The Israeli military industry, according to the program for the further development of the armed forces, was to modernize the Merkava Mk.2 tanks. However, by 1989, the developers were already able to create, in fact, a new tank - the Merkava Mk.3. Merkava tanks first saw action in the 1982 Lebanon Campaign, which showed that they could still be hit by 125mm T-72 shells, the main opponents on the battlefield. And of course, based on the opinion of the military leadership of Israel - "Protection of the crew - above all" - again had to solve the problem of increasing the security of the tank.
On the new tank, the developers applied a modernized modular armor - steel package-boxes with many layers of special armor inside, which were bolted to the surface of the Merkava Mk.3 tank, forming additional built-in dynamic protection, the so-called passive type. In case of destruction of the module, it could be replaced without any problems. Such armor was installed on the hull, covering the MTO, frontal and fenders, and on the turret - on the roof and sides, thus strengthening the “upper” surface of the tank in case a projectile hits from above. At the same time, the length of the tower increased by 230 mm. To protect the undercarriage, the side screens on the inside were also supplemented with 25 mm steel sheets.
Combined, overpressure and individual, including air-conditioning (heating and cooling)
Ballistic protection
Modular Special Armor, including roof protection and improved coverage areas
To protect the bottom from explosive devices, mines and improvised land mines, special security measures were taken. The bottom of the Merkav is V-shaped and smooth. It is assembled from two steel sheets - upper and lower, between which fuel is poured. It was believed that such a peculiar tank could further enhance the protection of the crew from explosions. In "Merkava" Mk.3 fuel was not poured here: it was decided that the shock impulse is still conducted by air weaker than any liquid.
The fighting in Lebanon revealed the weak security of the tank from the stern - when RPG grenades hit, the ammunition stationed here detonated. The solution was found quite simple by installing additional armored fuel tanks behind the hull. At the same time, the filter-ventilation unit was moved to the aft niche of the tower, and the batteries were moved to the fender niches. In addition, “safety” baskets with outer aluminum sheets were hung on hinges in the stern. They fit spare parts and personal belongings of the crew. As a result, the length of the tank increased by almost 500 mm.
Tank MERKAVA Mk. 3
Click image for larger version
In order to improve the maneuverability and mobility of the tank, it was boosted to 900 hp. the AVDS-1790-5A engine was replaced by a 1200-horsepower AVDS-1790-9AR V-12, which worked in conjunction with the domestic Ashot hydromechanical transmission. The new engine - diesel, 12-cylinder, air-cooled, V-shaped with a turbocharger provided a power density of 18,5 hp / t; developed by the same as the previous one, the American company General Dynamics Land Systems.
In the undercarriage, six road wheels and five support rollers were installed on board. Driving wheels - front. Trucks - all-metal with an open hinge. The suspension remained independent. However, dual coil springs were used on the track rollers, hydraulic shock absorbers of the rotary type were installed on the four middle rollers, and hydraulic stops were installed on the front and rear. The course of the road wheels was increased to 604 mm. The smoothness of the tank has improved significantly. They also used a built-in track tensioning mechanism, which gave the crew the opportunity to adjust them without leaving the tank. Caterpillars have all-steel tracks with an open hinge. When driving on asphalt roads, they can change to tracks with rubber pads.
The new SLA Abir or Knight (“Knight”, “Knight”), installed on the tank, was developed by the Israeli company Elbit. The sights of the system are stabilized in two planes. The gunner's daytime optical sight has a 12x magnification, the television one has a 5x magnification. The commander has at his disposal a 4x and 14x panoramic sight, which provides a circular search for targets and observation of the battlefield. In addition, they arranged the optical branch of the outlet from the gunner's sight. The commander got the opportunity to issue target designation to the gunner when firing, and also, if necessary, to duplicate the firing. Tank fire power increased with the replacement of the 105-mm M68 cannon with the 120-mm smooth-bore MG251, similar to the German Rheinmetall Rh-120 from the Leopard-2 tank and the American M256 from the Abrams. This gun was produced under license by the Israeli company Slavin Land Systems Division of the Israel Military Industries concern. It was first shown at one of the arms exhibitions in 1989. Its total length is 5560 mm, installation weight is 3300 kg, width is 530 mm. To be placed in the tower, it needs an embrasure 540 × 500 mm.
