Merkava Siman 3: Merkava Mk 3 in IDF Service Part 1 (Armor series)

80 Pages·2007·44.27 MB·English

MERKAVA SIMAN 3 (MK 3) BAZ
IN ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES SERVICE PART 1
Written by: Michael Mass Contents:
Editor and Graphic Designer: Rafy Levy
The Merkava Family, Names and Derivatives ............................. 3

Contributing Editor: JoAnn Sperber
The Merkava Siman 3 in Action ........................... .................... 9

The Man and the Machine ........ ..................................... ......... 22

AU photos are from the author's private collection unless
The Merkava Siman 3 in Detail .............................................. 36

otherwise indicated.
The Merkava Siman 3 in Detail-Power Pack ........................... 67

Tactical Signs-No One Alike ................................................ 69

© 2007 AU rights reserved by Desert Eagle Publishing
Modeling Merkava Siman 3 Baz ............................................... 72

Approved by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Censorship Bureau
Printed in Korea
Acknowledgements:
We would like to thank the following for their support and
cooperation:
Lt. Colonel Ron Kamiely, commander
Tel-Aviv IDF Censorship bureau D
Desert Eagle
Avi Landesman
productions
Tel-Aviv IDF Censorship bureau PUBLISHING
Our wives ... for their love and support ISBN 0-9788844-2-6
Gilad Mass for his guidance
[over Page- A formation of two Merkava Mk 3 BAZ tanks belonging to
Chan Kie Lee from Legend Pr~ductions
the SUfa Battalion, 3rd Company completes maneuvers near Shifon
Mountain in the northern Golan Heights.
We dedicate this book to all Merkava crew members of IDF
Armor Corps who lost their lives for the security of Israel.
.
"
o
NAMES AND DERIVATIVES
THE MERKAVA FAMILY
The name MERKAVA was given to the family of Israeli
designed and produced Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) , a
name that has several meanings.
Chariot-ancient horse-drawn vehicle. A name that
represents the vehicle that was in use by the army of
the kings of Jehudah.
Assembly-representing the fact that the production
and assembly took place in Israel. in Hebrew the word
"assembly", comes from the same root as chariot.
Complicated-another word related to the same root in
Hebrew as the above meanings of the word Merkava.
NAMES AND DERIVATIVES
• THE PROTOTYPES-Developers built several mockups .. One of the Merkava concept demonstrator prototypes is based on a Centurion
and prototypes during development of the Merkava tank. hUll, with the driver's position near the original engine compartment. The ongi­
Developers built at least two concept demonstrators on nal engine deck of the Shot-Kal (IDF dieselized Centurion) was reshaped for
the base of the Shot-Kal (Centurion) tank hull. better visibility by the tank driver. This vehicle is on exhibit in the Yad La'Shiryon
In the concept demonstrator, the driver's compartment Memorial site and Museum in Latrun. The original final drives and sprocket
was originally in the right front comer of the Shot-Kal wheels, found in the rear of the original Centurion hull, are now locoted in
hull. Later, the compartment moved to the back of the the hull's new "front. "
hull, which became the hull's new front. Under this con­
fig uration, the driver's compartment was on the left side transmission, used extensively in the IDF.
of the engine compartment and was opposite the original This design also featured a passageway in the back of
Shot-Kal's driving direction. For this hull, driving "for­ the hull for easy entrance and exit from the rear of the
·,'.rard" meant using the reverse gear. The Merkava's tank. The passageway also enabled easy access for loading
~eshaped engine deck enabled improved visibility for of ammunition and other equipment.
:ne driver. The 105mm main gun was based on the standard can­
--
Unlike the prototype from Latrun, based on Shot-Kal non, made by Israeli Military Industries (IMI), the com­
", ::hout other Merkava features, the prototype in Jaffa mon gun for all other IDF MBTs. The turret's low, narrow
~as some hull shaping, cutting and welding that includes silhouette is one of the Merkava Mk l's unique features.
~,e rear access door. The tank's battery compartment is The silhouette means less of the turret shows in observa­
:n the left rear of the vehicle and the nuclear-, biologi­ tion or firing positions. The turret's narrow shape,
:~l- and chemical-filtering (NBC) equipment is on the
:-:ght rear of the tank.
The IDF built and tested a few pilot prototypes for
',--mous proving ground tasks.
Merkava Mk 1 (Siman 1) -The Merkava Mk 1 entered
:'-.:0 service in the late 1970s, replacing the Shot-Kal
--=:1ks of the Seventh Armored Brigade in the Golan
:-::·ghts. At the same time, other Merkava Mk 1 tanks
~_:ered into service in the Armored Corps School
3:s a'sh) for professional crew basic training and with the
-:'}th Brigade for tank and platoon commander training.
~:-.: t1erkava Mk 1 special design consisted of a front­
; : 5:tioned 900-horsepower Teledyne Continental engine,
.: ~:,d on the original Patton (Magach) 750-horsepower .. A Merkava Mk 1 during 1982's Peace for Galilee operation
~:-_:'!e, The engine was coupled with an Alisson automatic in Lebanon.
3
IDF ARMOR SERIES NO.2 - MERKAVA SIMAN 3
especially noticeable when looking at the tank's front,
