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Kuwait had 143 Chieftains on the eve of the 1990 Iraqi [[Invasion of Kuwait]]. Thirty-seven Chieftains of the Kuwaiti 35th Armored Brigade fought at the [[Battle of the Bridges]] against elements of the Iraqi Hammurabi and Medina divisions before withdrawing over the Saudi border.<ref>{{citation |first=Major Robert A. |last=Nelson |url=http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/armormagazine/content/Issues/1995/ArmorSeptemberOctober1995web.pdf |title=The Battle of the Bridges |work=[[Armor (magazine)|Armor]] |date=September–October 1995 |pages=26–32 |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103111127/http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/armormagazine/content/Issues/1995/ArmorSeptemberOctober1995web.pdf |archive-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> None of the brigade's tanks was lost in the battle, and the 35th Armored Brigade (known as Al-Fatah) became part of ''[[Order of battle of the Gulf War ground campaign|Joint Command Forces East]]'' during the 1991 [[Gulf War]] and was able to return into Kuwait undefeated.
Kuwait had 143 Chieftains on the eve of the 1990 Iraqi [[Invasion of Kuwait]]. Thirty-seven Chieftains of the Kuwaiti 35th Armored Brigade fought at the [[Battle of the Bridges]] against elements of the Iraqi Hammurabi and Medina divisions before withdrawing over the Saudi border.<ref>{{citation |first=Major Robert A. |last=Nelson |url=http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/armormagazine/content/Issues/1995/ArmorSeptemberOctober1995web.pdf |title=The Battle of the Bridges |work=[[Armor (magazine)|Armor]] |date=September–October 1995 |pages=26–32 |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103111127/http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/armormagazine/content/Issues/1995/ArmorSeptemberOctober1995web.pdf |archive-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> None of the brigade's tanks was lost in the battle, and the 35th Armored Brigade (known as Al-Fatah) became part of ''[[Order of battle of the Gulf War ground campaign|Joint Command Forces East]]'' during the 1991 [[Gulf War]] and was able to return into Kuwait undefeated.


Besides those of the 35th Armored Brigade, the rest of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces' Chieftains (over 100) were either destroyed or captured by the invading forces after being abandoned by their crews when their ammunition had run out. After the liberation of Kuwait, the ageing Chieftains were replaced by the Yugoslav [[M-84]].<ref name=armbri>{{citation |url=http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/armormagazine/content/Issues/1995/ArmorSeptemberOctober1995web.pdf |title=The Battle of the Bridges |work=[[Armor (magazine)|Armor]] |date=September–October 1995 |pages=26–32 |publisher=U.S. Army Armor Center |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103111127/http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/armormagazine/content/Issues/1995/ArmorSeptemberOctober1995web.pdf |archive-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/kuwait-army-equip.htm Kuwait – Army Equipment]</ref>
Besides those of the 35th Armored Brigade, the rest of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces' Chieftains (over 100) were either destroyed or captured by the invading forces after they had been abandoned by their crews when their ammunition ran out. After the liberation of Kuwait, the ageing Chieftains were replaced by the Yugoslav [[M-84]].<ref name=armbri>{{citation |url=http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/armormagazine/content/Issues/1995/ArmorSeptemberOctober1995web.pdf |title=The Battle of the Bridges |work=[[Armor (magazine)|Armor]] |date=September–October 1995 |pages=26–32 |publisher=U.S. Army Armor Center |access-date=7 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103111127/http://www.benning.army.mil/armor/armormagazine/content/Issues/1995/ArmorSeptemberOctober1995web.pdf |archive-date=3 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/gulf/kuwait-army-equip.htm Kuwait – Army Equipment]</ref>


==Specifications==
==Specifications==

Revision as of 08:14, 30 January 2020

Chieftain (FV4201)
A Chieftain Mark 11 at the Bovington Tank Museum (2013)
TypeMain battle tank
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1966–present
Used byUK, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman
WarsIran–Iraq War
Persian Gulf War
Production history
ManufacturerLeyland Motors
Unit cost£90,000-£100,000 (March 1967)[1]
Specifications
Mass55 long tons (62 short tons; 56 t)
Length35 ft 4 in (10.77 m) – gun forward[2]
7.5 m (24 ft 7 in) – hull
Width12 ft 0 in (3.66 m)[2]
Height2.9 m (9 ft 6 in)
Crew4
ArmourGlacis: 127 mm (5.0 in) (72°)[3]
Hull sides: 50 mm (2.0 in) (10°)
Turret: 350 mm (14 in) (60°)[3]
Main
armament
L11A5 120 mm rifled gun
Secondary
armament
2 × L7 Machine Gun
EngineLeyland L60 (multifuel 2-stroke opposed-piston compression-ignition)
750 hp (560 kW) 6 Cyl, 19 litres.
Power/weight11.1 hp (8.3 kW)/ton (at sprocket)[2]
TransmissionTN 12[2]
SuspensionHorstmann: Horizontal Coil Spring Suspension Bogies
Ground clearance1 ft 10 in (0.56 m))[2]
Fuel capacity195 imp gal (890 L; 234 US gal)[2]
Operational
range
500 km (310 miles) on roads
Maximum speed Road: 48 km/h (30 mph)
Off road: 30 km/h (19 mph)

