Challenger 2 (2F)

This page is about the British medium tank Challenger 2 (2F). For other uses, see Challenger (Disambiguation).

Challenger 2 (2F)

Challenger 2

Challenger 2 TES

Challenger 2 (2F)

Challenger 2

Challenger 2 TES

Britain

VII Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
11.7	11.7	11.7

Class:

Medium tank

Research:175 000

Purchase:950 000

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Description

The Tank, Combat, 120-mm Gun, Challenger 2 (Dorchester Level 2F) is a rank VII British medium tank with a battle rating of 11.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Starfighters".

General info

Survivability and armour

ERA

Effective action against the cumulative ammunition

Composite armour

Balanced protection against all types of ammunition

Smoke grenades

Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle

ESS

Creation of a smoke screen in the direction of movement of the vehicle

Armourfront / side / back

Hull130 / 38 / 50

Turret270 / 80 / 58

Crew4 people

Visibility88 %

The Challenger 2 (2F) was created to give increased protection against shaped charges and as much is evident when evaluating the armour. While the internal composite armour remains the same from the previous variant, a large amount of external composite and ERA has been added to the hull front and sides as well as the turret sides. Additional slat armour has also been mounted to the sides and rear of the hull and turret.

With the only real change being the additional external armour, the same structural weakspots that exist on the Challenger 2 remain on the 2F. The large driver's port is an obvious target for enemy armour, which can penetrate it at almost any angle due to only RHA protection. Kinetic rounds aimed through the driver's port from the direct or near-direct front will often go straight through the tank, often taking several crew members, the cannon breech or the engine, occasionally resulting in a knocked out crew. Chemical rounds are less effective but fragments may set off the charges stored next to the driver, especially when fired at from above.

The gun mantlet is also a large weakspot, although kinetic rounds will be most effective, as chemical rounds will often only knock out the cannon breech or be blocked by the optics mounted at the top of the gun, which will allow the tank to pull back and repair provided it has the distance to do so. Kinetic rounds will often not fragment properly, going straight through the back of the turret, at max taking out two crew members due to the breech acting as a shield to the other side of the turret. Only when attacking from above will rounds have a significant chance of detonating ammunition due to the 2 stage system used by British tanks. Any ammunition stored in the turret will be warheads which are not able to be detonated.

As with the last variant and many other MBTs, the sides have no real kinetic protection, however the 2F has additional protection against chemical rounds. Most shots to the side of the front half of the turret have a high likelihood of taking out the cannon breech and a crew member, occasionally knocking out 2 or 3 crew. Any shots the the back half of the turret from the side will be ineffective due to the large amount of empty space. Aiming low on the tank's hull will give the best results for penetration and ammo detonation. Despite the additional ERA on the lower frontal plate, chemical rounds such as the German DM12A1 can still get through, and can get through the side mounted composite screens on a flat angle (0-25°).

Armour	Front	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	38-50 mm (56-83°) Upper Plate 70 mm (31-34°) Lower Glacis 60 mm (0-80°) Driver's Port	25 mm Top (70°) 25 mm Middle (0°) 38 mm Bottom (0°)	25 mm (32°)	10-20 mm
Turret	38 - 50 mm (56-82°) Turret Front 30 mm (3-82°) Gun Mantlet	20-25 mm (8-10°)	20 mm (18°)	10-38 mm
Cupola	8 mm (3-78°)	8 mm (9-60°)	8 mm (1-80°)	44-60 mm
Composite Armour	Front	Sides
Hull	Upper Kinetic: 420-1000 mm Chemical: 700-950 mm Lower Kinetic: 100-400 mm Chemical: 350-570 mm With Dorchester 2F Modification Upper Kinetic: 420-1000 mm Chemical: 700-1200 mm Lower Kinetic: 140-180 mm Chemical: 200-860 mm	Ext. Composite with NERA: Kinetic: 30 mm Chemical: 400 mm
Turret	Turret Cheeks Kinetic: 440-720 mm Chemical: 780-1000 mm	Internal Composite Kinetic: 190-740 mm Chemical: 300-1000 mm Ext. Composite with NERA Kinetic: 30 mm Chemical: 400 mm

Notes:

• Upper Frontal Plate has additional 10 mm external plate.
• Lower Frontal Plate has 25.4 mm external steel and ROMOR-A ERA. This is upgraded to a composite with NERA plate when mounting the Dorchester 2F upgrade, as detailed in the table above.
• Parts of the side and rear hull have mounted Slat Armour (50 mm Chemical Protection).

