The Challenger Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle (CRARRV) was developed in the mid 80s. In 1985 the UK MoD signed a contract with Vickers Defence Systems to build 30 armored recovery vehicles to support the Challenger 1 main battle tank. A total of 74 ARVs were delivered to the British Army. Currently the CRARRV is used to support the newer Challenger 2 main battle tanks. The only export customer of this vehicle is Oman, which operates the Challenger 1 MBTs. Four vehicles were sold to this Middle East country. Currently it is the most powerful recovery vehicle of it's class. The CRARRV is based on the Challenger 1 main battle tank. Instead of armament this military vehicle is fitted with a powerful winch, small crane and front-mounted dozer blade. An all-welded superstructure has been added to the vehicle.
Typical tasks for this type of combat vehicles include recovery of damaged or overturned armored vehicles on the battlefield. These also provide maintenance service or tow them to assembly points or maintenance units. Such vehicles operate in frontline, where are no fixed repair or overhaul facilities.
The CRARRV has a winching capacity of 52 t. With the help of pulley blocks traction force is increased to 104 t. There is also an auxiliary winch, used for other load handling operations.
A small crane of the CRARRV has a lifting capacity of only 6.5 t. It is used to lift and replace powerpacks of the Challenger tank, however it can not lift the turret. The crane can be also used for other load lifting work.
A spare powerpack is carried on a special wheeled trailer, called the CRARRV High Mobility Trailer (HMT). This wheeled trailer can carry a single Challenger, Titan, Trojan powerpack or two Warrior powerpacks.
A front-mounted dozer blade is used for earthmoving and obstacle clearing operations. The CRARRV can prepare firing positions, cover ditches and so on. A dozer blade also acts as an earth anchor during winching operations.
This armored recovery vehicle can tow damaged, faulty or uncontrolled MBTs with a maximum weight of 68 t by rigid or non-rigid hitches. Vehicles are towed to the nearest shelter, assembly point or repair unit.
The Challenger ARV is fitted with welding and cutting equipment, which is used to repair damaged hulls in field conditions. Vehicle also carries a wide array of tools and spare parts for field repairs.
Vehicle is fitted with remotely controlled 7.62 mm machine gun for self-defense. Additional armor can be fitted to the hull during combat operations.
The CRARRV is operated by a crew of three, including commander, driver and handler. There are also two additional seats for passengers from casualty vehicle.
The CRARRV retains the engine of the Challenger main battle tank. It is powered by Rolls-Royce Condor CV12 TCA turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 200 hp.
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