MERKAVA MAIN BATTLE TANK, ISRAEL
The Merkava is the main battle tank in service with the Israeli armed forces. The first Merkava Mk 1 tanks were supplied to the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) in 1979. Production of the Mk 1 continued up to 1983, when the IDF began to receive the Merkava Mk 2. The Mk 2 featured improved mobility, fire control system and armour, as well as the inclusion of an internal 60 mm mortar. Production of Mk 2 continued until 1990 when it was superseded by the Mk 3.
The Merkava Mk 3 Baz entered service with the IDF at the beginning of 1990. The main features of the Merkava Mk 3 are a new suspension system, a 1200 horsepower 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 1200 Merkava Mk 2 and Mk 3 tanks are in service with the IDF.
MERKAVA MK 4
The Merkava Mk 4 has begun series production for the IDF and includes a new compressed gas recoil system and thermal sleeve for the 120mm gun, to enable the firing of enhanced kinetic energy ammunition, and new ballistic armour. Both the gun and armour are being supplied by Israeli Military Industries. A new fire control system has been developed by El-Op. The MTU 1200hp V-12 diesel engine is being assembled under license by General Dynamics Land Systems of the USA. It is anticipated that up to 400 Mk 4 tanks are to be built.
ARMAMENT
The main gun is a 120 mm 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 120 mm ammunition. The tank is also equipped with three 7.62 mm machine guns, two roof mounted and one co-axial with the main gun. The tank carries a store of 10,000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition.
The 60 millimetre 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.
TURRET
Hydraulic systems can be susceptible to impact damage and cause a fire hazard so the electro-hydraulic turret control system installed on the Mark -1 and -2 has been replaced by a totally electrical and electronic system in the Merkava Mark-3 for increased survivability and safety.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.
PROTECTION
The tank's 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 OBSERVATION
The Knight Mk III 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 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.
PROPULSION
The Merkava Mk 3 is equipped with an AVDS-1790-9AR diesel supplied by Teledyne Continental Motors. The air-cooled diesel provides 1,200 horsepower, compared to the 900 horsepower engine installed in the Mk 1 and Mk 2. The tank's transmission system was developed by the Ashot Ashkelon Industries Limited subsidiary of Israel Military Industries. The Merkava Mark-3 carries 1,400 litres of fuel
Merkava Mk4
The Mk-4 is equipped with a 120 mm gun but the new gun is designed to sustain higher pressures, generating higher muzzle velocities which are an essential feature for advanced kinetic energy ammunition. The loader can load the gun from a fully automated, fire-proof magazine which accommodates up to 10 ready rounds and deliver up to four types of ammunition types to the loader. Merkava Mk-4 is believed to be protected by a new type of hybrid armour, which can be conformed from modular elements, to match specific threats. The Mk-4 retains the hull design of the previous Merkava versions.
Unique among the main battle tanks of the world, the Merkava design features a front-mounted power pack, which presents a heavy mass in the forward area, which protects the crew from enemy attack. This configuration also cleared room at the rear section for a safe exit and enough space to carry a few fully armed infantrymen, in addition to the crew. The rear access hatch allows for the quick and safe exit of injured crewmen or pickup of wounded soldiers for evacuation.
The engine pack is easily replaced. The tank is powered by the new General Dynamics GD833 1,500-horsepower direct injection, liquid cooled diesel engine, (co-produced in the USA by General Dynamics and MTU). This type is also powering the French Leclerc MBT. This powerful weighs 1.9 tons net, and 4.9 tons with its entire power-pack. This powerful engine affords the tank greater mobility than the previous versions, which had the 900 and 1,200-horsepower engines. The tank utilizes an electric turret and gun control system, designed by Elbit Systems, which comprises two electrical brushless motors, produced by Bental Industries.
The tank will also included modern optronics, capable of detecting and reporting on enemy targets, as part of an integrated battlefield concept, combining tanks, anti-tank and combat helicopters in a combined task force. Merkava 4 is expected to be equipped with an active full perimeter defense, to counter top attacks and flat trajectory threats. The Mk-4 like its predecessors, is also equipped with a central filtering system designed by Kinetics, which maintains overpressure at the fighting compartment, for protection against nuclear-biological-chemical threats. The system also provides air conditioning for individual crew members (micro-cooling) and for the entire cabin, as well as auxiliary power when positioned at silent watch for battery recharging.
The tank is believed to be equipped with the new VDS-60 digital data recorder produced by Vectop, to record and restore sight target images and observation data collected during the mission.