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB66 / 42 km/h

RB and SB60 / 38 km/h

Number of gears8 forward

4 back

Weight69.0 t

Engine power

AB2 322 hp

RB and SB1 217 hp

Power-to-weight ratio

AB33.7 hp/t

RB and SB17.6 hp/t

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)		Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse	Stock	AoA	Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	66	42	62.5	1.1	1,886	2,322	30.18	36.51
Realistic	60	38			1,076	1,217	17.22	19.14

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB4 193 → 6 851

RB4 097 → 6 694

SB5 183 → 8 469

Total cost of modifications279 500

461 000

Talisman cost3 000

Crew training270 000

Experts950 000

Aces2 200

Research Aces1 210 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

150 / 190 / 210 %

244 / 244 / 244 %

Modifications

Mobility	Protection	Firepower
Tracks Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 300 Suspension Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 330 Brake System Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 330 Filters Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 480 Transmission Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 400 Engine Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 400	Improved Parts Research: 3 600 Cost: 19 000 300 Improved FPE Research: 3 900 Cost: 20 000 330 Crew Replenishment Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 480 ESS Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 400	Horizontal Drive Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 300 120mm_britain_Smoke_ammo_pack Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 300 120mm_britain_L26_APDSFS_ammo_pack Research: 12 000 Cost: 19 000 300 Adjustment of Fire Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 330 NVD Research: 13 000 Cost: 20 000 330 Elevation Mechanism Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 480 Dorchester 2F Research: 19 000 Cost: 29 000 480 Laser rangefinder Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 400 120mm_britain_L27_APDSFS_ammo_pack Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 400 Artillery Support Research: 16 000 Cost: 25 000 400

Armaments

Laser rangefinder

Reduces the error and increases the maximum measurable distance of the rangefinder

Night vision device

Improves visibility by enhancing natural light or active illumination.

Thermal imager

Allows to see thermal radiation in the infrared range day and night

Setup 1:120 mm L30A1 cannon

7.62 mm L94A1 machine gun

7.62 mm L37A2 machine gun

Setup 2:120 mm L30A1 cannon

7.62 mm L94A1 machine gun

7.62 mm L37A2 machine gun

Main armament

120 mm L30A1 cannon

Two-plane stabilizer

Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving

Ammunition49 rounds

First-order4 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

6.5 → 5.0 s

Vertical guidance-10° / 20°

120 mm L30A1					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	50	-10°/+20°	±180°	Two-plane	29.5	40.8	49.6	54.8	58.4	6.50	5.75	5.30	5.00
Realistic					18.4	21.7	26.4	29.1	31.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
Shot L23A1	APFSDS	396	394	387	376	367	357
Shell L31A7	HESH	152	152	152	152	152	152
L26	APFSDS	493	491	487	481	474	468
L27A1	APFSDS	564	562	557	551	545	538

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
Shot L23A1	APFSDS	1,535	3.89	N/A	N/A	N/A	78°	80°	81°
Shell L31A7	HESH	670	17.1	0.05	0.1	6,560	73°	77°	80°
L26	APFSDS	1,650	4.1	N/A	N/A	N/A	78°	80°	81°
L27A1	APFSDS	1,650	4.1	N/A	N/A	N/A	78°	80°	81°

Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Screen radius (m)	Screen deploy time (s)	Screen hold time (s)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
L34	670	17.1	20	5	25	50

Ammo racks

Full ammo	Ammo part	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	7th rack empty	8th rack empty	9th rack empty	10th rack empty	11th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
50	Projectiles Propellants	44 (+6) 45 (+5)	39 (+11) 39 (+11)	32 (+18) 30 (+20)	30 (+20) 22 (+28)	28 (+22) 13 (+37)	25 (+25) 5 (+45)	22 (+28) 1 (+49)	14 (+36)	5 (+45)	4 (+46)	1 (+49)	No

Ammo racks of the Challenger 2

• Projectile racks 10 and 11, and propellant rack 7, are first-stage ammo racks
• Hull front empty: 22 (+28)

Machine guns

7.62 mm L94A1 machine gun (coaxial)

Ammunition4 000 rounds

Belt capacity2 000 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate600 shots/min

7.62 mm L37A2 machine gun

Ammunition1 700 rounds

Belt capacity100 rounds

Reloadbasic crew → aces

10.4 → 8.0 s

Fire rate650 shots/min

7.62 mm L37A2
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle	1,700 (100)	650	-10°/+50°	±180°

7.62 mm L94A1
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	2,300 (2,000)	600	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

