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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.

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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.)
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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.