The FV4201 Chieftain was the main battle tank of the United Kingdom during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

A development of the Centurion, the Chieftain introduced the supine (reclining) driver position to British design allowing a heavily sloped hull with reduced height. A new powerpack and improved transmission gave it higher speed than the Centurion despite being heavier due to major upgrades to armour protection and the armament: this allowed it to replace both the Conqueror and Centurion while performing their roles effectively. It remained in service until replaced by the Challenger 1 which shared a large number of the Chieftain's features.

Development

The Chieftain was an evolutionary development of the successful cruiser line of tanks that had emerged at the end of the Second World War. Its predecessor, the Centurion main battle tank, is widely considered to be one of the most successful of post-war MBT designs.[4][5][6][7][8][9] However, the introduction of the Soviet IS-3 /IS-4 heavy tank along with Soviet T-54/T-55 forced the introduction of their own Conqueror heavy tank armed with a 120 mm (4.7 in) gun. A single design combining the firepower of the Conqueror's 120 mm gun with the mobility and general usefulness of the Centurion was seen as the ideal combination.

Leyland, who had been involved in the Centurion tank, had built their own prototypes of a new tank design in 1956. Several aspects of the design were trialled by the production of the FV4202 "40-ton Centurion" with a reclined driver position and mantletless gun mounting. In effect, the F4202 was a sightly modified Centurion chassis with a prototype of what would become the Chieftain turret, but armed with the 20pdr gun.[10]

This work led to a War Office specification for a new tank. The General Staff specification drew on the experience of Centurion tanks in the Korean War as well as that of the Conqueror tank. The tank was expected to be able to engage the enemy at long range, from defensive positions, and be proof against medium artillery. To this end, the gun was to have a greater angle of depression than the 8 degrees of Conqueror and would be equipped with better frontal armour. The tank was expected to achieve a firing rate of 10 rounds per minute in the first minute and six per minute for the following four.

The first few prototypes were provided for troop trials from 1959 which identified a number of changes. Improvements to address engine vibration and cooling resulted in a redesign of the rear hull. This increased the design weight to nearly 50 tons and accordingly the suspension (which had been designed for 45 tons) was strengthened. Trackpads had to be fitted to protect roads from damage and the ground clearance increased. The design was accepted in the early 1960s.

Britain and Israel had collaborated on the development in its latter stages[11] with a view to Israel purchasing and domestically producing the vehicle. Two prototypes were delivered as part of a four-year trial.[12] However, it was eventually decided not to sell the marque to the Israelis (since, at that period of time in the late 1960s, the UK was more friendly towards the Arab states and Jordan than to Israel),[13] which prompted them to follow their own development programme.[14]

In 1957, NATO had specified that its forces should use multi-fuel engines. The early BL Engine delivered around 450 bhp (340 kW) to the sprocket, which meant a top road speed of around 25 mph (40 km/h) and cross-country performance was limited. This was further hampered by the Horstmann coil spring suspension, which made it a challenge to drive cross country and provide the crew with a comfortable ride. Due to the cylinder linings being pressure fitted, coolant leaks within the cylinder block were common, resulting in white smoke billowing from the exhaust.

In the late 1970s, engine design changed with the introduction of Belzona which was used to improve the lining seals. Engine output also increased, with later engines delivering some 850 bhp (630 kW) to the sprocket. This meant better performance and an increased speed. However, cross-country performance remained limited.

Design

Chieftain display at the Bovington tank museum, 2006

The design of the Chieftain included a heavily sloped hull and turret which greatly increased the effective thickness of the frontal armour – 388 mm (15.3 in) on the glacis (from an actual thickness of 120 mm (4.7 in)) and 390 mm (15.4 in) on the turret (from 195 mm (7.7 in)).[3] It had a mantletless turret in order to take full advantage of reclining the vehicle up to ten degrees in a hull-down position.

For security reasons early prototypes had a canvas screen covering the mantlet and a sheet metal box mounted over the sloping glacis plate to disguise the configuration of the vehicle.[15]

The driver lay semi-recumbent in the hull when his hatch was closed down which helped to reduce the profile of the forward glacis plate. The commander, gunner and loader were situated in the turret. To the left side of the turret was a large searchlight with infra-red capability in an armoured housing.[16]

A Leyland L60 engine pack displayed at the Bovington tank museum. The complete unit could be removed by the crane of the FV434.

