"Merkava" (IVR. - "chariot") - main battle tank, developed and manufactured in Israel. The first tank "Merkava Mk.1» was promoted to 1979 year. The last modification of the tank is the "Merkava Mk.4».
Tank Merkava-4 – video
The development program of the tank "Merkava" was approved in August 1970 of the year, shortly after the failure to sell the UK for Israel tanks "Chieftain". the design work was headed by Major General Yisrael Tal, which is unusual for the world practice of tank. Tal was not an engineer, and combat officer, party to all of the Arab-Israeli wars. During the Six Day War, he commanded one of the three armored columns, smashed Egyptian troops in Sinai, at the end of the 1960s, he took over as commander of the Armored Forces IDF (AOI). Steel tank layout was made in April 1971 of the year, for 1972 it worked out the concept of placing the front of the engine compartment (MTO) the peredelannom thin "Centurion". In December 1974, the first two prototypes were built. first 4 Serial tanks were handed over to the IDF in April 1979, and in October of the same year "Merkava Mk.1» was officially adopted by the.
Design
A characteristic feature of the tank is an arrangement with the location of the engine compartment in the front of the case. This design provides additional protection for the crew. A unique feature of the "Merkava" tank is the presence in the feed compartment, used for transporting troops or injured (additional ammunition can be placed in the compartment). This feature makes the "Merkava", in fact, in universal fighting machine, capable of performing, depending on the combat situation, strategic role and the tank, and BTR, and BMP. The compartment has an armored door in the stern, allowing the crew to leave in an emergency tank behind.
The hull and turret
The hull and turret - cast, have large angles of inclination armor (to 75-80 °). Removable top armor plate MTO somewhat elevated relative to the rest of the body, and its edge overlaps the lower part of the tower at a front, protecting the most vulnerable in the tank joint between the tower and the housing. In front of the upper armor plate has a hinged panel for access to the engine and carrying on it the simplest routine maintenance. Transverse armor fences installed inside the housing immediately before the engine, the space between the bulkhead and the front part is occupied by fuel tanks. Another bulkhead separates the engine from the armor of the fighting compartment.
Engine-transmission compartment is shifted to the right side of the hull, located left of the driving compartment. In the driver are three fixed periscopes, Moreover, the average can be replaced bespodsvetochnym night vision device. Due to the considerable displacement of its working place to the left side and a slight inclination of the upper bronelista MTO overview of the driver to the right is very limited. The driver gets on his place or through the aft hatch and fighting compartment, or through the sunroof in the upper body broneliste.
The main supply of fuel is placed in the fuel tanks, installed in the rear of the armored nadgusenichnyh niches. In nadgusenichnyh sponsons, having spaced reservation, bronelistami disposed between aggregates, which does not damage leads to loss of fighting capacity tank. In an upper front portion of the right and left nadgusenichnyh niches are for air intake grilles, engine cooling. Slatted air outlet and an opening for discharging the exhaust gases are in the right side portion nadgusenichnoy niche. Mixing of exhaust air with cooling tank reduces the visibility in the infrared range. The air intake to the engine through the power grid from the upper zone of step bronelista MTO right side towers.
"Merkava" tank turret has a wedge shape, thereby ricochet projectile when firing the front hemisphere. Armor towers spaced, between the walls of the additional protective elements are installed. To the rear recess of the tower mounted a large basket.
Workplace gunner is to the right of the gun. We gunner set riflescope with 8x zoom and built-in laser range finder and a periscope viewing device. Before the optical head to the surface of the sight tower special welded edges, contributing to ricochet bullets and shell fragments. Information about the target range of the laser rangefinder comes in a ballistic computer. Data on the target speed, angles of heel, atmospheric conditions (wind speed, pressure, temperature) are entered into the calculator automatically, and the type of projectile and barrel wear - hand. Sensors mounted on the atmospheric parameters telescopic mast, to the left in the turret.
The commander is Rear Gunner, his seat is raised with respect to the seat gunner. The commander installed panoramic riflescope with variable magnification (of 4 × to 20 ×). Sight commander is tapped day and night optical branches of the rangefinder Gunner, so that it can give the latest targeting, and the firing of the gun, if necessary, instead of the gunner. In addition to the panoramic sight around the commander's hatch fitted five fixed periscope observation devices.
Place the loader is left of the gun. He has one rotary observation device is installed. If desired the loader can perform the functions of the driver or gunner. Radio communication equipment is located in the tower, left of the charging space.
In the rear part of the housing is a compartment for the placement of an additional ammunition, Backup crew or six troopers. There you can set the four stretchers with the wounded. The stern has broneliste butterfly hatch width 600 mm to access the fighting compartment. The upper part of the hatch opens upwards, lower - down. The tactic of using "Merkava" tank does not provide transportation of soldiers on the battlefield. The standard is considered to be a crew of four people and the arrangement in the aft compartment of ammunition.
