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Mighty_Zuk

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  1. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Serge in Israeli AFVs   
    Eitan's first prototype still rocking it, this time seemingly testing its run-flat system and a new driver aid system, which I assume is an ultrasonic device for distance measurement.
     

     
     
  2. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Belesarius in Israeli AFVs   
    The Kaliya program, which birthed the Eitan in 2014 before separating from it, is supposed to create a whole family of vehicles, but they don't necessarily have to be the vehicle you see in this video. It may definitely include an MBT as well.
    The Carmel is a feasibility test, and anywhere between early 2020 and late 2027, the IDF should bunch up all the technologies they want for this program, and decide how to design the next family, or families, of vehicles. 
    A tank to replace the Merkava 4 Barack will eventually be made. Whether it's going to be some form of evolution of the existing concept of Merkava tanks or a design that is radically different, is not yet known. Only that it will exist, and that it will incorporate Kaliya technologies.
     
    What you're seeing in this video is basically just a Wiesel-tier vehicle with all the latest and greatest situational awareness gadgets. This is a vehicle type for which the IDF does not have a doctrine, and likely does not plan to develop one for.
  3. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from grabie in Israeli AFVs   
    Graduation video:
     
     

     

     
    Part of a recent propaganda series to educate people on the role of the armored corps due to its decline in recent years. This time they show a live operational firing on 3 targets in a Hamas outpost. 
    You can see them exiting the tank after firing and celebrating with the bunch, but that's just editing for the sake of smooth transitioning.
     
    https://he-il.facebook.com/2055812101320752/videos/2085466998355262/
     
     
  4. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from grabie in Israeli AFVs   
    My post from here: https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5197154648992459577#editor/target=post;postID=3802146867857306860;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname
     
    On 11/02/2019 Jane's posted a video from IAV (International Armored Vehicles), showing an interview given by Shmulik Olanski, Head of Innovation Programs Center, Land and Naval division.
     
    In the interview, Olanski talks a lot about Rafael's evolving future armored vehicle suite intended to provide mission support to the two crewmembers, also known in Israel as the Carmel.
    In the Carmel project, three teams, or three companies, were pitted against each other in a $100m competition between Rafael, IAI, and Elbit, to design a cockpit for the next generation AFV of the IDF.
     
     
     
    One of the key aspects of the cockpit are the ability of the crew to observe their surroundings almost seamlessly and thus prevent casualties from small arms fire when crewmembers stick their heads out of the vehicle.
     
    I remind that the concepts are as following:
     
    Elbit - IronVision helmet mounted system.
    Rafael - Panoramic wide screen setup.
    IAI - Combination of wide screens and a helmet.
     
    IAI has still not presented its concept in a visual way, nor has publicly revealed any details about it, other than it being a combination of Elbit's and Rafael's concepts.
     
    Elbit's concept was also revealed a while ago:
     
     
     
    Elbit has also presented a prototype at roughly when Rafael only began working on their solution, but that won't seem to be an issue, except for one thing:
    Elbit's solution has already been picked for the Merkava 4 Barack MBT, Eitan IFV, and presumably also the Namer AFV.
     
    This may create some bias within the IDF for Elbit's system for the Carmel, however the Carmel is supposed to be a clean sheet design, and the competition is only supposed to examine various concepts, not the end product's performance.
     
    It is also in my belief that Elbit's control of the BMS market will not affect the competition.
     
    The purpose of this post is to provide a brief summary of the pros and cons of each of the presented solutions.
     
    Rafael
    Pros
    Crewmen can point to the other crewman on the screen, and be sure they are observing the same thing. Especially useful in ambush scenarios, or in recon duties when the BMS is not yet fed with the target data or cannot pick up the target. Easy data input via touching the screens. More intuitive for a larger crew - a 3rd human crewman may be added for special missions. More rugged. Can possibly display other critical mission data when external cameras are offline. May be used to interface with other systems in the tank during the mission, when cameras are online. Stimulates team-work. Cons
    Coverage is limited to the location of the screens, requires movement of the independent panoramic sights to observe high elevation targets, which may take up some of the visual space for the other crewman. Either analog and thus inferior movement of the independent sights or complex eye tracking technology. Elbit
    Pros
    More intuitive for the single crewman, seeing everything right in front of his eyes. Easier to operate the independent (TC or gunner's) sights. Possibly less complex technology to move the independent sights (inertial navigation vs eye tracking). May interface with different sights without interfering with the work of the other crewman. Higher coverage. Cons
    Harder to communicate with the other crewmen over shared objectives. Stimulates solo operation. Less rugged. If external cameras go offline, the vehicle's backup interface and systems may be more difficult to operate. Difficult data input, may require separate computer or only allow commander to do so via less intuitive methods.  
    Those were just the pros and cons I could think of in the total span of maybe 5 minutes. 
     