The Leyland L60 engine is a two-stroke opposed piston design intended for multi-fuel use so that it could run on whatever fuel was available. In practice the engine did not deliver the expected power and was unreliable, estimated to have a 90% breakdown rate but improvements were introduced to address this. Primary problems included cylinder liner failure, fan drive problems and perpetual leaks due to vibration and badly routed pipework. However, as the engine power improved the tank itself became heavier.[16]

The tank was steered by conventional tillers hydraulically actuating onto external brake discs. The discs worked via the epicyclic gearbox providing "regenerative" steering. The Merritt-Brown TN12 triple-differential gearbox was operated motorcycle-style with a kick up/kick down "peg" on the left, which actuated electro-hydraulic units in the gearbox, the accelerator cable was operated by the right foot. In the turret, the loader was on the left and the gunner on the right of the gun with the commander situated behind the gunner. The suspension was of the Horstmann bogie type with large side plates to protect the tracks and provide stand-off protection from hollow charge attack.[16]

Detail of the 120 mm L11A5 rifled gun

The main armament was the 120 mm L11A5 rifled gun. This differed from most contemporary main tank armament as it used projectiles and charges that were loaded separately, as opposed to a single fixed round. The charges were encased in combustible bags. Other tank guns such as the 120mm L1 gun on the Conqueror, needed to store the spent shell cartridges or eject them outside. The combustible charges were stored in 36 recesses surrounded by a pressurised[2] water/glycol mixture – so-called "wet-stowage". In the event of a hit penetrating the fighting compartment, the jacket would rupture soaking the charges and preventing a catastrophic propellant explosion.[17] As there was no shell case, the firing of the charge was by vent tubes automatically loaded from a ten-round magazine on the breech.[2] Due to the length of the gun, which required balancing, and the need for storage space, the turret has a large overhang to the rear. This contains radios, ammunition and fire control equipment and has further stowage externally.[2]

The gun could fire a wide range of ammunition but the most commonly loaded types were high explosive squash head (HESH), armour-piercing discarding sabot (APDS), or practice round equivalents for both types. The Chieftain could store up to 64 projectiles (though a maximum of 36 APDS, limited by the propellant stowage). The gun was fully stabilised with a fully computerized integrated control system. The secondary armament consisted of a coaxial L8A1 7.62 mm machine gun and another 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on the commander's cupola.[16] An advantage of using two-part ammunition was that in the case of inert rounds like APDS the loader could reach for the next round and hold it in his lap, ready to load while the gunner was acquiring the target and firing. This practice increases the rate of fire but would be hazardous with one-piece ammunition.[18]

Chieftain had an NBC protection system which Centurion lacked.[16]

The initial Fire-control system (FCS) was the Marconi FV/GCE Mk 4. A .50-inch (12.7 mm) ranging gun was mounted above the main gun (with 300 rounds available). This fired ranging shots out to a maximum of 2,600 yards (2,400 m), at which point the tracer in the ranging rounds burned out although the high explosive tip still created a visible "splash" on impact. The tank commander had a rotating cupola with nine vision blocks -giving all round view, plus the 7.62 mm machine-gun and an infrared (IR) capable projector coaxial with the weapon. The aiming systems were provided for both the gunner and the tank commander; they had 1x or 10x selectable magnification power, increasing to x15 in the Mk5 and beyond, and they were replaceable with IR vision systems for night operations (3x magnification power). The commander could rotate his cupola to bring his sight onto a target and then engage the mechanism that brought the turret round on to the correct bearing so that the gunner could complete the aiming.[16]

The commander's controls had over-ride capability on those of the gunner.[16]

The left side of the turret had a large searchlight with an electrically controlled infra-red filter inside an armoured box, with a relatively long range – up to 1–1.5 kilometres (0.62–0.93 mi).[19]

From the beginning of the 1970s, the Mk 3/3 version replaced the ranging gun with a Barr and Stroud LF-2 laser rangefinder with a 10 km (6.2 mi) range. This allowed engagements at much longer ranges, and also could be linked to the fire control system, allowing more rapid engagements and changes of target.[16]

On later models, fire control was provided by the Marconi IFCS (Improved Fire Control System), using a digital ballistic computer. The upgrade was not finished until the end of 1980, when some examples (but not the majority) had the IR searchlight replaced with TOGS. Many later examples had Stillbrew armour, intended to defeat Soviet 125 mm tank guns and heavy anti-tank missiles. These became the Mark 13 version.[19]

Service

Chieftain tanks of 14th/20th King's Hussars on parade with urban camouflage, Straße des 17. Juni, West Berlin, 18 June 1989.

Chieftain equipped British units of the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) during the Cold War defending West Germany against possible Warsaw Pact attack.

Like its European competitors, Chieftain found a large export market in the Middle East, but unlike Centurion, it was not adopted by any other NATO or Commonwealth country.

