The Birth Of A Tank (pic too)

IDF Website ^ | November 20th, 2002 | Israel Defense Force

[yonif]

The tank was rolled out in all it's glory at the Maintenance and Restoration Center (MRC 7100) at the Tel-Hashomer military base. The location was selected because it was where the tank had been changed from a collection of drafts and sketches into a steel "baby". It was the place where it had been molded from the thousands of steel plates into an impressive metal tank.

The following is an excerpt from an article written by Guy Zakhaim, published in the Technological and Logisitical Directorates' Magazine (2nd edition) on October 2002.

Commander of the MRC 7100 Colonel Shahar Kadashi said in his speech: "The people at MRC have been involved in the development of the tank for a very long time. They have invested in it not only their hope, but phenomenal effort as well". He added, "We definitely feel that there is an element of a birth process here."

Blue and White at Half Price

The price of the Mark 4 Merkava tank is 30%-50% cheaper than any other tank worldwide.

"The father of the Merkava tank, Major General (ret.) Yisrael Tal, was keen that the tank be manufactured by the IDF's Military Industrial corps so as not to be bogged down by unnecessary red tape", said Brigadier David Engel, head of the Merkava tank program. "Most of the parts belonging to the Merkava 3 were made in Israel as part of Israel's "Tank-Building ideology". The Brigadier added, "a large number of the workmen actually molded the cast for the tank's metal sheets with their bare hands". As a result of the fact that an "Israeli made" Merkava is cheaper, the IDF has stopped importing tanks from abroad, thereby making the IDF more independent of foreign aid.

"It is a great source of pride, national pride even. Lots of foreign representatives come to visit and are genuinely impressed by the plant. The MRC has almost become a sort of pilgrimage site and representatives from foreign armies visit us as much as twice a week."

As strong as a 'Tank'

The biggest difference between the Merkava 4 and the previous versions of the tank is that it has increased protection. Because it has increased protection, there are fewer types of ammunition that can damage it, including the newer types of weapons that have been developed over recent years.

Part of this "invincibility" is due to the fact that, like in the previous models, the tank's various systems double as defensive systems while absorbing damage that might otherwise prove fatal to the crew. The crew fights in a closed compartment that shields them from unnecessary dangers.

According to the Merkava tank program's managers, the creation of the Merkava 4 tank was the fastest ever creation/manufacture of a tank. "Generally it takes close to a decade for a tank to go from being a design on a blueprint to being on the production lines," said one of the managers. The Merkava 4 tank took only 3 years to produce, except for the engine whose production began a short time earlier.

"Telescopic Production"

The Merkava tank program managers attribute the quick development of the tank to a revolutionary new development method called "Telescopic Production". According to this new method, testing of the tank is concurrent with the production of the tank. This way, due to the changes happening all the way through the production, the first tank off the production lines will be different than the 20th tank off the production line.

[yonif]

It also depends on what they will be using those tanks for as well.

[RightWhale]

The crew fights in a closed compartment that shields them from unnecessary dangers.

Perhaps the turrent can be blown completely off and the tank remains survivable.

[xm177e2]

Yeah, terrorists are likely to have only bombs and RPGs. RPGs don't do much to the Merkava, and bombs aren't going to bother that gap.

[yonif]

By the way, "Merkava" is a word, in hebrew, which means horsecart/cart/etc. of that type of wording.

[Travis McGee]

I'm thinking more of various man carried AT missiles being funneled right under the turret where they will detonate in a confined area, magnifying the effect.

And of course, regardless of the urban warfare IDF tanks have been used for lately, all tanks must be ready to meet Syrians in the Golan.

Maybe they are going to put a skirt of reactive armor at the bottom of the turret, I don't know.

One thing I am certain of, this tank was designed and built in the crucible of fire by VERY smart battle hardened folks, so I assume there is a hidden advantage for the type of warfare they expect the tank to be used in.

[yonif]

Exploration is always a good way of getting more info.

[Travis McGee]

Was there ever a better more battlefield dominant tank than the Abrams?

I doubt it.

[Recon by Fire]

Is that the one that is at Muenster, Germany? I had the honor of going to the German Armor School for two weeks in 92, 93 & 94. They have some pretty impressive stuff in the museum, which is the equivalent of the Patton Museum.

[sheik yerbouty]

Yasher koach!

[sheik yerbouty]

I thought it meant chariot.

[yonif]

More Pics

Merkava 1

Merkava 2

Merkava 3

Other Pictures of the series

Info Regarding the Previous Model of Merkava:

MERKAVA MK 3 BAZ 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 60mm 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 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 Mk 2 and Mk 3 tanks are in service with the IDF.

The Merkava Mk 4 entered full production in 2001 and will be in service with the Israel Defence Forces by 2004. Improvements include; new 120mm gun, new modular ballistic armour and new fire control system developed by El-Op.

ARMAMENT

The 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.