In the battle, and the engine-transmission compartment mounted quick-automatic fire extinguishing system "Spektroniks". The tank is also equipped with a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction. For filtering collective type installed in the rear of the hull. Access to a filtering installation is carried out through a sieve of 80 × 80 cm door, the right of the axis of the tank in the aft broneliste. Left the same compartment door closes with batteries.
weaponry
On the "Merkava" installed American 105-mm rifled gun M68 (licensed version of the British L7). All the tools for the "Merkava" manufactured on «Israel Military Industries» companies ("Israeli Military Industry"). Angles pointing guns vertically from -8.5 to + 20 °. The barrel is provided with a thermally insulating housing, to avoid bending the stem axis due to uneven heating. mask guns, like a tank "Chieftain", absent. tank ammunition is 62 shot, however, if necessary, (in overdrive) it can be increased up to 86 shots. In ammunition includes shots with five types of projectiles - armor-piercing discarding sabot feathered, cumulative, armor-piercing explosive, smoke and shells with ready-striking elements. Much of the ammunition (48 shots) located aft in the hull of the glass container with an internal insulation coating rubber, four in each shell.
The gun is stabilized in two planes. turn drives the tower and pointing guns in the vertical plane electro. The accumulator and the hydraulic power unit are placed in the rear recess of the tower and separated from the crew compartment armor fences.
The auxiliary arms includes a coaxial gun 7.62mm gun MAG, produced in Israel Belgian license. Machine gun mounted on the left of the gun. Two more of the same machine gun mounted on a bracket near the hatches commander and loader. The total ammunition to machine guns is 10 000 rounds. Over the gun barrel accommodate remotely operated machine gun caliber 12,7 mm; heavy machine gun aiming is performed via the main Gunner. 60-mm mortar mounted on the left side of the roof of the tower; shooting out of it leads the loader from the open hatch. ammunition - 30 high-explosive, smoke and lighting min.
Power point
Engine - American air-cooled diesel "Teledyne Continental» AVDS-1790-5A turbocharged. Diesel is forced to 900 l. from. AVDS-1790 engine, tied for the American and Israeli tanks M60 "Centurion" and M48. Transmission also American, Allison CD-850-6B, but modernized Israeli specialists, semi-automatic, hydromechanical, gidroobomnym with turning mechanism.
Chassis
The suspension is independent, Spring type Christi. On each side of the set of six rubber-coated rollers with diameter 790 mm and five supporting rollers: two of them support the upper branch tracks for remote from the body portion, and three - for the nearest. Suspension elements are located outside of the housing. On the two front and two rear hardpoints mounted telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers. The dynamic course of rollers - 210 mm. Each suspension assembly is secured to the housing on four bolts and can be easily replaced in case of failure due landmine. The driving wheels of the front position. Failure of the torsion suspension allowed to perform a smooth bottom of the hull, V-shaped, that along with the spaced booking bottom increases The security body in the detonation of mines. Balancers odd in a row of rollers directed toward the nose of the tank, the even - aft, however outwardly hardpoints pairs form three carts, that can be misleading, and some sources indicate, the suspension "Merkava" spring-balancing, although in fact it is independent.
caterpillar-metal, with open joints. Width Trakov - 640 mm, the number of trucks in the caterpillar - 110, the length of the supporting surface - 4,52 m. Chassis covered six section screens, made of steel armor. Screens can be folded up for accessing the suspension elements.
Tank "Merkava» Mk.4M, equipped with "Trophy" system
Production
Development of the "Merkava" was conducted by engineers IDF, under their own direct control of production carried out tanks.
Serial production of "Merkava Mk.1» began in the middle 1979 of the year. Total produced about 250 tanks of this model. All the tanks "Merkava Mk.1» were partly modernized to the level Mk.2 ("Merkava Mk.1B»). For the first time in the world all the ammunition had fire-resistant packaging. In the stern there was a mechanized combat pack on 5 shells.
The bulk of the components and assemblies of tanks produced in Israel by private companies subcontracted, but, in the absence of a full production cycle of tank, elements of the engine-transmission group, such as propulsion, They come from the US (a similar form of the American-Israeli military-technical cooperation is observed in the sector of the production of "Kfir" fighter). This dependence Israeli tankostroitelnoy industry on external supplies are not just a matter of concern at the highest military and political circles about Israeli achieve industrial autarky in this area (special, in the case of the arrival to power in the US presidential administration, tuned to the deterioration of US-Israeli relations, and even putting an embargo on the export of certain product groups), - in this context and conducted controversy between the two main groups of interest, the first of which, headed by Yitzhak Rabin, He advocated for more and more autonomization of national military industry, the second led by Shimon Peres, deposited, that will be enough to diversify the sources of revenue of individual strategic resources and materials at the expense of European countries, but, This question has not been resolved definitively. As a matter of fact, the decision itself on the design and creation of the "Merkava" in his time was dictated by the UK rejection of the co-production "Chieftain" tanks 1969 city, - at that time we created a variety of international consortia for the development of armored vehicles and military aircraft, - Israel has participated in the development of the "Chieftain" from 1966 city, and as has already been gained some experience in this field, on the initiative of General Israel Tal started to create "Merkava".
