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Posted on 03/23/2004 12:00:11 AM PST by SAMWolf
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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Historical Background  The War of Independence was, in effect, an infantry war. Operations of both Israel and the enemy were waged by infantry formations. The few tanks deployed played no decisive role. Israel at that time had 15 tanks, and the Arabs had 45. Mobile and armored forces in the War of Independence were mainly equipped with half-tracks, armored personnel carriers, and armored vehicles with light guns. Israeli forces had 280 half-tracks and 20 armored vehicles with guns. Arab forces had 620 armored vehicles and armored personnel carriers, of which 180 carried guns. The Sinai Campaign of 1956 was characterized by mobile, armored warfare. Israel deployed 200 tanks in Sinai, versus 150 tanks deployed by the Egyptians. Since the Sinai Campaign, the land war between Israel and the surrounding Arab nations has become a war of highly mobile and armored formations. A total of 2,500 tanks were deployed during the Six-Day War by Israel and the enemies. 6,200 tanks engaged in combat during the Yom-Kippur war. Since the Sinai Campaign, thousands of tanks have been destroyed in battle.  Today, the tank is central to the art of war, and is considered the primary decisive factor on the modern land battlefield. Prior to the Sinai Campaign Egypt received, within the framework of the "Czechoslovakian Arms Deal", 300 Soviet tanks and tank destroyers, including the Stalin-3 and T-34 tanks and SU-100 tank destroyers. This was considered an impressive addition to the Egyptian armored fleet, which at that time numbered some 430 western armored vehicles, of various types. Within the scope of the Middle-East arms race, Israeli weaponry was always inferior in both qualitative and quantitative aspects. We acquired Sherman tanks and AMX-13 tanks (not really tanks but rather light tank destroyers), while the Arabs obtained, with no problems, new and modern tanks from both east and west. We were forced to be satisfied with "junk": old and inoperable tanks, second world war vintage Shermans, British Centurions and American M48's (Magach). Not a single country agreed to sell new tanks to us. It is still not clear why some countries did allow us to occasionally buy new and modern means of battle, such as jet fighter planes, but persisted in their refusal to sell us new tanks.  Given the need, we were forced to learn the technologies of armor, in order to rehabilitate the obsolete metal hulks, which we had purchased through programs of rebuilding, regunning and engine replacements. The race between ourselves and the Arabs now became a direct confrontation between new Western and Soviet MBT's fielded by the Arab armies and old, rebuilt and improvised tanks fielded by Israel. In the 1960's the Arabs were about to obtain T-62 tanks from Soviet Russia. This was the most modern operational Main Battle Tank (MBT) of its time, equipped with a high-powered 115-mm cannon. It. was clear that no improvisations or rejuvenation to tanks of the 1940s and 1950s would suffice to ensure the continued security, and indeed the existence, of the State of Israel.  At that time, in 1966, Britain came forward with a dramatically historic proposal. The British needed money in order to complete the development of their new tank of the future, the Chieftain, with its 120-mm cannon. This tank was designed to be the strongest and most modern in the west. In view of their financial constraints they proposed a "package deal". According to this deal, we would buy hundreds of obsolete Centurion tanks. They, in exchange, would allow us to participate in the final stages of Chieftain development, would sell us Chieftains, and would help us build, in Israel, an assembly line for Chieftains. This was seen as an ideal solution to the unacceptable predictions regarding the middle-eastern armor balance from both quantitative and qualitative points of view. Our cooperation with the British lasted for about three years. Two prototypes of the Chieftain tank were delivered to Israel. Israel invested heavily in the improvement and final development of the Chieftain in close cooperation with British officers and engineers, who worked with us in Israel. However, Arab states intervened. They threatened Britain with sanctions, with pulling their monetary reserves out of British banks, and other actions. Demonstrations were held in Arab capitals and British embassies were attacked. In November 1969 Britain withdrew from its Chieftain deal with Israel.  The development, design and planning efforts of three years were wasted - and we were back at square one, with time lost which could not be retrieved. In view of this development, we considered the possibility of developing and manufacturing "made-in-Israel" tanks. It was clear that a weapon system of primary importance was at stake, vital to our security, but which had been refused, to Israel by all nations. No change in this attitude was foreseen. The question, which arose therefore, was not whether we should engage in development and manufacture of a homemade tank, but whether we would be capable of achieved the high levels of industrial and technological expertise required to succeed in such a project. To this was added the question of whether we would be capable of doing so at a reasonable price and without disrupting the Israeli economy.  In order to answer these questions, it was decided to conduct a study, presided by Major General Israel Tal. The study was conducted by experts of the Ministry of Defense and of the Ordnance Corps, and was designed to answer two essential questions: 1. Would Israel be capable of planning, designing and manufacturing a Main Battle Tank from the point of view of technological know-how and industrial infrastructure? 