- Yes
- No
Background
The Challenger 2E tank, a variant of the British Challenger 2, was developed in the mid-late 90s and early 2000s specifically for the export market, with significant improvements aimed at appealing to international customers. This model focused on performance improvements around an enhanced fire control system and improved engine power (the 1500hp Euro Powerpack). The development of the Challenger 2E was part of the UK’s efforts to showcase its capabilities in producing state-of-the-art military equipment suitable for varied operational requirements.
The earliest versions of the Challenger 2E, during 1995-1996, were also known as the Desert Challenger. The Desert Challenger, so named due to the UKs efforts to market the vehicle towards the wealthy Gulf States, was a modified prototype of the Challenger 2 MBT, which, as already stated, features a 1,500hp MTU engine coupled to a RENK HSWL transmission, providing a top speed of up to 72kph, with an emergency boost available to reach 80kph.
The earliest iterations of the Challenger 2E, the Desert Challenger, can be differentiated from later versions by the presence of a dedicated drivers camera, discernable as a small circular hole in the frontal hull, as shown below.
The Desert Challenger/Challenger 2E was demonstrated by Vickers with a sizeable range of modifications and variations, including the above drivers camera. This variant being suggested here is a late(ish) model of the Challenger 2E, following the dropping of the Desert Challenger name c.1997, being equipped with the French SAGEM MVS 580 Commanders sight, the same as the one as installed on the British-operated Challenger 2. This is an advanced derivative of the earlier VS 580 commanders sight, offering a panoramic view, an inbuilt stabilised laser rangefinder, and thermal imaging.
This suggestion is for the Challenger 2E (MVS 580) as operated and marketed by Vickers. Various variants got offered to various Middle Eastern countries/gulf states, as well as Greece in 1998, and although these attempts at marketing are generally fairly poorly recorded, they are understood to have been firmly unsuccessful, with the Desert Challenger/ Challenger 2E being marketed until around 2005, when development ceased.
How does this differ from other variants of the Desert Challenger/Challenger 2E?
This variant is unique in that it lacks the drivers camera (as shown above), but has the MVS 580 commanders sight, offering thermal imaging, but not quite at such a high resolution as the alternative IRIS sight, meaning that it will have lack drivers thermals but offer decent resolution commanders thermals. It also completely lacks the redesigned breech and gunners sight, as seen on the most modern Challenger 2E, as we currently have in-game.
Specifications
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Images
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Comparison of commanders sights across different variants of the Desert Challenger/Challenger 2E
Sources
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Desert Challenger, Challenger 2, and CRARRV Demonstration, 20th September 1995, to the Royal Saudi Armed Forces (available here)
Jane’s Armour and Artillery 1995-1996 (available here)
Jane’s Armour and Artillery Upgrades 1995-1996 (available here)
Challenger 2E Brochure
Jane’s International Defence Review - March 1999 - Pg. 8
Military Technology - September 2000 - Pg. 120 - 121