Difference between revisions of "Merkava Mk.4B"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> | <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' --> | ||
− | The | + | Following the Merkava Mk.3 design and its improvements, the Merkava entered its fourth generation iteration by upgrading most aspects of the tank, particularly in the crew's ability to observe and react to changing scenarios outside the tank. The Merkava Mk.4 began development in the late 1990s, and featured component upgrades: a new fire-control system and hunter-killer system for the commander and gunner, the loader had access to a new 10-round revolving magazine, modular composite armour was added on all sides, and a more powerful engine was installed. However, the biggest change was the upgrade to the electronic systems within the tank. Computerization allowed each crew station to have screens for information management and observation. The commander had access to a battle management system that allowed communication of information across different units. This new Merkava Mk.4B entered service in 2004 and slowly became the primary main battle tank of the Israel Defense Forces, gradually replacing the older Mk.2 and Mk.3 in service. |
+ | |||
+ | Introduced in [[Update "Wind of Change"]], the Merkava Mk.4B is one of the most recent subvariants of the Merkava main battle tank. With up to 800-1,200 mm of protection on the turret front with its non-explosive reactive armour (NERA), it can effectively resist even hits from ATGMs. Overall, the Merkava Mk.4B is well protected against HEAT warheads. However, despite engine improvements, the Merkava Mk.4B becomes progressively heavier, reducing its mobility in comparison to main battle tanks from other nations. | ||
== General info == | == General info == | ||
Line 17: | Line 19: | ||
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}} | {{Specs-Tank-Armour}} | ||
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' --> | <!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' --> | ||
− | + | The Merkava is not a small tank by any metric, being very wide and tall. This makes you a big target for enemies. | |
− | '''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations --> | + | The Merkava is strongly protected against HEAT with up to 800-1,200 mm of protection on the turret front, and the UFP having enough protection with its NERA and engine and transmission blocks to stop a Kornet in its tracks. |
+ | |||
+ | However, KE protection may be somewhat lacking with average KE protection on the turret front averaging about 450-550mm of KE protection on the turret front and about 350-450mm of protection on the UFP (engine and transmission protection included) which for top tier is not quite adequate. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Merkava also features a unique armour layout being the only tank aside from the Strv 122B PLSS to fit NERA not only on front and side of the turret, but also the front and side of the hull too. it is also the only tank to fit NERA on its roof which historically was to defend from roof fired RPGs. | ||
+ | |||
+ | All in all, the Merkava's armour is somewhat lacking in some areas but can more then compensate in others. | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Armour type:''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Rolled homogeneous armour<!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations --> | ||
<!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof) | <!-- Example: * Rolled homogeneous armour (Front, Side, Rear, Hull roof) | ||
* Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) --> | * Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area) --> | ||
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Hull || | + | | Hull || 50 mm (74°) ''Upper plate'' <br> 50 mm (39-58°) ''Lower glacis'' || 50 mm ''Top'' <br> 50 mm ''Bottom'' || 30 mm (1-45°) || 30 mm |
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Turret || 40-230 mm (9-62°) ''Turret front'' <br> 197 mm (1°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 38 mm (17°) || 20 mm (1°) || 25-45 mm | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | |} | ||
+ | |||
+ | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | + | ! Composite armour !! Frontal effective protection !! Sides | |
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | | Hull || '''Upper glacis:'''<br> 300-450 mm ''Kinetic'' / 1,050-1,300 mm ''Chemical'' (engine block included) <br> '''Lower glacis:'''<br> 180-330 mm ''Kinetic'' / 250-400 mm ''Chemical'' (engine block included) || '''Side:'''<br> 50-228 mm ''Kinetic'' / 320-475 mm ''Chemical'' |
|- | |- | ||
+ | |Turret || '''Turret cheeks:'''<br> 380-620 mm ''Kinetic'' / 920-1,100 mm ''Chemical'' <br> '''Turret sides'''<br> 240-410 mm ''Kinetic'' / 600-1,120 mm ''Chemical'' | ||
+ | | | ||
|} | |} | ||
− | + | '''Notes:''' | |
− | '''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of --> | + | <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of --> |
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. --> | <!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. --> | ||
Line 42: | Line 62: | ||
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' --> | <!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' --> | ||
− | {{tankMobility|abMinHp=2,325|rbMinHp=1,327}} | + | {{tankMobility|abMinHp=2,325|rbMinHp=1,327}}The mobility of the Merkava is about average for an MBT, easily keeping pass with other MBT's thanks to its improved engine over the Merkava Mk.3. |