is smaller than the turret race (bearing) diameter. As a
result, designers added two bulge castings to the
turret's sides.
The Mk 1's running gear consists of three dual suspen­
sions on each side. The design includes two road wheel
ports, reminiscent of the Centurion tanks. The front and
rear suspension units feature two spring assemblies on
each unit, as well as linear shock absorbers. The sprocket
wheels are in the front of the hull, on both sides of
the power pack. The idler wheel and the tensioning
mechanisms are fitted in the rear of the running gear. .A. This side view of a Merkava Mk 2 of the Seventh Armored
Besides the 105mm main gun, the Mk 1 also had three Bngade during training near Naffakh shows an advanced
7.62mm MAG machine guns-one for the commander, a applique armor pattern, visible on the turret sides and side
second for the loader, and a coaxial gun placed to the skirts along the hull. This tank features different road wheels,
left of the main gun. A 60mm mortar is outside the some made with rubber and some without.
right side of the turret. The commander is operating
the mortar manually. Its main features included new side skirts supported
The Mk 1 tanks were in service during the Peace for by heavy-duty leaf springs, smoke grenade launchers on
Galilee operation in 1982 and participated in fighting both sides of the turret front, flexible rear baskets for
in western Lebanon and Beirut. crew equipment and an improved commander's hatch with
a large built-in periscope. Designers added a laser detec­
• Merkava Mk 1 hybrid (Siman 1 Meshupar)-After tor mast to the turret's roof and lengthened the rear hull
several years of service in the front lines as part of the service door handles.
Seventh Armored Brigade, the Merkava Mk 1 tanks fin­ The changes were made in several stages. The later
ished their regular service and went to Reserve units improvements included a new fume extractor for the
of the Armored Corps. 105mm gun and a new arrangement for using the open­
Shortly after the new Mk 2 was developed, the IDF ing wrench. Improvements are continuously added.
undertook an Mk 1 improvement program that included
installing several internal and external components. This • Merkava Mk 2 (Siman 2)-The Merkava Mk 2 was a
version became known as the Merkava Mk 1 hybrid. significant step forward, with the addition of supplemen­
tal. second-generation armor placed on both sides of the
turret and replacement of the Allison transmission with a
new automatic version. The transmission, manufactured
in Israel. helped the IDF realize substantial savings.
The Mk 2 was fitted with two smoke grenade launchers
on both sides of the turret's front. Each had six grenades.
Designers replaced the Mk 1's external 60mm mortar
with a new mortar, located on the left side of the loader
compartment and operated by the loader from inside the
turret. Installation of a new power pack, coupled with a
larger exhaust grille on the hull's right console, required
reshaping the engine deck of the Mk 2.
Developers also added a new fire control system (FCS)
and a laser detector mast on the turret roof. The Mk 2
used several types of armored side skirts, some mounted
.... --:5 '·'erko'la Mk 1 hybrid displays many of the tonk's spedal features, such as on rounded leaf springs and others on flat springs. The
:-= ;- : r;' ; r=-:; ,2 launchers, chains and balls on the turret basket, and newside side skirts absorbed shocks experienced by the pivot­
----= --= -;'
~:--J7dEls ' atch includes a mounted periscope that is visible mounted armor sections during the tank's maneuvers.
A new designed basket was installed on the rear of
... .; Merkava Mk 2 and Mk 3D park side by side near Metula during the events of summer 2006. The tanks belong to the Bnei-Or Brigade and are
i7.lipped with several adaptars. The Merkava Mk 2 on the right has only its right KMT (Nachri) adaptor, while the Merkava Mk 3D has a new front
:::aotor for various assault purposes.
-":.2 turret, and the unique suspension system included with substantial attention paid to increasing the level of
:": .e first reinforced road wheel on each side. That marked protection, both in terms of shape and type of armor.
:. significant departure from the dish-type road wheels. Unlike the exposed turret side bulges that covered
>.2
new wheels featured reinforcing ribs and weight the turret race in the Mk 1 and 2, long armor console
:- :~:'Jction holes. modules protected the sides of the Mk 3.
The power pack was another of the Mk 3's advance­
Merkava Mk 2B (Siman 2 Bet)-The Merkava ments. The tank was fitted with a more vigorous power
_ ..:~ 2 underwent many changes during its service in the pack, which consisted of a new 1,200-horsepower engine
: ~:enth Armored Brigade and Reserve armored units. designed by Teledyne Continental Motors (now part of
::2signers added heavy-duty roof armor to protect the GDLS). The tank also featured a more powerful automatic
~:':-l.k from aerial attack threats. Additionally, designers transmission. To complete the new design's power train,
:':j ed flexible baskets for crew equipment at the rear engineers kept the suspension concept of the former
:~ :he hull. Further, the commander's hatch was replaced
--::; ID improved one.
Merkava Mk 2D (Siman 2 Daled)-Severe threats in
:':.:: security zone in southern Lebanon prompted 1M1 to
~-=':2lop advanced armor for the Merkava Mk 2. The armor
