Difference between revisions of "Challenger 2 OES"

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(Modified pros and cons to compare more accurately against TES, removed inaccurate or debatable information)
(I have added history, ammo racks, mobility and general info)
 
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 +
{{About
 +
| about = premium British medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = Challenger 2 (Family)
 +
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=uk_challenger_2_megatron
 
|code=uk_challenger_2_megatron
Line 6: Line 11:
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
−
The Challenger 2 OES is a modification for the tank made to improve its survivability in high intensity battles. With the introduction of ERA blocks covering the sides and front of the vehicle, this protection is meant to deal specially against RPGs and ATGMs in urban combat. The vehicle also received updated protection against IEDs. The upgrade started development based on the Challenger 2 TES, which is almost identical, this upgrade was created as a response to the asymmetric warfare scenario of Iraq 2002, in which IEDs and urban combat doomed many NATO tanks due to their poor protection on the sides. The US developed a similar upgrade with the TUSK ERA package for their M1 Abram tanks.
+
The '''Challenger 2 OES''' is a modification for the Challenger 2 tank made to improve its survivability in high intensity battles. With the introduction of ERA blocks covering the sides and front of the vehicle, this protection was meant to deal specially with RPGs and ATGMs in urban combat. The vehicle also received updated protection against IEDs. The upgrade started development based on the [[Challenger 2 TES]], which is almost identical; this upgrade was created as a response to the asymmetric warfare scenario of Iraq 2002, in which IEDs and urban combat doomed many NATO tanks due to their poor protection on the sides. The US developed a similar upgrade with the [[M1A2 SEP|TUSK ERA]] package for their M1 Abrams tanks.
  
−
It was introduced in [[Update "Air Superiority"]]. The Challenger 2 OES is very similar to other Challenger 2 tanks. However the increased weight due to the ERA and added composite screens does not include an upgraded engine. Which means that the mobility of the Challenger 2 OES is mediocre when compared to earlier Challenger 2s. However, this comes with increased protection against both APFSDS projectiles and ATGMs, the ERA and composite screens are enough to increase the protection against other tanks in critical areas, while they also increase the chances of enemy ATGMs not penetrating the vehicle on the sides of the tank and the turret. However the weak spot in the lower front plate is still present so take that into consideration and hide your hull whenever possible.  
+
Introduced in [[Update "Air Superiority"]], the Challenger 2 OES is very similar to other Challenger 2 tanks. However, the increased weight due to the ERA and added composite screens does not include an upgraded engine, which means that the mobility of the Challenger 2 OES is mediocre when compared to earlier Challenger 2s. However, this comes with increased protection against both APFSDS projectiles and ATGMs, the ERA and composite screens are enough to increase the protection against other tanks in critical areas, while they also increase the chances of enemy ATGMs not penetrating the vehicle on the sides of the tank and the turret. However, the weak spot in the lower front plate is still present so take that into consideration and hide your hull whenever possible.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 14: Line 19:
 
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
''The Challenger 2 OES has the armour that would be expected of the name (OES - Operational Entry Standard). The tank has been updated to meet the modern theatres of war, including streetfighting and more effective chemical munitions and kinetic weapons. The ERA on the sides displays this exact line of thought. In-game, the combined ERA and composite screen add ~240 mm of effective protection against shaped charges and about 46 mm protection against KE rounds at 0 degrees.''
 +
 
 +
''Equipped with the iconic jammer plate mounted to the roof, this tank will be easy to spot and identify, so one should take care to cover their weak points with extra care, as many will know where the weaknesses are, and feel pressured to shoot them due to the increased armour elsewhere. The tank retains the same weakspots: the gun mantlet, driver's port, and the lower frontal plate, though unlike the [[Challenger 2 (2F)]] you get the LFP composite block (and the rest of the add-on) stock, which does help with the chemical protection. The gun breech will most likely block spalling from any penetrating round, allowing OES players to retreat and repair their breech, should they be far enough away from danger.''
 +
 
 +
''When opposing enemy tanks, commanders should attempt to angle their tank slightly, as the side add-on will be more effective against HEAT-FS and ATGMs (so long as they don't have tandem charge warheads), though this won't prevent any darts you meet from going through - M735 and DM23 can make it through 3 ERA blocks and still have enough energy to take out the engine. Angling has the added bonus of making the driver's port less effective as a means of knocking out the tank's crew.''
  
