's display, inertial navigation system, digitisation processing computer and driver's display panel. Land Systems is responsible for system integration and some of the software. PBISA entered service in December 2005.
British Army Challenger 2 tanks are being fitted with the Bowman tactical, digital communications system. Prime contractor for Bowman is General Dynamics UK. Bowman provides secure voice and data communications and automatic location of units. Challenger tanks fitted with the system were deployed to Iraq in early 2006.
The commander has a panoramic VS 580-10 gyrostabilised sight from SAGEM (formerly SFIM Industries).
A laser rangefinder is incorporated into an intermediate assembly. Elevation range is +35° to -35°. The commander's station is equipped with eight periscopes which provide 360° vision.
The thermal observation and gunnery sight II (TOGS II), from Thales (formerly Pilkington) Optronics, provides night vision. The sensor is based on UK TICM 2 common modules. The thermal image, with magnification ×4 and ×11.5 is displayed in the gunner's and commander's sights and monitors. The gunner has a Thales Optronics stabilised Gunner's Primary Sight, consisting of visual channel, 4Hz laser rangefinder and display. The laser rangefinder has a range of 200m to 10km.
The driver is equipped with an image-intensifying passive driving periscope (PDP) from Thales Optronics, for night driving.

Challenger 2 lethality improvement programme

The Challenger lethality improvement programme aims to upgrade the main gun of Challenger 2 from its current 120mm L30A1 rifled gun to the 120mm Rheinmetall L55 smoothbore gun currently used by the Leopard 2 A6.
The use of a smooth bore allows Challenger 2 to use more lethal rounds developed in Germany and the US.

Propulsion

The Challenger 2 has a 12-cylinder, 1,200hp Perkins Caterpillar CV12 diesel engine and a David Brown TN54 gearbox, with six forward and two reverse gears. Second-generation Hydrogas suspension and hydraulic track tensioner are fitted. The maximum speed by road is 59km/h and 40km/h cross country. The range is given as 450km by road and 250km cross country.

Challenger 2E

Challenger 2E has a new integrated weapon control and battlefield management system, which includes a gyrostabilised panoramic SAGEM MVS 580 day / thermal sight for the commander and SAGEM SAVAN 15 gyrostabilised day / thermal sight for the gunner, both with eyesafe laser rangefinder. This allows hunter / killer operations with a common engagement sequence. An optional servo-controlled overhead weapons platform can be slaved to the commander's sight to allow operation independent from the turret.
The powerpack has been replaced with a new 1,500hp Europack with transversely mounted MTU 883 diesel engine coupled to Renk HSWL 295TM automatic transmission. The smaller but more powerful engine allows more space for fuel storage, increasing the vehicle's range to 550km.

Armoured vehicle support transformation (AVST) programme

In September 2009, the UK MoD Investment Approvals Board gave the go-ahead to BAE Systems to frame a scheme for the Challenger tank fleet that would reduce costs by over 10%. The scheme also be extends to other armoured vehicle fleets in service with the British Army under the armoured vehicle support transformation (AVST) programme. The key objective of the scheme is to provide improved availability of spare parts and technical support to the UK MoD's fleet of armoured vehicles.
A fleet of Titan and Trojan engineer tanks, a CRARRV recovery vehicle, a Challenger main battle tank and the driver training tank are covered under the contract.
In phase one, BAE Systems implements improvements in areas such as needs-based maintenance, base repair and overhaul process, obsolescence management, and technical advice and guidance on key sub-systems.
In phase two, BAE Systems focuses on integration of the defence lines of development in areas including user and trainer incentives, integration of material, manpower and facilities planning and better fleet management.