c ,,·.: ::~lement was extensive and contained a new turret
~ =-":::2, including armor for the roof, hull sides and front
:-.: :'ules, as well as redesigned side skirts. The Ordnance
::~s added new belly armor. The new version of the Mk
= :'-50 was equipped with reinforced tracks, like those
~'~ld on the Magach 6B Gal Batash.
Aerkava Mk 3 (Siman 3 Ramaqh)-The Merkava
_: -: 3 was designed following multiple years of experience
-_:.:. the Mk 1 and 2. The Merkava Program Authority .&.A Merkava Mk 2D of the Seventh Armored Brigade, near the village of Shtula,
__ :'_l1ta'k) and Merkava Development Center (Rapa't) a few meters from the international border with Lebanon, during the war in
_-':-1duced three main improvements that resulted in a August 2006. The unique armor installed on the Merkava 20, with heavy-duty
:::=-.:.rkable increase in the fire power, protection and modules on the turret and hull, is clearly visible. The tank belongs to the First
=:.:-.euverability of the Mk 3, compared to Mk 1 and 2. Battalion, according to the single white stripe painted on the gun barrel, and
>-eiopers redesigned the turret and hull extensively the number inside the brigade embLem painted on the left front fender.
5
.& The Merkava Mk 3D of the Sufa Battalion parks near the village of Misgav-Am in northern Galilee after the battles of August 2006. The tank is
part of the Golan (Third) Company, but does not have a company chevron marking on the side skirt. The white stnpe painted on the upper side of
the gun barrel is evident.
Merkava models that was based on dual pivot arms, but Instead of housing the NBC filtering system and elec­
adapted the individual trailing arms support by adding trical batteries in the rear chambers, the Mk 3 had two
large coil springs and absorbing mechanisms. large fuel cells in the same location, completing the rear
Developers also installed the Mk 3's road wheels with shape on both sides of the hull rear door and "building"
different gaps between the ports for better weight distri­ the "leaving angle" of the tank. The turret's rear basket
bution. The tank used a new wider track link, thus lower­ is similar to the Mk 2.
ing the Mk 3's ground pressure. The first Mk 3 model was named Rama'k, which means
The increased firepower resulted from developing and electrical mirror head. That term refers to the type of
installing the new 120mm smooth-bore main gun. The sight used for the FCS.
meteorological sensor mast moved to the turret's left Several improvements installed on subsequent Mk 3
side from the right side of earlier Merkava models. Rama'k tanks were later retrofitted into early versions.
Among the improvements were roof armor; a round hatch
for the loader, which replaced the oval one; and a uniqUE
air-conditioning system designated "Yoni." The air-condi·
tioning system included four hoses in the tank, one for
each crewman. Each hose connected to a crewman's
overalls.
The Merkava Mk 3 entered into service within the
Barak Brigade, in parallel with the Mk 2's at the Seven
Brigade. The armored Reserve brigades also used the
Mk 3 tank .
• Merkava Mk 3 BAZ (Siman 3 BAZ)-EL-OP Co.
developed an FCS that upgraded the tank's lethal
.& A Merkava Mk 3 Ramaqh of the Bnei-Chail Brigade, Second Battalion, Second capabilities. Designers added a panoramic sight to
Company, participates in maneuvers in the Negev desert. The tank shows the the turret's roof, enabling the commander to engage
clear silhouette of the turret side. The brigade emblem appears on right rear a second target while the gunner engaged with an
fender with the number "2" for Second Battalion. The two stn'pes on the gun earlier target. Experts consider the BAZ (Falcon) FCS
barrel also indicate that the tank belongs to the Second Battalion. a state-of-the-art electro-optic tank system.
6
NAMES AND DERIVATIVES
• Merkava Mk 3D (Siman 3 Daled)-Part of the
: ~~rkava Mk 3 BAZ fleet was fitted with additional turret
:""--::lor within the production line. Developers installed
-=-.- long armor consoles along the turret's sides. The
,·..::cessful and advanced turret supplement, installed on
~::ly early Merkava Mk 3 BAZ tanks, gave the vehicle
::3
name: Merkava Mk 3 Dalet.
• Merkava Mk 4 (Siman 4)-The Merkava Mk 4 is
::-.e latest version in Merkava tank development. It is the
::=::st tank without the traditional air-cooled American­
=.
.:.de Continental Motors engine. The AVDS series of the
::::ner engines were used in all Magach (Patton), Shot­
(Centurion) and Merkava Mk 1, 2 and 3 tanks. The
:-0..')
:!::<4 uses the MTU 1,500-horsepower water-cooled
~:-.;ine, similar to one used in the Leopard 2.
-:'he Mk 4 also uses the 120mm smooth-bore gun, like
~.= Mk 3's, and the same suspension system. The most .A
-...o:bLe change is the reshaped turret and hull, necessi­ Merkava Mk 4 passes afire caused by a mortar shell near the internab"onal
-:::. :'2d by a new design of additional armor. The front of border fence during the summer 2006 conflict. The tank belongs to the Second
~.2 engine deck hull featured a flat shape, unlike the Battalion of the 401st Brigade. The new arrangement for the towing cable on the
':·':·.ged decks of other Merkavas. Designers replaced the hull's front and the attachable belly armor are evident in this photo.
:~.oke grenade launchers, each with six grenades, with
b~ :":":J·in launchers inside the additional armor. Each side
TWO BADGES OF BRIGADES