    Carmel
    Now onto examining the video itself:

     
    Here we can see one of the points I was talking about earlier. The man on the left points for the guy on the right, allowing easy interaction between the two crewmembers who can easily be distracted by vast amounts of incoming data.
    Touching the screen also allows the crewmembers to easily lay new data for each other and on the BMS. For example selecting a target and classifying it as hostile/non-hostile.
     

     
    The Carmel in this video, seems to be more clearly defined as a tankette, rather than an IFV, which on the concept level seems to replace the MBT altogether, or rather add a brand new vehicle which is yet unknown how it will fit in existing formations.
    It could be an organic addition to infantry or recon battalions, but no doctrine has been developed for such a vehicle. Even in the Russian army where they have at least once considered purchasing BMPT vehicles as tank escorts, there is no solid doctrine proposal.
     

     
    Same old Trophy system with no changes may indicate that no serious work has yet been done to integrate Iron Fist's launchers onto the Trophy system, even though the IDF required it for the Barack MBT.
    Or it could just be a matter of editing choice, choosing to focus on the situational awareness technologies rather than unrelated APS development.
     

     
    Another image here shows that Rafael chose to use 2 independent cameras, one for each crew member, which may be a result of the requirement to allow every crewmember to assume the role of the other in case the other is incapable of fulfilling his mission (injury/death). 
    But what's more interesting is that Rafael proposed using 2 RCWS as well. 
     
    The merits of such a proposal are disputable, but if two separate sights are already required, then adding an RCWS is considered an inexpensive upgrade, and could make engagement of targets more comfortable for the crew, knowing each one can control an MG at any given time for self defense in tight areas. 
  5. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk reacted to LoooSeR in GLORIOUS T-14 ARMATA PICTURES.   
  6. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Serge in Land 400 Phase 3: Australian IFV   
    New issue of DTR is out:
    http://defencetechnologyreview.realviewdigital.com/?iguid=de7f04cc-f697-4547-8ddf-1281221a1de9
     
  7. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Belesarius in General artillery, SPGs, MLRS and long range ATGMs thread.   
    Spike NLOS 5th gen, or Spike NLOS 2. 
    At 0:45 that's quite an interesting target...
    And right after that they're showing a steep dive in anti-APS mode.
  8. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Molota_477 in General artillery, SPGs, MLRS and long range ATGMs thread.   
    More ATMOS 2000 howitzers for Thailand, as well as Spear mortars.
     

     
     
  9. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from SH_MM in Vehicles of the PLA: Now with refreshing new topic title!   
    It really do be like that though. Buy my Merkavas pl0x. 
  10. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk reacted to 2805662 in United States Military Vehicle General: Guns, G*vins, and Gas Turbines   
    DOT&E report for 2018 published. 
     
    Abrams: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2018/pdf/army/2018m1a2sep.pdf
     
    APS: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2018/pdf/army/2018aps.pdf
     
    AMPV: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2018/pdf/army/2018ampv.pdf
     
    Bradley: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2018/pdf/army/2018bradley.pdf
     
    JAB: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2018/pdf/army/2018jab.pdf
     
    M109A7: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2018/pdf/army/2018m109pim.pdf
     
    Stryker - Dragoon: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2018/pdf/army/2018strykericvd.pdf
     
    RWS-J: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2018/pdf/army/2018strykercrowsj.pdf
     
    ACV: http://www.dote.osd.mil/pub/reports/FY2018/pdf/navy/2018acv.pdf
  11. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Karamazov in Israeli AFVs   
    Yes you're right, the Pereh was based on M48 hulls, not M60.
    But for quite a long time the IDF has been looking to convert old vehicles to APCs. Even the Merkava 2 was repurposed, and perhaps the main reason why no more Achzarit HAPCs were made was because there were no more usable tanks to make them from.
    The M60 APC conversion, judging by the image quality, came somewhere between two points in time in which the need for converted tanks was quite substantial.
     
