M-51 "Isherman"
Notes:
The Israelis began using Sherman tanks pretty much since day one of their
country in 1948, and the last tank versions were used in combat as late as
1973’s Yom Kippur War. They have
also formed the basis of more types of vehicles than any other is Israeli
service, from armored ambulances to ground-to-ground missile launchers.
One of these versions was the M-51, a heavily-modified version produced
(at first) with French assistance; the M-51 was the version of the Sherman
primarily used during the 1973 War.
Most were modified in the late 1960s, with some 180 eventually being modified.
The M-51 grew
out of a desire by the Israelis to keep their Shermans in service a bit longer;
they also realized that the Sherman was pretty much outclassed by the tank
designs of the early and mid-1960s (especially the T-54 and T-55, which were
becoming common among Israel’s enemies).
The predecessor of the M-51, the M-50, used a high-velocity CN-75-50 75mm
gun which could wreck earlier tank designs, but had a lot of difficulty against
the frontal armor of the T-54 and T-55.
The Israelis wanted to mount the French CN-105 F1 105mm gun in the M-50’s
turret, but the Sherman could not mount a large enough turret to take up the
recoil space of any 105mm tank gun design at the time.
The Israelis took delivery of the guns, but then modified them greatly by
shortening the gun’s length to 44 calibers, which greatly reduced the required
recoil space by accepting a drastic reduction in the gun’s muzzle velocity.
In addition, the gun’s muzzle was tipped with a large, multi-baffle
muzzle brake, and a counterweight was fitted in the mantlet to balance the
weight of the long gun barrel. The
turret was extremely cramped, but the gun fit into a modified version of the
M-50’s turret. The modified gun was
called by the Israelis the CN-105 D1; the ammunition was a modified form of that
fired by the AMX-30’s main gun.
Of course, the
Israelis did not stop there with their modifications.
The hull of the M-51 was based on the M-4A1 Sherman, but the suspension
was replaced with E8 HVSS-type suspension.
The engine was replaced with a Cummins 460-horsepower diesel engine, with
an automatic transmission and a steering yoke; the tracks were also widened for
better traction in sand. The bustle
of the turret was enlarged to allow for some ammunition storage.
The large and bulky battery charger of the Sherman was replaced with a
compact dynamo-type charger. The
gun’s hydraulic controls were replaced with controls based on those of the
AMX-13 light tank, which were quicker to respond and less maintenance-intensive.
Over the main armament, a white-light/IR searchlight was fitted, and two
smoke grenade launchers were mounted on each side of the turret.
The glacis, hull sides, and turret sides have been fitted with appliqué
armor. The M-51 does not have a
radio operator’s position or a hull machinegun; these have been replaced with
racks for main gun ammunition.
When the
Chileans bought most of Israel’s surplus M-50 and M-51 tanks, about 50-65 of
them were modified with a new Israeli autocannon: the 60mm HVMS (Hyper-Velocity
Medium Support). These were
designated the M-60 (but sometimes called the M-51/60mm or M-51 [HVMS]).
The guns were sold to the Chileans separate from the tanks, with Chilean
engineers fitting them to the tanks with Israeli assistance in Chile.
These were used for a little over a decade as heavy support vehicles for
infantry and as ad hoc AAA vehicles.
Matching fire control systems were fitted, and this, combined with the
high velocity and flat trajectory of the 60mm HVMS, gave the Chileans a
surprisingly accurate and effective support tank despite the fire control
systems’ relative simplicity. In
addition, mobility is increased, as the suspension is beefed up and the engine
and transmission are replaced with ones adapted from those of the Cadillac Gage
Stingray light tank; the engine develops 535 horsepower.
The use of an autocannon made a loader crewman unnecessary.
Though the war with Peru that the Chileans were preparing for never
materialized, it was believed by the Chileans that the 60mm HVMS autocannon
would have been able to kill Peruvian T-55s even from the front.
The Chileans continued to employ their M-60s (and M-50s and M-51s) until
the mid-1990s; after that, most of them ended up as gunnery targets.
The 60mm HVMS autocannons, however, were removed and mounted in
license-built 6x6 Piranhas manufactured in Chile.
It should be
noted that the Israelis never called the M-51 the Isherman; this was an
appellation hung on it by the Western press (Isherman = I-Sherman = Improved
Sherman).
