New Anti-missile System for U.K.’s Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank

The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected Rafael Advanced Defense Systems‘ Trophy active protection system (APS) for the next phase of detailed assessment and integration into the British Army’s Challenger 3 main battle tank (MBT).

The selection is a result of a study conducted by the MoD as part of the Challenger upgrade program led by prime contractor Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) which involves detailed integration and system trials of this lighter Trophy variant (Trophy MV).

Developed by Rafael in response to successful anti-armor attacks, Trophy APS provides mature, combat-proven protection against rocket and missile threats and simultaneously locates the origin of the hostile fire for immediate response. 

Trophy has made numerous combat interceptions with no injuries to crews or dismounted troops or damage to platforms since its first operational interception in 2011. It has accrued over 1,000,000 operating hours, including 5,400 successful field tests, and is now under contract for serial production of over 1,800 systems.

“Trophy APS has saved the lives of numerous soldiers and has been instrumental in protecting assets on the battlefield and enabling tank crews to maneuver safely under anti-tank fire and perform their missions safely and fully,” said Brig. Gen (Ret.) Michael Lurie, head of Rafael’s land maneuverability systems directorate.

“This system has changed the rules of the game in the armored warfare arena, and the U.K.’s decision to choose Trophy for the protection of its crews, ushers in a new era for its armored forces as well. We are thankful to our U.K. partners for joining other nations and tier-1 armored corps who have put their trust in Rafael’s Trophy APS.”