    Another aspect to consider is the US aid to Israel. Today the aid is used very efficiently. Not one dollar is spent on unnecessary stuff. When it's not used to purchase the most high end aircraft, it's used to produce outsourced parts for indigenous projects like Merkava tanks, Namer APCs, Eitan AFVs, even the new howitzer, as well as the very expensive air defenses like Iron Dome or David's Sling.
     
    But in the 90's that was far from the case. Huge chunks of the aid money were used on equipment and weapons that the IDF really had no need for. They just took them so the money won't be completely wasted. A lot of stuff went directly from the port into scrap yards.
     
    Surplus M60 hulls could be purchased in the hundreds in just a couple years.
     
    The only explanation I see here is some untold engineering obstacle that is not related to the engine and suspension.
     
    No name. As was said, it was only once mentioned by the deceased Yehiam Harpaz, when he talked in a book about his experiences with torsion bar suspension.
     
     
    The Magach tanks were officially retired in 2014, and the Pereh was retired in 2017.
  12. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Laviduce in Israeli AFVs   
    Magachon, based on M60 chassis.
     
    Reportedly, it was decided not to put it into service because the Centurion and T-55 were seen as much more suitable for such a conversion. 
    Exactly what made the M60 unsuitable, I'm not sure. I am guessing it might be because of the size of the powerpack.

  13. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Karamazov in Israeli AFVs   
    Magachon, based on M60 chassis.
     
    Reportedly, it was decided not to put it into service because the Centurion and T-55 were seen as much more suitable for such a conversion. 
    Exactly what made the M60 unsuitable, I'm not sure. I am guessing it might be because of the size of the powerpack.

  14. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Scolopax in Israeli AFVs   
    Magachon, based on M60 chassis.
     
    Reportedly, it was decided not to put it into service because the Centurion and T-55 were seen as much more suitable for such a conversion. 
    Exactly what made the M60 unsuitable, I'm not sure. I am guessing it might be because of the size of the powerpack.

  15. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk reacted to MRose in Israeli AFVs   
    Finally, some real news on Carmel!
    https://www.janes.com/article/85886/rafael-unveils-suite-for-future-armoured-vehicles
  16. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from VPZ in Britons are in trouble   
    2 questions:
    1)What exact components are outdated? If the outer shell holding the armor is changed, and the armor being possibly changed, the internal construction to alter the ammo stowage also being changed, and finally the FCS also changed, I don't see what exactly is left that could be considered outdated.
     
    2)Even if the layout is almost identical (except for TOGS), does it necessarily mean the turret is the same?
    I don't see why the externally visible components have to be relocated. 
  17. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk reacted to David Moyes in Britons are in trouble   
  18. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk reacted to David Moyes in Britons are in trouble   
    The sights appear to be the same as Ajax from Thales UK.
     
     
     
  19. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk reacted to Alzoc in General artillery, SPGs, MLRS and long range ATGMs thread.   
    No you can only fit one per plane.
    Be it in a C-130H (with some preparation):
     

     
    Or in an A400M without preparation this time (and it theory it can also lift the uparmored 8x8 version):
     

     
    Not enough space to squeeze two of those in existing medium lift plane, in a C-17 maybe.
    On the other hand, maybe the Brutus is light enough to be lifted by helicopter?
  20. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Lord_James in Israeli AFVs   
    The latest issue of the armor magazine in Israel, reveals that the 401st Armored Brigade is the first to accept the Barak into service, and the assimilation process has begun several months ago. 
    An assimilation process includes first a study of the tank's systems and development of a doctrine prior to the production phase that will begin in 2020, and the final induction phase of operational capability starting in 2021 and ending in 2023 for that brigade. 
    This confirms that the 188th brigade will retain its Merkava 3 tanks that will be upgraded with Trophy systems, and the first Trophy-equipped Merkava 4M tanks will start being delivered to the reserve forces. This is the current status of the armored corps:
     
