Challenger 3 programme delivery is benefitting from years of maturing a modern Main Battle Tank development and upgrade capability by RBSL, signifying the British company as a key influencer and enabler of the future international military vehicle battlefield.
The British Army’s new Main Battle Tank, Challenger 3, takes inspiration from its highly respected and battle-proven predecessor, introducing cutting-edge technology and a fully-digital fabricated turret. RBSL is bringing together systems and expertise from its c.700-strong workforce, and that of its industry partners from across the UK and Europe, to deliver the most lethal tank ever operated by British Armed Forces.
RBSL’s capability includes the people, knowledge, process, tools and facilities for next-generation Main Battle Tank development. Marrying the depth of expertise across the systems engineering lifecycle with technology building blocks give opportunity for RBSL to tailor new solutions for customers from its purpose-built Telford facility in the UK.
A key part of RBSL’s facilities include unique in-house test and integration rigs managed by specialist engineers – to prove designs in controlled environments to rigorous UK and international defence standards. The Dynamic Turret Test Rig proves equipment in a live turret test environment early. The Turret Test Rig is a step-change in turret test capability not seen before, able to expose Main Battle Tank turrets to full Battlefield Mission motion and vibration profiles, matching the vehicle in a controlled and repeatable test environment.
Both rigs have been built at Telford using the latest technology and significantly decrease programme risk and maximise design-to-development success. They work in a sustainable way compared to traditional on-vehicle development, save time and enable testing in measured and known conditions. They are flexible enough to be used on other vehicles, expanding RBSL’s capability across NATO’s armoured vehicle enterprise.
Challenger 3 Engineering Director, Mark Critchley, said: “The ability to dynamically test turrets independently is a game-changer in Main Battle Tank development. Robust, repeatable testing across the performance envelope can be flexed for use on multiple platforms, minimising costs and enabling faster development times.
“This, twinned with the RBSL expertise in all aspects of the military vehicle development domains and lifecycle, means we are perfectly equipped to take on new development work that NATO allies can benefit from.”
Challenger 3 is being delivered by Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) under a £800 million+ contract, creating highly skilled roles, with nearly 300 jobs generated within RBSL, including 130 engineers and 70 technicians, with an additional 450 jobs across the UK.
The contract is also attracting a £40 million inward investment in RBSL’s Telford facility, utilising a UK supply chain that includes companies in the West Midlands, Glasgow, Newcastle upon Tyne and the Isle of Wight.
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