Israel Armed Forces Variant Magach 7 Series MBT

MAgach 7A, Magach 7B And Magach 7C MBT Israel Defence Force

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) is planning extensive cuts to its ground forces. The IDF presented its amended work plan early in June 2003, which included cuts of 20% of Israel's ground forces over a five year period, the deepest cut in the past 15 years. The IDF would keep fewer old platforms [i.e. tanks] and more investment in new technology. The cuts include a gradual disposal of all the IDF's M 60 main battle tanks.
The Magach 7A has flat-sided, riveted, applique armour modules. In comparison, the modular armour kit for the Magach 7C, code-named 'Envelope' by its manufacturers IMI, has better ballistic shaping. The arrowhead-shaped turret front of the Magach 7C does, however, make it difficult for the driver to bail out from a burning tank, though IMI made sure that at whatever angle the turret is positioned, the driver can still exit from his hatch.

The Magach BATASH's turret has a hybrid armour package incorporating reactive as well as passive layers. One senior company representative has referred to it as being designed specifically for LIC operations. It is likely that the hybrid package is optimised to protect against multiple heavy ATGM strikes. The glacis of the Magach BATASH is protected by second generation 'Super Blazer' reactive armour tiles. The side skirts are the same as those of the Magach 7.

Magachs remaining in service are systematically being retrofitted with Moked ('Focus') laser warning systems, which alert the crew if the tank has been 'painted' by a targeting laser. In addition Magachs have been fitted with a fire and explosion suppression system from the Israeli manufacturer Spectronix.

This conversion kit is intended for Academy’s 1/35 I.D.F. M60A1 kit.Legend’s Magach 7A conversion kit pieces look mighty impressive, crisply cast, smooth and free of air bubbles in its cream resin. The pieces are thin yet stiff and opaque and I don’t see any translucency caused by a shortage of resin (flow) when casting thin flat plates. The pieces are also surprisingly devoid of excess flash (except where support is needed). Furthermore, the pieces are mainly for detailing since the turret is a solid one-piece cast.I found all the small pieces are incredibly sharp and free of damage as they stand erect on their pour blocks-not an easy feat to do. Why even the FN MAGs’ bipod is crispy cast and free of warpage and flash.

The 50cal’s barrel is also straight-as-a-rod with the cooling air vent holes perfectly imprinted.Pieces that should be flat (such as the deck and side skirts) ARE indeed flat! While it’s probably premature to assume flatness without actual construction, I find comfort knowing that a flat-looking piece will probably glue flat and flush against the Academy M60 hull just as Legend intended.Legend throws all resin pieces into a single bag so if you have this kit, I would separate the pieces according to flat, heavy, small and delicate in order to avoid future damage. This tank is equipped with passive armour arrays and associated changes to the power pack and running gear aimed at coping with the extra weight. A new fire control system (FCS) is installed.

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Main Battle Tank Merkava 4 Tank Best Combat Israeli

The design concept of the Merkava Mk 4 version was also based on combat experience, including high-risk close combat in urban environment, which, in contrast to desert warfare in open terrain, is extremely hazardous to tank crews observing targets from open hatches, which was traditional in the IDF’s armor corps doctrine.

The Vectop Tank Sight System (TSS) integrates an array of video cameras installed in different positions around the tank to enable the crew to cover “dead zones” in the tank’s surroundings. An array of four cameras provides complete peripheral coverage (360 degrees), and the top of the tank, including re

Merkava 4 Propulsion and Mobility

The Merkava Mk 4 is powered by a new 1500 hp diesel engine, which improves its mobility substantially, compared to the former models, which were powered by 900 and 1200 hp respectively (Mk 1/2 and Mk 3).
The General Dynamics GD833, co-produced in the United States by GDLS and MTU (which also powers the French GIAT Leclerc), is a liquid-cooled, direct injection engine, and paired with the Renk RK325 automatic transmission, comprises the Merkava Mk 4 power pack.

It offers the best power-toweight ratio at such weight levels (65 tons). A computer connected to the driver’s panel and to the transmission system controls the engine. Field tests covered over 10,000 km in rough terrain
successfully. An auxiliary engine provides power when the tank is on “silent watch” for battery recharging and night observation, with full systems operating while the main engine is shut down.

This is typified by a powerful spring and rotary coil-spring design, differing from the double spring system used in previous Merkava Mk 1 and Mk 2 models. The Merkava Mk 3 Baz suspension is optimized for fast ride over extremely difficult terrain, like the basalt rock strewn Golan Heights.

