who would win a m1a1 Abrams or a Challenger 2 tank?

Answer 1

Because the question itself is flawed, I can't give you a good answer.

Combat isn't that clear cut. In the 80's, handfuls of men, some of them with rifles older than they were themselves, made hamburger out of the Soviet Army in Afghanistan. Granted, the Red Army was pretty incompetent at that point but they had a definite edge in technology, firepower, supplies and numbers over the Muja'hadeen.

So your question is inherently flawed. Hell, I would give a Leopard 2 with an experienced crew better than even odds against a M1A2 or a Challenger 2 with inexperienced people on board.

What about terrain? Or approach? Relative bearings between the two? Speed? Direction of movement? Range?

Without defining your question better, it's impossible to give you a 100% accurate answer.

Answer 2

The Challenger 2 Tank has the best armor in the world and its a well known fact that the only thing to this day that can destroy a Challenger 2 is another Challenger 2(its been proven).The Abrams which has weak and light armor can be knocked out by RPG's which are supposed to knock out bunkers LOL.The Americans have lost loads of Abrams in Iraq while the British have only lost one and that was from a crossfire from another Challenger 2 tank.


CHALLENGER 2 KICKS ***

Answer 3

After watching the History Channel's Modern Marvels about the Challenger 2 - Royal Scots Dragoon Guard - in action during Enduring Freedom, I'm thinking the Brits have the superior tank. According to the episode,no Challengers were lost in either Gulf wars. Matter of a fact, one of the RSDG's Challengers sustained eight RPG and one anti-tank missile hits without being destroyed. IIRC, a few Abrams were lost to RPG fire I'd like to read the opinions of others, especially former and current tankers about the comparison

I can't recall where I leeched this pic, but the Abrams was destroyed in Iraq sometime in the past couple of years.



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Amtraker
Gunboards.Com Silver Star Member



Iraq
732 Posts
Posted - 07/30/2005 : 08:06:55 AM
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I can't argue with you Terry, but your comment about the AAV (hasn't been LVTP since our early 80's upgrade) isn't correct. You may be thinking of the LAV-25 that was hit by a Maverick outside of Khafji. The only AAV knocked out in Gulf 1 hit a land mine (driver suffered a broken leg and two roadwheels were blown off). As for the quality of vehicles, I think we've hit the point in time where technology is pretty much equal, and it depends on the training and discipline of the crew. I equate it to the sniper community. The Challenger currently holds the long shot record in tank gunnery and the Canadians hold the long sniping record. In ten years it may change. As for Blue on Blue on the battlefield, that is all in training and keeping current on your IFF. We've been working on systems since Gulf 1 for IFF, but the regretable incidents still happen.

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Stuart W. Bracken


David Murvihill
Gunboards.Com Silver Star Member



USA
847 Posts
Posted - 07/30/2005 : 08:12:08 AM
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You might compare the numbers of Abrams vs. Challengers deployed. I suspect there were many more Abrams to shoot at.

Blue-on-Blue shootings are a time-honored tragedy that still can't be prevented. The numbers are down though, even from WW2.

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It's not an arsenal, it's a museum.


Amtraker
Gunboards.Com Silver Star Member



Iraq
732 Posts
Posted - 07/30/2005 : 4:14:49 PM
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Terry, don't take Murvihill's comments to heart. That's just a result of his lack of education concerning how coalition warfare works. I personally use how the British have conducted (quite successfully) their CIMIC operations in Basra as an example to my students. I'm also sure that the rank and file French basher doesn't realize that US troops are working besides the French in Kosovo and Afghanistan, and have been for some time. You just have to remember that Gunboards attracts all types.

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Stuart W. Bracken


DaSOB
Gunboards.Com Gold Star Member



USA
5411 Posts
Posted - 07/30/2005 : 6:21:47 PM
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Mr. Foley, I don't see where it was necessary for you to become snide about friendly fire incidents involving US tanks. This started as a thread about the superiority of the Challenger to the Abrams, and the original post included a pic of an Abrams which had been destroyed by an unspecified munition. It was intended only as a topic for interested discussion. But you had to weigh in with your inflammatory and uncalled-for comments.

Fratricide is tragic, regrettable, and a part of every war, and the fratricidal deaths caused by US fire are deeply regretted. There was absolutely no call for your snotty remarks.

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"No free man shall be debarred the use of arms" - Thomas Jefferson




animalmutha
Gunboards.Com Gold Star Member



Czech Republic
6451 Posts
Posted - 07/30/2005 : 8:37:42 PM
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quote:
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Originally posted by Amtraker

I'm also sure that the rank and file French basher doesn't realize that US troops are working besides the French in Kosovo and Afghanistan, and have been for some time. You just have to remember that Gunboards attracts all types.

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I worked directly with French AF personnel in Berlin, GE and both Operation Northern and Southern Watches. With regard to the latter two, the FAF stopped flying combat sorties a few years after the end of the Gulf War. So, why did they still maintain aircraft and personnel at Incirlik AB, Turkey and Prince Sultan AB, KSA...training missions??? Hell if I know, but I do know for a fact their personnel were banned from PSAB's CAOC during Operation Enduring Freedom.

Answer 4

Abrams

Answer 5

That depends on the conditions of the engagement, and the quality of the crews.

P.S. -- Why does the guy above keep answering questions like this? He has no experience with tanks, and probably has never worn so much as a Mcdonalds uniform.

Answer 6

I'm betting on the Abrams although the two are allied on the field so the question is highly suggestive.