Challenger Armoured Repair and Recovery Vehicle
A CRARRV in 2012.
A CRARRV in 2012.
TypeArmoured Recovery Vehicle
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1988 - present
Used by
Wars
Production history
DesignerVickers Defence
Designed1985
Produced1988-1993
No. built84
Specifications
Mass61.2 t (60.2 long tons; 67.5 short tons)
Length9.61 m (31.5 ft)
Width3.62 m (11.9 ft)
Height3.13 m (10.3 ft)
Crew3
Passengers2
ArmourRolled homogeneous armour and applique armour
Main
armament
None
Secondary
armament
  • 1 x 7.62mm GPMG
  • Smoke dischargers
EnginePerkins-Condor CV12-5C/6C
1200 bhp
TransmissionDavid Brown TN54E
Operational
range
500 km (310 mi)
Maximum speed 59.2 km/h (36.8 mph)

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

A CRARRV on Salisbury Plain in 2008.

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:

  • A main winch with 50 tonnes-force pull in a 1:1 configuration or 98 tonnes-force pull using an included pulley in a 2:1 configuration and anchor point on the vehicle, plus a small auxiliary winch to aid in deploying the main winch rope.
  • Atlas crane capable of lifting 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) at a distance of 4.9 m (16 ft) (this is sufficient to lift a Challenger 2 power pack).
  • Dozer blade to use as an earth anchor/stabiliser, or in obstacle clearance and fire position preparation.
  • Large set of recovery and heavy repair tools including a man-portable ultrathermic cutting system with an underwater cutting capability and a man-portable welder.

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

CRARRVs being transported in the Omani desert on Exercise Saif Sareea 3 in 2018.

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.

A CRARRV replacing the powerpack of a second CRARRV in Afghanistan in 2012

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 the aftermath of the Stonehaven derailment.[3]

Operators

  • United Kingdom United Kingdom - 80 in service, subsequently received Challenger 2 powertrain upgrades.
  • Oman Oman - 4 in service.

Future operators

  • Ukraine Ukraine - Two CRARRVs are to be donated to Ukraine alongside a squadron of Challenger 2 tanks in 2023.[4]

Vehicles on display

See also

References

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