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
M-51 |
$330,347 |
D, A |
300 kg |
39 tons |
4 |
22 |
WL/IR Searchlight |
Enclosed |
M-60 |
$275,907 |
D, A |
300 kg |
26 tons |
3 |
18 |
Passive IR (G), WL/IR Searchlight |
Enclosed |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
M-51 |
106/74 |
24/18 |
700 |
196 |
Trtd |
T5 |
TF38 TS15
TR13 HF48
HS10 HR8 |
M-60 |
135/94 |
31/23 |
700 |
268 |
Trtd |
T5 |
TF38 TS15
TR13 HF48
HS10 HR8 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
M-51 |
+1 |
Basic |
105mm CN-105 D1 Gun, MAG, M-2HB (C) |
55x105mm, 4250x7.62mm, 600x.50 |
M-60 |
+3 |
Fair |
60mm HVMS Autocannon, MAG, M-2HB (C) |
140x60mm, 4250x7.62mm, 600x.50 |
Magach Series
Notes: The
Israelis have been using the Magach (the Israeli name for the M-48 and M-60
Pattons) since the early 1960s. The
Israelis had attempted to buy M-48s from the US since 1955, but they had been
repeatedly rebuffed. In the early
1960s, they signed a deal with West Germany to purchase 150 M-48A2s, but due to
political pressure (primarily from Arabic nations) the deal was nullified after
only 40 were delivered. The US then
decided to sell the Israelis the remaining 110 M-48A2s as well as another 100
M-48s. During the Six-Day War of
1967, they managed to capture intact another 100 M-48s and M-48A1s from Jordan.
The Israelis later themselves undertook the modification of these into
M-48A3 standards, and later M-48A5 standards (though their M-48A5s are a bit
different than standard M-48A5s).
Israel began
receiving M-60A1 tanks from the US in 1971.
After massive tank losses during the 1973 war, the US rushed large
amounts of M-48A3, M-48A5, and M-60A1 to Israel – much of the latter being taken
from stocks that were actually intended for US Army units.
In the late 1970s, more M-48A5s arrived, and in the early 1980s, some 300
M-60A3s.
Magach 3/5
But the Israelis
have always had a penchant for modifying their weapons to better suit their
purposes. The Israeli M-48s were
modified to M-48A5 standard – with a few extra features.
The Israeli M-48A5s (though in some sources, these Israeli-modified
M-48A5s are referred to as M-48A4s) have a low-profile Israeli-designed Urdan
cupola, and normally use MAG machineguns instead of M-60s and M-219s.
The Urdan cupola reduces somewhat the already-high silhouette of the
M-48; in addition, the commander can lock the hatch closed, all the way open, or
in an intermediate position that forms a sort of roof over the commander’s
hatchway opening; the commander can therefore look out of the hatch, and around
the vehicle to a great extent and yet still have a good chance of not getting
his head shot off by small arms fire.
Israeli M-48A5s have lugs for reactive armor on their turret front,
turret side, and hull front, and appliqué armor has been added to the glacis,
turret front, and turret sides, with side skirts also being added.
Though sometimes referred to in the West as the “Magach 1,” the Israelis
simply call this version of the M-48A5 “Magach.”
In the same way, the M-60A1 and M-60A3 have been called the “Magach 2”
and Magach 3,” though the correct designations in the IDF are the Magach 3 for
M-48s, M-48A1s, M-48A2s, and M-48A3s brought up to this Israeli M-48A5 standard,
and Magach 5 for Israeli M-48A5s brought to that standard.
The Israeli
M-48-based Magach fleet is largely out of service except for some training
purposes (mostly as gunnery targets, and useless for combat purposes).
Many were also sold to other countries.
Magach 6
The Israelis
refer to the more-or-less stock M-60s, M-60A1s, and M-60A3s in the IDF as Magach
6s. They do, however, have their
cupolas replaced with Urdan cupolas, and have lugs for ERA.
Coaxial and commander’s machineguns are replaced by MAG machineguns. For
game purposes, they are otherwise identical to their US counterparts.
The Magach 6B
has been modified with a RISE automotive train, simplifying maintenance and
repair of the engine and transmission.
The tracks have also been replaced with the same tracks as the Merkava Mk
1, simplifying supply issues. In
some Magach 6Bs, the fifth roadwheel on each side has been replaced with a steel
roadwheel (standard M-60 roadwheels are aluminum), as the Israelis found that
the No. 5 roadwheel is the most prone to failure.
The main gun has been a thermal sleeve to reduce barrel droop.
They also have lugs for ERA and the Urdan cupola.
These tanks are also otherwise identical to their US counterparts.
The Magach 6B went into service in the early-1980s.
The Magach 6B
Gal is identical to the Magach 6B, but with a new fire control system (the Gal
Fire Control System) and a roomier bustle rack.
The Magach 6B Gal is otherwise identical to the standard M-60A3 for game
purposes. The Magach 6B Gal Batash
is the Magach 6B with new lugs for mounting 4th Generation ERA.
The glacis, lower front hull, turret front, and turret sides have
appliqué armor, and armored side skirts have been added.
The Magach 6B Gal appeared in the early-1990s, with the Magach 6B Gal
Batash appearing in the mid-1990s.
Magach 7
Concurrent with
the Magach 6B, the Israelis developed the Magach 7.