Main tank guns
М1А2
М1А2 (USA)
Gun index
M256
Caliber, mm
120
Barrel type
smoothbore
Barrel pipe length, mm (caliber)
5300 (44)
Mass of gun, kg
3065
Rollback length, mm
305
Bore blowing type
ejection
Barrel vitality, rds. BTS
700
Leopard
“Leopard 2A5(6)” (Germany)
Gun index
Kh44
Caliber, mm
120
Barrel type
smoothbore
Barrel pipe length, mm (caliber)
5300 (44)
Mass of gun, kg
3130
Rollback length, mm
340
Bore blowing type
ejection
Barrel vitality, rds. BTS
700
T-90
T-90 (Russia)
Gun index
2A46M
Caliber, mm
125
Barrel type
smoothbore
Barrel pipe length, mm (caliber)
6000 (48)
Mass of gun, kg
2450
Rollback length, mm
340
Bore blowing type
ejection
Barrel vitality, rds. BTS
450
Leclerc
"Leclerc"(France)
Gun index
CN-120-26
Caliber, mm
120
Barrel type
smoothbore
Barrel pipe length, mm (caliber)
6200 (52)
Mass of gun, kg
2740
Rollback length, mm
440
Bore blowing type
ventilation
Barrel vitality, rds. BTS
400
Challenger
“Challenger 2” (United Kingdom)
Gun index
L30E4
Caliber, mm
120
Barrel type
threaded
Barrel pipe length, mm (caliber)
6250 (55)
Mass of gun, kg
2750
Rollback length, mm
370
Bore blowing type
ejection
Barrel vitality, rds. BTS
500
Thanks to a modernized small-sized recoil device with a concentric retarder and a pneumatic knurler, the gun has dimensions equal to M68, which made it possible to fit it into a limited-volume turret, like that of the Merkava Mk.Z tank. It is stabilized in two planes and has an elevation angle of +20° and a declination of -7°. The barrel, equipped with a powder gas extractor and an ejector, is covered with a heat-insulating casing from Wishy.
Shooting is carried out by armor-piercing M711 sub-caliber projectiles specially developed in Israel and multi-purpose M325 - cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation. It is also possible to use 120-mm NATO shells. The tank's ammunition load includes 48 rounds packed in containers of two or four. Of these, five originally intended for firing are located in the magazine of the automatic loader drum. The firing system is semi-automatic. By pressing the foot pedal, the loader raises the shot to the level of the breech and then manually sends it to the breech. A similar loading system was previously used on the Soviet T-55 tank.
The turret also has a coaxial 7,62 mm FN MAG machine gun of Israeli licensed production, equipped with an electric trigger. On the turrets in front of the hatches of the commander and loader there are two more of the same machine guns for firing at air targets. The weapon kit also includes a 60-mm mortar. All operations with it - loading, aiming, shooting - can be carried out directly from the fighting compartment. Ammunition, which is located in the niche of the tower - 30 minutes, including lighting, high-explosive fragmentation and smoke. Six-barrel blocks of 78,5-mm CL-3030 smoke grenade launchers were mounted on the sides of the front of the tower for setting camouflage smoke screens.
Tank "Merkava" Mk3 Baz
The Merkava Mk.Z used the LWS-3 hazard warning system, that is, the detection of electromagnetic radiation, developed in Israel by Amcoram. Three wide-angle optical laser sensors mounted on the sides of the aft part of the turret and on the gun mask provide all-round visibility, notifying the crew about the capture of the vehicle by a laser beam of anti-tank systems, advanced aircraft controllers, and an enemy radar station. The azimuth of the radiation source is displayed on the display of the commander, who must immediately take any effective measures to protect the tank.
To protect the crew from weapons of mass destruction, a filtering unit is mounted in the rear of the tower, which allows creating excess pressure inside the tank, preventing the possibility of radioactive dust or toxic substances entering. There is an air conditioner in the tank hull, especially necessary when operating in hot climates. The tank is also equipped with another Spectronix protection system - fire-fighting equipment. It uses halon gas as a fire extinguishing composition.
Modifications of the Merkava Mk.3 tank:
Merkava Mk.Z ("Merkava Simon3") - in serial production is produced instead of the tank "Merkava" Mk.2V. 120 mm MG251 smoothbore gun, 1790 hp AVDS-9-1200AR diesel engine, Matador Mk.Z control system, modular hull and turret armor, turret and hull electric drives.
