A newly surfaced video from the frontlines in Ukraine has sparked vital consideration, displaying a pair of British Challenger 2 tanks—despatched to Ukraine by the UK—being focused by Russian FPV drones. In response to Conflict Report, the footage was captured within the energetic fight zone of Russia’s Kursk area.
Whereas the video doesn’t present definitive proof of harm to the tanks, what stands out are the particular elements of the Challenger 2 focused by the Russian drone operators. The primary FPV drone strikes the tank’s turret, whereas the second focuses on the decrease entrance of the hull. These specific targets will not be the obvious decisions, given the superior armor of the Challenger 2, and their choice raises questions in regards to the effectiveness of those strikes and the vulnerability of sure areas.
The Challenger 2’s turret is without doubt one of the less-protected sections of the tank. Whereas it’s lined with a composite and metal armor, there are cases the place its safety isn’t as sturdy as the primary physique of the automobile. Particularly when the turret is angled, which may enhance the impression angle, the safety could also be lowered.
FPV drone assaults from above, notably focusing on the turret, are efficient as a result of they’ll penetrate this weaker protecting layer. When the tank is uncovered on the battlefield, turret assaults could cause vital harm, probably harming optics, the primary weapon, or the inner mechanisms of the tank.
Beneath the tank, notably across the engine and transmission, there are important parts that may be weak. As a result of design, the tank might have thinner armor within the decrease sections, making it vulnerable to hits when focused appropriately.
Assaults on the decrease hull can goal key techniques, such because the drivetrain, engine, and transmission. If destroyed, these parts might incapacitate the tank, making the assault efficient. Nevertheless, this strategy isn’t all the time the best, because the tank may very well be shielded by terrain or different parts, complicating entry to this space.
This offers a logical clarification as to why the Russian FPV drone operators particularly focused these two areas. Nevertheless, as a lot as there may be logic behind these decisions, there’s additionally a big lack of it, because the Challenger 2 has way more weak spots on its hull whose destruction would trigger far larger harm.
For instance, the rear hull. The rear of the tank typically has much less safety than the entrance and sides. If the tank is stationary or dealing with away, attacking the rear can have a severe impression, damaging cooling techniques or the engine.
One other extra weak space of the Challenger 2’s physique is the perimeters of the turret, quite than the highest of the turret. The aspect panels of the turret are particularly weak, notably if high-precision drones are used to penetrate the armor on the tank’s corners or the place the turret meets the hull.
Due to their maneuverability and accuracy, FPV drones can goal small, weak sections of the tank which might be tough to succeed in with different weapons. Using specialised warheads or explosives on the drones can enhance the effectiveness of assaults in opposition to less-protected areas such because the turret or optical techniques.
Drones can even goal areas that aren’t shielded by thick armor, similar to elements of the engine or radiators, which might additionally incapacitate the tank.
Because of this the 2 assaults captured on video increase some questions, because the Challenger 2 has extra weak areas than those focused. Furthermore, from the video, it’s evident that there’s no signal of resistance from the Challenger 2’s crew.
If we assume that the crew was contained in the tank, they didn’t take any motion to neutralize the drones. This means that the FPV operators had ample time to decide on the place to strike the tanks. Maybe the objective was to trigger minor harm to the 2 Challenger 2 tanks to be able to facilitate future inspections if they’re recovered by the Russian navy.
Basically, whereas assaults on the turret and decrease hull of the Challenger 2 are efficient, they aren’t essentially the one or most weak spots. The rear hull, and the perimeters of the turret, in addition to optical and mechanical parts, additionally characterize weak areas that, if appropriately focused, might trigger a lot larger harm.
The British Challenger 2 tank, a formidable piece of navy {hardware}, has been despatched to Ukraine as a part of the UK’s navy help. Initially designed within the Nineties and getting into service with the British Military in 1998, the Challenger 2 has remained a key asset in trendy armored warfare.
It’s widely known for its sturdy armor, superior hearth management techniques, and highly effective 120mm rifled gun, which makes it a significant risk on the battlefield. Nevertheless, regardless of its age, it stays one of the vital succesful fundamental battle tanks in service right this moment. The Challenger 2 tanks despatched to Ukraine characterize a big improve in firepower and survivability, providing the Ukrainian forces a considerable edge within the ongoing battle.
One of many standout options of the Challenger 2 is its armor. The tank is provided with Chobham armor, a composite materials that comes with ceramics and different superior parts designed to resist each kinetic and chemical threats.