Build tanks carried on the state-owned enterprises. Initially tank assembly was carried out in assembly plants MASHA (Latin transliteration of the acronym in Hebrew. in mv. "Refurbishment IDF Home Front Command Centers"). Then, for this purpose was created the state coordinating body of work in the field of tank MANTAK (abbr. "Administration" Merkava "project).
"Merkava Mk.4» is armed with 2002 of the year; It was put into service in 2004 year. According to the US military-analytical agency Forecast International Tank "Merkava-4" on 2010 year is the best main battle tank in the world. 28 % parts imported tank, including the engine and transmission. tank suspension spring (almost never used in the world), having its own advantages it definitely reduces the accuracy in motion. Behind it has a compartment for landing (medical evacuations), which dramatically increases the efficiency of the tank as a whole in a low-intensity fighting, The security in return reducing tank armor due to spreading to a larger volume of.
AT 2005 It was completed re a regular 401 th Brigade in the new tanks. FROM 2011 production is carried out only Merkava Mk.4 BAZ (started in 2009). TO 2013 it was planned to rearm in the "Merkava Mk.4» Two more brigades: 7th regular and reservists.
In June 2010 , the tank was declassified and put on the 10-th international exhibition of arms and military equipment and ground forces ground air defense systems "Eurosatory 2010" in Paris in connection with the search for partners for further modernization. During the exhibition, showed interest in the car, the Russian delegation headed by the chief weapons in. Popovkin, for which staged a deployed presentation.
Unlike previous models, equipped with different modifications «Teledyne Continental Motors» diesel (Eng.)Russian. AVDS-1790 air cooled, to "Merkava Mk.4» installed diesel GD883 American company «General Dynamics» (licensed production of the German diesel MTU883) with water cooling capacity 1500 l. from. The engine is made in a single block with a 5-speed automatic transmission Renk RK 325 German firm Renk. AT 2012 it was stated that the engine is already 9 s has a problem with the reliability and require extraction for repair every 200 kilometers, these data are actively reprinted authoritative media and 2015 It was not officially denied. AT 2012 The IDF said, that the problem was solved, without specifying in what year. Equipment for overcoming water obstacles absent for no need, equipment for self-entrenching opportunities are also there.
Significantly changed configuration armor modules tower, an instrument equipped with a mask. Also significantly strengthened book roof: increased size of reservation and covers the entire roof, not just the front of the, both models Mk.3B and Mk.3D. As a result of these measures, the charging was deprived of the hatch, a massive hatch commander opened only with a special mechanism. Removed air intake grilles for niches (there was only the exhaust grille on the right side). The steel plate with an air gap enhances resistance to mines, clearance was reduced to 430 mm. The upper frontal part is now devoid of protuberances, which improved overview of the driver, Besides, the driver got a rearview camera. Gunner moved to the roof. The tank is equipped with the new commander's panoramic sight with independent on-board imager and combat information control "Tsayad" system ("Hunter"). Modernization undergone mortar and chassis.
The tank is a new weapon MG253 (variant Rh-120 German cannon), calculated for pressurizing propellant gases. In the niche of the tower armor partition installed electric drum mechanism 10 shells (similar to the Soviet T-55), feeding shells Charges (rest 36 aft body), each projectile is stored in a protective cover. The gun allows you to fire rockets LAHAT.
70-ton (65 m - empty weight without BC, crew, etc.. d.) "Merkava Mk.4» has 1,42 a lesser degree of security of times (3,18 t / m³), 50-ton (empty weight - 46,5 t) T-90 (4,54 t / m³). It should be taken into account, that in connection with the massive introduction of FCS Battle statistics shells hit the tank in the 2000s dramatically changed - now the majority of heavy ammunition comes in a casing, and not in the tower. simultaneously, lower frontal sheet has a thickness (but no equivalent protection) Total 100 mm and it is highly, behind it is a compartment MTO and mehvoda. Firing on the move complicated a strong nose peretyazhelonnostyu. Shooting from a place complicated engine exhaust, going to the MSA devices (in the ± 15 ° sector). Elements of KAZ is an open and vulnerable to bullets and shrapnel (that other KAZ also tend).