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Hull || ___ mm || ___ mm ''Top'' <br> ___ mm ''Bottom'' || ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm
+
| Hull || 38-50 mm (56-83°) ''Upper plate''
 +
70 mm (31-34°) ''Lower glacis''
 +
 
 +
60 mm (0-80°) ''Driver's port''
 +
| 25 mm (70°) Top
 +
25 mm ''Middle''
 +
 
 +
38 mm ''Bottom''
 +
| 25 mm (32°) || 10 - 20 mm
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Turret || ___ - ___ mm ''Turret front'' <br> ___ mm ''Gun mantlet'' || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ mm || ___ - ___ 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 || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm || ___ mm
+
| Cupola || 8 mm (3 - 78°) || 8 mm (9 - 60°) || 8 mm (1 - 80°) || 44 - 60 mm
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
'''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
+
'''Notes:'''
 +
 
 +
* ''Upper front plate'' has additional 6.35 mm external structural steel plate.
 +
* ''Lower front plate'' has additional composite with NERA elements, which is very effective against chemical munitions.
 +
* Tracks and suspension wheels are 20 mm thick.<!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
 
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
 
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
  
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.''
+
''The mobility of the OES is poor, but in comparison with the TES version, mobility has become better, because the engine has become more powerful by 200 horsepower. The drastic increase in weight over the [[Challenger 2 (2F)]] makes the already below average power-to-weight ratio even worse, and getting the add-on stock ironically makes the situation worse: other Challenger 2s allow you to go for mobility upgrades before the add-on packages, making mobility through the stock grind more bearable as you decide when the extra weight is added, whereas with the OES you start out at 75t and 1217 hp. Even with all the mobility upgrades, the OES is slow to turn and slow to accelerate, and on some dirt roads it may struggle to reach 25 km/h. The neutral steering is unaffected by the increase in weight, completing a 360 traverse in the same amount of time as a 62.5t Challenger 2 (~14.5s).''
  
−
{{tankMobility}}
+
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=1,886|rbMinHp=1,076}}
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
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|-
 
|-
 
! ''Arcade''
 
! ''Arcade''
−
| rowspan="2" | 50 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__ || rowspan="2" | _.__
+
| rowspan="2" | 49 || rowspan="2" | -10°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 29.5 || 40.8 || 49.6 || 54.9 || 58.4 || rowspan="2" | 6.50 || rowspan="2" | 5.75 || rowspan="2" | 5.30 || rowspan="2" | 5.00
 
|-
 
|-
 
! ''Realistic''
 
! ''Realistic''
−
| __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
+
| 18.4 || 21.7 || 26.4 || 29.2 || 31.0
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
−
| '''50''' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __&nbsp;''(+__)'' || __
+
| '''49''' || 48&nbsp;''(+1)''  
 +
45 (+4)
 +
| 45&nbsp;''(+4)''  
 +
39 (+10)
 +
| 43&nbsp;''(+6)''  
 +
31 (+18)
 +
| 41&nbsp;''(+8)''  
 +
22 (+27)
 +
| 34&nbsp;''(+15)''  
 +
14 (+35)
 +
| 29&nbsp;''(+20)''  
 +
5 (+44)
 +
| No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
|-
 
|-
−
| || ___ (___) || ___ || __° || __°
+
| Pintle || 1,000 (200) || 575 || -10°/+50° || ±180°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal
 
|-
 
|-
−
| || ___ (___) || ___ || __° || __°
+
| Coaxial || 2,000 (2,000) || 600 || - || -
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
''The tactics of combat are similar to the Challenger 2 TES, with the Challenger 2 OES, the addon armour protection comes as standard and leaves the vehicle more protected than the base Challenger 2. However, this add-on armour has the downside of making the OES rather sluggish at accelerating and turning.''
 +
 
