First tour of duty for Merkava IV tank

Jerusalem Post ^ | July 21, 2004 | ARIEH O'SULLIVAN

[Cannoneer No. 4]

The Merkava IV tank was deployed in operational duty for the first time Wednesday, rolling out with the Menashe Brigade near Jenin.

The deployment came a year after the first soldiers of the Merkava IV battalion were drafted and exactly according to schedule, a senior armored officer said.

Lt.-Col. Amit Tefler, the G3 (operations officer) of the Armored Corps, said the deployment was a significant "milestone" for the 65-ton, Israeli-built tank.

"Today was D-Day for us. We can now say that the fighters and the tanks are officially and operationally ready to enter action," Tefler told The Jerusalem Post. "We're sure they are going to perform most professionally."

Unlike previous tanks whose crews were drawn from other models, the soldiers operating the Merkava IV have been exclusively with this tank from the day they put on their uniforms.

"This method lets them learn the tank inside out and utilize all of its assets to the maximum," Tefler said.

The deployment near Jenin after their training near Nebi Musa was done without fanfare. Neither senior brass nor interested military attaches were on hand.

"There are a lot of expectations from the Merkava IV battalion. All of the IDF leadership is watching them, all of Israel really. This is a national project," he said.

"It was too early to say what its impact is on the conflict [with the Palestinians]. We know its capabilities only theoretically and it needs to be tested," Tefler said.

According to Tefler, a full brigade of Merkava IV tanks is expected to be operational by the end of 2005.

The $3 million Merkava IV, like the Mk III, has the ability to shoot down helicopters. It also has a newly designed transmission. It has a number of added electronics such as a camera mounted in the back.

The IDF uses tanks in the mainly urban conflict with the Palestinians since they can integrate great firepower with armor protection. It also has a fully integrated battle management system that allows the crew to view what the laser range-finder and thermal night vision sensors pick up, and to relay that data to other units.

The tank is slightly larger than its predecessor and one remarkable difference is that there is only one hatch on the turret which is used by the commander. The rest of the crew slips in and out through a back door. Designers said it was made specifically with battles on the rocky Golan Heights in mind.

The Palestinians are the only ones who have managed to destroy two Merkava III class tanks, both by huge mines.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

AN/PVS-14

[Centurion2000]

gotta ask ... how does it shoot down helicopters ??

REALLY NICE tank though.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

USD $3,000,000.00, but just for you, $2,999,950.99, tax, title and tags not included.

[King Prout]

a bargain! S&H will be a bear, though.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

The tank is equipped with a modern fire control and sighting system which includes computerized ballistic calculations and compensations, a dual axes stabilized gunner sight and a dual axis stabilized commander panoramic sight, both equipped with an advanced FLIR and TV channels for day and night operation. The system is equipped with an improved tracking system which enables tracking of moving targets, such as tanks, helicopters, vehicles or soldiers.

[ThomasPaine2000]

When I was stationed in France during the 60's, I did notice that the French armor did have back-up lights.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

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.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Didn't Treadhead Tuesday do Merkava?

[Dominic Harr]

Unlike previous tanks whose crews were drawn from other models, the soldiers operating the Merkava IV have been exclusively with this tank from the day they put on their uniforms.

That's an interesting choice.

I'm not sure I agree it's a wise one.

I generally prefer 'cross-trained' crews. Especially on a new vehicle.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[aloysius89]

I'll take 2. One for me and one for my wife.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[Cannoneer No. 4]

[COBOL2Java]

Now that's a Yasser-eye view!

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Israel'sNew Tank: The Merkava-4

[Professional Engineer]

ping

[Chode]

A company I used to work for made the Imager that went into most of Texas Instruments Fire Control Systems including their Combat Vehicle Thermal Targeting System for the AGS Armored Gun System.

We also helped Israeli Elbit/EL-OP develop their own Advanced Tank Fire Control Systems for the Merk.

You've most likely used our viewers too.

[Darksheare]

Serious looking tank.

[Tailback]

I wonder if that means the TC is also a first term draftee? There's nothing like having an old salty TC who's "been there and done that" many times over. The Merkava is a darn good tank.