Namer
| Namer | |
|---|---|
Namer on Yom HaAtzma'ut |
|
| General properties | |
| crew | 3 (commander, driver, gunner) 8 (infantry) |
| length | ~ 7.6 m |
| width | ~ 3.7 m |
| height | ~ 2.5 m |
| Dimensions | 60 t (combat weight) |
| Armor and armament | |
| Armor | Composite armor |
| Main armament | Browning M2 / Mk-19 weapon station |
| Secondary armament | FN MAG |
| agility | |
| drive |
Diesel engine 895 kW (1200 PS ) |
| suspension | Coil spring |
| Top speed | 60 km / h |
| Power / weight | 15 kW / t |
| Range | 500 km |
Namer ( Hebrew נמ"ר, "Leopard") is a modern transport tank of the Israeli armed forces , which is based on the main battle tank Merkava IV . He has been used by the Golani Brigade since summer 2008 .
history
In Israel, due to the high protection needs of the infantry, battle tanks were converted into troop transport tanks at an early stage. Centurion tanks were converted earlier ( Nagmachon ), and later captured T-55s were converted into Achzarit transport tanks . This gave rise to the idea of developing a transport tank based on the Merkava I, as some of these were taken out of active service. The reason for this was the 105 mm drawbar cannon, which was now perceived as inadequate. The development was sluggish until 2004, after which the program received new impetus, as the vulnerability of the M113 armored transport became apparent once again .
The first prototypes based on the Merkava I were called Nemmera (Hebrew: Leopardine), later versions of the vehicle as Namer . On February 15, 2005, prototypes were tested by the Giv'ati Brigade , and from then on the vehicle had a remote-controlled weapon station that is operated from inside the vehicle . The tank was presented to the public at Eurosatory 2005. After the experiences of the Lebanon War in 2006 , it was decided to use the Merkava IV chassis as a development base and to build the vehicles from scratch. The first unit was presented on March 1st, 2008, on September 15th, 2008 visitors to an exhibition in Rishon LeZion could see the tank.
design
protection
As with all Israeli tank designs, protection of the crew was given priority over all other design features. With a combat weight of 60 tons, the vehicle is the most heavily armored infantry transport vehicle ever. The tank has the same level of protection as a Merkava IV main battle tank. The composite armor has a modular design so that damaged parts can be replaced quickly and easily. The vehicle has a V-shaped underbody against landmines and booby traps and an NBC protection system. Later versions will be equipped with the distance-active hardkill protection system Iron Fist .
Armament
The armored transport is equipped with a remote controlled weapon station from Rafael . It can be equipped with a Browning M2 or Mk 19 machine grenade launcher; the commander has an FN MAG that can be operated via a hatch .
Others
The vehicle is powered by an 895 kW (1200 hp) V12 diesel engine Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-9AR with air cooling. The unit comes from the Merkava III. The same digital "Battlefield Management System" is used as in the Merkava IV.
Users
Israel : 130 pieces ordered