 +
''As with all the Challenger 2's, the ideal playstyle is to be at long range, utilising hull down positions to protect the hull and use the gunners thermal sight and laser range finder to return fire with good effectiveness. The OES retains the option of carrying smoke or HESH shells. Smoke can be used to fire at enemy positions to obscure their view while either the OES is repositioned or teammates are advancing. HESH can be used against light vehicles to overpressure them in situations where getting a killing blow with APFSDS would be difficult.''
 +
 
 +
''Where close range combat is required, ensure that the hull remains protected as much as possible by using terrain features. Take the time to ensure that when pushing into a location that it is clear of threats, as pushing round corners of buildings will leave the hull exposed without the chance to return fire.''
 +
 
 +
''Brawling is an option, however, the OES is rather sluggish and will not last long against fast or experienced opponents when the range is very short. Try to get the enemy to shoot the turret cheeks, as shots to the hull or gun breech will render the OES combat ineffective. Using the Challenger 2's impressive reload will give the OES an upper hand in brawls, as if both the Challenger and the opponent fire at the same time, the Challenger will typically reload first.''
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
 
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
−
''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''
 
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
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* Retains pros from previous challenger 2:
 
* Retains pros from previous challenger 2:
 
** Impressive chemical protection on the front and sides
 
** Impressive chemical protection on the front and sides
−
** Maintains the kinetic protection from previous variants, with improvements in places
+
** Impressive kinetic protection on either side of the cannon breech, allowing for efficient hull down combat
−
** Access to unique and powerful hesh round
+
** Access to unique and powerful HESH round
−
** Very accurate L30A1 120 mm gun, can even fire hesh accurately at multiple km range
+
** Very accurate L30A1 120 mm gun, can even fire HESH accurately at a range of several kilometres
 
** Fast reload
 
** Fast reload
 
* Roof mounted machine gun has access to thermal and can be used as a makeshift CITV for scouting (but not firing, unfortunately)
 
* Roof mounted machine gun has access to thermal and can be used as a makeshift CITV for scouting (but not firing, unfortunately)
−
* Access to 12mm machine gun, a rare luxury on British tanks
+
* Access to 12.7 mm machine gun, a rare luxury on British tanks
 
* Since it is a premium tank, its RP and SL gains are doubled and it can research any British tanks currently in the game
 
* Since it is a premium tank, its RP and SL gains are doubled and it can research any British tanks currently in the game
  
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* The jammer is useless in-game and begs other tanks to scout it out or use HE on it
 
* The jammer is useless in-game and begs other tanks to scout it out or use HE on it
 
* Heaviest MBT in the game with a very poor hp/ton ratio; very poor acceleration
 
* Heaviest MBT in the game with a very poor hp/ton ratio; very poor acceleration
−
* Worse turret traverse compared to most challenger 2 tanks, and one of the worst of any 11.3+ vehicle
+
* Slow turret traverse speed for the BR
 
* Very poor steering, turning is slow and costs a great deal of speed, which takes a long time to regain
 
* Very poor steering, turning is slow and costs a great deal of speed, which takes a long time to regain
−
* In most situations, can only reach around 40kph (25mph)
+
* In most situations, can only reach around 40 km/h (25 mph)
 
* Also retains weaknesses of previous challenger 2 models:
 
* Also retains weaknesses of previous challenger 2 models:
 
** Same ammunition options as the previous Challengers
 
** Same ammunition options as the previous Challengers
−
** Maintains the same weak spots from previous variants
+
** Frontal armour is weak at the lower frontal plate, drivers port, and cannon breech
 
** L27A1 has low penetration compared to other top rank NATO ammunition, however reload speed does compensate for this
 
** L27A1 has low penetration compared to other top rank NATO ammunition, however reload speed does compensate for this
 
** Cannot maintain the short reload time after the first-stage ammo rack (4 rounds) has been depleted
 
** Cannot maintain the short reload time after the first-stage ammo rack (4 rounds) has been depleted
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== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''
+
A modification of the British Challenger 2 TES main battle tank with Dorchester Level 2 armour set has been used by the British Army in the operation in Iraq since 2002. At the end of 2004, these tanks were additionally equipped with combined turret side shields, as well as grilles covering rear parts of the hull and turret for protection against shape-charged anti-tank weapons - this configuration received the designation Dorchester Level 2F (DL2F). The next modernization, also aimed at improving the protection, took place in 2008. The tanks received hull skirts made of combined armour, NERA blocks on the hull sides were replaced with ERA containers manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited. This variant of the Challenger 2 was designated OES (Operational Entry Standard). Designed specifically for urban combat.
 +
 