2. Is there any economic sense in such a project - does it ensure economic viability in the broad sense, to the economy of Israel? Findings of the study were positive. Israel would be capable of developing and establishing an infrastructure for the manufacture of tanks, which would be economically feasible from the point of view of the national economy. In addition, the proposed Israeli tank would compare favorably with others, would meet the specific requirements of the IDF and the specific needs of the middle-eastern theatre of war. In 1970 the decision was taken that the State of Israel would develop a tank for the IDF and for export in the future.  The original plan was for the development of a tank to be based primarily an existing systems and assemblies. But even from the first years of development the need arose, in view of know-how restrictions, technological reasons and operational requirements which developed over time, to develop an entirely new tank which would be based on both original and new assemblies. The development task was modified accordingly. The need to shorten development time gave rise to an abbreviated development process, while knowingly taking risks, which later became known as the "telescopic development" process. This method is characterized by the start of serial production, based on prototypes, before completion of all development and demonstration stages. This is prior to the finalizing of production files. In order to reduce the investments needed for the establishment and management of a tank, manufacturing industry, we decided not to form double organization, with the backup services required for such a project (procurement, inventories, legal and economic service units, etc.). It was decided that the Project Administration would utilize existing MOD/IDF infrastructures such as Equipment Center facilities, spare part inventories, procurement and manufacturing controls, MOD legal advisor staff, MOD economic advisor staff, and others.  It was further decided to utilize the industrial infrastructures existing in the IDF, the civilian and governmental military industries, and to expand the manufacturing potential of existing plant where necessary. To the extent possible inflated bureaucracies or the creation of new industries would be avoided. It was now decided that the existing IDF basic tank depot would be utilized as the tank's final assembly plant. In addition, two hundred industrial plants would be upgraded with new knowledge and capabilities, as required for the manufacture of the thousands of parts, assemblies and systems, needed for the Merkava tank. A policy of regional distribution of manufacturing facilities throughout Israel was evolved, including development regions, with maximum utilization of civilian enterprises and no monopoly for the military industries. It was decided that any technological knowledge, which was lacking would be acquired in part from abroad, and in part self-developed within the defense establishment, the industrial establishment and by Israeli research institutes.
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www.army-technology.com
ams.astro.univie.ac.at
www.net4war.com
chrisevans3d.com
hot.ee/t109tank/pictures
www.reserve-info.de
www.army.lt
home.pages.at/f2kscans
www.jodyharmon.com
mil.qianlong.com
www.waronline.org
 Merkava Mk 1  Merkava Mk 2  Merkava Mk 3 The first Mark-1 Merkava tanks were supplied to the IDF in April 1979, nearly nine years after the decision to produce the Merkava tank was taken. The Merkava tank has been designed in accordance with experience gained from IDF armored battles in all Israel's wars since the Sinai Campaign (1956). The Merkava Mk-1 is unique in its basic concept, common to all generations of the Merkava, according to which armor and survivability of the tank are its basic features. The tank's protection is based on all-round spaced ballistic armor, and deployment of the tank systems around the crew, thus utilizing basic elements and systems of the tank to protect the crew and ammunition, in addition to their specific functions. The most striking example of this concept is placement of the power pack (engine and transmission) at the front of the tank.  Other factors contributing to the Merkava's survivability are:
The Merkava Mk-I tank participated with a high degree of success in the 1982 war in Lebanon. Its production continued up to 1983, when the IDF Armor Corps began to receive the Merkava Mk-2 tank.  Lessons learned from the operation of the Mk-1 tanks were applied to the Mk-2 tanks, mainly in the following:
The production of Mk-2 tanks continued until the end of 1989, at which time MK-3 tanks started to come off the production line. The Merkava Mk-3 entered service in the IDF at the beginning of 1990. It is a sophisticated tank. The difference between the Mk-3 and the Mk-2 is in essence and not in degree. All systems and assemblies were new, and except for the engine, are of Israeli design and production. Among the prominent features of the Merkava Mk-3 were the new and unique suspension system, the high powered engine, the powerful main gun, and, especially, a new and unique concept of armor. Ballistic protection is provided by special armor modules, which are attached to the tank by bolts. These can be easily replaced whenever better ballistic technology is introduced. Thus, the tank will remain "young" forever. During the Merkava Mk-3's years of production, a number of modifications have been introduced, the major ones being a modern fire control system with an automatic target tracker ("Baz") and significant improvements in ballistic protection. The production of the Merkava Mk-3 lasted until 2002, whereupon the Merkava Mk-4 was first fielded to the Armor Corp.  |
Both OU B-Ball teams lost their games at their respective toruneys. Conbgratulations to both teams on excellent runs.