+ | |||
+ | The Merkava may feel quite snappy at low speeds due to its high torque and good gear ratios, it also has neutral steering which makes urban combat much easier. | ||
=== Modifications and economy === | === Modifications and economy === | ||
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|- | |- | ||
! ''Arcade'' | ! ''Arcade'' | ||
− | | rowspan="2" | 46 || rowspan="2" | -7°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 32.4 || 44.8 || 54.4 || 60.2 || 64.0 || rowspan="2" | | + | | rowspan="2" | 46 || rowspan="2" | -7°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 32.4 || 44.8 || 54.4 || 60.2 || 64.0 || rowspan="2" | 7.80 || rowspan="2" | 6.90 || rowspan="2" | 6.36 || rowspan="2" | 6.00 |
|- | |- | ||
! ''Realistic'' | ! ''Realistic'' | ||
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Coaxial || 1,000 (200) || | + | | Coaxial || 1,000 (200) || 575 || - || - |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Pintle || 1,800 (200) || | + | | Pintle || 1,800 (200) || 960 || -5°/+50° || -60°/+120° |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Coaxial || 6,000 (200) || | + | | Coaxial || 6,000 (200) || 960 || - || - |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
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== Usage in battles == | == Usage in battles == | ||
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> | <!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' --> | ||
− | + | The Merkava Merkava performs amazingly at range and can still hold its own in a brawl. It plays somewhat similarly to previous Merkavas requiring a more laid back approach in order to well. | |
+ | |||
+ | The Merkava can perform somewhat well in urban combat thanks to its great reaction speed and decent mobility forwards and backwards. However, keep in mind other tanks such as the T-72B3 and T-80BVM will easily outclass you in a brawl so pick your targets wisely. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Merkava has arguably some of the best optics for an MBT in-game due to the commanders sight being very high up and with great zoom at 14x max, and great thermals. this will allow you to play as a sniper on long range maps, being able to acquire and pick off targets with ease as you can play ridges and hills to your advantage. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Also make sure to keep close attention to your Laser Warning System (LWS) and the direction it is alerting you to. As this will alert you of drones, helicopters and tanks, therefore giving you time to throw smoke and take cover from an ATGM or find the direction of a tank lasing you so you can return fire. A good way to tell if its a either a tank or a helicopter/drone locking you is that helicopter and drone locks will always continuously lock you whereas a tank may only give a short 1-2 seconds alert. | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> | <!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' --> | ||
− | |||
'''Pros:''' | '''Pros:''' | ||
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* Excellent mobility, even in reverse | * Excellent mobility, even in reverse | ||
* Great and competitive ammo selection | * Great and competitive ammo selection | ||
+ | * LWS gives great protection against tanks, helicopters, and drones alike | ||
'''Cons:''' | '''Cons:''' | ||
* Very vulnerable to most attacks due to a noticeable lack of composite armour or ERA | * Very vulnerable to most attacks due to a noticeable lack of composite armour or ERA | ||
− | * | + | * Quite big and can be a more appealing target then other tanks |
== History == | == History == | ||
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;Skins | ;Skins | ||
+ | |||
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=il_merkava_mk_4b Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=il_merkava_mk_4b Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.] | ||
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;Related development | ;Related development | ||
+ | |||
* [[Merkava (Family)]] | * [[Merkava (Family)]] | ||
** [[Merkava Mk.4M]] | ** [[Merkava Mk.4M]] |
Latest revision as of 14:28, 3 November 2024
This page is about the Israeli medium tank Merkava Mk.4B. For other versions, see Merkava (Family). |
Contents
Description
Following the Merkava Mk.3 design and its improvements, the Merkava entered its fourth generation iteration by upgrading most aspects of the tank, particularly in the crew's ability to observe and react to changing scenarios outside the tank. The Merkava Mk.4 began development in the late 1990s, and featured component upgrades: a new fire-control system and hunter-killer system for the commander and gunner, the loader had access to a new 10-round revolving magazine, modular composite armour was added on all sides, and a more powerful engine was installed. However, the biggest change was the upgrade to the electronic systems within the tank. Computerization allowed each crew station to have screens for information management and observation. The commander had access to a battle management system that allowed communication of information across different units. This new Merkava Mk.4B entered service in 2004 and slowly became the primary main battle tank of the Israel Defense Forces, gradually replacing the older Mk.2 and Mk.3 in service.