 +
''- From Devblog''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
−
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
 
 +
;Skins
 +
 
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=uk_challenger_2_megatron Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
Line 163: Line 208:
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
  
−
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
+
;Related development
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+
 
 +
* [[Challenger 2 (Family)]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==

Latest revision as of 13:46, 20 November 2024

Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
This page is about the premium British medium tank Challenger 2 OES. For other versions, see Challenger 2 (Family).
Challenger 2 OES
uk_challenger_2_megatron.png
GarageImage Challenger 2 OES.jpg
Challenger 2 OES
Britain flag.png Britain
VII Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
11.7 11.7 11.7
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:9 620 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

The Challenger 2 OES is a modification for the Challenger 2 tank made to improve its survivability in high intensity battles. With the introduction of ERA blocks covering the sides and front of the vehicle, this protection was meant to deal specially with RPGs and ATGMs in urban combat. The vehicle also received updated protection against IEDs. The upgrade started development based on the Challenger 2 TES, which is almost identical; this upgrade was created as a response to the asymmetric warfare scenario of Iraq 2002, in which IEDs and urban combat doomed many NATO tanks due to their poor protection on the sides. The US developed a similar upgrade with the TUSK ERA package for their M1 Abrams tanks.

Introduced in Update "Air Superiority", the Challenger 2 OES is very similar to other Challenger 2 tanks. However, the increased weight due to the ERA and added composite screens does not include an upgraded engine, which means that the mobility of the Challenger 2 OES is mediocre when compared to earlier Challenger 2s. However, this comes with increased protection against both APFSDS projectiles and ATGMs, the ERA and composite screens are enough to increase the protection against other tanks in critical areas, while they also increase the chances of enemy ATGMs not penetrating the vehicle on the sides of the tank and the turret. However, the weak spot in the lower front plate is still present so take that into consideration and hide your hull whenever possible.

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 OES has the armour that would be expected of the name (OES - Operational Entry Standard). The tank has been updated to meet the modern theatres of war, including streetfighting and more effective chemical munitions and kinetic weapons. The ERA on the sides displays this exact line of thought. In-game, the combined ERA and composite screen add ~240 mm of effective protection against shaped charges and about 46 mm protection against KE rounds at 0 degrees.

Equipped with the iconic jammer plate mounted to the roof, this tank will be easy to spot and identify, so one should take care to cover their weak points with extra care, as many will know where the weaknesses are, and feel pressured to shoot them due to the increased armour elsewhere. The tank retains the same weakspots: the gun mantlet, driver's port, and the lower frontal plate, though unlike the Challenger 2 (2F) you get the LFP composite block (and the rest of the add-on) stock, which does help with the chemical protection. The gun breech will most likely block spalling from any penetrating round, allowing OES players to retreat and repair their breech, should they be far enough away from danger.

When opposing enemy tanks, commanders should attempt to angle their tank slightly, as the side add-on will be more effective against HEAT-FS and ATGMs (so long as they don't have tandem charge warheads), though this won't prevent any darts you meet from going through - M735 and DM23 can make it through 3 ERA blocks and still have enough energy to take out the engine. Angling has the added bonus of making the driver's port less effective as a means of knocking out the tank's crew.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) 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 (70°) Top

25 mm Middle

38 mm Bottom

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

Notes:

  • Upper front plate has additional 6.35 mm external structural steel plate.
  • Lower front plate has additional composite with NERA elements, which is very effective against chemical munitions.
  • Tracks and suspension wheels are 20 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB66 / 42 km/h
RB and SB60 / 38 km/h
Number of gears8 forward
4 back
Weight74.8 t
Engine power
AB2 322 hp
RB and SB1 217 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB31.0 hp/t
RB and SB16.3 hp/t