Chieftain proved itself capable in combat and able to be upgraded, both for overall improvement and to meet local requirements. It was continuously upgraded until the early 1990s, when it was replaced by Challenger 1. The final Chieftain version, which was used by the British Army until 1995, incorporated "Stillbrew" armour named after Colonel Still and John Brewer from the Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment (MVEE), the Improved Fire Control System (IFCS) and the Thermal Observation Gunnery Sight (TOGS). The last British Regiment equipped with Chieftain was the 1st Royal Tank Regiment, which was based at Aliwal Barracks, Tidworth.

A former Iranian Army Chieftain Mk.5 main battle tank on display at the Kubinka Tank Museum
Chieftain target hulks at Lulworth Ranges 2008

The first model was introduced in 1967. Chieftain was supplied to at least six countries, including Iran, Kuwait, Oman and Jordan. An agreement for sales to Israel and local production was cancelled by the British Government in 1969,[20] despite considerable Israeli technical and tactical input into the development of the tank, especially the capacity to operate successfully in desert environments, and the provision for the tank to make good use of hull-down positioning. Two examples were delivered to and extensively trialled by the Israeli Armoured Corps. This experience spurred the creation of the indigenous Israeli Merkava, the development programme of which was led by General Israel Tal, who had worked closely with the British in the Anglo-Israeli Chieftain project.[12] The largest foreign sale was to Iran, which, at the recommendation of General Tal,[12] took delivery of 707 Mk-3P and Mk-5P (the letter P standing for Persia), as well as 187 FV4030-1, 41 ARV and 14 AVLB before the 1979 revolution.[21][22][23] Further planned deliveries of the more capable FV4030-2 (Shir 1) and FV4030-3 (Shir 2) series were cancelled at that point.

It was in the Middle East that the Chieftain was to see all of its operational experience. First, it was used extensively by Iran during the Iran–Iraq War of 1980–88, including the largest tank battle of the war, with mixed results as the Chieftain Mk 3/5 suffered from chronic engine problems and low power-to-weight ratio, making the Chieftain unreliable and slow when manoeuvring over harsh terrain, which in turn made it prone to breakdowns in the midst of battle or a sluggish target and thus vulnerable to enemy tank fire.[24] Out of the 875 Chieftain tanks that had started the war only 200 were left.[25]

The Chieftain remains in service in Iran, the Mobarez tank being a locally upgraded version.

Kuwait and the Battle of the Bridges

Kuwait had 143 Chieftains on the eve of the 1990 Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait. Thirty-seven Chieftains of the Kuwaiti 35th Armored Brigade fought at the Battle of the Bridges against elements of the Iraqi Hammurabi and Medina divisions before withdrawing over the Saudi border.[26] None of the brigade's tanks was lost in the battle, and the 35th Armored Brigade (known as Al-Fatah) became part of Joint Command Forces East during the 1991 Gulf War and was able to return into Kuwait undefeated.

Besides those of the 35th Armored Brigade, the rest of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces' Chieftains (over 100) were either destroyed or captured by the invading forces after they had been abandoned by their crews when their ammunition ran out. After the liberation of Kuwait, the ageing Chieftains were replaced by the Yugoslav M-84.[27][28]

Specifications

  • Crew: 4
  • Combat weight: 55 tons
  • Overall length: 10.8 m (35 ft 5.2 in) gun forward
  • Hull length: 7.5 m (24 ft 7.3 in)
  • Height: 2.9 m (9 ft 6.2 in)
  • Width: 3.5 m (11 ft 5.8 in)
  • Powerplant: Opposed-piston engine Leyland L60 (diesel, multi-fuel compression ignition) 695 bhp (518 kW)
  • Range: 500 km (310 mi)
  • Maximum road speed: 48 km/h (30 mph)
  • Cross-country speed: 30 km/h (19 mph)
  • Armour: turret front, 195 mm (7.7 in) RHA (60°)
Armament

Mark 1 and Mark 2 models had a coaxial Browning .50-inch (12.7 mm) ranging machine guns prior to the introduction of the laser rangefinder.

Equipment
  • Twin Clansman VRC 353 VHF Radio sets (1979 onward)
  • 1 C42 1 B47 Larkspur VHF radios (pre 1979)
  • 2 X 6-barrel smoke dischargers on turret
  • Bulldozer blade (optional – fitted to one tank per squadron)[who said this?]

