Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle explained

Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle
Type:Armoured Recovery Vehicle
Origin:United Kingdom
Is Vehicle:yes
Is Uk:yes
Service:1988 - present
Designer:Vickers Defence
Design Date:1985
Production Date:1988-1993
Number:84
Crew:3
Passengers:2
Armour:Rolled homogeneous armour and applique armour
Primary Armament:None
Engine:Perkins-Condor CV12-5C/6C
Engine Power:1200 bhp
Transmission:David Brown TN54E

The Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle or CRARRV is a large British armoured recovery vehicle based on the hull of the Challenger 1 main battle tank. The CRARRV is currently operated in conjunction with the Challenger 2 tanks of the British Army and Royal Army of Oman. It is one of the few vehicles capable of repairing and recovering Challenger tanks in the field. Eighty vehicles were delivered to the British between 1988 and 1993; an additional four vehicles were delivered to Oman.[1]

Design

In 1985, the UK MoD ordered a derivative armoured recovery vehicle from Vickers Defence, based on the Challenger 1, to replace those based on the FV4204 Chieftain ARV/ARRV.

The size and performance of the CRARRV are similar to a Challenger 1 tank, but instead of armament it is fitted with:

In order to improve flexibility and supplement the transportation of power packs around the battlefield, the British Army procured a quantity of dedicated CRARRV High Mobility Trailers (HMT). Each HMT enables a CRARRV to transport a single (Challenger, Titan or Trojan) power pack or two Warrior power packs, by altering the configuration of dedicated fixtures and attachment of fittings.

CRARRVs have subsequently been upgraded to use the updated Challenger 2 powertrain consisting of a CV12-5C/6C engine[2] with TN54E transmission.

Each CRARRV has five seats but usually carries a crew of three soldiers from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), of the recovery mechanic and vehicle mechanic/technician trades. There is room in the cabin for two further passengers (e.g. crew members of the casualty vehicle) on a temporary basis.

Operational history

British CRARRVs were first deployed in action in the lead up to the First Gulf War, Operation Granby in 1991.

CRARRVs supported Challenger 1 and later Challenger 2 tanks as part of peacekeeping efforts in Bosnia and Kosovo.

They were subsequently deployed alongside Challenger 2 tanks during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Operation Telic in 2003. British CRARRVs were also deployed as part of Operation Herrick, the British contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) during the War in Afghanistan where they supported British Challenger 2-derived Titan bridgelayers and Trojan combat engineering vehicles.

In 2020, a CRARRV was used to recover rail vehicles in the aftermath of the Stonehaven derailment.[3]

Operators

Future operators

Vehicles on display

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Morrison . Bob . REME CRARRV ON IRON CHALLENGE 2022 . Joint-Forces.com . Joint-Forces.com . 13 January 2023.
  2. Web site: Challenger Tanks: Engines (Qs.1). TheyWorkForYou. UK Parliament. 22 April 2022. 24 April 2022.
  3. The Challenge of monitoring Victorian earthworks . Rail . Bauer Media Group . Peterborough . 26 August 2020 . 12–13 . 0953-4563 .
  4. Web site: Wallace . Ben . Oral statement to Parliament by the Defence Secretary on war in Ukraine . GOV.UK . HM Government . 25 January 2023 . 16 January 2023.
  5. Web site: A 21st Century Military Museum . The REME Museum . The REME Museum . 11 January 2023 . 17 March 2017.