The Magach 7 (the first iteration being the Magach 7A) took a different
approach to upgrading the M-60A1 and A3.
The most obvious external difference is the
thick, spaced armor added to the hull front and sides and turret front and
sides. Lugs for ERA are also
present on the Magach 7. Other
modifications include the fire control system, being Israeli-built; when
necessary (as on M-60A1-based Magach 7s), modifications to fire control were
extensive, including main stabilization.
The Magach 7 also has a minimal hunter-killer capability, with the
commander having an image intensifier separate from the gunner’s sights, as well
as his own sights for the main gun.
The standard Urdan cupola has also been fitted.
The main gun has been given a thermal sleeve, and the original
machineguns on the M-60A1 and A3 have been replaced with MAG machineguns.
The ammunition racks have been modified to allow them to store long-rod
APFSDS rounds. The Magach 7 uses
the same engine as the Merkava 1, the AVDS-1790-5A developing 908 horsepower,
with a matching transmission. The
Magach 7 began service in the mid-1980s.
The Magach 7C has redesigned appliqué armor, primarily for maintenance
purposes, and for game purposes, is identical to the Magach 7A.
The Magach 7D Kochav is equipped with "saucer"-shaped armor for the
turret and better armor for the hull, resulting in superior protection and
better armor sloping for less shot traps.
Sabra
Notes:
The Sabra is in many ways similar to the Magach 7, as it uses similar
appliqué spaced armor with a better ballistic shape, leading to a turret with a
wedge-shaped front and slightly-sloped sides, as well as a larger bustle rack.
The armor of glacis and lower front hull is likewise improved, and side
skirts are added – essentially, the armor is improved virtually all over.
New fire control and night vision equipment have been heavily upgraded
(in a similar system to the Magach 7), and the engine is also the AVDS-1790-5A,
with the same transmission and driver controls.
Israel herself does not use the Sabra, but it is offered for export
(primarily as an upgrade kit for existing M-60 tanks), and Turkey has taken
advantage of this in a big way.
Perhaps the
greatest difference between the Sabra and the Magach 7 is the main gun – it is
the same 120mm IMI gun as used on the Merkava Mk 3.
The Sabra likewise uses the same turret-mounted 60mm mortar as the
Merkava series (though. Like the Merkava Mk 1, it must be externally-loaded).
The Israelis offer an interesting option for the Sabra if a customer
wishes it – the coaxial MAG machinegun may be replaced with a Minimi 5.56mm SAW.
The commander’s and loader’s machineguns can also be replaced by Minimis
if desired, and the commander’s cupola is an Urdan cupola. The Sabra also has
lugs for ERA on the glacis, turret front, turret sides, and hull sides.
The Sabra Mk 2
is a Sabra that itself has been modernized.
Chief among these modifications is the armor package; it offers somewhat
more protection, and is modular so that damage can be repaired more easily and
more modern armor packages can be fitted when available.
On each side of the turret are six smoke grenade launchers.
The night vision suite has been upgraded, and LCD panel screens give the
commander and gunner a wide variety of information to make their operations more
efficient. The Mk 2 has laser and
IR detection systems to inform the crew when they are being laser designated or
targeted by IR sources. Ammunition
in the turret bustle (10 rounds) are protected by blow-off panels similar to
those of the M-1 Abrams series, and the rest of the ammunition is stored in an
armored bin behind a blast door.
Twilight 2000
Notes: Some 40 surviving Magach 3s and 5s were put into service in the Twilight
War by the Israelis, and gave a surprisingly good accounting of themselves.
The Magach 6 models were common in IDF service in the Twilight War. At
least 150 Magach 7s were available for the Twilight War.
Few Sabras were picked up for Israeli service, but some 200 were sold to Turkey
to help replace their aging M-48 and M-60 tanks.
The few Sabras used by Israel during the Twilight War were diverted from
those shipments to replace Israeli tank losses.