    By 2021 the reserve forces will have only 1 brigade of Merkava 2 tanks. By 2023 it should be entirely phased out, with the exception of converted vehicles such as the Ofek.
    The state of the armored corps will be:
    5 brigades of purely Merkava 4 tanks, of which 2 are Merkava 4A/B, and 3 are Merkava 4M. 6 brigades of Merkava 3 tanks, of which 3 are Merkava 3D, one is Merkava 3M, and 2 are Merkava 3A. An instructional brigade will remain with a mixed force of Merkava 3D and 4M, in a ratio of 1/2 respectively. In the year 2026 the Merkava 4 in all variants will become the most dominant tank in the IDF ground forces.
     
     
  21. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Laviduce in Israeli AFVs   
    The latest issue of the armor magazine in Israel, reveals that the 401st Armored Brigade is the first to accept the Barak into service, and the assimilation process has begun several months ago. 
    An assimilation process includes first a study of the tank's systems and development of a doctrine prior to the production phase that will begin in 2020, and the final induction phase of operational capability starting in 2021 and ending in 2023 for that brigade. 
    This confirms that the 188th brigade will retain its Merkava 3 tanks that will be upgraded with Trophy systems, and the first Trophy-equipped Merkava 4M tanks will start being delivered to the reserve forces. This is the current status of the armored corps:
     
    By 2021 the reserve forces will have only 1 brigade of Merkava 2 tanks. By 2023 it should be entirely phased out, with the exception of converted vehicles such as the Ofek.
    The state of the armored corps will be:
    5 brigades of purely Merkava 4 tanks, of which 2 are Merkava 4A/B, and 3 are Merkava 4M. 6 brigades of Merkava 3 tanks, of which 3 are Merkava 3D, one is Merkava 3M, and 2 are Merkava 3A. An instructional brigade will remain with a mixed force of Merkava 3D and 4M, in a ratio of 1/2 respectively. In the year 2026 the Merkava 4 in all variants will become the most dominant tank in the IDF ground forces.
     
     
  22. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from VPZ in Israeli AFVs   
    The latest issue of the armor magazine in Israel, reveals that the 401st Armored Brigade is the first to accept the Barak into service, and the assimilation process has begun several months ago. 
    An assimilation process includes first a study of the tank's systems and development of a doctrine prior to the production phase that will begin in 2020, and the final induction phase of operational capability starting in 2021 and ending in 2023 for that brigade. 
    This confirms that the 188th brigade will retain its Merkava 3 tanks that will be upgraded with Trophy systems, and the first Trophy-equipped Merkava 4M tanks will start being delivered to the reserve forces. This is the current status of the armored corps:
     
    By 2021 the reserve forces will have only 1 brigade of Merkava 2 tanks. By 2023 it should be entirely phased out, with the exception of converted vehicles such as the Ofek.
    The state of the armored corps will be:
    5 brigades of purely Merkava 4 tanks, of which 2 are Merkava 4A/B, and 3 are Merkava 4M. 6 brigades of Merkava 3 tanks, of which 3 are Merkava 3D, one is Merkava 3M, and 2 are Merkava 3A. An instructional brigade will remain with a mixed force of Merkava 3D and 4M, in a ratio of 1/2 respectively. In the year 2026 the Merkava 4 in all variants will become the most dominant tank in the IDF ground forces.
     
     
  23. Funny
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from alanch90 in Israeli AFVs   
    Can anyone identify the white symbol on the Namer? 
  24. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Belesarius in Israeli AFVs   
  25. Tank You
    Mighty_Zuk got a reaction from Scolopax in Anti-air thread: Everything that goes up must come down, and we'll help you go down   
    Ukraine was a significant exporter of weapons to Iran, along with Belarus. I am guessing Ukraine had sold Iran radar technology that is used in the Kolchuga, and so it could emulate an Iranian air defense site, if the IAF were to prepare for the toughest potential air defense that Iran could field.
     
    Alternatively, it may be similar to the radars supplied to Syria by Russia for the S-300PMU2 systems.
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