Merkava

For the religious/mystical connotations of the word, see Merkabah.

Merkava
Merkava Mark IV
Type	Main Battle Tank
Place of origin	Israel
Specifications
Mass	65 tons
Length	Rear to muzzle, 9.04 m
Width	3.72 m (without skirts)
Height	2.66 m (turret roof)
Crew	4
Armor	Laminated ceramic/steel/nickel composite alloy Classified composite matrix
Main armament	120 mm MG251 smoothbore gun: 50 rounds LAHAT anti-tank missile
Secondary armament	1 x 12.7 mm coaxial MG 2 x 7.62 mm MG 1 x 60 mm internal mortar
Engine	1,500 hp diesel
Power/weight	23 hp/ton
Suspension	Helical spring
Operational range	500 km
Maximum speed	70 km/h

The Merkava (Hebrew: , Chariot) is the main battle tank of the Israel Defense Forces. Since the early 1980s, four main versions have been deployed. The 'Merkava' name was derived from the IDF's development program name.

Currently, it is manned by a crew of four consisting of the tank commander, driver, loader, and gunner.

This platform is optimized for crew survival and rapid battle damage repair. With the use of spaced-armor techniques and quick-replacement modular designs, the design team was able to incorporate a derivative of rolled homogeneous armor (RHA), and Chobham. Additionally, the space between the inner and outer hulls is filled with diesel fuel—an economical storage method and effective means of defeating HEAT rounds.

Following the model of contemporary self-propelled howitzers, the turret assembly is located nearer the rear than in most main battle tanks. This gives the crew additional protection against a frontal attack by putting more mass between them and the front of the tank. Additionally, the arrangement created an empty, unused space in the rear of the tank that allowed for increased storage capacity.

This new storage capacity allows the space to be used in a variety of ways. It can serve as a platform for medical disembarkation, a forward command and control station, and an armoured personnel carrier. The unique design of the clamshell-style doors allows for overhead protection when off- and on-loading cargo and personnel.

Primary Manufacturers

The lead organization for system integration of the Merkava's main components is Israel Military Industries (IMI). The IDF Ordnance and Tank Workshops are responsible for final Merkava assembly. The primary construction facility, "Plant 7100," is located in a complex at Tel HaShomer just outside of Tel Aviv.

Israeli owned and operated contributions to the platform are outlined below:

• IMI manufactures the 105mm and 120mm main guns and their ammunition,
• Urdan Industries assembles and constructs the hull, drive- and powertrains, and turret assemblies,
• Elta designs and manufactures the electronic sensors and infrared optics.
• Elbit Computers delivers the ballistics computer and digital fire-control system (FCS),
• Tadiran provides cabin air conditioning, crew cabin intercom and radio equipment,
• El-Op, Elisra and Astronautics implement the optics and laser warning systems,
• Rafael Armament Development Authority builds and installs the Remote Overhead Weapons Station (R-OWS) and Trophy Active Protective System.

Foreign companies that have licenced or supplied equipment are:

• L-3 Communication Combat Propulsion Systems produces licensed copies of Germany's MTU MT883 1500 hp diesel engine powerplant and RENK RK325 transmissions,
• The US DARPA licensed design details to IMI to build the 120mm XM-256 smoothbore Rheinmetall cannon barrels,
• Motorola supplies Tadiran communication encryption systems,
• DuPont supplies the Nomex, ballistic, and fire-retardant materials used by Hagor,
• Russia Military Industries helped to design the KMT-4 & -5 anti-mine rollers and the ABK-3 dozer blade, now built by Urdan,
• Belgian FN Herstal supplies 7.62mm (MAG 58) and .50 (M2) coaxial and pintleCor machine guns,
• Caterpillar assisted with an Israeli-designed track system.

Merkava History

The legacy of the Merkava series of tanks dates back to the 1960s. Plans were drawn up to isolate Israel's military-industrial complex from foreign reliance. Israel's economy and national reserves allowed it to purchase nearly any land, sea, or air platform and weapon from friendly nations, but Israel's infrastructure was not capable of producing those items domestically.

