First of all, some people’s claims that Merkava 4 was desinged to fight insurgents is only partly true. In 2004, syria was still a threat as the rebel war there didn’t start. This means that the Israeli engineers made the Merkava 4 also suitable a. Tank Merkava Mk 4 Technical Specifications. The Merkava is a main battle tank used by the Israel Defense Forces. The tank began development in 1970, and entered official service in 1978.
The Merkava series of main battle tank represents the backbone of Israeli armor elements. The system was the result of extensive experience in the field of armored warfare done exclusively with foreign equipment, mostly US products though some British and French systems were also utilized. With the volatile situation surrounding Israel on a day to day basis, it was imperative for the tiny nation to fit its inventory with a system that was tailored to the needs of the Israeli Army.
This product would have to be made for the rigors of urban and desert warfare and provide the crew with maximum protection. The resulting Merkava (or 'chariot') was just that and continues to be a main part of the Israeli Army forces.One of the most distinct design features of the Merkava main battle tank was the decision to plant the engine in the front of the hull. Traditional tank designs have always featured the engine at rear to guard against a direct frontal hit rendering the entire system useless. Contrary to this, the Merkava featured the engine at front to help protect the crew from that same frontal direct hit. As such, the driver would be seated further aft, towards the middle of the design and just left forward of the turret.
The turret itself was designed with rounded facings and gave the entire tank an extremely low profile making the tank harder to spot or engage at distance. The powerful and (formerly) standard 105mm main gun was fitted to the turret as was a 7.62mm co-axial machine gun. A gun stabilization system offered up fire-on-the-move capability completed with an indigenously-produced targeting computer. Two additional 7.62mm machine guns were also offered for self-defense against aircraft attacks and as anti-infantry weapons. A 60mm mortar was also included in the armament design.Power in the Mk 1 model was derived from a General Dynamics Land Systems engine - the AVDS-1790-6A - a V-12 diesel performer that generated about 900 horsepower. This powerplant allowed the Merkava speeds of up to 28 miles per hour and a range of nearly 250 miles. At just over 66 tons, the Merkava was hardly a speedster and mobility was questionable, but the entire system was designed to Israeli standards based on exclusive experience and thusly could not be wholly compared to its European counterparts.
The Merkava Mk 2 mark appeared as a further development, sporting improved armor protection and an improved fire control system. More importantly however was the increase of the combat range over the Mk 1, adding nearly a quarter more distance to the performance statistic.
The Mk 3 would later appear, sporting the powerful 120mm main gun and an improved powerpack. The latest version of the Merkava series is found in the Merkava Mk 4, which features changes that put it on par or supercede the current generation of main battle tanks. In any case, the Merkava was (and continues to be) a tremendous engineering effort accomplished by a nation that has seen more combat than any other since the final days of World War 2.Some 250 Mark I series tanks have been produced while a further 580 total Mark II systems have been delivered.
Mark III is currently the highest produced system with 750 total examples. The Mark IV has seen 360 produced whith a further 300 eventually being added to the total.The chassis of the Merkava MBT serves as the basis for the 'Tankbulance' armored ambulance, the Namer Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), the Nemmera Armored Recovery Vehicle (ARV) and the prototype Sholef 155mm Self-Propelled Gun (SPG). Site content ©2003-MilitaryFactory.com, All Rights Reserved.The 'Military Factory' name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. Trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form.
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The Merkava Mk3 Baz main battle tank.The Merkava is the main battle tank in service with the Israeli armed forces. The first Merkava mk1 tanks were supplied to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in 1979.Production of the mk1 continued up to 1983, when the IDF began to receive the Merkava mk2. The mk2 featured improved mobility, fire control system and armour, as well as the inclusion of an internal 60mm mortar. Production of mk2 continued until 1990 when it was superseded by the mk3. Merkava Mk3 Baz main battle tank developmentThe Merkava mk3 Baz entered service with the IDF at the beginning of 1990.
The main features of the Merkava mk3 are a new suspension system, a 1,200hp engine and new transmission, a higher power main gun, and particularly new armour protection. Ballistic protection is provided by special armour modules, which are attached to the tank by bolts. These are easily replaced whenever better ballistic technology is introduced.
About 1,200 Merkava mk2 and mk3 tanks are in service with the IDF.The first battalion of Merkava mk4 tanks entered service with the Israel Defence Forces in 2004. Improvements include; new 120mm gun, new modular ballistic armour and new fire control system developed by El-Op. 'The Merkava is the main battle tank in service with the Israeli armed forces.' ArmamentThe main gun is a 120mm smoothbore gun developed by Israeli Military Industries.
The gun has a Vidco Industries thermal sleeve, which increases accuracy by preventing distortion through the effects of weather, heat and shock. The tank carries an ammunition store of 50 rounds of 120mm ammunition.The tank is also equipped with three 7.62mm machine guns, two roof mounted and one co-axial with the main gun. The tank carries a store of 10,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.The 60mm mortar system, which is a large-calibre gun with a low muzzle velocity, is capable of firing high-explosive rounds and illumination bombs. The crew can load, aim and fire the mortar system from within the turret. The mortar system is developed by Soltam Limited of Haifa. TurretHydraulic systems can be susceptible to impact damage and cause a fire hazard so the electro-hydraulic turret control system installed on the mk1 and mk2 has been replaced by a totally electrical and electronic system in the Merkava mk3 for increased survivability and safety. Either the gunner or the commander operates the turret control system.The crew is protected against nuclear, chemical and biological warfare by a high positive pressure system with air conditioning and filtration.
![Merkava Mk1 Armor Merkava Mk1 Armor](/uploads/1/2/5/6/125606217/421750843.jpg)
ProtectionThe tank is fitted with the Amcoram LWS-2 laser warning system, with threat warning display installed at the commander’s station.The turret and the hull are fitted with a modular armour system which can be changed in the field. The forward section of the turret is fitted with additional blocks of armour which provide extra protection against the latest generation of top attack anti-tank missiles.A skirt of chains with ball weights is installed on the lower half of the turret bustle. Incoming HEAT projectiles detonate on impact with the chains instead of penetrating the turret ring. Sprung armour side skirts protect the wheels and tracks.The welding and machining technology for the large armour body sections of the Merkava was developed by the Israeli Army Tank Depot, and the casting of ballistic steel materials was developed by Urdan Industries Ltd at Natanya.
Fire control and observationThe Knight mkIII advanced fire control system, from Electro Optics Industries (EL-OP) and Elbit Ltd, integrates with the turret control and gun control units and provides the tank with the ability to engage moving targets while on the move. 'The Merkava mk3 main gun is a 120mm smoothbore gun.' The gunner’s station is equipped with a thermal sight and day television channel, which are stabilised in two axes.A laser rangefinder and target tracker are integrated into the gunner’s sight. The Elbit automatic target tracker is able to automatically aim at the target using the image data presented on the day or night sights.The commander’s station is fitted with a sight which can be optically relayed to the gunner’s sight.
The Merkava 3 is being fitted with a new day/night stabilised panoramic sight, giving hunter/killer capacity. PropulsionThe Merkava mk3 is equipped with an AVDS-1790-9AR diesel supplied by Teledyne Continental Motors. The air-cooled diesel provides 1,200hp, compared to the 900hp engine installed in the mk1 and mk2.
The tank’s transmission system was developed by the Ashot Ashkelon Industries Limited subsidiary of Israel Military Industries. The Merkava m3 carries 1,400l of fuel.