Israeli Afvs

[Mighty_Zuk]

What is probably the SMASH Hopper by Smart Shooter, displayed in February as an RCWS for the very light David 4x4 for peacekeeping ops, and now as a standalone system. 

Such systems can be deployed to reinforce infantry in conventional operations, and also as a cheap and simple kinetic point defense against drones.

 

[Mighty_Zuk]

Notice the differences between these 2 Eitans. We can see these are from different batches, and their serial numbers don't match any pattern. One is 057, the other is 932

057 is likely newer, as explained below. 

The cheek area is not a single welded sloped plate. 932's plate seems to be composed of 2 sections with variable slopes. 

057's side armor seems to extend outward a bit past the wheels. 932's seems to be flush with the wheels.

Driver camera, or at least its housing, is different. 057's is boxier and larger. I assume they standardized a cheaper one. Excellent if true.

All of 057's lower front sections appear to be welded together. 932's aren't. Same was with the prototypes.

Some small opening beside 057's main headlights. I assume a camera. Not to be seen on 932.

And finally, 7.62mm on the 932, and 12.7mm on the 057, but this could be intentional.

As we can see here, the first prototype has serial number 999. It's also distinct in the fastening method of its side armor, which is externally bolted, while later prototypes and finally serial production variants - have smooth armor panels.

[Mighty_Zuk]

Posting this here for now. Interesting stuff in the video. Will post screenshots when I have some free time perhaps tomorrow.

https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hjd5aysy0

[Mighty_Zuk]

Eitan 076. Seems production is pretty fast if really 76 units were made.

This is taken from a video about both restored vehicles and newly produced ones. The Eitan here is new.

Eitan inside:

Merkava 3 stripped down:

Haven't seen these holes yet:

Armor plates welded on driver station:

possibly a Namer 2 due to new mechanism to lift lower UFP segment and new generation of Trophy, although it's possible such Trophy systems were already delivered to Namer 1 APCs. Not sure if repair or new production. If new production - definitely Namer 2.

 

Namer hull frame:

 

Merkava 4 hull:

 

Edited August 1, 2024 by Mighty_Zuk

[urbanoid]

1 hour ago, Mighty_Zuk said:

Eitan 076. Seems production is pretty fast if really 76 units were made.

This is taken from a video about both restored vehicles and newly produced ones. The Eitan here is new.

Eitan inside:

Merkava 3 stripped down:

Haven't seen these holes yet:

Armor plates welded on driver station:

possibly a Namer 2 due to new mechanism to lift lower UFP segment and new generation of Trophy, although it's possible such Trophy systems were already delivered to Namer 1 APCs. Not sure if repair or new production. If new production - definitely Namer 2.

 

 

'404 not found' for every pic.

[Mighty_Zuk]

1 hour ago, urbanoid said:

'404 not found' for every pic.

Thanks. Will reupload.

EDIT: Fixed.

Edited August 1, 2024 by Mighty_Zuk

[Tim Sielbeck]

2 hours ago, Mighty_Zuk said:

Thanks. Will reupload.

EDIT: Fixed.

Thank you.

[Marsh]

21 hours ago, Mighty_Zuk said:

Eitan 076. Seems production is pretty fast if really 76 units were made.

This is taken from a video about both restored vehicles and newly produced ones. The Eitan here is new.

Eitan inside:

Merkava 3 stripped down:

Haven't seen these holes yet:

Armor plates welded on driver station:

possibly a Namer 2 due to new mechanism to lift lower UFP segment and new generation of Trophy, although it's possible such Trophy systems were already delivered to Namer 1 APCs. Not sure if repair or new production. If new production - definitely Namer 2.

 

Namer hull frame:

 

Merkava 4 hull:

 

In contrast to the contemporary photos above, here are some from the same facility. I took them in 2008, it shows the first production batch of early Namers, as distinct to the pre-production models which were still being trailed.

Edited August 2, 2024 by Marsh

[Mighty_Zuk]

1 hour ago, Marsh said:

In contrast to the contemporary photos above, here are some from the same facility. I took them in 2008, it shows the first production batch of early Namers, as distinct to the pre-production models which were still being trailed.

Thanks Marsh.

Do you see any point of distinction between early production Namers from 2008 to today's?

[Damian]

@Mighty_Zuk IMHO this is not Namer hull, but Eitan hull.

[Marsh]

4 hours ago, Mighty_Zuk said:

Thanks Marsh.

Do you see any point of distinction between early production Namers from 2008 to today's?

I am sure they must be. However, that's 16 years ago. When you are close to 70, I am afraid your memory loses some acuity...

The layout of Production facility 7100, remains remarkably similar though.

[Mighty_Zuk]

3 minutes ago, Damian said:

@Mighty_Zuk IMHO this is not Namer hull, but Eitan hull.

At that time, the narrator talked about a damaged Namer so I automatically assumed. But it did bother me that it did not look like a Namer. Perhaps it is indeed an Eitan, looks much more like it.

Thanks for the observation!

 

[Mighty_Zuk]

You don't really see Granit vehicles much these days.

 

[Mighty_Zuk]

Barak with a camera block above the gunner sight (which does not appear to be of improved model). This belongs to the Elbit IronVision system.