The Sabra Mk 2 does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
Magach 3/5 |
$383,880 |
D, A |
500 kg |
51.2 tons |
4 |
22 |
Passive IR (G,C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Enclosed |
Magach 6B Gal Batash |
$770,780 |
D, A |
600 kg |
53.5 tons |
4 |
23 |
Passive IR (D, C), Thermal Imaging (G), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Magach 7A |
$796,018 |
D, A |
600 kg |
54 tons |
4 |
26 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C, G), Thermal Imaging (G) |
Shielded |
Magach 7D Kochav |
$798,167 |
D, A |
600 kg |
54.6 tons |
4 |
27 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C, G), Thermal Imaging (G) |
Shielded |
Sabra |
$745,040 |
D, A |
600 kg |
56 tons |
4 |
26 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C, G), Thermal Imaging (G) |
Shielded |
Sabra Mk 2 |
$831,735 |
D, A |
600 kg |
57.2 tons |
4 |
27 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (C, G), Thermal Imaging (C, G) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor* |
Magach 3/5 |
107/75 |
25/15 |
1457 |
392 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF54 TS22
TR13 HF68
HS18 HR9 |
Magach 6 Gal Batash |
93/63 |
20/11 |
1457 |
391 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF54 TS23
TR14 HF66
HS19 HR10 |
Magach 7A |
102/71 |
24/14 |
1420 |
383 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF58Sp TS25Sp
TR14 HF73Sp
HS21Sp HR10 |
Magach 7D Kochav |
101/71 |
24/14 |
1420 |
387 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF61Sp TS26Sp
TR14 HF76Sp
HS22Sp HR10 |
Sabra |
99/70 |
24/14 |
1420 |
397 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF74Sp TS31Sp
TR14 HF92Sp
HS24Sp HR12Sp |
Sabra Mk 2 |
97/69 |
23/13 |
1420 |
406 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF78Sp TS32Sp
TR14 HF97Sp
HS25Sp HR12 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
Magach 3/5 |
+3 |
Fair |
105mm M-68 Gun, MAG, MAG (C), MAG (L) |
54x105mm, 10000x7.62mm |
Magach 6 Gal Batash |
+3 |
Good |
105mm M-68 Gun, MAG, MAG (C), MAG (L) |
63x105mm, 10000x7.62mm |
Magach 7A/7D Kochav |
+4 |
Good |
105mm M-68 Gun, MAG, MAG (C), MAG (L) |
63x105mm, 10000x7.62mm |
Sabra (Both) |
+4 |
Good |
120mm IMI Gun, MAG, MAG (C), MAG (L), 60mm C-06 Mortar |
42x120mm, 8000x7.62mm, 24x60mm |
*Belly armor for the Sabra and Sabra Mk 2 is AV 8.
Merkava Series
Notes: The
Merkava was developed after repeated arms embargoes by various countries,
hard-won combat experience, and the fact that by the time of the Merkava’s
development, the Israelis had the capability and know-how to undertake such a
project. The Merkava thus would be
a tank tailor-made to the IDF and their needs, and would also insulate them from
any refusal by other countries to supply them with arms.
Merkava Mk 1
This is the first iteration of the Israeli Merkava series, first introduced in
1982. The layout of the Merkava is
unconventional, with the turret and crew compartments to the rear of the vehicle
and the engine up front, to the right of the driver’s position.
This was done to improve crew survival in the case of an
armor-penetrating hit on front quarter.
The Merkava has one of the lowest profiles of any modern main battle
tank. The various crew equipment
storage and modules are positioned around the walls of the hull and turret;
this, along with a Kevlar anti-spall liner, further increase crew survival
probabilities. The ammunition of
the Merkava Mk 1 is primarily stored in the rear of the hull in heat-resistant
containers; six rounds of ready-use ammunition are stored in the turret bustle.
Flammable materials have extra protection and are not stored in crew
compartments.
The Merkava Mk 1
has a hatch on the center deck forward of the turret for the driver, and hatches
in the turret for the commander and loader; the commander uses a modification of
the Urdan cupola designed for the Merkava.
Both the commander and loader have machineguns on pintle mounts.
The Merkava Mk 1 also has an interesting wrinkle: a clamshell hatch on
the rear for crew escape or access under fire.
This hatch can also be used for the rescue of personnel, and for every 12
rounds of ammunition that is removed, the Merkava Mk 1 can seat a passenger (up
to six). Armor consists of
all-around spaced armor, including armored track skirts; at the rear of the
turret is a sizeable bustle rack for crew equipment or other items.
Because of the Merkava Mk 1’s layout, it is capable of carrying a
formidable amount of main gun ammunition.
Another unusual feature of the Merkava Mk 1 is the inclusion of a 60mm
mortar in the turret; though it is primarily intended for the laying of smoke
screen, it can fire any sort of ammunition a C-06 mortar can fire.
The mortar is loaded from the open commander’s or loader’s hatches.
The Merkava Mk 1 has an NBC overpressure system, and air conditioning is
provided for the crew. The crew
also has the benefit of a water cooler, which is pumped into the turret by a
pipe. The crew also has access to a
hand-held 1kW spotlight, connected to the tank by a cable.
The engine is an improved version of the Magach’s (M-60) engine
developing 900 horsepower, and the transmission is semi-automatic and also
developed from the Magach’s transmission.
Deliveries of the Merkava Mk 1 began in 1979.
Merkava Mk 2
The Merkava Mk 1
was a success, but there was room for improvement, as the Lebanon War of 1982
revealed. The suspension of the Mk
1 was a problem, as it limited the off-road performance of the tank.
(Unfortunately, the increased weight largely negates these gains.)
An improvement in the transmission led to improved fuel mileage.