With vertical road wheel travel of up to 600mm in diameter, the crew is given a softer ride, which reduces fatigue. The suspension meets the stringent requirements of 60 km-per-hour in rough country and reduces the impact on its crew thanks to the excellent absorption capability of the suspension system.

which never surpasses g-1. In comparison tests with other vehicles undergoing the same criteria, when speed
approached g-9, crewmembers suffered injuries and system malfunctions. In the Merkava Mk 3, at twice that speed, on the same test bed conditions, the g-force never exceeded g-1!

Although details are still classified, the Merkava Mk 4 suspension system also underwent additional improvement, which, combined with the new powerto- weight ratio, could even surpass the data of the Mk 3.

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Israel New Tank Ammunition Used in Merkava Mk 4 Gunnery

Main Battle Tank Merkava MK 4 Gunnery

The LAHAT round, designed by Israel Aircraft Industries, was developed to the IDF armor corps’ specification. Using the semi-active laser homing guidance method, LAHAT can be designated by the firing tank crew or through external designation from ground, mobile, or airborne observers.

Firing the round requires minimal exposure in the firing position, and can be directed through the commander’s sight by only maintaining LOS during missile flight, when “turret-down.” The missile’s trajectory can be preselected for either top attack (tank) or direct attack (helicopter) engagement. The missile uses a tandem warhead, which can defeat modern armor and reactive panels.

The APAM constitutes an ultimate solution to the growing threat to tanks, especially in urban warfare, where
tank-killer squads lurk with modern lethal antitank weapons. The new round uses the proven concept of antipersonnel munitions based on controlled fragmentation.

The principles on which the Merkava family was designed are maintained in the Mk 4, namely, enhancing crew protection and maximum survivability in high-intensity, fire-saturated combat. The emphasis on “combat” is necessary to clarify the recent terrorist incidents in the Gaza Strip, where two Merkava Mk 3 tanks were blown up, in separate attacks, by massive explosive charges, surpassing 100 kg each.

To achieve maximum protection of the upper turret, the loader’s hatch was eliminated in the Mk 4 design. This enables a full extent of the modular armor protective suit on the turret top without compromising the additional hatch, which had so far remained a conceptual hindrance based on the lack of alternative observation systems.

For full perimeter defense, the Merkava Mk 4 is fitted with a latest stateof the-art Amcoram LWS-2 laser warning system, its sensors capable of detecting incoming missiles soon after launch. The threat warning display is installed at the tank commander’s station. Although details are classified, the Mk 4 is believed to be protected by a new type of hybrid armor, which can be conformed from modular elements to match specific threats. Another classified item is an advanced active full perimeter defense system incorporated with the LWS.

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The Main Battle Tank Merkava-4 Israeli Defense

Israel Merkava-4 Tank

During a ceremony in June 2002, the Israel Defence Force (IDF) unveiled its new member of the Merkava family, the Mk 4 Main Battle Tank (MBT). The new tank, a fourth generation development of the 1979 Mk 1, which saw its first combat action during the 1982 Lebanon Campaign, includes new design concepts, which rate it among the best in the world for survivability and firepower.

According to the “father of the Merkava,” retired Major General Israel Tal, who, for over 30 years, has been the driving power of this revolutionary tank design concept, “The Merkava Mk 4 being a fourth generation combatproven vehicle, represents a quantum leap forward in modern tank design in all its parameters, protection, firepower, mobility, and combat control.”

Improved Firepower

The Merkava Mk 4 mounts a new, locally produced, 120mm smoothbore gun, designed to sustain higher internal ballistic pressures and generate superior muzzle velocity, which is specified for advanced kinetic energy munitions.

The new main armament can fire all types of 120mm ammunition, including APFDS-FS kinetic rounds, highexplosive antitank (HEAT) munitions, antipersonnel/antimaterial ammunition (APAM), as well as the latest Israel Aircraft Industries-developed, gun-barrel launched, laser-homing antitank (LAHAT) missile. The loader can feed the breech from a fully automated, fireproof revolving magazine, accommodating up to 10 ready rounds, and delivering four types of automatic ammunition for selection.

The semiautomatic loading system is electrically operated and ready-round selection is controlled by a microprocessor.

The new Merkava Mk 4 design eliminates the loader’s hatch, improving the loader’s position to serve the gun breech while in a sitting position. A TV monitor screen, instead of the traditional optics, improves external observation. The loader also operates the 60mm mortar tubes from inside the tank. This weapons system fires HE and illumination rounds.

A second-generation automatic tracking system (ATS), which locks on target at several kilometers range, automatically tracks moving ground targets and low-flying helicopter targets. The gunner’s sight is locked onto its designated target throughout the firing sequence, irrespectively of any evasive action the target attempts when aware that it is coming under attack. The ATS is based on video output from either a TV camera (daylight channel) or thermal imaging camera (night channel).

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