Merkava ‘Chariot’ - Israeli Defense Force Main Battle Tank In service since 1979, four versions have been used by the Israeli Army. Production was nearly discontinued in 2006 until it was demonstrated that the Mark IV model was a significant enough improvement to build and production continues. Built by the Israeli Ordinance Corps and Israeli Military Industries, the vehicle uses technologies from non Israeli concerns such as Caterpillar, L-3, Motorola, DuPont and FN Herstal. The original and current designs call for crew survivability, off road performance, cost effectiveness, and rapid repair of battle damage. Designers placed the engine nearer the front end of the vehicle providing more protection for crews and a larger fighting compartment that can be used in some respects like an APC (armored personnel carrier). First deployment in Lebanon 1982 - By taking out palleted Ammo in the fighting compartment the tank was used to carry wounded and up to ten could fit - M113 APC’s had become too vulnerable to ATW’s. After the campaign a 60mm remotely fired mortar was installed and chain netting to disperse effects of ATW RPG’s. Mark II - April 1983 - modified for urban warfare and low intensity conflict. Mortar improved, larger fuel tanks. Updated meteorological sensors, crosswind analyzers, thermographic optics, image intensifiers and by increment up to the Mk III : More improved thermal optics and fire control systems improvements, improved armor on top of turret for air attack protection, and modular composite armor for quick repair of battle damage. Mark III - December 1989 - Improvements to drive train, a larger diesel engine, more fire control system improvements, a new120mm cannon,improved shell storage to minimize ‘cook off’ danger, communication equipment with outside infantry units redone, lasers designators installed, “Incorporation of the Kasag modular armor system, designed for rapid replacement and repair in the battlefield and for quick upgrading as new designs and sophisticated materials become available.” Mark IV - Production commenced in 2004: modular armor on underside of tank, El Op Knight Mark 4 fire control system, no active rounds stored in turret (dry) to reduce dangers of ‘cook off’ further. Hull shaping, non-reflective paints, shielding for engine heat plumes mixing with air particles to confuse enemy thermal imagers. The Knight fire control system enables the tank to shoot down helicopters. New tracks for area specific terrain. The Mk 4M ‘Windbreaker’ can intercept incoming tank rounds and RPG’s. 50 Merkavas were put out of action during the 2006 War in Lenanon, primarily by advanced ATM’s (anti tank missiles), primarily the Russian AT-14 ‘Kornet’ supplied to Hezbollah. Eight remained serviceable and 21 suffered armor penetration. Here is a tank as good if not better than any designed to protect its crew, for survivability, ease of repair and technology second to none. Who would have thought a tank could shoot down helicopters support infantry with mortar fire, intercept incoming rounds or RPG’s, engage in urban warfare, use it as an ambulance and modify the chassis to take a howitzer as well as traditional tank to tank? A marvelous, imaginative solution. Figures below scanned from Wiki. Merkava Mark I Merkava Mark II Merkava Mark III Merkava Mark IV Designer MANTAK (Merkava Tank Office) Manufacturer MANTAK (Merkava Tank Office) Produced 1978–83 1982–89 1990–2002 2003– Number built 250 580 780 660 Specifications Weight ≈63 tonnes ≈65 tonnes Length rear to muzzle: 8.30 m (27 ft 3 in) without gun: 7.45 m (24 ft 5 in) rear to muzzle: 9.04 m (29 ft 8 in) without gun: 7.60 m (24 ft 11 in) Width 3.70 m (12 ft 2 in) (without skirts) 3.72 m (12 ft 2 in) (without skirts) Height 2.65 m (8.7 ft) (turret roof) 2.66 m (8.7 ft) (turret roof) Crew 4 (tank commander, driver, gunner, loader-signaller). May carry infantry as passengers. Armor Rolled homogeneous armor Spaced rolled homogeneous armor Composite armor, modular design. Composite matrix of laminated ceramic-steel-nickel alloy. Sloped modular design. Primary armament 105 mm (4.1 in) M68 rifled tank gun with LAHAT ATGM capability. 120 mm (4.7 in) MG251 smoothbore tank gun with LAHAT ATGM capability. 120 mm (4.7 in) MG253 smoothbore tank gun with LAHAT ATGM capability. Secondary armament 2–3 × 7.62 mm (0.300 in) MG 1 × 60 mm (2.4 in) external mortar 12 smoke grenades 2–3 × 7.62 mm (0.300 in) MG 1 × 60 mm (2.4 in) internal mortar 12 smoke grenades 3 × 7.62 mm (0.300 in) MG 1 × 60 mm (2.4 in) internal mortar 12 smoke grenades 1 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) MG 2 × 7.62 mm (0.300 in) MG 1 × 60 mm (2.4 in) internal mortar (improved) 12 smoke grenades Engine Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-6A 908 hp (677 kW) V12 air-cooled diesel engine Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-9AR 1,200 hp (895 kW) V12 air-cooled diesel General Dynamics GD883 (MTU883) 1,500 hp (1,119 kW) V12 water-cooled diesel Power / weight ≈14.5 hp/ton ≈18.5 hp/ton ≈23 hp/ton Payload capacity 53 to 62 rounds, 6 per container 46 rounds, 5 ready in a mechanical drum 48 rounds, 10 ready in an electrical drum Transmission Allison Transmission CD850-6BX hydromechanical semiautomatic Ashot Ashkelon hydromechanical automatic, 4 gears. Ashot Ashkelon hydromechanical automatic, 5 gears (licensed copy of Renk RK325).[21] Suspension Helical spring Ground clearance 0.53 m (1 ft 9 in) 0.45 m (1 ft 6 in) Fuel capacity 1100–1400 litres 1400 litres Operational range 400–500 km (250–310 mi) 500 km (310 mi) Speed on road 50 km/h (31 mph) 60 km/h (37 mph) 64 km/h (40 mph) (l-r) MK IV,same, MK III, MK II, MK I, destroyed, MK IV,same, same,same,ammo loading Mk IV, Kornet ATW, Windbreaker
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:10:39 +0000