Variants

FV4202 "40-ton Centurion"
Test vehicle built by Leyland Motors using Centurion components to test reclining drivers position and mantlet-less turret proposed for FV4201. One built, 1956, official specification for FV4201 issued August 1958.
FV4201 P1 - FV4201 P7
Prototypes. Seven built, 485 hp [i] L60 Mk 1 or 485 hp L60 Mk 4,[ii] initial vehicles had internal exhaust silencers, short hull. [iii] small diameter road wheels,[iv] weight 45 long tons, initial vehicles, 49.5 long tons for later vehicles, 1959-1962
Chieftain Mk.1
40 training vehicles for 1965–1966 with 585 hp L60 Mk 4 engine, strengthened TN12 gearbox, exhaust silencers moved to external armoured box on hull rear plate, larger 'Centurion' 31.6 inch diameter road wheels, re-positioned final drive and idler wheel assemblies, two-piece commander's hatch cover, rubber track pads fitted for road protection, resilient rubber coaming around engine rear decking to prevent damage from gun with gun depression when turret traversed to the rear, stowage rack added to left rear of turret, dummy stowage 'bin' on front glacis and canvas cover over turret nose to conceal ballistic shapes, [v] weight 50 long tons, Issued to 1 RTR and 5 RTR for troop trials. All Mk.1 to Mk.1/4 vehicles were subsequently to be based at Bovington Camp and Catterick Garrison. 11 short hull units converted to be CH AVLB Mk.6 .[vi]
Chieftain Mk.1/2
Upgrade of Chieftain Mk.1 to Chieftain Mk.2 standard, fitted with 650 hp L60 Mk 4A2 engine, training use only
Chieftain Mk.1/3
Upgrade of Chieftain Mk.1, fitted with 650 hp L60 Mk 5A engine, training use only
Chieftain Mk.1/4
Upgrade of Chieftain Mk.1, fitted with 650 hp L60 Mk 6A engine and improved ranging gun, [vii] training use only
Chieftain Mk.2
First service model with 650 hp L60 Mk 4A2 engine, L11A2 or L11A3 main gun,[viii] NBC system fitted to rear of turret, revised turret stowage, one-piece commander's hatch cover, armour removed from searchlight cover, rigid flotation panels replaced by facility for deep wading, road speed 25 mph, [ix] range 250 miles, weight 51.5 long tons, first vehicles issued to 11th Hussars at Hohne in West Germany in early 1967, improved 650 hp L60 Mk 5A engine fitted 1969
Chieftain Mk.3
Improved 650 hp L60 Mk 6A engine with two-stage air cleaner, improved auxiliary generator (Coventry Climax H30 [x]), better stowage, new No. 15 Mk 2 commander's cupola, road speed improved to 30 mph, range increased to 310 miles, weight 53 long tons, 1970
Chieftain Mk 3/2
Fitted with 720 hp L60 Mk 7A, 1971
Chieftain Mk 3/3
Fitted with 720 hp L60 Mk 7A, Improved main gun range finding,[xi] provision for Barr & Stroud TLS (Tank Laser Sight) LF2 laser range finder, 1971
Chieftain Mk 3/G
Chieftain Mk.3 with engine induction through fighting compartment. Prototype only
Chieftain Mk.3/3P
Chieftain Mk 3/3 for Iran, 1973
Chieftain Mk 3/S
Production version of Chieftain Mk 3/G with commander's firing control.[xii]
Chieftain Mk.4
Chieftain Mk.3 with increased fuel capacity. Only two built. [xiii]
Chieftain Mk.5
Final production variant, 750 hp L60 Mark 8A, with upgrades to the NBC protection system, weight 54 long tons, 1975 [xiv]
Chieftain Mk.5/5P
Chieftain Mk.5 for Iran, 1975. Engine later upgraded to 750 hp L60 Mk 10A, 1977
Chieftain Mk.5/2K
Chieftain Mk.5 for Kuwait, 1975
Chieftain Mk.6
Chieftain Mk.2 upgraded to Chieftain Mk.5 standard, 1975 [xv]
In 1975 all earlier Marks of tanks except Mark 1's were upgraded to Chieftain Mk.5 standard as part of the 1975 "Totem Pole" programme,[xvi] including addition of Clansman radios, fitting of TLS, fitment of Muzzle Reference System (MRS) [xvii] upon replacement of L11A3 barrel with L11A5 barrel,[xviii] and fitment of 750 hp L60 Mark 8A. These vehicles were re-designated Chieftain Mk's.6 to Mk.8.
Chieftain Mk.7
Chieftain Mk.3 and Chieftain Mk 3/S upgraded to Chieftain Mk.5 standard, 1975 [xix]
Chieftain Mk.7C
Chieftain Mk.3 upgraded to Chieftain Mk.5 standard for Oman
Chieftain Mk.8
Chieftain Mk.3/3 upgraded to Chieftain Mk.5 standard, 1975 [xx]
In 1977 the engines of all vehicles were upgraded to the 750 hp L60 Mark 9A, followed by further upgrading with the 840 hp L60 Mark 11A or L60 Mark 12A [xxi] in 1978 as part of the 1977 "Dark Morn" and the 1978 "Sundance" programmes. [xxii]
Chieftain Mk.9
Chieftain Mk.6 after completing all phases of "Totem Pole", 1979.
Chieftain Mk.10
Chieftain Mk.7 after completing all phases of "Totem Pole". Later upgraded with addition of Stillbrew Crew Protection Package [xxiii] to the turret front and turret ring, 1984–86
Chieftain Mk.11
Chieftain Mk.8 after completing all phases of "Totem Pole". Later upgraded with Stillbrew, 1984–86
Chieftain Mk.12
Chieftain Mk.5 after completing all phases of "Totem Pole". Later upgraded with Stillbrew, 1984–86
Chieftain Mk.12/13
Proposed further upgrades, cancelled when the Challenger 1 was introduced.
Chieftain 800
Chieftain with Chobham armour and new power train
Chieftain 900
Chieftain with Chobham armour, new power train, and Centaur fire control system
ARRV
FV4204 ARV/ARRV
Armoured Recovery Vehicle, Armoured Recovery and Repair Vehicle.
FV4205 AVLB Mk5
Bridge-laying vehicle
An AVRE carrying fascine and towing Python on Salisbury Plain.
Chieftain AVRE (CHAVRE)
Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers, twelve early "Willich Chieftain AVRE" vehicles converted by 32 Armoured Engineer Regiment and 21 Engineer Base Workshop of the Royal Engineers, Willich, 1987, remaining 48 ex MBTs converted by Vickers Defence Ltd, 1991, to be a British Army combat engineering variant used by the Royal Engineers.
Chieftain Marksman
Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun version, equipped with the Marksman twin gun turret.
Chieftain Mineclearer
Mine-clearing development.
Chieftain Sabre
Twin 30 mm AA turret.
Khalid variant

