Difference between revisions of "Merkava Mk.4B"
Inceptor57 (talk | contribs) (→Description: Updated to emphasize on Mk4b features) |
m (Added more to tank history and playstyle) (Tag: Visual edit) |
||
(5 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
== 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 '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Israeli medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Wind of Change"]]. | |
− | |||
− | |||
== General info == | == General info == | ||
Line 19: | Line 17: | ||
{{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 | + | The Merkava 's armour is VERY strongly protected against HEAT with up to 800-1200mm of protection on the turret front, and the UFP having enough protection with its NERA and engine + transmission 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. | 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 | + | 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 RPG's. |
− | + | In all the Merkava's armour is somewhat lacking in some areas but can more then compensate in others. | |
− | '''Armour type:''' | + | '''Armour type:''' |
* Rolled homogeneous armour<!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations --> | * Rolled homogeneous armour<!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations --> | ||
Line 39: | Line 35: | ||
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Hull || 50 mm (74°) ''Upper plate'' | + | | Hull || 50 mm (74°) ''Upper plate'' |
+ | 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 | | Turret || 40-230 mm (9-62°) ''Turret front'' <br> 197 mm (1°) ''Gun mantlet'' || 38 mm (17°) || 20 mm (1°) || 25-45 mm | ||
+ | |- | ||
+ | | Cupola || N/A || N/A || N/A || N/A | ||
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
+ | '''Notes:''' | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
+ | !Composite armour | ||
+ | !Frontal effective protection | ||
+ | !Sides | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | + | |Hull | |
+ | |'''Upper''' | ||
+ | Kinetic: 300-450 mm | ||
+ | |||
+ | Chemical: 1050-1300 mm | ||
+ | |||
+ | (''engine block included'') | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Lower''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Kinetic: 180-330 mm | ||
+ | |||
+ | Chemical: 250-400 mm | ||
+ | |||
+ | (''engine block included'') | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Side''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Kinetic: 50-228 mm | ||
+ | |||
+ | Chemical: 320-475 mm | ||
+ | | | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | | + | |Turret |
− | + | |'''Turret Cheeks''' | |
− | + | Kinetic: 380-620 mm | |
+ | |||
+ | Chemical: 920-1100 mm | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Turret Sides''' | ||
+ | |||
+ | Kinetic: 240-410 mm | ||
+ | |||
+ | Chemical: 600-1120 mm | ||
| | | | ||
− | |} | + | |}<!-- 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 85: | Line 116: | ||
|- | |- | ||
! ''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" | 8.71 || rowspan="2" | 7.70 || rowspan="2" | 7.10 || rowspan="2" | 6.70 |
|- | |- | ||
! ''Realistic'' | ! ''Realistic'' | ||
Line 124: | Line 155: | ||
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Coaxial || 1,000 (200) || | + | | Coaxial || 1,000 (200) || 577 || N/A || N/A |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 133: | Line 164: | ||
! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ! Mount !! Capacity (Belt) !! Fire rate !! Vertical !! Horizontal | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | | Pintle || 1,800 (200) || | + | | Pintle || 1,800 (200) || 600 || -5°/+50° || -60°/+120° |
|- | |- | ||
− | | Coaxial || 6,000 (200) || | + | | Coaxial || 6,000 (200) || 600 || N/A || N/A |
|- | |- | ||
|} | |} | ||
Line 141: | Line 172: | ||
== 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 | + | The Merkava plays somewhat similarly to previous Merkava's requiring a more laid back approach in order to well. The Merkava performs amazingly at range and can still hold its own in a brawl. |
− | The Merkava | + | The Merkava however is not a small tank by any metric, being very wide, and tall, making you an big target for enemies. |
− | The Merkava | + | The Merkava in more urban combat can perform somewhat well 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. |
− | 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 | + | 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 sniper on long range maps 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 and 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 second alert. | ||
=== Pros and cons === | === Pros and cons === | ||
Line 167: | Line 200: | ||
== History == | == 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: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> | <!-- ''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: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' --> | ||