In 1965, Israel's military establishment initiated research and development for a domestically-produced tank, the Sabra (Hebrew: Native). During the design of this platform, Britain approached Israel and requested their assistance in developing the United Kingdom's newest line of tanks, the Chieftain. When two prototypes arrived for field testing in 1967, Israel shelved the Sabra program. As a result of political pressure from the British Foreign Ministry, the two prototypes were recalled to England in 1969 and Israel lost five years with which it could have pursued its own development program.

Following this incident, Israel Tal—serving as a brigade commander after the Suez Crisis—restarted plans to produce an Israeli-made tank. Tal's mission was furthered by lessons learned in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, where the Middle East's Arab nations held significant numerical superiority. Realizing that they could not win wars of attrition, the new tank platform would have heavy requirements for crew survivability and safety.

By 1974, initial designs were completed and prototypes were fabricated. After a brief set of trials, work began to retool the Tel-Hashomer ordinence depot for full-time development and construction of the infant platform. After the new facilities were completed, the Merkava was officially released to the public in the International Defense Review periodical. Additionally, the first official images of the tank were then released to other publications, specifically the American periodical Armed Forces Journal on May 14, 1977. The IDF's official adoption would not occur until December of 1978 when the first full brigade of thirty tanks was delivered for initial unit training.

Merkava Mark I

First production Merkava I from the back on display at Latrun Armor Museum with two-piece vertical door in center.

The Mark I is the original design created as a result of Israel Tal's decision. It was the first Merkava version fabricated and designed for mass production, and featured the rear-slung turret assembly used in all versions.

The Mark I weighed in a 63 tonnes with a 900 horsepower diesel engine, creating a power to weight ration of 14 hp/ton. Initially, the platform was equipped with the 105 millimeter M68 main gun, a licensed copy of the British Royal Ordnance L7. During the tank's initial conception, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation was in the process of standardizing all member nations' tanks to the 120 millimeter standard. In addition to the 105 millimeter cannon was the inclusion of two 7.62 mm machine guns for anti-infantry defense.

The Merkava was first used in combat during the 1982 Lebanon War where Israel deployed 180 units. After the war many adjustments and additions were noted and designed. Most importantly, the 60 millimeter mortar needed to be installed within the hull and engineered for remote firing. A shot trap was found beneath the rear of the turret bustle where a well-placed shot could jam the turret completely. Installation of chain netting to disperse and destroy rocket propelled grenades and anti-tank rockets before impacting the primary armour increased survivability.

Merkava Mark II

Merkava II at the Israel Defense Forces Armor Museum in the Jerusalem corridor.

The Mark II was first introduced into general service in April of 1983 and incorporated several upgrades as a result of the previous incursion into Lebanon. The new tank was optimized for urban warfare and low intensity conflicts and is subsequently lighter with a smaller engine than future models (weighing in at 63 tonnes with a 900 horsepower motor).

The Mark II kept the 105 millimeter main gun and its two 7.62 millimeter machine guns, but a 60 millimeter internalized mortar was added to the design during construction. The mortar was mounted internally and configured for remote firing to remove the operator from enemy small-arms fire. An Israeli-designed automatic transmission and increased fuel storage for increased range was installed on all further Mark IIs. Finally, the incorporation of anti-rocket netting increased a tanks survivability when facing infantry equipped with anti-tank rockets.

The fire-control system received many minor upgrades. Updated meteorological sensors, crosswind analyzers, and thermographic optics and image intensifiers gave greater visibility and battlefield awareness.

In addition to these primary systems upgrades, the Mark II is split into three sub-types:

• Mark IIB includes the addition of thermal optics as well as unspecified updates to the fire control system.

• Mark IIC introduces an increased amount of armour to the upper hull of the turret to improve protection from the air.

• Mark IID is an upgraded Mark IIC with the next-generation modular composite armor on the chassis and turret.

Merkava Mark III

Merkava Mark III early example as seen on display at the Latrun Armor Corps Museum.

The Merkava Mark III was introduced in December 1989, and had many major upgrades to the drivetrain, powertrain, armament, and safety systems. The most prominent addition was the incorporation of Rheinmetall 120 millimeter gun developed in Germany. The larger 120 millimeter main gun, as well as a larger 1,200 horsepower diesel motor, increased the total weight of the tank to 65 tonnes, but the larger motor allowed for a higher maximum cruising speed of 60 kilometers per hour.

