Challenger

This article is about combat vehicle. For CGR-SB variant of the Charger BattleMech, see Challenger (BattleMech).

Challenger X MBT
Production information
Manufacturer	Kallon Industries General Motors
Mission	Main Battle
Type	Tracked
Cost	15,725,350 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass	90 tons
Armor	Kallon Unity Weave Ferro-Fibrous
Engine	GM 270 XL Fusion Engine
Speed	54 km/h
Crew	6
Armament	1 x Gauss Rifle 1 x LB 10-X Autocannon 2 x Medium Pulse Laser 2 x Streak SRM-2 1 x LRM 10 1 x Small Pulse Laser 1 x AMS
BV (1.0)	1,170
BV (2.0)	1,713

Description

The Challenger X Main Battle Tank was designed to combat the challenge the Clans posed to the Inner Sphere. The Challenger was a team effort between Kallon Industries and General Motors, the two corporations teaming up to create a main battle tank that could stand up to a BattleMech rather than possibly lose out on a lucrative contract trying to outdo each other. The tank was produced on three different worlds; Kirklin, Kathil, and Salem.

The Challenger X was designed as super-heavy tank to handle multiple threats. The companies equipped the tank with General Motor's 270 rated Extra-Light Fusion Engine to give the tank room it needed carry all sort of deadly weaponry. The engine allows the tank to move a modest 54 kilometers per hour, keeping pace with modest heavy formations of vehicles and 'Mechs. The tank is protected by fourteen tons of Kallon's Ferro-Fibrous Armor. It also has a MainFire Point-Defense Anti-Missile System to stop missiles from ever reaching the armor.

The Challenger was initially deployed in the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth, and later the AFFS, though the LAAF retained a number of Challengers. It joined prestigious units such as the Davion Heavy Guards and Davion Assault Guards RCTs, where it formed backbone for those regiments' tanks corps.

The tank saw combat on both sides of the FedCom Civil War. It later saw action during the Jihad on the brutal battlefields of New Avalon, St. Ives, and Indicass.

Armament

The Challenger's primary weaponry includes a turret mounted Poland Main Model A Gauss Rifle with two tons of ammo. This gives the tank the needed ranged weapon, as well one-shot-one kill capacity. A turret-mounted, Artemis IV FCS-enhanced Federated 10-Shot Long Range Missile Launcher with two tons of ammunition compliments it at long range. To help fight battle armor, as well as other threats, an Imperator Code Red LB 10-X Autocannon was mounted on the turret of the tank with two tons of ammo capacity, which allowed it to carry both solid and cluster rounds for any situation it should face. To handle the close range threats, the tank has been equipped with a pair of Federated Super Streak SRM 2 launchers protect the sides of the tank. It also been equipped with two front-mounted Martell Medium Pulse Lasers and a rear-mounted Exostar Small Pulse Laser to protect its rear flank.

Variants

• Challenger XI MBT - Outfitted by the AFFC, this tank was created as Command unit to utlize the C3 Master Computer. The tank's weaponry includes two Gauss Rifles with five tons of ammunition, though it only carried a forward-mounted ER Medium Laser as a secondary weapon. BV (1.0) = 1,254 (Combined C3 BV), BV (2.0) = 1,833

• Challenger XII MBT - The XII was introduced in 3064 and premiered on the battlefield in the FedCom Civil War. It retained the original's Gauss Rifle, but with an increase of ammo to three tons. The turret-mounted LRM 10 was upgraded to Artemis enhanced LRM 15 launcher with three tons of ammo. The LB 10-X was replaced by a Rotary Autocannon/2 with two tons of ammo. Its front-mounted lasers were replaced with two ER Medium Lasers. The side-mounted Streak SRM 2 launchers were replaced with a single Streak SRM 4 launcher mounted in turret with a single ton of ammo to feed it. The tank was also equipped with a Guardian ECM Suite to protect it from enemy electronics and a C3 Slave Unit to enhance gunnery. BV (1.0) = 1,580 (combined with C3 slave BV). BV (2.0) = 1,854

• Challenger Mk. XVc - The Experimental Mk. XVc was developed by a group of former AFFS tankers to build the "ideal" tank during the Jihad. Though it keeps the Gauss Rifle of the original, a Silver Bullet Gauss Rifle replaces the LB 10-X cannon. The missile launchers were replaced by a single Thunderbolt 15 system. A sponson turret on each side of the tank carries a pair of Magshots, providing effective anti-armor fire. The Mk. XVc removes the anti-missile system and armor of the original and replaces them with thirteen and half tons of Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor. Maintaining the same speed is possible due to the XXL Engine carried in the tank. BV (2.0) = 1,894

• Challenger Mk. XIVs - This Jihad era variant is intended for underwater operations. Environmental Sealing keeps air in the tank. The Gauss Rifle, Artemis IV, and LRM launchers are replaced by an ER Large Laser and an MML-7. The forward firing pulse lasers are replaced by an SRM-4 and SRT-4. Heavy Ferro-Fibrous armor protects the tank. BV (2.0) = 1,512

Bibliography

• Master Unit List.pdf
• Record Sheets: 3055 & 3058
• Record Sheets: 3058 Upgrade
• Technical Readout: 3058
• Technical Readout: 3058 Upgrade
• Experimental Technical Readout: Davion
• Technical Readout: 3085
• Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New