Introduced in Update "Wind of Change", the Merkava Mk.4B is one of the most recent subvariants of the Merkava main battle tank. With up to 800-1,200 mm of protection on the turret front with its non-explosive reactive armour (NERA), it can effectively resist even hits from ATGMs. Overall, the Merkava Mk.4B is well protected against HEAT warheads. However, despite engine improvements, the Merkava Mk.4B becomes progressively heavier, reducing its mobility in comparison to main battle tanks from other nations.
General info
Survivability and armour
The Merkava is not a small tank by any metric, being very wide and tall. This makes you a big target for enemies.
The Merkava is strongly protected against HEAT with up to 800-1,200 mm of protection on the turret front, and the UFP having enough protection with its NERA and engine and transmission blocks to stop a Kornet in its tracks.
However, KE protection may be somewhat lacking with average KE protection on the turret front averaging about 450-550mm of KE protection on the turret front and about 350-450mm of protection on the UFP (engine and transmission protection included) which for top tier is not quite adequate.
The Merkava also features a unique armour layout being the only tank aside from the Strv 122B PLSS to fit NERA not only on front and side of the turret, but also the front and side of the hull too. it is also the only tank to fit NERA on its roof which historically was to defend from roof fired RPGs.
All in all, the Merkava's armour is somewhat lacking in some areas but can more then compensate in others.
Armour type:
- Rolled homogeneous armour
Armour | Front (Slope angle) | Sides | Rear | Roof |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hull | 50 mm (74°) Upper plate 50 mm (39-58°) Lower glacis |
50 mm Top 50 mm Bottom |
30 mm (1-45°) | 30 mm |
Turret | 40-230 mm (9-62°) Turret front 197 mm (1°) Gun mantlet |
38 mm (17°) | 20 mm (1°) | 25-45 mm |
Composite armour | Frontal effective protection | Sides |
---|---|---|
Hull | Upper glacis: 300-450 mm Kinetic / 1,050-1,300 mm Chemical (engine block included) Lower glacis: 180-330 mm Kinetic / 250-400 mm Chemical (engine block included) |
Side: 50-228 mm Kinetic / 320-475 mm Chemical |
Turret | Turret cheeks: 380-620 mm Kinetic / 920-1,100 mm Chemical Turret sides 240-410 mm Kinetic / 600-1,120 mm Chemical |
Notes:
Mobility
Game Mode | Max Speed (km/h) | Weight (tons) | Engine power (horsepower) | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Forward | Reverse | Stock | Upgraded | Stock | Upgraded | ||
Arcade | 72 | 72 | 65 | 2,325 | 2,862 | 35.77 | 44.03 |
Realistic | 65 | 65 | 1,327 | 1,500 | 20.42 | 23.08 |
The Merkava may feel quite snappy at low speeds due to its high torque and good gear ratios, it also has neutral steering which makes urban combat much easier.
Modifications and economy
Armaments
Main armament
120 mm IMI MG251 | Turret rotation speed (°/s) | Reloading rate (seconds) | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mode | Capacity | Vertical | Horizontal | Stabilizer | Stock | Upgraded | Full | Expert | Aced | Stock | Full | Expert | Aced |
Arcade | 46 | -7°/+20° | ±180° | Two-plane | 32.4 | 44.8 | 54.4 | 60.2 | 64.0 | 7.80 | 6.90 | 6.36 | 6.00 |
Realistic | 20.2 | 23.8 | 28.9 | 32.0 | 34.0 |
Ammunition
Penetration statistics | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm) | |||||
10 m | 100 m | 500 m | 1,000 m | 1,500 m | 2,000 m | ||
M325 | HEATFS | 480 | 480 | 480 | 480 | 480 | 480 |
M339 | HE-TF | 65 | 65 | 60 | 58 | 53 | 50 |
M322 | APFSDS | 589 | 586 | 577 | 565 | 553 | 541 |
M338 | APFSDS | 611 | 608 | 597 | 585 | 573 | 560 |
Shell details | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ammunition | Type of warhead |
Velocity (m/s) |
Projectile mass (kg) |
Fuse delay (m) |
Fuse sensitivity (mm) |
Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg) |
Ricochet | |||||
0% | 50% | 100% | ||||||||||
M325 | HEATFS | 1,078 | 15.81 | 0.05 | 0.1 | 2.36 | 65° | 72° | 77° | |||
M339 | HE-TF | 900 | 17 | 1.5 | 3 | 3.66 | 79° | 80° | 81° | |||
M322 | APFSDS | 1,705 | 5.6 | - | - | - | 78° | 80° | 81° | |||
M338 | APFSDS | 1,680 | 5.06 | - | - | - | 78° | 80° | 81° |
Ammo racks
Full ammo |
1st rack empty |
2nd rack empty |
3rd rack empty |
4th rack empty |
Visual discrepancy |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
46 | 30 (+16) | 13 (+33) | 11 (+35) | 1 (+45) | No |
Machine guns
12.7 mm M2HB | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
Coaxial | 1,000 (200) | 575 | - | - |
7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
Pintle | 1,800 (200) | 960 | -5°/+50° | -60°/+120° |
Coaxial | 6,000 (200) | 960 | - | - |
Usage in battles
The Merkava Merkava performs amazingly at range and can still hold its own in a brawl. It plays somewhat similarly to previous Merkavas requiring a more laid back approach in order to well.