Merkava Mk.3B ("Merkava Simon ZBet") - replaced Mk.Z. in mass production, modernized armor protection of the tower was installed.
Merkava Mk.ZV Baz ("Merkava Simon ZBet Ba") - equipped with the Baz FCS (Knight Mk.III, "Knight"), operating in automatic target tracking mode. The tank commander received an independent panoramic sight.
Merkava Mk.ZV Baz dor Dalet ("Merkava Simon ZBet Baz dor Dalet") - with armor of a new configuration - the 4th generation - on the tower. All-metal track rollers.
The first serial tanks "Merkava" MK.Z were produced in April 1990. However, production was soon suspended and resumed only at the beginning of next year.
In 1994, they were replaced by another model - "Merkava" Mk.ZV with improved armor protection of the tower. The shape of the loader's hatch was also changed. The air conditioner was introduced into the filter-ventilation system.
Modification with fire control system Abir Mk. III (English name Knight Mk. III) was named "Merkava" Mk.ZV Baz. Such vehicles were put into service in 1995, and began to be produced in 1996. Finally, in 1999, they launched the production of the latest tank model - the Merkava Mk.ZV Baz dor Dalet (Mk.Z “Bet Baz dor Dalet”), or abbreviated , Merkava Mk.3D. Modular armor of the so-called 4th generation was installed on the hull around the turret, which improved the protection of the turret: its sides and undercut. The modules were also laid on the roof of the tower.
Merkava Mk III BASE
The new fire control system consists of an electronic ballistic computer, firing conditions sensors, a stabilized combined night and day gunner's sight with a built-in laser rangefinder, and an automatic target tracking machine. The sight - with 12x magnification and 5x for the night channel - is located in front of the turret roof. Meteorological sensors, if necessary, can be retracted into the tank hull. The commander uses a wide-angle movable observation periscope, which provides a circular search for targets and observation of the battlefield, as well as a stabilized 4x and 14x sight with day and night optical branches of the gunner's sight. The FCS is coupled with a two-plane gun stabilizer and newly designed electric drives for its guidance and turret turn.
The previously mentioned performance characteristics table
TACTICAL AND TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TANKS MERKAVA
MERKAVA Mk.1
MERKAVA Mk.1
COMBAT WEIGHT, t:
60
CREW, pers .:
4 (landing - 10)
Overall dimensions, mm
length
7450 (cannon forward - 8630)
width
3700
height
2640
clearance
470
ARMAMENT:
105 mm M68 cannon,
coaxial 7,62 mm FN MAG machine gun,
two anti-aircraft 7,62 mm FN MAG machine guns,
60mm mortar
BOECOMPLEKT:
62 shots,
cartridges 7,62 mm - 10000, min-30
BOOKING
ENGINE
12-cylinder V-type diesel engine AVDS-1790-6A, four-stroke, air-cooled, turbocharged; power 900 hp
TRANSMISSION
semi-automatic two-flow hydromechanical Allison CD-850-6BX, planetary gearbox, two planetary final drives, differential swing mechanism
CHASSIS
six doubles
rubberized rollers on board,
four - supporting, drive wheel - front, spring suspension with hydraulic shock absorbers on the 1st and 2nd nodes
track length
4520 mm
track width
640 mm
MAXIMUM SPEED, km / h
46
CAPACITY OF FUEL TANKS, l
1250
STROKE, km:
400
OVERCOME OBSTACLES
ditch width
3,0
wall height
0,95
depth of ship
1,38
MERKAVA Mk.2
MERKAVA Mk.2
COMBAT WEIGHT, t:
63
CREW, pers .:
4
Overall dimensions, mm
length
7450
width
3700
height
2640
clearance
470
ARMAMENT:
105 mm M68 cannon,
coaxial 7,62 mm machine gun,
two anti-aircraft 7,62 mm machine guns,
60mm mortar
BOECOMPLEKT:
62 (92) shots,
cartridges 7,62 mm - 10000, min - 30
BOOKING
ENGINE
12 cylinder
diesel
engine;
мощность
900 hp
TRANSMISSION
automatic,
improved
CHASSIS
three
supporting
roller,
hydraulic
emphasis on two
front suspension nodes
track length
track width
MAXIMUM SPEED, km / h
46
CAPACITY OF FUEL TANKS, l
STROKE, km:
400
OVERCOME OBSTACLES
ditch width
3,0
wall height
0,95
depth of ship