OSU plays in the Sweet Sixteeen in the NCA Thursday.
A (Herring-Burgess) pusher (1910)
Today's classic warship, HMS Renown
Renown class battlecruiser
Displacement: 26,500 t.
Lenght: 750'
Beam: 90'
Draft: 25'8"
Speed: 31.5 k.
Complement: 967
Armament: 6 15"; 17 4"; 2 3"; 4 3 pdr
HMS Renown, lead ship of a class of two 26,500-ton battlecruisers, was built at Glasgow, Scotland. Completed in September 1916, she served with the Grand Fleet in the North Sea during the remaining two years of World War I. In 1920-21, following a refit, she carried the Prince of Wales on a voyage to Australia and America. During 1923-26, she was extensively refitted to increase her protection against gunfire and torpedoes. After a decade of further service, Renown was again reconstructed, greatly changing her appearance and giving her a modern anti-aircraft gun battery, much enhanced aircraft-handling facilities and up-to-date gunfire controls. This work was completed in September 1939, just after the outbreak of the Second World War.
Renown's high speed made her a valuable asset during World War II. In late 1939, she was sent to the South Atlantic to search for the German armored ship Admiral Graf Spee. She covered minelaying operations along the Norwegian coast in early April 1940 and, on the 9th of that month, engaged the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, damaging the latter. Later in 1940 and into 1941, she operated with Force "H", based at Gibraltar to provide strategic presence in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean. While with Force "H", she participated in a bombardment of Genoa, Italy, in February 1941. After Home Fleet service in 1942-43, Renown was sent to join the Eastern Fleet in the Indian Ocean. Operating from Ceylon in 1944-45, she helped contain the Japanese in the East Indies. HMS Renown had brief post-war service in British waters and was sold for scrapping in March 1948.
Sun Mar 21,10:58 AM ET
An Israeli tank pulls out of Gaza after an Israeli army operation near the Kisufim crossing March 21, 2004. Israeli troops killed five Palestinians in a sweep for militants in Gaza on Sunday hours before Prime Minister Ariel Sharon convened his party's cabinet ministers to seek support for a pullout from most of the Strip. (Gadi Kabalo/Reuters)
Fri Mar 19,12:04 PM ET
Israeli army tanks leave the Gaza Strip (news - web sites) near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim Friday March 19, 2004. Israeli troops entered a Palestinian village near Netzarim to destroy two houses, army sources said. Three Palestinians are in critical condition in hospital, Palestinians medical officials said. (AP Photos/str)
Fri Mar 19,10:31 AM ET
Israeli soldiers drive their tank through a crossing at the fence separating Israel from the Gaza strip, after a military raid near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim March 19, 2004. REUTERS/Nir Elias
Thu Mar 18,11:12 AM ET
An Israeli soldier jumps from a 'Merkava' tank near the entrance to Gaza, March 18, 2004. Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie urged Israel's Ariel Sharon Thursday to go ahead with his planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and to leave without further death and destruction. REUTERS/Gil Cohen Magen
Thu Mar 18, 4:48 AM ET
Israeli soldiers stand on their tank near the Gaza Strip. Israeli media revealed that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's proposed pullout from the Gaza Strip will not be completed for a year-and-a-half.(AFP/File/Nadav Neuhaus)
Wed Mar 17, 4:12 PM ET
An Israeli soldier prays next to a tank holding position near kibbutz Be'eri in southern Israel, near the border with the northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, March. 17, 2004. Israeli helicopters fired two missiles in separate attacks in a Palestinian refugee camp Wednesday, killing four people in a stepped-up campaign the army says is aimed at rooting out militants in the Gaza Strip.
(AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Wed Mar 17,12:11 PM ET
Israeli soldiers check their tanks during preparations near the entrance to Gaza March 17, 2004. Israel killed three Palestinians in two missile strikes into a Gaza refugee camp on Wednesday, pursuing what it called a relentless offensive against militants after two suicide bombers struck a strategic Israeli port killing 10 Israelis.
REUTERS/Nir Elias
Wed Mar 17, 9:27 AM ET
Israeli army soldiers and tanks gather in their positions at kibbutz Be'eri in southern Israel, near the border with the northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, March 16, 2004. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty)
Wed Mar 17, 9:29 AM ET Israeli soldiers prepare their tanks near Kibbutz Baeri at the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip. Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said Israel had no choice but to battle Palestinian militants after three deadly helicopter strikes in the Gaza Strip in less than 24 hours.
(AFP/Nadav Neuhaus)
Wed Mar 17, 8:19 AM ET
An Israeli soldier carries a tank shell during preparations to enter the Gaza Strip near Be'eri March 17, 2004. Israel started a new military offensive approved after 10 Israelis died in a suicide bombing aimed at dealing militants in Gaza a heavy blow to guard against any claims of victory should Prime Minister Ariel Sharon go ahead with a planned evacuation of settlements in the seaside strip. (ISRAEL OUT) REUTERS/Gadi Kabalo
Wed Mar 10,10:43 AM ET
A Palestinian throw stones at an Israeli tank. Five members of the hardline Palestinian Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades were killed by the Israeli army in the northern West Bank town of Jenin.(AFP/Saif Dahlah)
Tue Mar 9, 2:53 PM ET
A Palestinian youth runs for cover as an Israeli army tank advances in the streets of the northern West Bank town of Jenin, Tuesday March 9, 2004. Israeli forces, in search of gunmen from the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a militant group linked to Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement and backed by tanks and combat helicopters raided the town, sparking a gun battle that killed a Palestinian woman in her home, Palestinian witnesses and military officials said. (AP Photo/Muhammed Ballas)
Tue Mar 9,12:40 PM ET
Palestinians run for cover as an Israeli army tank and an armoured personnel carrier advance to new positions in the streets of the northern West Bank town of Jenin, Tuesday March 8, 2004. Israeli forces, in search of gunmen from the Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a militant group linked to Yasser Arafat's Fatah movement and backed by tanks and combat helicopters raided the town, sparking a gun battle that killed a Palestinian woman in her home, Palestinian witnesses and military officials said. (AP Photo/Muhammed Ballas)
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Air Power |
A multi-role fighter that entered service in 1976 and was a mainstay of the IAF for many years.
The Kfir is one of the best examples of the 'evolutionary' approach to the development of fighters - an approach which has had impressive results in the history of modern military aviation. The first member of the Mirage family - the IIIC - was an excellent interceptor and air superiority fighter in its time, but had limited attack capability. Dassault's answer to this challenge was the development of the Mirage V, in accordance with Israeli specifications - but the French embargo on the sale off arms to Israel and its neighbors following the Six Day War kept the Mirage Vs from being delivered.
The IAI, with the IAF's enthusiastic backing, decided to develop improved models of the plane, that would meet Israel's needs. The first tests were conducted in late 1968, and it quickly became apparent that the Mirage 5's chief drawback was its power plant - the French Atar 9 engine - which provided relatively low thrust, compared to the large amount of fuel it consumed.
In order to improve the plane, its engine had to be replaced with a better one, and the engine chosen was General Electrics J79 jet engine. Implanting it in the Mirage required that certain changes be made in the engine's configuration: different devices within the engine were modified, the intakes were enlarged, the engine was encased with a titanium heat shield and the planes rear fuselage was shortened. After the prototype proved successful, the fuselage's aerodynamics were improved and a pair of winglets was placed above and to the front of the main wings, in a 'canard' configuration.