Additionally, the turret was re-engineered for movement independent of the tank chassis, allowing it to continue targeting a location regardless of the tank's movement. Of the many other improvements, some included:

• External two-way telephone for secure communications between the tank crew and dismounted infantry,
• Upgraded ammunition storage containers to minimize ammunition cook-off,
• Addition of laser designators,
• Incorporation of the Kasag modular armor system.
  • The modular armor is designed for rapid replacement and repair in the battlefield and for quick upgrading as new designs and sophisticated materials become available.
• Creation of the Mark IIIB, which includes unspecified armour upgrades to the original platform

BAZ System

Debuting in 1995, the Mark III BAZ (Hebrew: Falcon) was designed with many improved and additional systems including:

• Upgraded fire-control system components, from Electro Optics Industries (EL-OP) and Elbit Ltd, provides the tank with the ability to engage moving targets while on the move (an automatic target tracker)
• NBC protection systems,
• Locally-developed central air-conditioning system.
• Added improvements in ballistic protection.
• Creation of the Mark IIID, which includes upgrading the Mark III Baz to the modular composite armouring system on the chassis and turret.

Dor-Dalet

The last generation of the Mark III class was the Mark IIID Dor-Dalet (Hebrew: Fourth Variety), which incorporated the aforementioned Kasag armour systems. It also featured several components as prototypes to be introduced in the Mark IV.

• Upgraded and strengthened tracks (built by Caterpillar, designed in Israel),
• Installation of the R-OWS.

Merkava Mark IV

Merkava Mark IV is first publicly introduced and seen in May 2002 at Jerusalem's Israeli Independence Day celebrations

The Mark IV is the latest generation of the Merkava and has been in production since 1999. Its production was first announced in an October 1999 edition of the Bamahaneh (In The Camp) military publication.

The new model offers additional a more robust fire-control system, the Knight Mark 4, produced by El-Op. Optimized for urban combat, the Mark IV has been given improved armor on all sides, including the top and underbelly. The underside of the tank is reinforced with a modular, removable "belly armour pack."

One major upgrade was the implementation of individual fire-proof ammunition storage canisters. These canisters reduce the chance of tank rounds cooking-off in the case of a fire inside the tank. As a result, the turret is classified as "dry" because no active rounds are stored above the turret line.

The Mark IV also has the lowest cross-signature of any modern tank. Some features, such as hull shaping, exterior non-reflective paints, and shielding for engine heat plumes mixing with air particles to confuse enemy thermal imagers, were carried over from the LAVI ATF (Advance Tactical Fighter) program of the Israel Air Force to reduce further the battlefield signature of the Merkava series tanks.

The Mark IV includes the larger 120 millimeter main gun of the previous versions but is capable of firing a wider variety of ammunition, including HEAT, HESH, and sabot rounds, as well as the APFSDS kinetic energy penetrator. It also includes the incorporation of a much larger 12.7 millimeter machine gun for anti-vehicle operations (most commonly used against technicals).

Upgraded fire control system

The new fire-control system enables the Merkava to operate as an anti-helicopter platform and is capable of detecting and destroying armoured attack helicopters such as the French Gazelle and the ubiquitous Russian Hind, both used by Israel's neighbors.

Upgraded tracks

The Mark IV has been designed with an Israeli designed caterpillar tracks system. It has been named "Mazkom" by troops, with an official designation of "TSAWS (Tracks, Springs, and Wheels System)" (Hebrew: מערכת זחלים קפיצים ומרכובים). The new system is designed to endure the harsh basalt rock conditions of Lebanon and the Golan Heights to minimize incidents of "track-shedding."

Digital battlefield management system

A new and very sophisticated Israeli Elbit Systems BMS (Battle Management System; Hebrew: צי"ד) has been designed, constructed, and tested. It is a centralised system which displays battlefield data on color plasma-TV-like screens. It collects data from tracked units and UAVs deployed in theater, and immediately distributes it in encrypted form to all other tank units in a given theater.

Merkava variants

Following the al-Aqsa Intifada, the Israeli Defense Forces modified some of their Merkava's to satisfy the needs of urban warfare. This adaptation can be done by field engineers and does not interfere with the tank's combat handling.

Merkava LIC

This is the main series of Merkava tanks designed for urban warfare. The LIC designation stands for "Low intensity conflict", underlining its emphasis on counter-insurgency, street-to-street inner-city asymmetrical type warfare of the 21st century.