The armor’s effectiveness has been confirmed in fight, particularly through the Gulf Battle, the place the Challenger 2’s crews had been capable of survive a number of direct hits from enemy hearth. The Ukrainian model of the Challenger 2 seemingly consists of some upgrades to this armor, making it much more immune to trendy anti-tank weapons, although particular particulars on any modifications stay unclear.
The 120mm L30A1 rifled gun stays one of the vital correct and highly effective tank weapons in service. This gun permits the Challenger 2 to have interaction targets at lengthy ranges with excessive precision, particularly when paired with its Fireplace Management System [FCS], which incorporates a sophisticated laser rangefinder and a thermal imaging sight for the gunner.
The FCS allows the crew to trace and have interaction shifting targets, even below situations of restricted visibility, making the Challenger 2 a extremely efficient tank in each day and night time operations. The weapon system can be complemented by a variety of various munitions, together with armor-piercing and high-explosive shells, permitting the crew to adapt to varied fight eventualities.
The Challenger 2’s Powerpack combines a V12 diesel engine that generates 1,200 horsepower, offering the tank with a prime velocity of round 37 mph [60 km/h]. This energy, mixed with its comparatively low weight for a contemporary fundamental battle tank [approximately 62 tons], ensures that the Challenger 2 can keep an affordable degree of mobility regardless of its heavy armor and weaponry. The engine is coupled with a completely automated transmission, permitting for easy gear adjustments and larger ease of management in fight conditions.
Internally, the Challenger 2 is crewed by 4 personnel: a commander, gunner, loader, and driver. The commander has a excessive diploma of situational consciousness, aided by the Commander’s Unbiased Thermal Viewer [CITV], which permits him to detect and observe targets independently of the gunner.
The gunner has entry to the Gunner’s Major Sight [GPS], which is a classy sighting system that comes with a thermographic digicam and a laser rangefinder, enabling him to have interaction targets precisely at prolonged ranges. The loader’s function is primarily to load shells into the 120mm gun, and the driving force controls the tank’s motion utilizing a variety of intuitive controls, together with a driver’s imaginative and prescient enhancer that improves visibility in low-light situations.
The communications system on the Challenger 2 can be state-of-the-art, with digital radios and satellite tv for pc communication capabilities that make sure the tank can stay in touch with command and different items on the battlefield. That is essential in trendy warfare, the place situational consciousness and coordination between items could make the distinction between success and failure.
By way of defensive techniques, the Challenger 2 is provided with smoke dischargers to assist conceal the tank’s place, in addition to explosive reactive armor [ERA], which offers a further layer of safety in opposition to formed fees and tandem-charge warheads.
The addition of this defensive system is particularly helpful in countering threats like Russian formed cost warheads, which have been a big risk to armored automobiles within the ongoing battle in Ukraine. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the Challenger 2’s ERA in opposition to newer anti-tank techniques stays to be totally examined within the subject.
The mixing of the British Military’s battle administration system [BMS] with the Challenger 2 permits it to take part in coordinated operations with different automobiles and items. This method allows real-time sharing of data, similar to goal information and placement, between all items in a given space, enhancing the general battlefield effectiveness and minimizing the chance of pleasant hearth.
Whereas the Challenger 2’s efficiency in fight is extensively revered, it’s not with out its vulnerabilities. Regardless of its formidable armor, the tank’s comparatively slim profile and its reliance on a single, massive fundamental gun make it a major goal for contemporary anti-tank guided missiles [ATGMs].
Ukrainian forces will seemingly must make use of the Challenger 2 at the side of infantry help and different automobiles to mitigate these threats successfully. Moreover, the tank’s comparatively sluggish fee of fireplace and the complexity of its mechanics might restrict its effectiveness in sure fast-paced fight conditions, the place lighter, sooner automobiles may need the sting.
As a part of the continuing help to Ukraine, these Challenger 2 tanks are a significant addition to the Ukrainian armored items. They convey unparalleled firepower, safety, and technological sophistication that would shift the stability of energy on the frontlines. Nevertheless, their success will finally rely upon how successfully they’re built-in into Ukrainian techniques and whether or not their potential weaknesses are mitigated by the broader battlefield technique.
***
Observe us all over the place and at any time. BulgarianMilitary.com has responsive design and you’ll open the web page from any pc, cellular units or internet browsers. For extra up-to-date information, observe our Google Information, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages. Our requirements: Manifesto & moral rules.