TURRET

Hydraulic systems can be susceptible to impact damage and cause a fire hazard so the electro-hydraulic turret control system installed on the Mk 1 and 2 has been replaced by a totally electrical and electronic system in the Merkava Mk 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 1,200hp, compared to the 900hp 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.

[yonif]

Yeah! That's the word I am looking for, thanks.

[archy]

I have know idea why the IDF designed the turret that way. I guess they are not planning on using it in a MBT roll.

If the Merkavim take on numbers of hostile tanks headon in the daylight, expect them to do so from very long ranges, like 5 to 10KM, using smoothbore gun-launched missiled like the U.S. M943 STAFF antitank projectile.

At night, when the IDF tankists like to fight, it'll be another story.

[tacticalogic]

They must have a good reason for the design, that's a pretty obvious vulnerability.

I can't really tell from the angle, but is it possible there's a fairly deep gap all the way around between the turret and the tank body? If there is, that might mitigate that vulerability. A round hitting between the turret and the main body would just blow out through the gap (I think) without really penetrating anything.

[dennisw]

Maybe they are going to put a skirt of reactive armor at the bottom of the turret, I don't know.

I know I read this about other Israeli tanks. Armor that "hangs" and absorbs blows and assaults. And can even get demolished while the tank remains intact.

 

Merkava Mk4 Unveiled
The new generation of the Merkava tank will be unveiled tomorrow June 24 by the Israel Defense Forces and Ministry of Defense. The new tank, a fourth generation of the Israeli tank, is currently in production, and is expected to enter operational status with a regular tank brigade, replacing older M-60 (Magach) tanks currently in service. Merkava 4 implements a new protection concept which uses modular armour, augmented with active, passive or reactive modules, to suite threat and operational requirements. Its 120mm gun is also modified to sustain higher pressures, resulting in improved range and penetration performance. The development of the Merkava contributed extensive knowhow and systems to other tank upgrading programs, and was an essential consideration in the Turkish government selection of the IMI proposal, to upgrade close to 1,000 M-60 tanks to the Sabra II configuration. Some 200 domestic and foreign subcontractors and suppliers are participating in the Merkava Mk4 program.

[rmlew]

Teh Merkava 4 has a new turret housing the Rhinemettal 120mm gun. This is the same one found on the M1-A1 and Leopard 2. Frankly, IDI should have redesigned teh tank rather than gerry-rigging a turret and turret ring for a heavier gun.

[dennisw]

The Merkava-4 rolled onto the parade ground of Tel Hashomer army base in central Israel, its 1,500-horsepower engine sending vibrations through the stands where a top-brass audience marvelled at the finely-tapered lines of its turret and hull.

The Merkava-4 has fiercer firepower than its predecessors, with the range of its 120 mm cannon doubled.Its 120mm gun is also modified to sustain higher pressures, resulting in improved range and penetration performance 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, out of ten ready rounds. The Merkava 4 is also capable of firing guided shells, meaning, shells capable of changing their course after they have been fired.

The Merkava-4 features an improved thermal-imaging system and a rear-end camera.

We plan to produce between 60 and 80 of the new tanks annually," Defence Ministry director-general Amos Yaron said.

The first and foremost major improvement of the new Merkava 4 tank over previous models of the Merkava is its enhanced mobility. The Israeli media stressed after the unveiling ceremony that the Merkava Mk. 4 was specifically designed for improved performance on the difficult terrain of the Golan Heights.

A second unique feature of the new Merkava 4 is its capacity to engage anti-tank helicopters. Using its advanced new fire direction computers, the tank can target these helicopters in flight and shot them down.

A quick look at the photos of the new Israeli tank, published by the Israeli media, also reveals a thick and heavy layer of armor wrapped around its front and sides.Merkava 4 implements a new protection concept which uses modular armour, augmented with active, passive or reactive modules, to suite threat and operational requirements. Its advanced protective systems are capable of preventing the penetration of mortal shells and anti-tank missiles. Its sensors are capable of detecting the launch of such missiles in advance, including laser-guided missiles.

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.

Quote:

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The protection is further improved by the addition of the Arena active defense system, which fires a small projectile in the path of incoming rounds to intercept them. This system has 10 projectiles per face of the armor except the rear arcs, and intercepts the incoming round on a roll of 12 or less. An online correspondent of mine has called it "jumping ERA." (A similar system is fitted to the Merkava 4.)
Quote:

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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.

[yonif]

"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."

Good design concept.

[BJClinton]

I guess they are not planning on using it in a MBT roll.

Considering the number of M1s Egypt has this would seem to be a big oversight.

[archy]

As far as I know, AAD is still the only place where we do this type of work on tanks.

I know the Mainz Army Depot previously handled most 4th-level and some Depot-level repair of the U.S. tank fleet in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. I don't know if that's still the case, but as of a year ago, there was still at least some major tank rebuild capability there, and of late they've been doing Bradley rebuilds and upgrades.