Difference between revisions of "Challenger Mk.3"

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{{Specs-Card|code=uk_challenger_mk_3}}
 
{{Specs-Card|code=uk_challenger_mk_3}}
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{{About
 +
| about = British medium tank '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other uses
 +
| link = Challenger (Disambiguation)
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}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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[[File:GarageImage {{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage {{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{Break}}
 
{{Break}}
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (shortened as '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''') is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} British medium tank {{Battle-rating|1}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]].
+
 
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' (shortened as '''{{Specs|pseudonym}}''') is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} British medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]].
 +
 
 +
The Challenger Mk.3 retains most of the characteristics of the [[Challenger Mk.2]]. It has some unique differences; such as: [[Armour#Explosive_reactive_armour_.28ERA.29|"ROMOR-A ERA"]] which covers the lower glacis and sides, along with the addition of the ammunition storage being covered with rolled homogeneous armour. It retains the same engine (1200hp) as the Mk.2, however with a minor increase in weight it suffers slightly reduced mobility and acceleration. Its iconic, legendary, and pin-point accurate gun stays the same as on the Challenger Mk.2.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and 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?''
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<!--''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.''-->
  
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
The armour protection on the Challenger Mk.3 is excellent in some areas and bad in others. The upper half of the turret cheeks are capable of withstanding almost all kinetic penetrators and will stop most chemical penetrators with less than 800 mm, while the lower half won't protect against most top-rank rounds. Additionally, the breach weak spot is quite small. This means the turret has excellent protection and hulldown play is recommended. The hull composite is only good against lower penetrating APFSDS rounds such as T-55AM, and can also withstand some chemical munitions, but it is not advised to rely on this armour. The rest of the tank (turret and hull sides, lower front plate) has decent protection against chemical rounds due to the add on armour, ERA, and thick turret sides.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
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<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability as well as the maximum speed forward and backwards.''-->
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The Challenger Mk.3 has an acceptable top speed, however, acceleration and mobility (primarily due to its weight) are lacklustre compared to other MBTs.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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|-
 +
! colspan="3" |
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
! colspan="1" | Add-on Armour<br>weight (tons)
 +
! colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
| rowspan="2" | 65.5 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 62 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|56 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|1,860
 +
|2,290
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|1,076
 +
|1,200
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|__.__
 +
|__.__
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|__.__
 +
|__.__
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
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|-
 
|-
 
| '''Test Conditions'''  
 
| '''Test Conditions'''  
| colspan="3" |  *Tank and crew conditions of this test were done using a spaded Challenger MK 3: With crew at maximum crew skill, with the qualification of basic training. Results can very based on tank research state, crew levels & qualifications.     
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| colspan="3" |  *Tank and crew conditions of this test were done using a spaded Challenger MK 3: With crew at maximum crew skill, with the qualification of basic training. Results can vary based on tank research state, crew levels & qualifications.     
 
|}
 
|}
====''Urban Environment''====
 
In an urban environment the challenger mark 3 is not able to compete with its rivals such as the [[T-80B]], [[M1_Abrams|M1 Abrams]] and [[Leopard_2A4|Leopard 2A4]]. The challenger Mk.3 turns into a slow and big target. The Mk.3 cannot turn as fast or go as fast in the urban streets; its wide body makes it hard finding alleyways hard, which it can use to its an advantage to sneak around or to hide and wait for some prey to be ambushed.
 
The lack of protection, for the rear the engine cover which is also at the rear, limits the gun depression where it is unable to use it, to fight off the attacking tanks. If attacked from the rear. If the challenger Mk.3 is turning on a street corner and is suddenly surprised by an enemy tank, the tank will not be able to defend it’s self from the aggressor tank, since it will be unable to depress the cannon low enough due to engine bay.
 