The fire control system also had room for improvement, particularly in
the areas of upgraded ballistic computers and stabilization, and an updated
laser rangefinder was also fitted.
The externally-loaded 60mm mortar exposed the crew to considerable danger when
the tank was under fire. Armor
protection was dramatically increased with the use of composite armor over the
frontal arc. An M-2HB machinegun
was mounted on the turret on a pintle mount near the main gun, for additional
firepower against soft-skinned vehicles and personnel; this can be aimed and
fired from inside the Merkava Mk 2.
Some other improvements for the Mk 2 include greater local production of
components, especially electronics.
The first Merkava Mk 2s began service in 1983.
The Merkava Mk
2B is essentially the Merkava Mk 2A (the tank described in the previous
paragraph), but further improves the ballistic computers and adds thermal
imagers to the gunner’s and commander’s positions.
The Merkava Mk 2C is as the Merkava Mk 2B, but with additional protection
for the turret roof. The Merkava Mk
2D further increases armor protection with improved composite armor and appliqué
armor for the turret and hull.
Merkava Mk 3
First issued to
units in 1989, the Mk 3 outwardly resembles the earlier Merkavas, but most of
the subsystems and assemblies are new and of Israeli design.
On the exterior, the most marked difference is the replacement of the
105mm gun with a 120mm gun designed by IMI, but essentially similar to the 120mm
Rheinmetall gun. The turret was
lengthened by 230mm to accommodate this gun and a new modular armor array which
allows the armor panels to be repaired or replaced in the field, or upgraded in
the future. The hull is also longer by 457mm, which allows for the carriage of
the larger 120mm ammunition and also larger fuel tanks. In addition to the
mortar, five smoke grenade launchers are found on each side of the hull.
Turret controls and traverse are all-electric, and gun elevation and
stabilization is also all-electric.
Night vision, the laser rangefinder, and the ballistic computer are upgraded.
Up to eight passengers can be carried in the rear, but 6 rounds must be
removed per passenger. Ten rounds
are carried in the turret bustle.
The Mk 3
incorporates a threat warning system, which detects targeting lasers and allows
the commander to plot enemy and friendly forces.
Friendly forces are automatically kept track of, but Mk 3s can also
communicate directly with each other’s systems to help keep track of enemy units
and information like logistics, supply points, and objectives.
This information is displayed on a small panel in the commander’s cupola.
Armor is generally improved in protection.
The suspension is improved, allowing for greater roadwheel travel and
thus improving off-road performance.
Engine power has been given a great boost, with the Mk 3 being powered by
an Israeli-built General Dynamics AVDS-1790-9AR diesel.
The Merkava Mk 3
Baz further increases armor protection, both with improved armor packages and by
changing the shape of the turret to a more elliptical shape that is more
effective against incoming rounds.
The gunner has a small panel that helps him keep track of targets as well as the
condition of the main gun and the amount of ammunition available.
Another panel is available that displays target information and a
magnified picture of the target; this picture is stabilized and also shows a
crosshairs for aiming. The Mk 3 Baz
has been in service since 1990.
Some Mk 3 Bazs
have been equipped with an active defense system which launches shotgun-like
projectiles against incoming rounds.
This system is similar to the Russian Shtora-1 system, and detonates any
sort of HE-type projectile before it can impact the tank.
Other types of projectiles have their effectiveness degraded by
one-fourth. It deploys
automatically when the sensor suite detects an incoming round; this sensor suite
is constantly active unless deliberately turned off by the commander.
The countermeasure system carries 12 rounds on each side of the main gun.
These tanks have been designated below Merkava Mk 3 Baz (AD) for this
purpose, though it is not an official
designation.
Merkava Mk 4
The Merkava Mk 4
also externally resembles the Merkava Mk 3 and earlier models (but is slightly
larger), but has a host of improvements.
Chief among these is the main gun; though still the same IMI L/44 120mm
gun, the gun and breech have been redesigned to withstand higher pressures; this
allows the Merkava Mk 4s main gun to fire both the most modern ammunition using
higher pressures as well as some new ammunition the Israelis are rumored to be
working on. It is also able, along
with a new fire control system, to fire new gun-based ATGMs such as the Lahat.
Again, the fire control system, night vision and day vision sights, gun
stabilization, and turret drive are all upgraded to modern standards, some of
which exceed any other Western tank.
The armor is still modular, but is a bit more advanced in construction as
well as shaping. First fielding
began in 2004.
Another major
increase is the use of the Elbit Systems Battle Management System – similar to
systems used on the latest generation of US and NATO tanks.
It essentially makes the Merkava Mk 4 a part of a wireless computer
network, which allows quick sharing and plotting of friendly and enemy positions
and vehicles, and keep this information continuously updated.
This system also makes use of IFF, particularly in friendly vehicles.
