REMOV
01-23-2004, 02:56 PM
Source: http://www.janes.com/defence/land_forces/news/idr/idr031021_1_n.shtml
Challenger 2 smoothbore technology demonstrator contract expected
Plans are shortly expected to be announced for a £3 million-plus technology demonstrator programme (TDP) for the proposed re-equipment of the British Army's Challenger 2 tank fleet with a 120mm smoothbore gun.
As the Challenger 2's original equipment manufacturer, Alvis Vickers Ltd (AVL) is expected to have a role in this pilot scheme, designed to explore the impact of reconfiguring the existing Challenger 2 turret to accommodate the new gun and re-modeling the stowage arrangements in the turret and hull for its associated one-piece ammunition. However, it is understood that overall responsibility is likely be vested in BAE Systems RO Defence (ROD).
Besides Alvis Vickers, ROD is expected to collaborate with Rheinmetall in the execution of the TDP. The UK MoD has no publicly preferred option for the gun supplier, but ROD has already embarked on a strategic relationship with the German company, which is fulfilling on its behalf key parts of the MoD's annual ammunition production requirement. The expectation therefore is that the demonstrator will be fitted with a version of Rheinmetall's L55 smoothbore gun.
One of the stated attractions of the smoothbore gun for the British Army is the off-the-shelf availability of high-performance tungsten-penetrator kinetic-energy (KE) rounds such as Rheinmetall's DM53. As it stands, the DM53 is not qualified for use in the more extreme (A1) climatic conditions found in the Middle East, and there may therefore be a case for the collaborative development between Rheinmetall and ROD of a new IM (insensitive munitions)-compliant KE round, suitable for worldwide deployment.
Overtly, ROD has abdicated from the tank projectile- and charge-system manufacturing field as a result of the recent closures of its Bishopton propellant and ROSM penetrator production facilities. Nonetheless, according to Peter Haysman from the company's research department, there are a number of proprietary ROD tank ammunition technologies available for insertion.
Challenger 2 smoothbore technology demonstrator contract expected
Plans are shortly expected to be announced for a £3 million-plus technology demonstrator programme (TDP) for the proposed re-equipment of the British Army's Challenger 2 tank fleet with a 120mm smoothbore gun.
As the Challenger 2's original equipment manufacturer, Alvis Vickers Ltd (AVL) is expected to have a role in this pilot scheme, designed to explore the impact of reconfiguring the existing Challenger 2 turret to accommodate the new gun and re-modeling the stowage arrangements in the turret and hull for its associated one-piece ammunition. However, it is understood that overall responsibility is likely be vested in BAE Systems RO Defence (ROD).
Besides Alvis Vickers, ROD is expected to collaborate with Rheinmetall in the execution of the TDP. The UK MoD has no publicly preferred option for the gun supplier, but ROD has already embarked on a strategic relationship with the German company, which is fulfilling on its behalf key parts of the MoD's annual ammunition production requirement. The expectation therefore is that the demonstrator will be fitted with a version of Rheinmetall's L55 smoothbore gun.
One of the stated attractions of the smoothbore gun for the British Army is the off-the-shelf availability of high-performance tungsten-penetrator kinetic-energy (KE) rounds such as Rheinmetall's DM53. As it stands, the DM53 is not qualified for use in the more extreme (A1) climatic conditions found in the Middle East, and there may therefore be a case for the collaborative development between Rheinmetall and ROD of a new IM (insensitive munitions)-compliant KE round, suitable for worldwide deployment.
Overtly, ROD has abdicated from the tank projectile- and charge-system manufacturing field as a result of the recent closures of its Bishopton propellant and ROSM penetrator production facilities. Nonetheless, according to Peter Haysman from the company's research department, there are a number of proprietary ROD tank ammunition technologies available for insertion.