The Merkava can perform somewhat well in urban combat thanks to its great reaction speed and decent mobility forwards and backwards. However, keep in mind other tanks such as the T-72B3 and T-80BVM will easily outclass you in a brawl so pick your targets wisely.
The Merkava has arguably some of the best optics for an MBT in-game due to the commanders sight being very high up and with great zoom at 14x max, and great thermals. this will allow you to play as a sniper on long range maps, being able to acquire and pick off targets with ease as you can play ridges and hills to your advantage.
Also make sure to keep close attention to your Laser Warning System (LWS) and the direction it is alerting you to. As this will alert you of drones, helicopters and tanks, therefore giving you time to throw smoke and take cover from an ATGM or find the direction of a tank lasing you so you can return fire. A good way to tell if its a either a tank or a helicopter/drone locking you is that helicopter and drone locks will always continuously lock you whereas a tank may only give a short 1-2 seconds alert.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Has access to 2nd generation thermals for both the gunner and commander
- Excellent mobility, even in reverse
- Great and competitive ammo selection
- LWS gives great protection against tanks, helicopters, and drones alike
Cons:
- Very vulnerable to most attacks due to a noticeable lack of composite armour or ERA
- Quite big and can be a more appealing target then other tanks
History
Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main
template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref></ref>
, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <references />
. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === In-game description ===
, also if applicable).
Media
- Skins
See also
- Related development
External links
Israeli Ordnance Corps (חיל החימוש) | |
---|---|
Medium Tanks | M-51 · M-51 (W) |
MBTs | |
Magach | Magach 1 · Magach 2 · Magach 3 · Magach 3 (ERA) · ▃Magach 3 (ERA) · Magach 5 |
Magach 6 · Magach 6A · Magach 6B · Magach 6C · Magach 6R · Magach 6M · Gal Batash | |
Sho't | Sho't · Sho't Kal Alef · Sho't Kal Gimel · Sho't Kal Dalet · ▄Sho't Kal Dalet |
Tiran | Tiran 4 · Tiran 4S |
Merkava | ▃Merkava Mk.1 · Merkava Mk.1B · Merkava Mk.2B · ▃Merkava Mk.2B · Merkava Mk.2D |
Merkava Mk.3B · Merkava Mk.3C · ▃Merkava Mk.3D · Merkava Mk.4B · Merkava Mk.4M | |
Tank destroyers | Zachlam Tager |
See Also | Chrysler Defense · Department of Tank Design · Morozov Design Bureau |
Israel medium tanks | |
---|---|
M-51 | M-51 · M-51 (W) |
Magach | Magach 1 · Magach 2 · Magach 3 · Magach 3 (ERA) · Magach 5 · Magach 6 |
Magach 6A · Magach 6B · Magach 6B Gal · Gal Batash · Magach 6C · Magach 6M · Magach 6R · Magach Hydra · Magach 7C | |
Tiran | Tiran 4 · Tiran 4S · Tiran 6 |
Sho't | Sho't · Sho't Kal Alef · Sho't Kal Gimel · Sho't Kal Dalet |
Merkava | Merkava Mk.1B · Merkava Mk.2B · Merkava Mk.2D · Merkava Mk.3B · Merkava Mk.3C · Ra'am Sagol |
Merkava Mk.4B · Merkava Mk.4M · Merkava Mk.4 LIC |
- Ground vehicles
- Israel ground vehicles
- Eighth rank ground vehicles
- Medium tanks
- Ground vehicles with composite armour
- Ground vehicles with smoke grenades
- Ground vehicles with engine smoke generating system
- Ground vehicles with night vision device
- Ground vehicles with thermal sight
- Ground vehicles with gun stabilizer