The system uses a central computer loaded with proprietary software
inside the Mk 4 that can also keep track of the tank’s own condition at all
times, and tie together fire control information from the Mk 4 as well as other
units. Each crewmember has at least
one (if not more) color LCD display, giving them pertinent information as
required; information from external visual sensors can also be displayed for
when the Mk 4 is buttoned up. The
driver can even see, day or night, information from the front
and sides and rear (though side and
rear vision is limited) of the tank, and this information can be fed to other
crewmembers (in fact, any required information can be fed to any of the
crewmember monitors). A side-effect
of this computerization is that virtual training can be done inside of the
crews’ tanks, including gunnery practice and drivers’ training.
The engine has
again been given a boost in power, having been replaced by a license-built
version of the General Dynamics/MTU GD-833 1500-horsepower supercharged diesel
(a variant of this engine is used by the French Leclerc and the latest versions
of the German Leopard 2). The Mk 4
also has a modified version of the Mk 3’s transmission to cope with the new
engine, and the suspension has also been beefed up to handle the greater
mobility.
Like the Mk 3,
the Mk 4 has a laser and radar warning system, and while sources vary, most seem
to indicate that an active defense system like that of the Mk 3 Baz (AD) is
standard on the Mk 4. (The Merkava Mk 4 as presented here assumes the use of an
active defense system.) The mortar
is retained, as are the five smoke grenade launchers on each side of the turret.
Armor is likewise improved, particularly in the frontal arc, turret deck,
hull deck, and hull floor. The Mk 4
also adds a 5kW APU to keep electrical systems running while the engine is off.
In addition to general air conditioning of the fighting compartment, the
Mk 4 can provide cooling to a special undergarment that can be worn by
crewmembers, reducing the amount of power required to keep crewmembers cool.
Like the Mk 3, the Mk 4 can carry passengers, but 6 rounds of main gun
ammunition must be removed to make room for each passenger, up to a maximum of 8
passengers.
The main gun is
fed by a ten-round autoloader in the turret bustle – essentially, only limited
interaction is required from the loader to fire those ten rounds, and when
firing those ten rounds in the autoloader, fire rate is doubled.
The ammunition in the autoloader is protected by blow-off panels similar
to those of the M-1 Abrams series of tanks.
Twilight 2000
Notes: The Merkava Mk 4 does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.
A limited number of Merkava Mk 1s and Mk 2s were exported to Turkey
(perhaps 20 of each).
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
Merkava Mk 1 |
$720,068 |
D, A |
800 kg |
60 tons |
4 |
25 |
Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C) |
Shielded |
Merkava Mk 2A |
$827,528 |
D, A |
800 kg |
63 tons |
4 |
26 |
Passive IR (D, G, C), Image Intensification (G, C) |
Shielded |
Merkava Mk 2B |
$952,440 |
D, A |
800 kg |
63 tons |
4 |
26 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Merkava Mk 2C |
$952,551 |
D, A |
800 kg |
63.4 tons |
4 |
26 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Merkava Mk 2D |
$972,494 |
D, A |
800 kg |
63.9 tons |
4 |
28 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Merkava Mk 3 |
$1,061,465 |
D, A |
700 kg |
65 tons |
4 |
27 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Merkava Mk 3 Baz |
$1,127,155 |
D, A |
700 kg |
65.3 tons |
4 |
30 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Merkava Mk 3 Baz (AD) |
$1,200,731 |
D, A |
700 kg |
65.5 tons |
4 |
32 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), Thermal Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Merkava Mk 4 |
$1,744,998 |
D, A |
700 kg |
65 tons |
4 |
30 |
Passive IR (D), Image Intensification (G, C), 2nd Gen Thermal
Imaging (G, C) |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor* |
Merkava Mk 1 |
97/68 |
22/16 |
1250 |
398 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF116Sp TS31Sp
TR18Sp HF146Sp
HS22Sp HR11Sp |
Merkava Mk 2A/2B/2C |
94/66 |
21/16 |
1250 |
397 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF146Cp TS32Sp
TR18Sp HF182Cp
HS27Sp HR15Sp |
Merkava Mk 2D |
93/65 |
21/16 |
1250 |
400 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF160Cp TS36Sp
TR20Sp HF200Cp
HS30Sp HR17Sp |
Merkava Mk 3 |
111/78 |
25/19 |
1400 |
521 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF176Cp TS40Sp
TR23Sp HF220Cp
HS33Sp HR19Sp |
Merkava Mk 3 Baz/ 3 Baz (AD) |
110/78 |
25/19 |
1400 |
524 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF181Cp TS45Sp
TR23Sp HF225Cp
HS33Sp HR19Sp |
Merkava Mk 4 |
125/88 |
28/22 |
1400 |
553 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF182Cp TS46Sp
TR23Sp HF230Cp
HS33Sp HR19Sp |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
Merkava Mk 1 |
+3 |
Good |
105mm M-68 gun, MAG, MAG (C), MAG (L), 60mm C-06 Mortar |
82x105mm, 10000x7.62mm, 30x60mm |
Merkava Mk 2 (All) |
+4 |
Good |
105mm M-68 gun, MAG, MAG (C), MAG (L), M-2HB, 60mm C-06 Mortar |
82x105mm, 10000x7.62mm, 1000x.50, 30x60mm |
Merkava Mk 3 (All) |
+4 |
Good |
120mm IMI Gun, MAG, MAG (C), MAG (L), M-2HB, 60mm C-06 Mortar |
58x120mm, 10000x7.62mm, 1000x.50, 30x60mm |
Merkava Mk 4** |
+5 |
Good |
120mm IMI HP Gun, MAG, MAG (C), MAG (L), M-2HB, 60mm C-06 Mortar |
63x120mm, 10000x7.62mm, 1000x.50, 30x60mm |
*Turret roof AV for the Merkava Mk 2C, 2D and Mk 3 is 10.