The mobility of the OES is poor, but in comparison with the TES version, mobility has become better, because the engine has become more powerful by 200 horsepower. The drastic increase in weight over the Challenger 2 (2F) makes the already below average power-to-weight ratio even worse, and getting the add-on stock ironically makes the situation worse: other Challenger 2s allow you to go for mobility upgrades before the add-on packages, making mobility through the stock grind more bearable as you decide when the extra weight is added, whereas with the OES you start out at 75t and 1217 hp. Even with all the mobility upgrades, the OES is slow to turn and slow to accelerate, and on some dirt roads it may struggle to reach 25 km/h. The neutral steering is unaffected by the increase in weight, completing a 360 traverse in the same amount of time as a 62.5t Challenger 2 (~14.5s).

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 66 42 74.8 1,886 2,322 25.21 31.04
Realistic 60 38 1,076 1,217 14.39 16.27

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB3 506 Sl icon.png
RB3 375 Sl icon.png
SB4 194 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts1 560 000 Sl icon.png
Aces2 200 Ge icon.png
Research Aces2 420 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 150 / 190 / 210 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 244 / 244 / 244 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement uk.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods engine smoke screen system.png
ESS
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank ammo.png
120mm_britain_Smoke_ammo_pack
Mods tank ammo.png
120mm_britain_L26_APDSFS_ammo_pack
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods thermal sight.png
NVD
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Mods tank laser rangefinder.png
Laser rangefinder
Mods tank ammo.png
120mm_britain_L27_APDSFS_ammo_pack
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support

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

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°
Main article: L30A1 (120 mm)

Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: {{main|Name of the weapon}}. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.

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 49 -10°/+20° ±180° Two-plane 29.5 40.8 49.6 54.9 58.4 6.50 5.75 5.30 5.00
Realistic 18.4 21.7 26.4 29.2 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) (kg) 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Shot L23A1 APFSDS 1,535 3.89 - - - 78° 80° 81°
Shell L31A7 HESH 670 17.34 0.1 4 6.53 73° 77° 80°
L26 APFSDS 1,650 4.3 - - - 78° 80° 81°
L27A1 APFSDS 1,650 4.3 - - - 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 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		5th
rack empty 		6th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
49 48 (+1)

45 (+4)

45 (+4)

39 (+10)

43 (+6)

31 (+18)

41 (+8)

22 (+27)

34 (+15)

14 (+35)

29 (+20)

5 (+44)

No

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB machine gun
Ammunition1 000 rounds
Belt capacity200 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate575 shots/min
Vertical guidance-10° / 50°
7.62 mm L94A1 machine gun (coaxial)
Ammunition2 000 rounds
Belt capacity2 000 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate600 shots/min
Main articles: M2HB (12.7 mm), L94A1 (7.62 mm)

Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Pintle 1,000 (200) 575 -10°/+50° ±180°
7.62 mm L94A1
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 2,000 (2,000) 600 - -

Usage in battles

The tactics of combat are similar to the Challenger 2 TES, with the Challenger 2 OES, the addon armour protection comes as standard and leaves the vehicle more protected than the base Challenger 2. However, this add-on armour has the downside of making the OES rather sluggish at accelerating and turning.

As with all the Challenger 2's, the ideal playstyle is to be at long range, utilising hull down positions to protect the hull and use the gunners thermal sight and laser range finder to return fire with good effectiveness. The OES retains the option of carrying smoke or HESH shells. Smoke can be used to fire at enemy positions to obscure their view while either the OES is repositioned or teammates are advancing. HESH can be used against light vehicles to overpressure them in situations where getting a killing blow with APFSDS would be difficult.

Where close range combat is required, ensure that the hull remains protected as much as possible by using terrain features. Take the time to ensure that when pushing into a location that it is clear of threats, as pushing round corners of buildings will leave the hull exposed without the chance to return fire.