~-:3 six built-in launchers.
OPERATING MERKAVA SIMAN 3 TANKS

Another unique feature of the Mk 4 is the lack of
'.: :.:ler's hatch to allow improved protection of the roof.
i:.-S -:-:-.e commander's hatch is extensive and operated eLec­
:::::ally. The commander's MAG 7.62 machine gun is on
=- ~ound rail, enabling the commander to operate the
~''::-. in all directions.
Other Mk 4 tank innovations include a new FCS, cou­
;"u
:h ~ with electronic warfare capability. The panoramic
=~~t of the FCS is in the left center of the turret's roof, The emblem of the Merkava 3 Barak The emblem of the /~e-t;o:o Ii !, 3
:::::osite its location in the Mk 3 BAZ.
(Lightning) Brigade shows a sword on Egrof Va'romakh (Fist c a L nce)
the background of the Haifa Bay Reserve B'iqCO E
Sholef SPG (Tomat Sholef)-Manta'k asked the
(former Shot-Kal Brigade). (former A X1 3 8'-:·qcC E:) .
~:·.:am Group to develop a self-propelled gun (SPG)
:-:32d on a Merkava chassis. The company built two
PATCHES OF BATTALIONS

:~:"otypes that used the Merkava Mk 1 platform
':: evaluations. The program ended because of high OPERATING MERKAVA MK 3 TANKS