The Merkava is equipped with a turret .50 caliber coaxial machine gun, enabling the crew to lay down fairly heavy cover fire without the use of the cumbersome and ineffective main gun against individual enemy combatants. It also provides much higher protection, because like the new remote-operated weapon station, it is fired safely from inside the tank without exposing the crew to small-arms fire and snipers.

The most sensitive areas of a tank, its optics, exhaust ports and ventilators, are all protected by a newly-developed high-strength metal mesh, which prevents damage from a direct impact from rocket-propelled grenades.

Rubber whip pole-markers with LED tips and a driver's rear facing camera have also been installed to improve navigation and maneuverability in an urban environment day or night.

Merkava Tankbulance

Some Merkavas have been fitted with full medical and ambulance capabilities, but retaining their armament. The cabin area has been converted for carrying injured personnel and has had stretchers and life support medical station systems added with a full medical team complement to operate under combat conditions with a Merkava battalion. The vehicle has a rear door to facilitate evacuation under fire, and can provide covering fire.

The "tankbulance" is not an unarmed ambulance and is not protected by the Geneva Conventions provisions regarding ambulances, but it is far less vulnerable to accidental or deliberate fire than an ambulance.

Merkava Armored Recovery Vehicle

The Merkava ARV, named: Nam'mer (Hebrew: Tiger) is an armored recovery vehicle based on a Merkava chassis. It is capable of towing disabled tanks and carries a complete Merkava back-up power pack that can be field changed in under 90 minutes.

Merkava APC

Israel developed a heavy-duty APC/IFV based on the Merkava chassis called Nemmera (Hebrew for tigress). Because many of the 200 built Merkava I's are being withdrawn from service and it has recently been reported that the Mark II 105mm gun is not able to be upgraded to the IDF standard 120mm... this APC conversion holds great promise.

Only a handful Mark IV APC's were produced, due to the cost of the vehicle and the need for main battle tank platforms. Yet following Operation Rainbow and the vulnerability of the M-113, the IDF re-opened the Nemmera program which is now in full development. The 2006 Lebanon conflict also verified this program.

On February 15, 2005, Ma'ariv reported that a running prototype Merkava APC was fielded by the Givati Brigade and was equipped with a OWS, which is remotely controlled and loaded from within the vehicle. It was also decided to rename the vehicle from Nemmera to Nammer ("Tiger"). This same unit was demonstrated in Europe at Eurosatory 2005 military exhibition with possible export customers showing interest.

Merkava Soltam Howitzers

Sholef in Beit ha-Totchan, Israel.

Two prototypes of Sholef (Gun-Slinger) 155mm self-propelled howitzer were built by Soltam in 1984–1986. The 45-ton vehicle had a long 155mm/52-calibre gun barrel giving a range of 45+ km and was capable of direct fire while on the move. It never entered production.

This 155mm artillery was actually superior to the USA M-109 series because during the 1982 Lebanon War the US models could not keep up with the speed, mobility and terrain ability of the Merkava Mark I models. However, the IDF continued to purchase the M series due to its relationship with the U.S.

According to sources, the Sholef was more accurate and protected the crew with ballistic armor in an air-conditioned cabin. It also featured for the first time anywhere automatic and computerized reloading for higher fire rates. However, the Sholef was not adopted by the U.S. Army thereby cancelling the whole program. [1]

See also

• Israel Defense Forces
• Israel
• Tank
• Armor

External links

• Israeli-Weapons.com Merkava Page (Considerable tank info and pictures)
• IDF overview of Merkava's history and variants
• Merkava Mk 3 LIC, Merkava Mk 4 at Defense-Update
• Merkava Mk 1,2,3,4 at War Online.
• Merkava Mk 1,2,3 at voodoo.cz.
• Merkava Mk 3 Baz, Merkava Mk 4 at Army-technology (tank features and pictures from different angles)
• Merkava Mk1, Merkava Mk2, Merkava Mk3, Merkava Mk4 at army-guide.com
• ACPR's analysis of Merkava
• Continued Evolution of the Merkava Program at Defense Update
• Report on Merkava performance in 2006 Lebanese conflict
• The Armor Site! page on Merkava