Merkava Topics

• challenger 2 tank
• crew survival
• battlefield management
• armor protection
• nbc protection
• digital battlefield
• mark iv
• rear entrance
• kornet
• infantrymen
• explosive device
• israeli military
• turret
• casualties
• missile
• ieds
• 1980s
• nbc
• tanks
• idf

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Merkava, Merkava

Since the early 1980s, four main versions have been deployed. The "Merkava" name was derived from the IDF's development program name.

This version already had the turret located towards the rear as in all Merkava versions.

Another tanker was killed when a Merkava Mark IV ran over an improvised explosive device (IED). This tank was equipped with additional V-shaped underside armor, limiting casualties in to one of the seven soldiers (four crewmen and three infantrymen). Overall, 18 of the 52 damaged tanks were Merkava Mark IVs, eight of which remained serviceable on the battlefield. Two Merkava Mark IVs were completely destroyed, one by powerful IEDs, and another supposedly by an AT-14 'Kornet' missile. All but two Merkava Mark IV tanks damaged during the war were repaired and returned to the IDF. The Israeli military said that it was satisfied with Merkava Mark IVs performance, and linked problems to lack of proper training prior to the war.

It should be noted that an RPG-29 penetrated the frontal hull armor of a British Challenger 2 tank in Iraqwhere the armor protection is much less than that of the front turret-, indicating that the Merkava performed quite well under the circumstances. The IDF wants to increase orders of new Merkava Mark IV tanks, and has plans to add the Trophy active protection systems to Merkava Mark IV tanks, as well as increased joint training between crews and Israeli antitank soldiers.

Just like the Merkava Mark IV, it is optimized for high level of crew survival on the battlefield, featuring its modular armor, reinforced V-shaped belly armor pack, NBC protection, redesigned rear entrance, and digital battlefield management system; also ready to be equipped with Trophy active protection system.

It can tow disabled tanks and carries a complete Merkava back-up power pack that can be changed in the field in under 90 minutes.

Source: Wikipedia > Merkava