In many ways, the Challenger (2F) plays the same as the precursor Challenger 2, however it differentiates itself with its increased ability to brawl. Especially with the armour package, the 2F can find itself brawling alongside its teammates, though players should be wary of the target they are facing to decide which ones they will play aggressive towards. For example, brawling with T-72As and TURMS can be viable due to their HEAT-FS and APFSDS rounds being ill equipped to penetrate many parts of the tank. Slight angling should be used to counter their rounds, and players should attempt to draw attention to their turret to try and bait shots onto the Challenger 2s impenetrable turret cheeks. One should never attempt to brawl a Leopard 2A5 or 6, and likewise any top BR tanks. In urban environments, moving up, taking position, and waiting to hear approaching engines to set up ambushes is definitely a viable strategy, especially when going against Russian or American tanks, as their engines give off the characteristic rotary whine.

As expected, the tank excels at sniping, even more so than the previous Challenger 2, as it has access to its Depleted Uranium round, the L27A1. It has access the to the same smoke-generation capabilities of the Challenger 2, and therefore can support the team effectively over range and close in. Additionally, the tank can resist missiles from helicopters which one can expect to happen in open areas that lend themselves to sniping. This is possible provided the missile does not hit the roof, so if you see a missile approaching, you can attempt to block it with your gun. The slat armour on the back of the tank is very effective against chemical rounds, including missiles, which can be the difference between living and being knocked out. Once hit, however, it will fall off and therefore players should attempt to avoid exposing their rear more-so where slat armour has been destroyed.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Effective side-ERA against air-to-ground missiles
• Fast reload, particularly for a 120 mm (5 seconds aced)
• Sights with high zoom, 2nd generation thermals and a wide FOV
• High reverse of -40 km/h
• The L30A1 120 mm gun is incredibly accurate, even at long range
• Turret cheeks are invulnerable to all HEAT-FS and APFSDS, including the dreaded DM53 shell

Cons:

• Vulnerable commander's hatch and cannon breech
• No CITV (Commander Independent Thermal Viewer)
• Dorchester 2F only marginally increases LFP armour against FIN shells and ATGMs
• Dorchester 2F adds 1,100 kg of weight to an already sluggish tank
• L27A1 has low penetration compared to other top rank NATO ammunition
• Accessible weakspots, especially the gun mantlet

History

The Challenger 2F or CR2 TES is an upgraded version of the Challenger 2, featuring the upgrade kit known as TES (Theatre Entry Standard) and nicknamed 'Megatron'. The upgrade protection kit saw several adjustments over the years until the present time.

These modifications were ordered by the MOD, as part of the numerous updates inside the Challenger 2's LEP (Life Extension Programme) to increase the operability, lethality and protection of the 1998 design until 2025, or until a new British MBT design is available. The TES aims to increase the protection levels against the operational threats of the British Army such as the IEDs, hollow charges or Tandem charges - common threats during suburban deployments.

MCS

The Challenger 2 was covered with an MCS (Mobile Camouflage System) all around the tank, reducing the heat signature and keeping the vehicle almost indistinguishable from Thermal imaging devices.

Bar armour

The slat or bar armour was added to the sides and the rear of the vehicle to increase the levels of protection against rocket-propelled grenades while not downgrading the mobility of the Challenger. The bar armour must disrupt any hollow charges from detonating; either by crushing it upon impact or damaging the warhead and the fuze through contact with the bars.

Dorchester 2F armour kit

Most previous NERA (Non-Explosive Reactive Armour) side plates have been reinforced with additional Dorchester armour plates, notably the lower frontal-glacis protection was drastically improved, with the addition of a large block of Dorchester armour; augmenting the protection in one of the most vulnerable areas for the Challenger 2. Furthermore, the sides of the turret also received external Dorchester armour packages, enhancing the protection of the crew inside the fighting compartment from possible side-attacks.

Remote controlled weapon systems (RCWS)

As an offensive upgrade, the TES received a new Remote controlled weapon systems (RCWS) over the loader's hatch ring, capable of assessing the battlefield and engaging light targets or infantry from within the vehicle. Previously, the operator had to open the hatch to fire the pintle-mounted L37A2 7.62mm GPMG machine gun.

The CR2 TES also received IED jammers near the left and right front fenders and ECM countermeasures antennas capable of detecting nearby Improvised Explosive Devices.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Challenger 2 (2F) from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Should You Grind The Challenger 2 (2F)? - Sako Sniper

See also

Analogues in other nations

• Leopard 2A6
• Ariete PSO
• Leclerc S2
• M1A2 Abrams
• T-72B3

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.