Khalid /Shir (Lion) 1
Also known as "4030 Phase 2 Jordan". Jordanian with the running gear of the Challenger 1. In essence, this was a transition vehicle from the Chieftain to the Shir 2, which had been intended for Iran but was subsequently cancelled due to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The vehicle chassis comprised the front half of a Chieftain hull, Chieftain running gear and the rear of a 4030/2 Chassis (Sloping Hull). This allowed the fitment in the engine bay of a Rolls-Royce CV12 engine producing 1200 bhp at 2,300 rpm.
Weapon Carriers
The Chieftain chassis was adapted to mount air defence weapons ("Marksman" 2 x 35 mm cannon) and a 155 mm howitzer in a number of variants.
Shir 2
"4030 Phase 3" Iranian variant. Visible external differences from Chieftain Mk.5 included a sloping rear hull, the removal of the searchlight from the left turret area and the refitting of storage baskets, the removal of the water channel from around the driver's hatch on the glacis, [xxiv] modification of the light clusters also on the glacis and the enlargement of the sight housing on the commander's cupola. Not delivered, the Shir 2 tanks became Challenger 1 tanks after reworking at ROF Leeds
Mobarez Tank
Iranian upgraded version of Chieftain.

Operators

A map of Chieftain operators in blue with former operators in red

Current operators

  •  Iran: 707 Mk-3P and Mk-5P, 187 FV4030-1,[29][30] 41 ARV and 14 AVLB obtained before the 1979 revolution. Further planned deliveries of the more capable FV4030-2 (Shir 1) and FV4030-3 (Shir 2) series were cancelled at that point. 100 in service as of 2005. (100 in 1990, 250 in 1995, 140 in 2000).[31]
  •  Jordan: 274 Khalid delivered between 1981–1985 + 90 MK3/5 (captured Iranian tanks) from Iraq.[32] 350 in service[when?][citation needed]
  •  Oman: 27 delivered 1981–85.[33]

Former operators

  •  United Kingdom: Used from 1965 to 1995.
  •  Kuwait: 175 in 1976, 143 in 1989, 20 in 1995, 17 in storage in 2000.[34]
  •  Iraq: 50-75 tanks, captured from Iran, in service with Iraqi Army in 1990. Most upgraded to Khalid-level, with air-conditioning for the crew and reinforced armour and night vision.[35]
  •  Israel: 2 delivered for the joint Anglo-Israeli developmental project. In Israeli Armored Corps service for trials 1965–69.[12]
  •  Netherlands: One Chieftain was tested alongside a Leopard between 15 January and 22 March 1968 by the Detachement ter Beproeving van Voertuigen (“Detachment for Testing of Vehicles”) of the Royal Netherlands Army; the tank was allocated British registration number 03 EB 81 and Dutch number KZ-99-65.[36][37] The Leopard was eventually selected largely because of the Chieftain's poor construction quality, especially the engine, which leaked so much oil that the engine compartment turned black.[38]