 
====''Rural Environment''====
 
The Challenger mark 3 in a rural environment, excels like no other tank. It can go hull down and hold the enemy off until reinforcements arrive! (That’s unless it has destroyed the opposing force). The challenger Mark 3, is able to snipe enemy opponents with point accuracy from anywhere on the battlefield (Pending you can see them, of course). It’s faster acceleration over the challenger Mk.2, and more responsive handling makes the critical difference for the mobility.  When driving in a rural environment, the maximum forward speed is around 27Mph, with a maximum reversing speed of -22Mph. 
 
What makes the challenger Mk. 3 indeed especially unique is its cannon, additional armour and it’s higher performing engine over the previous generation. The challenger Mk.3 can move around the rural map, like an accident celtic druid. It may lack protection which the competition may have the advantage over. However, it’s overall urban mobility makes up for it. Its gun is very well stabilised when firing on the move, at speed, it can terminate its targets with ease.
 
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
''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: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. 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.''
+
<!--''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: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. 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.''-->
 +
{{main|L11A5 (120 mm)}}
  
=== Additional armament ===
+
The Challenger's main gun, while not the most powerful at its rank, is competitive, and more importantly, accurate. With a little over 400 mm of penetration at maximum, aim for weak spots (particularly when facing higher-ranked vehicles such as the T-80U, Leopard 2A5, etc) and make use of the Challenger's good reload speed.
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
 
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
''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.''
+
<!--''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.''-->
 +
{{main|L37A2 (7.62 mm)|L8A2 (7.62 mm)}}
 +
 
 +
It is possible to switch to the machine-gun as the main weapon and use thermals through the machinegun sight to get a better view of the situation while hulldown.
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the 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 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 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).''-->
 +
 
 +
=== Urban Environments ===
 +
In urban environments, the Challenger will struggle relative to the T-80B, M1 Abrams and Leopard 2A4 - it's large, heavy and sluggish which proves costly in close quarters or when engagements occur in open streets. While the Challenger's gun still proves effective, often opposition vehicles will achieve valuable positioning before a Challenger can, forcing the Challenger tanker to play defensively. However, playing carefully and avoiding obvious routes, the Challenger can be comfortably put to use in urban environments.
 +
 
 +
=== Rural Environments ===
 +
The Mk.3 performs very well in rural areas, where deffolades and ditches that can be used for cover are far more readily available. The Challenger is still best played in hull-down defensive positions, clearing areas of maps before moving up, but a patient playstyle will be rewarded. Make use of the vehicle's good gun depression and competitive reload, utilising off-angles and hull-down positions. If a situation begins to degrade, make use of the Challenger's reasonably good reverse speed and reposition.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
*
+
 
 +
* Decent turret armour
 +
* Reasonably small breech
 +
* Good chemical resistance on front/sides
 +
* Good neutral steering
 +
* Decent reverse speed
 +
* Reasonably good reload, particularly for a 120 mm
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
*
+
 
 +
* Gun has lacklustre penetration values; must aim for weak spots
 +
* The lower half of the turret cheeks are vulnerable to some higher-tier rounds
 +
* Slower than most of the vehicles it faces, albeit not by a huge margin
 +
* Hull is very vulnerable to kinetic rounds
 +
* Cannot shoot straight over its engine deck
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
Line 74: Line 139:
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
''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;''
 
* ''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.''
Line 82: Line 148:
 
* ''encyclopedia page on tank;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on tank;''
 
* ''other literature.''-->
 
* ''other literature.''-->
 +
 
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5918-development-challenger-mk-3-a-royal-upgrade-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Challenger Mk 3 - A Royal Upgrade]
 
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5918-development-challenger-mk-3-a-royal-upgrade-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Challenger Mk 3 - A Royal Upgrade]
  
 
{{Britain medium tanks}}
 
{{Britain medium tanks}}

Revision as of 01:58, 29 October 2019

Rank 6 USA
F-5C Pack
Challenger Mk.3
uk_challenger_mk_3.png
Challenger Mk.3
AB RB SB
10.3 10.3 10.3
Class:
Research:150 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:830 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game
This page is about the British medium tank Challenger Mk.3. For other uses, see Challenger (Disambiguation).