Turret roof armor for the Merkava 4 is AV 12, and the hull floor has AV
10.
Sho’t
Notes:
In the early 1960s, the Israelis were still having considerable problems
obtaining new armored vehicles, particularly main battle tanks, from other
countries. Meanwhile, their enemies
were obtaining more and in some cases, better tanks from the Soviet Union and
Warsaw Pact countries. This
situation began to get critical when several of the surrounding Arab countries
began to receive shipments of T-62 tanks from the Soviet Union.
At this point,
the British offered an interim solution.
The British badly needed funds to complete the development of the
Chieftain. They offered to sell the Israelis hundreds of Centurion tanks, which,
while obsolete at that time, were better than most of the tanks the Israelis had
at the time. The British also
promised to later sell them Chieftains when their development was completed, as
well as allow the Chieftains to be license-produced in Israel.
Of course, this
was too good to be true. The
Israelis got the Centurions, as well as two Chieftain prototypes, but the
British backed down under pressure from the Arab countries as well as the UN.
By 1969, the deal had fallen through.
The Centurions
delivered were Mk 3s and Mk 5s. The
Israelis got to work on them immediately, and the Centurions were heavily
upgraded, so much that they essentially became the best Centurions in the world,
and could match the T-62 tanks of their neighbors.
The main guns were replaced with 105mm M-68 guns.
US-built radios were installed, and the ranging machinegun was replaced
with more modern fire control equipment.
The commander’s machinegun was generally a MAG, but some were armed with
M-2HBs. Armor was given a bit of a
boost as well. An improved
ammunition layout allows more to be carried.
The Sho’t does not have an NBC overpressure system, but does have a
collective NBC system into which the crewmembers plug their protective masks. An
improved fire extinguishing system, better electrical system and brakes, and an
increased fuel capacity complete the modifications.
These improved Centurions were designated the Sho’t, and often called in
the Western press the “Super Centurion.”
By the 1967 War, the Israelis had some 290 Sho’ts, and during that war,
they captured 30 Centurions intact from Jordan which were also upgraded.
The Sho’ts were
later given the further improvement of an AVDS-1790 engine, the same as on the
M-48 and M-60 tanks. They were also
given matching transmissions. These
were designated the Sho’t Kal. The
Sho’t Kal can be distinguished from the Centurion by its raised rear deck, to
accommodate the bigger engine. Some
1000 were available for the 1973 War.
Another later improved version, the Sho’t Kal Mk D (also called by the
Israelis the Brak-Or), added thermal sleeves to the main gun and lugs for ERA on
the glacis, turret front, turret sides, and hull sides, as well as six smoke
grenade launchers on each side of the turret.
By the 1980s, the
Sho’ts were moved to reserve units, and by the late 1980s, were no longer in use
for the most part. Some, however,
were again heavily modified, this time into heavily-armored APCs and AEVs, or
ARVs. Many of these modified Sho’ts
are still in use, though in a far different role into which they were designed
for.
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
Sho’t |
$405,999 |
G, A |
450 kg |
53.5 tons |
4 |
24 |
Passive IR (G, C) |
Enclosed |
Sho’t Kal/Sho’t Kal Mk D |
$406,100 |
D, A |
450 kg |
53.3 tons |
4 |
24 |
Passive IR (G, C) |
Enclosed |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
Sho’t |
94/66 |
21/16 |
1190 |
359 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF54Sp TS20Sp
TR16 HF67Sp
HS14Sp HR10 |
Sho’t Kal/Sho’t Kal Mk D |
104/73 |
23/18 |
1190 |
392 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF54Sp TS20Sp
TR16 HF67Sp
HS14Sp HR10 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
Sho’t (All) |
+3 |
Fair |
105mm L7 gun, MAG, M-2HB, MAG (C) |
71x105mm, 7500x7.62 (If M-2HB is used, 3500x7.62mm and 900x.50) |
Tiran 4-6
Notes: The
chronic shortage of armor in the IDF in the 1960s led to the Israelis to utilize
as many captured enemy armored vehicles as possible.