Brawling is an option, however, the OES is rather sluggish and will not last long against fast or experienced opponents when the range is very short. Try to get the enemy to shoot the turret cheeks, as shots to the hull or gun breech will render the OES combat ineffective. Using the Challenger 2's impressive reload will give the OES an upper hand in brawls, as if both the Challenger and the opponent fire at the same time, the Challenger will typically reload first.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Retains pros from previous challenger 2:
    • Impressive chemical protection on the front and sides
    • Impressive kinetic protection on either side of the cannon breech, allowing for efficient hull down combat
    • Access to unique and powerful HESH round
    • Very accurate L30A1 120 mm gun, can even fire HESH accurately at a range of several kilometres
    • Fast reload
  • Roof mounted machine gun has access to thermal and can be used as a makeshift CITV for scouting (but not firing, unfortunately)
  • Access to 12.7 mm machine gun, a rare luxury on British tanks
  • Since it is a premium tank, its RP and SL gains are doubled and it can research any British tanks currently in the game

Cons:

  • The jammer is useless in-game and begs other tanks to scout it out or use HE on it
  • Heaviest MBT in the game with a very poor hp/ton ratio; very poor acceleration
  • Slow turret traverse speed for the BR
  • Very poor steering, turning is slow and costs a great deal of speed, which takes a long time to regain
  • In most situations, can only reach around 40 km/h (25 mph)
  • Also retains weaknesses of previous challenger 2 models:
    • Same ammunition options as the previous Challengers
    • Frontal armour is weak at the lower frontal plate, drivers port, and cannon breech
    • L27A1 has low penetration compared to other top rank NATO ammunition, however reload speed does compensate for this
    • Cannot maintain the short reload time after the first-stage ammo rack (4 rounds) has been depleted

History

A modification of the British Challenger 2 TES main battle tank with Dorchester Level 2 armour set has been used by the British Army in the operation in Iraq since 2002. At the end of 2004, these tanks were additionally equipped with combined turret side shields, as well as grilles covering rear parts of the hull and turret for protection against shape-charged anti-tank weapons - this configuration received the designation Dorchester Level 2F (DL2F). The next modernization, also aimed at improving the protection, took place in 2008. The tanks received hull skirts made of combined armour, NERA blocks on the hull sides were replaced with ERA containers manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited. This variant of the Challenger 2 was designated OES (Operational Entry Standard). Designed specifically for urban combat.

- From Devblog

Media

Skins

See also

Related development

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

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


Britain medium tanks
Valentine  Valentine I · Valentine IX · Valentine XI
Cromwell  Cromwell I · Cromwell V · Cromwell V (RP-3)
Cromwell derivatives  Challenger · Avenger · Comet I · Comet I "Iron Duke IV" · Charioteer Mk VII
Centurion  Centurion Mk 1 · Centurion Mk.2 · Centurion Mk 3 · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk 10 · Centurion Action X · FV4202
Vickers MBT  Vickers Mk.1 · Vickers Mk.3 · Vickers Mk.7
Chieftain  Chieftain Mk 3 · Chieftain Mk 5 · Chieftain Mk 10
Challenger 1  Challenger Mk.2 · Challenger Mk.3 · Challenger DS
Challenger 2  Challenger 2 · Challenger 2 (2F) · Challenger 2 TES · Challenger 2 OES · Challenger 2E · Challenger 2 Black Night
Challenger 3  Challenger 3 TD
Australia  A.C.I · A.C.IV · Centurion Mk.5/1
South Africa  Olifant Mk.1A · Olifant Mk.2 · TTD
India  Vijayanta · Bhishma TWMP
Israel  ▄Sho't Kal Dalet
Jordan  Khalid
Sweden  ▄Strv 81 (RB 52)
USA  Grant I · Sherman II · Sherman Firefly · Sherman IC "Trzyniec"

Britain premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II 1939 · AEC Mk II · Crusader "The Saint" · Rooikat 105
Medium tanks  A.C.I · Grant I · Cromwell V (RP-3) · Sherman IC "Trzyniec" · A.C.IV · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
  Centurion Mk.2 · ▄Strv 81 (RB 52) · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk.5/1 · ▄Sho't Kal Dalet · Centurion Action X
  Vijayanta · Khalid · Challenger DS · Challenger 2 OES
Heavy tanks  Independent · Matilda Hedgehog · Excelsior · TOG II · Churchill Crocodile · Black Prince
Tank destroyers  Alecto I · Achilles (65 Rg.) · QF 3.7 Ram

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