Well, we won't see them in time, but they are newsworthy none the less.
I speak of the
CHALLENGER 3 and
M10 BOOKER.
Britain has just received its last
PROTOTYPE (8th) at the end of last week. The test plan requires all eight must complete their evaluations successfully before they proceed with initial production (
Might be driven by lessons/costs learned from the continuing evaluation of the
AJAX.) as the
focus will be different for each unit i.e. gunnery and protection evaluations etc. etc. (Though
all will be evaluated overall as well.) and consolidation of all the data as needed to be incorporated into all the
PROTOTYPES (Except
maybe for the 1 or 2 involved in the
armor evaluation.)
Initial operating capability (IOC-mine.) is expected in
2027, while
full operating capability is scheduled in
2030 (FOC-mine.) . From Ref.3 below.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c25r15dj9n9o
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defe...llenger_3.html
https://www.army-technology.com/proj...bt-uk/?cf-view
The USA did the
opposite by receiving their
first M-10 PROTOTYPE this past week. Though the 2nd ref. is a little "
exuberate" in fielding by
FY-2025 (Oct. 2024.) the
reality is that the 82nd Airborne "
All the Way! " w/o production delays of the PROTOTYPES will
START OPEVALS late this year.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2024_global_security_army_indus try/us_army_takes_delivery_of_first_production_m10_boo ker_mobile_protected_firepower_light_tank.html[/url]
[url]https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_april_2024_global_security_army_indus try/us_army_awards_technical_support_contract_to_gener al_dynamics_for_m10_booker.html
We'll miss this one by a couple of years as well.
Regards,
Pat
Re: MBT's
Linear Mode