Eitan also has an APS fitted. This means Iron Fist is finally going to become operational. I don't know why radar is not installed. It's not clear whether Eitan received its IronVision cameras yet.

What seems to be some kind of M-SHORAD based on JLTV. 

RADA is an independent company but it is possible the IDF bought their radars to pair with a solution from a company like IAI which currently offers the M3S2 as a highly affordable M-SHORAD and personal protection solution.

 

Edited August 4, 2024 by Mighty_Zuk

[Mighty_Zuk]

Defense company Maris-Tech received a $700,000 contract to develop and supply AI-powered video solutions for AFVs between 2024-2027.

According to a representative:

"The solution is a high quality video system that improves an AFV's drivability and controllability."

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/62768

AFV thread so mandatory AFV pic:

 

I remind that as part of the Carmel program, the IDF sought solutions to ease the strain on the driver and make some of the driving autonomous, thus granting him the ability to take over some other tasks. This probably isn't it, but surely a step in that direction.

Edited August 4, 2024 by Mighty_Zuk

[Mighty_Zuk]

Nothing fancy. Just a brake and reverse drill in case of ATGMs. I assume it's just for the driver, and a full drill may include smoke. But I do wonder what'll happen with the Barak that doesn't have smoke grenades anymore.

 

[Mighty_Zuk]

A tank standing engine-less because of alleged engine gremlin activity.

 

[Mr King]

On 8/11/2024 at 3:40 AM, Mighty_Zuk said:

Nothing fancy. Just a brake and reverse drill in case of ATGMs. I assume it's just for the driver, and a full drill may include smoke. But I do wonder what'll happen with the Barak that doesn't have smoke grenades anymore.

 

Why would they get rid of smoke grenades?

[Mighty_Zuk]

Israel's MoD orders $23 million worth of transmissions and other automotive components for the Merkava and Namer, as well as services for 1,500hp (Merkava 4, Namer 2) and 1,200hp (Merkava 3, Namer 1) powerpacks - from Ashot Ashkelon.

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/62903

On 8/14/2024 at 3:44 PM, Mr King said:

Why would they get rid of smoke grenades?

Beyond me, really. A knowledgeable source told me it's done on purpose and for "a good reason".

[Mr King]

13 hours ago, Mighty_Zuk said:

Israel's MoD orders $23 million worth of transmissions and other automotive components for the Merkava and Namer, as well as services for 1,500hp (Merkava 4, Namer 2) and 1,200hp (Merkava 3, Namer 1) powerpacks - from Ashot Ashkelon.

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/62903

Beyond me, really. A knowledgeable source told me it's done on purpose and for "a good reason".

Thank you Mighty_Zuk.

[Marsh]

17 hours ago, Mighty_Zuk said:

Israel's MoD orders $23 million worth of transmissions and other automotive components for the Merkava and Namer, as well as services for 1,500hp (Merkava 4, Namer 2) and 1,200hp (Merkava 3, Namer 1) powerpacks - from Ashot Ashkelon.

https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/62903

Beyond me, really. A knowledgeable source told me it's done on purpose and for "a good reason".

Re smoke grenades.

In the past the IDF removed smoke grenade launchers from Centurion tanks on the grounds that they were vulnerable to shrapnel and a fire hazard. They then refitted them, albeit with different launchers. The smoke grenade launchers on the Merkava 4 seem to impinge on the turret armour modules. I wonder if this is seen as a potential risk? I give it a year before they are reinstalled, perhaps with  modified launchers

[Mighty_Zuk]

4 hours ago, Marsh said:

Re smoke grenades.

In the past the IDF removed smoke grenade launchers from Centurion tanks on the grounds that they were vulnerable to shrapnel and a fire hazard. They then refitted them, albeit with different launchers. The smoke grenade launchers on the Merkava 4 seem to impinge on the turret armour modules. I wonder if this is seen as a potential risk? I give it a year before they are reinstalled, perhaps with  modified launchers

Possibly. But there are empty bins all around it.

I have another theory - they want to change the way it's integrated with an APS or make it 360°. I can imagine it's quite useful to be able to smoke an alley to your right without also smoking the way for anyone trailing.

Edited August 23, 2024 by Mighty_Zuk

[Mr King]

11 hours ago, Marsh said:

Re smoke grenades.

In the past the IDF removed smoke grenade launchers from Centurion tanks on the grounds that they were vulnerable to shrapnel and a fire hazard. They then refitted them, albeit with different launchers. The smoke grenade launchers on the Merkava 4 seem to impinge on the turret armour modules. I wonder if this is seen as a potential risk? I give it a year before they are reinstalled, perhaps with  modified launchers

Thank you Marsh.

[Mighty_Zuk]

A couple beauties:

 

[Mighty_Zuk]

Elbit showcasing local munitions production capabilities.

The 120mm HE-MP is the M339 which they demonstrate with a new airburst capability they say the IDF will implement in the future.

The M339 succeeded the APAM which had 5 modes of operation including several for airburst. The APAM was expensive though, and the M339 is an attempt to catch up on the same capabilities in a cheaper package.

Interestingly, the Merkava 2 armed with a 120mm gun is thus confirmed to be Elbit property for test firing.

It fired a shell from a batch to be delivered to the IDF.