DSEI 2025: First mobility trials completed for British Army Challenger 3 tanks
The latest Rheinmetall 120mm L55A1 smooth bore gun, shown here at DSEI 2025, will be installed on the British Army Challenger 3 tanks. (Photo: author)
The mobility trials saw the Challenger 3 main battle tank (MBT) tested at a variety of locations in the UK, covering a combined 760km across a variety of terrains including road and cross country.
Manned firing trials for the British Army’s Challenger 3 MBTs are scheduled to start next year and this will be followed by reliability growth trials (RGTs). These will follow the recently completed mobility trials which manufacturer Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) noted as “significant”.
An RBSL official told Shephard: “The trials enable the Challenger 3 design to be refined, culminating in the System Qualification Review (SQR) to agree the final manufacturing standard which will be used to produce the remaining tanks.”
The RGT and firing trials will take place at the Armoured Trials and Development Unit (ATDU) at Bovington,
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