: :}:iuction costs. After this program cancellation,
=? acquired more American-made Ml09A2 SPGs for
~.~ Artillery Corps.
Namer Infantry (APe version)-Manta'k developed
:':-.t ther Merkava-based vehicle for the Land Forces
::. mand. Designers converted a Merkava 1 chassis into A patch of Sufa (Storm) , the A patch of "Golan, the one'n' only"
=- :teavy-duty armored personnel carrier (APC) called First Battalion of the tank hunter team, of the
_.:....-ner, which stands for Merkava APC (NAg mash­ Barak Brigade. Barak Brigade.
7
IDF ARMOR SERIES NO.2 - MERKAVA SIMAN 3
... A prototype of the general purpose Namer in the 7000 Central Ordnance Depot shows the main features of a the Merkava-based APe, including a
crane used by the company's technical team. The IDF also uses the vehicle for general purposes, such as medical evacuation and close support. This
Name!, based on a Merkava Mk 3 chassis, uses road wheels with different gaps.
MERkava). The "NameI" also means "tiger" in Hebrew.
This version was used by infantry in the same fighting
echelon as the Merkava tanks and had the same maneu­
vering capabilities of the Merkava. Based on its experi­
ence during the 2006 conflict with HezboUah in southern
Lebanon, the IDF has decided to build a large fleet of
Merkava-based Namer APCs for regular mechanized
infantry brigades.
• Narner Fitter GP (Shin-Kaf/Chatap)-In order to
give Merkava's technical teams a well-protected APC
with maneuver capabilities similar to the tank's, ... This prototype of the heavily armored Namer APC was part ,
Manta'k officials decided to build two more versions an exhibit at a low intensity conflict convention in 2005. It is
of a Merkava-based heavy-duty APC. Merkava Mk i-based APC with heavy-duty advanced armor moCr
The first was a heavily protected substitute for the ules. The armor gives the crew the best possible protection. Th,
widely used Ml13 Chata'p (company technical team) APC can be equipped with various types of armament.
..~..: ,)
-.,
used in every armored company unit. The GP Chata'p
f!. '
APCs give close support that technicians need to perform was equipped with a high-capacity lifting crane and large
light repairs in the field. The APC also can carry a recovery winch. The Namer Achzaka (maintenance) has
medic and is caned GP APC. roles in second and third echelon recovery and mainte­
The APC is equipped with a medium-size crane and has nance, similar to the M88Ai ARV already in use within
a roomy compartment. The Namer has two 7.62 MAG the IDF.
machine guns mounted on a traversing rail around two
openings in the vehicle's roof.
... ... • Narner ARV (Achzaka)-The armored recovery vehicle
. ..,.: '
':; (ARV), the second Namer prototype presented by Manta'k,
"
8
THE MERKAVA 51MAN 3 IN ACTION

'. .
~.
~---~ -.. ':;. .
...
. ' ;"~. '.­ .! ­
-,~-
.A ! I erkava 3 Ramaqh during training maneuvers in the Golan Heights. The tank belongs to the First Battalion (SuJa) oj the Barak Brigade, First
_~: -~ony (Aleph), Second Platoon commander. The tank commander is low in the turret, ready to operate the MAG 7.62 machine gun. The tip oj the
:-_- :;arrel, which is not covered by the thermal sleeve, is painted matt black. The tank is equipped with two heavy-duty towing cables, secured on the
~-=-: ,'Je oj the hull. That arrangement is not typical oj all Mk 3 variants.
l
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-:od­ ", ., . ~ .
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... --Jther Merkava 3 Rama'k in a sharp maneuver presenting its "chains and balls" tilting in different directions. The tank belongs to the SuJa
: ,--:-~.:on, Third Company (Gimel), First Platoon. The varying gaps between the road wheels' positions are evident. The insignia on this tank is visible
_ ~-:: turret basket's sides and on the second section oj the side skirts.
9
'.. '. •.• ,., >::_.') ".'-"-""/" r
• / -....I;..~~ 'f..
, • _.j:"I " _=t.LJO':-'. ~. , :'­. ... ...
... A Merkava 3 creates dust and black smoke dun'ng training in northern Israel. The tank's commander and loader observe action to the left of the
tank, where other tanks are moving fast. The Barak's marking of a five-pointed star is painted on the n'ght front fender, while the 3 Bet (third tank
in Third Platoon) is painted on the left fender. Many hull front details are visible, such as the front pintles, attachments for the mine roller system
(Nochn) and the main gun's travel lock. The turret's smoke grenade launchers are empty.
I