All in all, over 100 Kfirs were built, of the Kfir C2, Kfir C7 and double-seated TC2 Kfir models.
The kfir is not a leading plane, and was not meant to be so upon entering service, as th IAF entered the F-15 planes at the same time, which were considered to be the best in the world.
The first Kfir was handed over to the IAF in front of a large audience that had assembled for the ceremony at Israel Aircraft Industries' plant on the eve of Israel's Independence Day in 1975. The Kfirs that rolled out of the production line were first assigned to the famed 'First Fighter' Squadron, which had a tradition of being home to Heyl Ha'avir's first-line planes (from the Avia Messerschmitt, through the Spitfire, Mustang and Mystere, to the Mirage III). They were also assigned to a fighter squadron that had been established before the 1956 'Kadesh' Operation, and had been deploying Howards, Mosquitos, Mystere IVAs and Skyhawks. In the years that followed, the Kfirs saw service in a number of different IAF squadrons.
The Kfir was given its first chance to prove its mettle on November 9th 1977. Kfirs were sent to attack Tel Azia, a terrorist training base in Lebanon, and carried out their task with great success.
In 1979 an 'air war' began in the skies over Lebanon. The Syrians no longer contented themselves with sending out ground troops, and began to make their presence felt in the air.
On June 27th the first dogfight took place. On that day, F-15s and Kfirs were assigned to cover other planes that were attacking terrorist targets between Lake Kar'un and the port of Sidon. In the dogfight that ensued, five Syrian MiG-21s were shot down, and the Kfir registered its first kill - the only one to date.
In the next attacks against Lebanon, from the Litani Operation up to 'Peace for the Galilee', the Kfirs participated actively and proved their ability for pinpoint strikes at targets including bridges, structures and gun emplacements, for which they made use of their sophisticated systems. The Kfir was deployed in Operation 'Accountability' (1995) as well, and used against dozens of terrorist targets.
The Kfir registered success abroad, as well. It has been sold to several countries, and was even leased to the US Navy and Marine Corps for use in their 'Aggressor' Squadrons, where its excellent performance in aerial combat and low operating costs made it an ideal choice for helping American pilots train against a simulated enemy threat.
Specifications:
ORIGIN: Israel
CONTRACTOR: Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)
TYPE: Single-seat interceptor, and fighter bomber.
CREW: One (2 in Trainer model )
POWERPLANT: One 17,864-lb. - thrust (18,700 lb.- thrust with emergency boost) afterburning General Electric J79-J1E turbo jet.
FIRST FLIGHT: October 19, 1970 (converted Mirage)
September 1971 (IAI Kfir)
END OF SERVICE: N/A
NUMBER BUILT: [~212 total]
Performance :
MAX SPEED: Mach 2.3 or 1,513 m.p.h. above 36,000 ft.
CEILING: 58,000 ft. OR 75,000 ft in a zoom climb .
COMBAT RADIUS: 546 mi. on an intercept mission.
Dimensions:
WING SPAN: 27ft.
LENGTH: 51ft.
HEIGHT: 15 ft
WEIGHTS: Empty 16,027 lb.; maximum loaded 36,300 lb.
Armaments:
Two 30-mm DEFA cannon with 280 rounds and
up to 13,400 lb. of bombs, rockets missiles beneath wings and fuselage.
I've confirmed with freeper Yonif that these links are legit and the programs are still in service.
Click on the pics to be taken to the Websites:
Please support our Israeli Brothers/Sisters-in-Arms as well.
In these troubled times, people around the world are looking for tangible ways to share their feelings with our Israeli soldiers. Our site gives you the opportunity to send Pizza and Soda* to active duty soldiers who are fighting terror and protecting the Jewish people. This includes soldiers on regular military service as well as those who have left their families, homes and jobs to serve the Jewish people as Miluim (Reserve Duty) fighters.
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Delight our soldiers out in the field with a Hamburger & Cola and your good wishes!
Share your feelings with them at this difficult time in a very tangible way.
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Send IDF Personnel an Ice Cream treat too!
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At each site you can include, if you wish, your personal message of support and gratitude to our soldiers
When you do this you are also supporting Israeli Restaurants that have been hit by the tourist slump.
All our deliveries are coordinated with the security forces and thus pose no security risk.
Shalom!
free dixie,sw
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