Two Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore L55A1 weapons have entered production ahead of schedule at the firm's Unterluss facility. The development of the new smoothbore barrel is a major part of the upgrade programme, transforming 148 Challenger 2 (CR2) Main Battle Tank...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
Two Rheinmetall 120mm smoothbore L55A1 weapons have entered production ahead of schedule at the firm's Unterluss facility.
The development of the new smoothbore barrel is a major part of the upgrade programme, transforming 148 Challenger 2 (CR2) Main Battle Tank (MBT) into the new Challenger 3 (CR3) configuration being undertaken by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL).
Following production, the smoothbore guns will be integrated, tested and validated before delivery to RBSL in the UK, for integration with the new digital turret.
Colonel Will Waugh, Armour Main Battle Tank Programme Director said: “This is another and early step forward on the path to delivering a genuinely world-class MBT for the British Army. Pairing the tried and tested L55A1 smoothbore gun with the latest kinetic energy ammunition and programmable secondary natures will give CR3 a step change in the lethality over CR2."
“The move to a smoothbore gun brings the UK in line with its principal NATO allies increasing our interoperability and ensuring access to the latest ammunition natures. This will future-proof CR3’s lethality against the full range of threats until its OSD.”
The UK Army Challenger 3 MBT upgrade programme features upgrades to the Challenger’s armour (new modular armour and an Active Protection System), improvements to the long-range primary sights and the use of state-of the-art tank rounds, along with the development of the new smoothbore barrel.
The tank will undergo full electromagnetic testing to ensure it is survivable in the most demanding of sensor saturated battlefields.
Challenger 3 will be fitted with a digitised backbone connecting it to the other combat vehicles that make up the fighting Brigade, enabling data sharing across domains to deliver information advantage and enable multi domain Integration and an edge over adversaries.
RBSL was contracted by the UK MOD in May 2021 to deliver 148 Challenger 3 tanks that will extend the platform’s out of service date to 2040.
Click Here to Read the Latest Issue of Asian Defence Technology
India’s state-owned airframer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is participating at the ongoing Paris Airshow, with an intent to grow the…
New Saudi Arabian airline Riyadh Air has placed a firm order for 25 A350-1000 aircraft. The carrier will become the…
Indra Group has signed a collaboration agreement with the Belgian company Intersoft Electronics to strengthen its position in the European…
Boeing subsidiary Wisk Aero, developer of the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi in the U.S., has signed two Memoranda of…
Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) will together develop an Unmanned Airborne Early Warning (UAEW) solution, the former announced…
CMC Electronics announced, on the opening day of the Paris Air Show, the signing of two major agreements with Antonov…
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions will open a new advanced manufacturing facility in Bristow, Oklahoma to produce its GEK (GE…
Portugul has decided to acquire a sixth KC-390 Millennium aircraft, Embraer announced on the opening day of the ongoing Paris…
On the opening day of the Paris Air Show, Leonardo and Baykar Technologies announced the establishment of a joint venture…
Naval Group and Royal IHC have signed a contract to support the construction of the Royal Netherlands Navy's new Orka-class…
Fokker Services Group (FSG) has been accredited as a Military Design Organisation (MDOA) by the Minister of Defense of the…
Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have completed a demonstration in which two in-flight MQ-28 Ghost Bat aircraft…
An undisclosed regional operator based in South America has signed a purchase agreement for a refurbished Dash 8-400 aircraft, De…
Pratt & Whitney and Cebu Pacific (CEB) have signed a long-term EngineWise comprehensive maintenance services agreement for the airline's GTF…
In an unprecedented effort to prevent the display of Israeli military equipment at the Paris Airshow, French authorities erected black…
PT PAL Indonesia formalised several cooperation agreements with international partners at the recently concluded Indo Defence 2025 exhibition, marking a…
Israeli firm Elbit Systems is showcasing its new PAWS-2 High Resolution (HR) Missile Warning System (MWS) at Le Bourget. This…
Dassault Aviation is showcasing its key military and civil programmes at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. With Rafale exports thriving, the French…
The Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) is promoting its growing range of military platforms at the ongoing Paris Airshow.…
Sensor solutions provider Hensoldt is displaying its latest IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) technologies, software-defined defence solutions, and counter-UAS capabilities…
The centerpiece of the products and capabilities being exbhibited by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) at the Paris Air…
A model of the Eurodrone, a major pan-European defence project, is on static display, offering visitors a close look at…
Radia's new cargo aircraft, the WindRunner, is making its debut at the Paris Air Show today, introducing an aviation platform…
Curtiss-Wright Corporation is presenting a wide range of solutions, capabilities and services for commercial and defence aerospace platforms, at the…
General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) teams up with AEE Aircraft Electronic Engineering GmbH (AEE) for the redevelopment of the Engine…
Eve Air Mobility's inaugural Global Market Outlook show an estimated in-service vehicle fleet of 30,000 eVTOLs by 2045. An estimated…
Smith Myers, leader in mission-critical technology, and aviation training and simulation provider JD2E have come together to highlight the DMOS…
Eve Air Mobility has signed its first binding framework agreement with Revo, an advanced urban air mobility (UAM) operator headquartered…
Italy-based ELT Group is highlighting its ability to adapt quickly to changing operational requirements, including interoperability between systems, operational capability…
ELT Group, which is exhibiting at the Paris Air Show, has introduced a new product, KARMA (Kinetic Anti-drone Mobile Asset),…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.