See also

Tanks of comparable role, performance and era

References

Notes
  1. ^ Note: engine horsepower ratings are net, the gross (SAE) figures are approximately 100 hp higher.
  2. ^ Note: all variants of the L60 were interchangeable and could be fitted to any Mark of vehicle. Vehicles at the factory were fitted with the latest variant of L60 being produced with earlier vehicles in service being upgraded to the current L60 variant as soon as sufficient numbers of the later engine variant became available, the removed earlier engines then being rebuilt to the current L60 standard where possible. Changing an engine usually took around 1.5 to two hours.
  3. ^ Note: the original design had the engine exhaust silencers mounted internally at the rear of the engine compartment however a re-design of the TN12 transmission resulted in an increase in gearbox length and necessitated the transfer of the exhaust silencers to an external armoured box at the rear of the hull.
  4. ^ Note, in an attempt at reducing the overall height of the vehicle the original design used road wheels of a smaller diameter which gave insufficient ground clearance. They were later replaced with road wheels of the same diameter as used on the Centurion and by careful re-positioning of their mountings along with adjustment of the idler and final drive mountings resulted in a vehicle height only 1" higher than with the original smaller wheels.
  5. ^ Note; these and other modifications had been initially trialled on Prototype vehicles before the MK.1 design had been frozen for production.
  6. ^ Note, CHieftain, Armoured Vehicle-Launched Bridge
  7. ^ Note; the ranging machine gun was a uniquely British method of ranging preferred over the optical range finders used by other nations. The gun uses ammunition ballistically-matched to HESH ammunition at ranges out to 1,300 metres (2,500 metres in the Chieftain MK.3/3.) APDS rounds were aimed using aiming marks displaced from centre which when aligned with the bullet impact points compensated for the ammunition's flatter trajectory. The ranging machine gun was fired in three-round bursts
  8. ^ Note; original gunnery requirement for FV4201 was for the ability to hit a vehicle-sized target at 1,000 yards at night. Upon metrification ranges quoted changed from using yards to using metres
  9. ^ Note; vehicle speeds are governed.
  10. ^ Note; known as the "Generating Unit Engine" (GUE), this engine was a three-cylinder opposed-piston two stroke diesel of 1 litre capacity. Its purpose was to drive a 24 volt, 500-amp, generator to provide electrical power when the main engine was not running.
  11. ^ Note; ranging gun effectiveness improved to 2,500 metres range. All service Chieftains were subsequently upgraded with the LF2 laser range finder with ranging out to in excess of 5,000 metres. Vehicles upgraded with the LF2 TLS had an "L" suffice appended to the Mark No.
  12. ^ Note; this allowed the tank commander to fire the main gun and was subsequently fitted to all service Chieftains.
  13. ^ Note; standard fuel capacity for other vehicles was 195 Imperial gallons
  14. ^ Note; upon fitment of the Tank Laser Sight (TLS) the designation changed to Mk.5/L.
  15. ^ Note; upon fitment of the TLS the designation changed to Mk.6/L.
  16. ^ Note: "Exercise Totem Pole" was carried out in six-to-nine phases depending on the Mark of vehicle being modified (Chieftain Mk.5's already had some of the required changes incorporated at the factory) between 1975 and 1979 and included fitment of the Marconi Improved Fire Control System (IFCS), replacement of the searchlight with the Barr & Stroud Thermal Observation Gunnery System (TOGS), along with modifications for using FSAPDS ammunition. Upon completion of each phase the vehicle received an additional suffix to the designation, e.g., "Chieftain Mk.3/S(Y)2" denoting a Mark 3/S having completed the first three phases of "Totem Pole".
  17. ^ Note; the Muzzle Reference System uses a laser beam reflected from a mirror at the muzzle to measure minute dimensional changes in the barrel due to temperature, humidity, etc., which are then compensated-for in the Fire Control System. The thermal sleeve had originally been developed to minimise such dimensional changes in the barrel which have an increasing effect on gun accuracy as ranges are increased.
  18. ^ Note; barrels became worn and needed replacement after firing a specified number of rounds during accumulated practice shoots.
  19. ^ Note; upon fitment of the TLS the designation changed to Mk.7/L.
  20. ^ Note; upon fitment of the TLS the designation changed to Mk.8/L.
  21. ^ Note; Mk 11A and Mk 12A engines were identical apart from minor difference in cylinder liner sealing
  22. ^ Note; "Exercise Sundance" concerned improvements in engine power, reliability, and other power train improvements, and was carried out in five main phases between 1976 and 1979. These, in themselves, had been preceded by "Dark Morn", "High Noon", and the initial "Fleetfoot" engine development programme which had completed in October 1971. Vehicles on which "Sundance" modifications had been carried out received an additional 'Z' suffix appended to their designations.