MERKAVA Mk.3
MERKAVA Mk.3
COMBAT WEIGHT, t:
65
CREW, pers .:
4
Overall dimensions, mm
length
7970 (with gun forward - 9040)
width
3720
height
2660
clearance
ARMAMENT:
120-mm smoothbore gun MG251,
7,62 mm coaxial machine gun MAG,
two 7,62 mm MAG anti-aircraft machine guns,
60 mm mortar, two six-barreled 78,5 mm smoke grenade launchers
BOECOMPLEKT:
120 mm shots - 48,
7,62 mm rounds - 10000
BOOKING
modular, combined
ENGINE
12-cylinder diesel AVDS-1790-9AR with turbocharger,
V-shaped, air-cooled;
power 1200 hp
TRANSMISSION
Automatic
hydromechanical
ashot,
four gears forward
and three back
CHASSIS
six rollers on board, drive wheel - front, track roller diameter - 790 mm, independent suspension with double coil springs and hydraulic rotary shock absorbers
track length
track width
660 mm
MAXIMUM SPEED, km / h
60
CAPACITY OF FUEL TANKS, l
1400
STROKE, km:
500
OVERCOME OBSTACLES
ditch width
3,55
wall height
1,05
depth of ship
1,38
MERKAVA Mk.4
MERKAVA Mk.4
COMBAT WEIGHT, t:
65
CREW, pers .:
4
Overall dimensions, mm
length
7970 (with gun forward - 9040)
width
3720
height
2660 (on the roof of the tower)
clearance
530
ARMAMENT:
120 mm smoothbore gun
MG253, 7,62 mm twin
MAG machine gun,
7,62 mm MAG anti-aircraft machine gun,
60 mm breech-loading mortar,
two six-barreled 78,5 mm
smoke grenade launcher
BOECOMPLEKT:
20 mm shots - 48,
7,62 mm rounds - 10000
BOOKING
modular, combined
ENGINE
12-cylinder diesel MTU833 with turbocharger, four-stroke, V-shaped, water-cooled; power 1500 HP
TRANSMISSION
automatic hydromechanical RK325 Renk, five gears forward and four reverse
CHASSIS
six rollers on board, drive wheel - front, track roller diameter - 790 mm, independent suspension with double coil springs and hydraulic rotary shock absorbers;
track length
track width
660
MAXIMUM SPEED, km / h
65
CAPACITY OF FUEL TANKS, l
1400
STROKE, km:
500
OVERCOME OBSTACLES
ditch width
3,55
wall height
1,05
depth of ship
1,40
The previously mentioned performance characteristics table
The introduction of the automatic target tracking (ASTs) significantly increased the possibility of hitting even moving objects when firing on the move, providing high-precision shooting. With its help, automatic tracking of the target occurs after the gunner has caught it in the aiming frame. Auto tracking eliminates the influence of the battle conditions on the aiming of the gun.
The production of tanks of the MK.Z models continued until the end of 2002. It is believed that from 1990 to 2002, Israel produced 680 (according to other sources - 480) units of the MK.Z. It must be said that the cost of machines increased as they were modernized. Thus, the manufacture of the "Merkava" Mk.2 cost 1,8 million dollars, and the Mk.3 - already 2,3 million dollars in 1989 prices.
The Israeli military industry, according to the program for the further development of the armed forces, was to modernize the Merkava Mk.2 tanks. However, by 1989, the developers were already able to create, in fact, a new tank - the Merkava Mk.3. Merkava tanks first saw action in the 1982 Lebanon Campaign, which showed that they could still be hit by 125mm T-72 shells, the main opponents on the battlefield. And of course, based on the opinion of the military leadership of Israel - "Protection of the crew - above all" - again had to solve the problem of increasing the security of the tank.
Shooting is carried out by armor-piercing M711 sub-caliber projectiles specially developed in Israel and multi-purpose M325 - cumulative and high-explosive fragmentation. It is also possible to use 120-mm NATO shells. The tank's ammunition load includes 48 rounds packed in containers of two or four. Of these, five originally intended for firing are located in the magazine of the automatic loader drum. The firing system is semi-automatic. By pressing the foot pedal, the loader raises the shot to the level of the breech and then manually sends it to the breech. A similar loading system was previously used on the Soviet T-55 tank.
