British Challenger tank penetrated by IED in Iraq

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - British Challenger tank penetrated by IED in Iraq

Posted: 4/23/2007 4:06:14 AM EDT

First time someones gotten through a Challengers armour… it's even more heavilly armoured than an M1 Abrahms

From The Times
April 23, 2007
Improvised bomb hits British tank
Patrick Foster

A Challenger 2 tank has been damaged by a roadside bomb for the first time, seriously injuring its driver, during an incident near Basra.

The Ministry of Defence said last night that the blast, on April 6, was thought to be the first successful attack on a Challenger 2.

The heavily armoured tanks are supposed to be virtually impenetrable to improvised explosive devices laid by insurgents.

The driver of the 62-tonne tank lost both legs in the attack, during a routine patrol in the Hyall Shuala area of Basra. Another member of the crew suffered minor injuries.

An MoD spokeswoman said: “A Challenger tank was hit by a roadside bomb and the driver was very seriously injured. He has since been returned to the UK. We are not aware of a previous incident of this nature.”

The damaged tank is still in Iraq, but is likely to be returned to the UK for repairs.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article1691220.ece

Posted: 4/23/2007 4:12:42 AM EDT

[#1]

I bet the ~~Iranians~~ uneducated Iraqis pulled this one off.

Posted: 4/23/2007 4:17:53 AM EDT

[#2]

given enough explosives you can destroy anything

Posted: 4/23/2007 4:21:03 AM EDT

[#3]

Basra... An advanced design anti-armor IED... No way.

Wait a minute... you don't suppose that some of the same stuff that was blowing that crap out of Mirkavas could have found its way into Shiite Iraq?

Naaaaa. I'm just paranoid.

Posted: 4/23/2007 4:21:10 AM EDT

[#4]

I bet that if a challenger were hit with a 155mm (or larger)artillery shell fireed froma cannon it would do the same, I suspect that is what they are useing for their IEDs, crude but effective

Posted: 4/23/2007 4:25:42 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
I bet that if a challenger were hit with a 155mm (or larger)artillery shell fireed froma cannon it would do the same, I suspect that is what they are useing for their IEDs, crude but effective

They are using EFP's… Explosively Formed Penetrators to breach the armour as Sub-MOA correctly observed.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - British Challenger tank penetrated by IED in Iraq

General » General Discussion

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us