− | + | The Merkava 4 main battle tank entered full production in 2001 and began operational training with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in July 2003. The first battalion of Merkava Mk 4 tanks entered service with the Israel Defence Forces in 2004. | |
+ | |||
+ | The Ministry of Defence plans to manufacture between 50 and 70 Merkava Mk.4 tanks a year and up to 400 tanks may be manufactured in total, although budgetary constraints put these numbers in doubt. The Merkava 4 has been extensively improved including new armour protection and gun and electronics systems. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Merkava Mk.4 is slightly larger than the Merkava Mk.3, which has been in service with the IDF since 1990. The Merkava 3 is offered for export by SIBAT based in Tel Aviv. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The Merkava 4 is not offered for export but the systems and components are exported. In July 2018, the IDF unveiled the Merkava Mk. 4 Barak, the latest version of the Merkava 4 tank. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The new tank is a smart tank equipped with advanced features such as artificial intelligence, upgraded sensors, and virtual reality (VR) capabilities. A new helmet, known as Iron View, allows soldiers to see outside the combat tank, while a smart mission computer onboard the tank will manage its activities. | ||
== Media == | == Media == |
Revision as of 02:37, 6 February 2023
This page is about the Israeli medium tank Merkava Mk.4B. For other versions, see Merkava (Family). |
Contents
Description
The Merkava Siman 4 Baz is a rank VIII Israeli medium tank with a battle rating of 11.3 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update "Wind of Change".
General info
Survivability and armour
The Merkava 's armour is VERY strongly protected against HEAT with up to 800-1200mm of protection on the turret front, and the UFP having enough protection with its NERA and engine + transmission 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 RPG's.
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 |
Cupola | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Notes:
Composite armour | Frontal effective protection | Sides |
---|---|---|
Hull | Upper
Kinetic: 300-450 mm Chemical: 1050-1300 mm (engine block included) Lower Kinetic: 180-330 mm Chemical: 250-400 mm (engine block included) Side Kinetic: 50-228 mm Chemical: 320-475 mm |
|
Turret | Turret Cheeks
Kinetic: 380-620 mm Chemical: 920-1100 mm Turret Sides Kinetic: 240-410 mm Chemical: 600-1120 mm |
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 | 8.71 | 7.70 | 7.10 | 6.70 |
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) | 577 | N/A | N/A |
7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Mount | Capacity (Belt) | Fire rate | Vertical | Horizontal |
Pintle | 1,800 (200) | 600 | -5°/+50° | -60°/+120° |
Coaxial | 6,000 (200) | 600 | N/A | N/A |
Usage in battles
The Merkava plays somewhat similarly to previous Merkava's requiring a more laid back approach in order to well. The Merkava performs amazingly at range and can still hold its own in a brawl.
The Merkava however is not a small tank by any metric, being very wide, and tall, making you an big target for enemies.
The Merkava in more urban combat can perform somewhat well 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 sniper on long range maps 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 and 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 second 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
- Slower reload speed than its NATO counterparts
- Quite big and can be a more appealing target then other tanks
History
The Merkava 4 main battle tank entered full production in 2001 and began operational training with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) in July 2003. The first battalion of Merkava Mk 4 tanks entered service with the Israel Defence Forces in 2004.
The Ministry of Defence plans to manufacture between 50 and 70 Merkava Mk.4 tanks a year and up to 400 tanks may be manufactured in total, although budgetary constraints put these numbers in doubt. The Merkava 4 has been extensively improved including new armour protection and gun and electronics systems.
Merkava Mk.4 is slightly larger than the Merkava Mk.3, which has been in service with the IDF since 1990. The Merkava 3 is offered for export by SIBAT based in Tel Aviv.
The Merkava 4 is not offered for export but the systems and components are exported. In July 2018, the IDF unveiled the Merkava Mk. 4 Barak, the latest version of the Merkava 4 tank.
The new tank is a smart tank equipped with advanced features such as artificial intelligence, upgraded sensors, and virtual reality (VR) capabilities. A new helmet, known as Iron View, allows soldiers to see outside the combat tank, while a smart mission computer onboard the tank will manage its activities.
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 |
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 · Raam Segol |
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