Much of the Soviet-supplied tanks captured by the IDF were T-54 and T-55
tanks, as her enemies used them in droves.
These vehicles, depending upon the modifications, are known as Tiran 4s
or Tiran 5s (though in the West, both were called the Ti-67).
They were typically used in reserve armor formations until the early
1980s, when they were sold off to various countries or converted to heavy APCs.
Of course, the
Israelis did not simply use the captured vehicles “as-is.”
The Tiran 4s received a minimum of modifications, having the fire control
replaced with a much better Israeli-made system using a laser rangefinder and
ballistic computer as well as better stabilization.
The Tiran 4 retains the 100mm gun, but has the coaxial machinegun
replaced with an M-1919A4 and the DShK at the commander’s position replaced with
an M-2HB. Radios are replaced with
standard IDF radios. Lugs for ERA
are also fitted on the turret front, turret sides, hull front, and hull sides.
The night vision has also been somewhat upgraded, and four smoke grenade
launchers are found on each side of the turret.
The Tiran 5
takes the Tiran 4 idea even further; the Tiran 5 has not only the Tiran 4
modifications, but much more. The
min gun of the Tiran 5 has been replaced by the same 105mm gun as found on the
Magach and the Sho’t. The
commander’s cupola has been modified to provide more protection, as has been the
driver’s hatch, and the loader’s hatch has been given vision blocks.
The rear of the turret has a bustle added, allowing for more ammunition
to be stored and gives space for ready ammunition.
The loader’s hatch has a pintle mount for a machinegun, and the turret
also has a 60mm mortar installed (but must be loaded by someone standing in the
commander’s or loader’s hatches).
On each side of the turret are stowage boxes and space for five standard IDF
jerry cans. At the rear of the hull
is a box for a decent-sized medical kit as well as a telephone for infantry to
communicate with the crew. The fuel
tanks have been replaced with flexible bag-type tanks, and in general the
transmission, electrical system, and some other automotive components have been
updated. The Tiran 4 and 5 sowed
considerable confusion in rear-area raids during the 1973 war.
The Israelis did
capture some T-62s during the 1973 war, but quite few in relation to the huge
number of T-54s and T-55s they had captured intact.
Therefore, the Israeli variant of the T-62, the Tiran 6, was made in
rather small numbers; most sources say that less than 100 such conversions were
made, and that none of them were ever actually used in combat.
Except for the T-62 base, the Tiran 6 essentially had the same
modifications as the Tiran 6.
Twilight 2000
Notes: Most of these vehicles have been retained for home defense in the
Twilight 2000 timeline
Merc 2000 Notes:
The upgrade kits that generated these vehicles have been a big moneymaker for
Israel in the Merc 2000 timeline
Vehicle |
Price |
Fuel Type |
Load |
Veh Wt |
Crew |
Mnt |
Night Vision |
Radiological |
Tiran 4 |
$444,304 |
D, A |
400 kg |
36.5 tons |
4 |
16 |
Passive IR (D, G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Enclosed |
Tiran 5 |
$497,698 |
D, A |
400 kg |
36.4 tons |
4 |
16 |
Passive IR (D, G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Enclosed |
Tiran 6 |
$513,440 |
D, A |
500 kg |
41 tons |
4 |
22 |
Passive IR (D, G, C), WL/IR Searchlight |
Shielded |
Vehicle |
Tr Mov |
Com Mov |
Fuel Cap |
Fuel Cons |
Config |
Susp |
Armor |
Tiran 4/5 |
112/78 |
25/19 |
815+380 |
349 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF51 TS17
TR16 HF64
HS12 HR8 |
Tiran 6 |
103/72 |
23/17 |
800+400 |
392 |
Trtd |
T6 |
TF61 TS25
TR19 HF76
HS18 HR12 |
Vehicle |
Fire Control |
Stabilization |
Armament |
Ammunition |
Tiran 4 |
+2 |
Fair |
100mm D-10T Gun, M-1919A4, M-2HB (C) |
35x100mm, 3000x.30, 500x.50 |
Tiran 5 |
+3 |
Fair |
105mm M-68 Gun, M-1919A4, M-1919A4 (L), M-2HB (C), 60mm C-06 Mortar |
34x105mm, 5000x.30, 750x.50, 15x60mm |
Tiran 6 |
+3 |
Fair |
105mm M-68 Gun, M-1919A4, M-1919A4 (L), M-2HB (C), 60mm C-06 Mortar |
40x105mm, 3000x.30, 500x.50, 15x60mm |