Yes, that presentation was the turret that they were giving to the Challenger 2 LEP but it wasn’t announced that RBSL had the contract for Challenger 3 until 2021. (per their website https://rbsl.com/news-and-events/news/cr3-programme-achieves-major-milestone, https://rbsl.com/news-and-events/news/rbsl-challenger-3-contract)
That is official, the moment we did not got a 2020 LEP we knew something was cooking
True, but we have to go off what’s official or else we fall into the lovely trap of speculation :P
Even if they were confirmed behind closed doors as the contractor in 2020, the way I see it this 2019 variant is still a Challenger 2 LEP proposal with a Challenger 2 name.
Ok, the thing is. In 2019 it was called Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme 2019 Advanced Technology Demonstrator. But as the time passed, it is now known as Challenger 3 Technology Demonstrator. It is the same tank, just a different name
I can’t find it being referred to as a Challenger 3 Technology Demonstrator, only later variants were named as such, ones that look the same but have significant modifications that we don’t have on this 2019 version? Please, point me to something if you have it, I’m completely lost.
And additionally it has modifications it probably shouldn’t do? In 2019 the engine for this one was spoken about in terms of speculation “RBSL is is working with the the British Army and the MoD around the the capability of mobility of the tank and ensuring that that is not reduced through the program”, so in theory the 2019 version shouldn’t have the mobility of the 2E, but should instead be closer to that of a 2 without any upgrade package?
I think retrospectively the current name makes the most sense. It’s a technology demonstrator I think we can all agree. And it’s a Tech Demo for the now named Challenger 3(didn’t exist at the time of the ATD name).
I’m just confused because there is a tank named the Challenger 3 (Advanced) Technology Demonstrator, but it has a lot of things not present in-game and is 2 years more developed?
This tank is a mess, lets leave it as it is now.
There is 2 iterations of Challenger 3 TD, the initial one we have. And then the most recent one with demonstrator APS and UFP add-on.
Is there somewhere that refers to the 2019 one as the Challenger 3 TD? I’ve been trying to find something but I’m apparently missing out since everyone else seems to know lol.
Official no
Now I’m even more confused. What made them accept the Challenger 3 TD as the name if it’s not officially referred to as that anywhere?
Well, It is a Tech Demo, and it is a Cr3 as it is known now. The past name so Cr3 Prototype was just straight up wrong so the change was accepted quickly
ATDU acknowledges it as the CR3 TD
The APS stuff was just a mockup for DSEI in 2021. All that was removed after the show and the vehicle stayed with the same configuration as it was initially shown in, until the turret was removed and put on a turret stand at RBSL’s Telford site last year
The TD no longer exists as a vehicle now that the proper CR3 Prototype is being produced
Because it was initially known as prototype, which I indicated was incorrect. It’s a technology demonstrator.
Nah that’s just a structure to hold the turret. For APS testing. IIRC there are no planned hull armour changes because the MoD don’t want to spend the money
There will be at least slight modifications to match the EPSOM
There are actually :)
In my honest oppionion, Cr2 hull, just like its turret, is overengineered and should be made from scratch
Mod be like here’s an extra 0.0001% budget for an extra 1mm of armour