After the war 2006 it was decided to equip the tank active protection system "Trophy" Israeli production, for the destruction threatening the tank shells ATRA / RPG, It is making Mk.4 first foreign MBT with KAZ. The tank originally had the ability to install active protection, but due to lack of funding is not equipped with it. Serial production of tanks, equipped KAZ "Trophy" and received the designation of "Merkava Mk.4M», It began in the late 2008 of the year, and in the spring of 2009, they began to enter the army. The tank is installed 4 radar, providing all-round visibility for KAZ, it adds to the installation cost of the tank 10 %, The estimated price of the tank - 3,7 million $ (in mid-2000); also has the acoustic detection of sniper fire. "Trophy" Cost - 0,2 million $, weight when mounted on Mk.4 - 771 kg.
1 Martha 2011 , the active protection system was successfully tested in combat conditions in the area of the Gaza Strip. In June 2012 It was completed equipping the 401st Brigade KAZ "Trophy".
prospects
AT 2012 the Defense Ministry has formed a group headed by a brigadier general reserve Didi Ben Joash, which was responsible for the development of a "tank of the future" for the Israel Defense Forces. The heads of the defense industry and the Army Command was asked to express their opinion on, It should look like this tank. anticipated, that it will be easier, less, with automatic charging and a crew of two and be able to use a modular weapon system, including its various species, including rocket. In September 2013 , the Israel Defense website reported, Israel's Defense Ministry in the framework of a new multi-year plan of development of the IDF decided to consider possible alternatives and to develop the tank "Merkava" fifth model, and to continue the production of "Merkava Mk.4». Subsequent generations will not "Merkava-5", a tank with other firing, protective and mobility characteristics. It was later decided to return to MK 4.
modernization
– "Merkava Mk.1B» (1983) - partial modernization of already constructed Mk.1 to the level Mk.2. On the basket on the stern of the tower is hung Spaced Armor in the form of chains with balls; replaced with side skirts; MSA "Matador Mk.1» upgraded to the level Mk.2 or Mk.2B. At the same time the tower is no additional booking, 60-mm mortar remained in an external (on the right side of the tower), aft body no baskets property (act as screens protivokumulyativnyh).
– "Merkava Mk.2D» (1999) - modernization of previously constructed "Merkava Mk.2B». Additional armor hull and turret t. n. "Armor fourth generation" ("Merkava Mk.1» was the first generation of armor, Mk.2 - second, and Mk.3 - third).
Besides, Most reservist "Merkava Mk.3» received additional armor tower roof. And tanks, having the ability to install "Baz" sight, also delivered his.
based machines
– 155-samohodnaya mm howitzer "Sholef» ("Gunslinger", also known under the name «Slammer») - two prototypes were built by "Salt" in 1984-1986, However, ACS has not been put into service and not commercially made.
– ARV "intention" - created on the basis Mk.3, in the series did not go.
– Heavy armored personnel carrier "Namer" - development started in 2006 year Mk.1 chassis tank, adopted by the IDF 2008 year and is serially produced.
The performance characteristics of the tank Merkava 4M
Crew, people: 4
years of operation: from 1974
The number of issued, PC.: 1970 (all modifications)
Weight Merkava-4
– 70 tonnes
Dimensions Merkava-4
– body Length, mm: 7450
– Length with gun forward, mm: 9040
– housing width, mm: 3720
– Height, mm: 2660
– Clearance, mm: 530 (with additional armor bottom - 430)
Armor Merkava-4
– Type broni: steel cast, spaced modular fourth generation, protivosnaryadnym-protivokumulyativnymi
– active protection: "Trophy"
– dynamic protection: no
Armament Merkava-4
– Caliber guns and stamp: 120-mm MG253
– gun type: smoothbore gun - launcher ATGM "Lahat"
– barrel length, calibres: 50,92
– gun ammunition: 48
– sights: gunner's day / night (Thermal) Auto Track with the objective, commanding panoramic day / night (Thermal) Auto Track with the objective; have backup optical and infrared sights
– Shotgun: 2 × 7,62 мм FN-MAG, some also 1 × 12,7-mm M2HB
– Other weapons: 60-mm mortar
Engine Merkava-4
– engine's type: V-shaped 12-cylinder four-stroke water-cooled diesel turbo
– Engine power, l. from: 1500
Speed Merkava-4
– Road speed, kmh: ~60
– Speed over rough terrain, kmh: 40
– Cruising on the highway, km: 500
– power density, l. p. / m: 21,4
– suspension type: Individual vertical springs
– Unit ground pressure, kg / cm²: 1,12
– Gradeability, city: 30°
– to overcome the wall, m: 1,2
– trench, m: 3,0
– fording, m: 1,4
Photo Merkava tank 4