  23. ^ Note; Stillbrew was additional armour added to increase turret frontal protection against HEAT rounds, specifically, the improved variants of the Soviet-made RPG-7, etc., and consisted of conventional steel armour mounted on rubber pads to prevent vibration. The "Stillbrew" name is derived from the names of the developers, Col. Still, and John Brewer, of the Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment.
  24. ^ Note: this channel was intended to prevent water entering the driver's hatch when the vehicle encountered deep mud and water-filled depressions in the ground. This feature was considered unnecessary for a vehicle intended exclusively for use in desert conditions.
References
  1. ^ Reynolds, Gerald, "House of Commons Debates 6 March 1967 Defence (Army) Estimates 1967-68", Hansard 1803–2005, cc1029, retrieved 21 May 2016 – via millbanksystems
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i For Mark 2 according to Norman, AFV Profile No. 19
  3. ^ a b c Richard Ogorkiewicz, Cold War, Hot Science: Applied Research in Britain's Defence Laboratories 1945–1990 (2002), p.128-129, edited by Robert Bud & Philip Gummett, NMSI Trading Ltd, ISBN 1-900747-47-2
  4. ^ Robert Jackson, "101 Great Tanks", Rosen Publishing Group, 2010
  5. ^ Anthony Tucker-Jones, "Armoured Warfare in the Korean War", Casemate Publishers, 2013, p. 61.
  6. ^ Simon Dunstan, "Centurion Universal Tank 1943-2003", Osprey Publishing, 2003, p. 3.
  7. ^ J. H. Joiner, "One More River To Cross", Pen and Sword, 1990
  8. ^ Chris Bishop, "The encyclopedia of modern military weapons", Barnes & Noble Books, 1999, p. 30.
  9. ^ Carter Malkasian, "The Korean War 1950-1953", Taylor & Francis, 2001, p. 52.
  10. ^ Norman
  11. ^ "Israel and Depleted Uranium". Salem-News.Com. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d "The Knight That Gave Birth To The Chariot". Armored Corps Magazine. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  13. ^ "House of Commons Will Hold Debate on Issue of Sale of Chieftain Tanks to Libya". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 17 June 1969. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  14. ^ "HowStuffWorks "Chieftain Main Battle Tank"". Science.howstuffworks.com. 20 November 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  15. ^ Dunstan, S (1989), The Chieftain Tank, Arms & Armour Press Ltd
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ Simon Dunstan, Chieftain Main Battle Tank 1965–2003, Osprey Publishing, p.6
  18. ^ Nicholas Moran (26 August 2014). Inside the Chieftain's Hatch: Snapshots - Chieftain. World of Tanks. Event occurs at 4min 10sec. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  19. ^ a b JP-4 dossier, Main Battle Tanks (1990), pp.35–36, edited by Ed.Ai. 1990, Florence
  20. ^ "Middle East | Files reveal British-Israel tank secrets". BBC News. 2 January 2003. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  21. ^ "Trade Register", SIPRI, (Search UK to Iran, 1950–2008)
  22. ^ Cordesman, Anthony H. (1 April 2018). "Iran's Developing Military Capabilities". CSIS. Retrieved 1 April 2018 – via Google Books.
  23. ^ Dunstan, Simon (20 September 2012). "Chieftain Main Battle Tank 1965–2003". Bloomsbury Publishing. Retrieved 1 April 2018 – via Google Books.
  24. ^ Chieftain Main Battle Tank 1965–2003, Osprey Publishing[page needed]
  25. ^ The Global Arms Trade: A Handbook Andrew T. H. Tan Routledge. 2014. P.126
  26. ^ Nelson, Major Robert A. (September–October 1995), "The Battle of the Bridges" (PDF), Armor, pp. 26–32, archived from the original (PDF) on 3 November 2013, retrieved 7 July 2014
  27. ^ "The Battle of the Bridges" (PDF), Armor, U.S. Army Armor Center, pp. 26–32, September–October 1995, archived from the original (PDF) on 3 November 2013, retrieved 7 July 2014
  28. ^ Kuwait – Army Equipment
  29. ^ Cordesman, Anthony H. (1 April 2018). "Iran's Developing Military Capabilities". CSIS. Retrieved 1 April 2018 – via Google Books.
  30. ^ Dunstan, Simon (20 September 2012). "Chieftain Main Battle Tank 1965–2003". Bloomsbury Publishing. Retrieved 1 April 2018 – via Google Books.
  31. ^ John Pike (21 March 2013). "Iranian Ground Forces Equipment". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  32. ^ Trade Register, SIPRI, (Search UK to Jordan, 1950–2008)
  33. ^ Trade Register, SIPRI, (Search UK to Oman, 1950–2008)
  34. ^ John Pike (22 April 2013). "Kuwait – Army Equipment". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  35. ^ Stephen Hughes, The Iraqi Threat and Saddam Hussein's Weapons of Mass Destruction, page 304
  36. ^ "(front cover)", De Tank (in Dutch), no. 71, Zwolle: Twenot, April 1988
  37. ^ "Landmacht beproeft tanks op Leusderheide" (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 December 2017.
  38. ^ Smit, Willem (2008). De Leopard 1: Gepantserde vuist van de Koninklijke Landmacht [The Leopard 1: Armoured fist of the Royal Netherlands Army] (in Dutch). The Hague: Netherlands Institute of Military History. pp. 25–31.
Bibliography
  • Norman, Michael, AFV Profile No. 18 Chieftain and Leopard (Development), Profile Publishing
  • Dunstan, Simon (2003), Chieftain Main Battle Tank 1965–2003, New Vanguard, Osprey Publishing
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