Description

GarageImage Challenger Mk.3.jpg


The Tank, Combat, 120-mm Gun, Challenger Mk.3 (shortened as Challenger Mk.3) is a Rank VII British medium tank with a battle rating of 10.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.85 "Supersonic".

The Challenger Mk.3 retains most of the characteristics of the Challenger Mk.2. It has some unique differences; such as: "ROMOR-A ERA" which covers the lower glacis and sides, along with the addition of the ammunition storage being covered with rolled homogeneous armour. It retains the same engine (1200hp) as the Mk.2, however with a minor increase in weight it suffers slightly reduced mobility and acceleration. Its iconic, legendary, and pin-point accurate gun stays the same as on the Challenger Mk.2.

General info

Survivability and armour

The armour protection on the Challenger Mk.3 is excellent in some areas and bad in others. The upper half of the turret cheeks are capable of withstanding almost all kinetic penetrators and will stop most chemical penetrators with less than 800 mm, while the lower half won't protect against most top-rank rounds. Additionally, the breach weak spot is quite small. This means the turret has excellent protection and hulldown play is recommended. The hull composite is only good against lower penetrating APFSDS rounds such as T-55AM, and can also withstand some chemical munitions, but it is not advised to rely on this armour. The rest of the tank (turret and hull sides, lower front plate) has decent protection against chemical rounds due to the add on armour, ERA, and thick turret sides.

Mobility

The Challenger Mk.3 has an acceptable top speed, however, acceleration and mobility (primarily due to its weight) are lacklustre compared to other MBTs.

Weight (tons) Add-on Armour
weight (tons)
Max speed (km/h)
65.5 N/A 62 (AB)
56 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 1,860 2,290
Realistic/Simulator 1,076 1,200
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade __.__ __.__
Realistic/Simulator __.__ __.__
Module rotation speed 90 Degrees 180 Degrees 360 Degrees
Tank Hull 5 Seconds 10 Seconds 20 Seconds
Tank Turret 3 Seconds 6 Seconds 12 Seconds
Test Conditions *Tank and crew conditions of this test were done using a spaded Challenger MK 3: With crew at maximum crew skill, with the qualification of basic training. Results can vary based on tank research state, crew levels & qualifications.

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: L11A5 (120 mm)

The Challenger's main gun, while not the most powerful at its rank, is competitive, and more importantly, accurate. With a little over 400 mm of penetration at maximum, aim for weak spots (particularly when facing higher-ranked vehicles such as the T-80U, Leopard 2A5, etc) and make use of the Challenger's good reload speed.

Machine guns

It is possible to switch to the machine-gun as the main weapon and use thermals through the machinegun sight to get a better view of the situation while hulldown.

Usage in the battles

Urban Environments

In urban environments, the Challenger will struggle relative to the T-80B, M1 Abrams and Leopard 2A4 - it's large, heavy and sluggish which proves costly in close quarters or when engagements occur in open streets. While the Challenger's gun still proves effective, often opposition vehicles will achieve valuable positioning before a Challenger can, forcing the Challenger tanker to play defensively. However, playing carefully and avoiding obvious routes, the Challenger can be comfortably put to use in urban environments.

Rural Environments

The Mk.3 performs very well in rural areas, where deffolades and ditches that can be used for cover are far more readily available. The Challenger is still best played in hull-down defensive positions, clearing areas of maps before moving up, but a patient playstyle will be rewarded. Make use of the vehicle's good gun depression and competitive reload, utilising off-angles and hull-down positions. If a situation begins to degrade, make use of the Challenger's reasonably good reverse speed and reposition.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Decent turret armour
  • Reasonably small breech
  • Good chemical resistance on front/sides
  • Good neutral steering
  • Decent reverse speed
  • Reasonably good reload, particularly for a 120 mm

Cons:

  • Gun has lacklustre penetration values; must aim for weak spots
  • The lower half of the turret cheeks are vulnerable to some higher-tier rounds
  • Slower than most of the vehicles it faces, albeit not by a huge margin
  • Hull is very vulnerable to kinetic rounds
  • Cannot shoot straight over its engine deck

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

See also

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;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


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"