MBT's

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

From another IDF tanker see the photos related to this current discussion scroll down to -1/2 to 3/4+ down these are the best interior shots of the MERKAVA I've seen to date and read the captions please. A very interesting site, however, to maintain full combat capabilities I'm thinking let's leave well enough alone, Don has struck the right balance here. To further specialize these tanks for combat troop operations would for now take up precious equipment slots. However who here doesn't think I'll revisit this in the 2019/2020 campaign? Well those that answered wrong haven't been paying attention, it's paper filed now as well.
http://www.supervideo.com/MXCD-ROMOS.htm

Regards,
Pat

[gingertanker]

what weapons slots need be taken? the weapons that do not fit in the slots are the 0.5 M2HB and the 60mm mortar. The mortar is nearly useless for SPMBT use, the way it is used by tank crews is irrelevant in the game. the 0.5(12.7mm) was originally placed on the Merks for training, but later was found to be usefull for operations in urban terrain such as gaza. in a realy war, even a small scale one like lebanon, the 0.5 is usually removed or at least not used.Winspmbt is not a tank simulator, and there are many weapons used by the tank crew its simply cannot simulate with only 4 slots. other than the 12.7mm and the 60mm, dont forget that we also use handgrenades at short ranges, white phosphurs smoke grenades to attack close range infantry, and even our personal rifles if needed, fired from the commanders hatch. This is not improvisation, i am talking about drills by the book. the game cannot simulate all this.

actually as merkava commander the stranest thing for me is that in the game, a tank cannot run over infantry. cant tell you how many times i was thinking to my self that a pesky inf unit in the same hex as one of my tanks would have simply been run over and pivoted to death in real life.this is also a drill in the idf, which the game cannot simulate.

[DRG]

Originally Posted by FASTBOAT TOUGH

Yes this helps and backs up the points that were brought up Also I thought the MERKAVA IV is about a meter longer then previous Mks as well, but would need to go back and check to make sure.

Regards,
Pat

Acording to Military today.....no

http://www.military-today.com/tanks/merkava_mk3.htm

Hull length 7.97 m
Width 3.72 m
Height 2.66 m



http://www.military-today.com/tanks/merkava_mk4.htm

QUOTE" The latest Merkava Mk.4 is slightly larger than the Mk.3. "

and these are the dimensions they give.....

Hull length 7.6 m
Width 3.72 m
Height 2.66 m

They also claim the Mk 3 holds 50 rounds. It's why getting the "right" info is a challenge sometimes

Don

[gingertanker]

as i recall from the few times i was in a merkava mk IV, the corridor is actually the same length or slightly shorter than previous models. it is however slightly wider and taller.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I was talking about equipment slots as in adding additional tanks to the OOB. We understand about the weapons slots as I was educated on this by others out here (Thank You!) on the limitations when I first started submitting equipment to the game. I remember getting hung up on that when I submitted the Turkish M60T (SABRA variant.) concerning the 60mm mortar. I'm more concerned about TROPHY being back fitted to the MERKAVA III series (BAZ) as it appears that program has been accelerated based on yesterdays website posting, that means they've finished with the MERK IV back-fits as well. To the length issue, I saw that last night as well from that and other sites, couldn't remember for sure without checking back myself. Will have to look into the TROPHY issue though.
It looks like the monsoon season will be extended this year!?!

Regards,
Pat

[gingertanker]

ahhhh. i get what you say.

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Well everyone seems to have survived Beryl, just a lot of yard work earlier between the rain. Anyway this what's left of my MBTs...
1. Already reported on the new M1A2 SEP V2 as an ADD, this is the VISION 50 TI/GSR version. So it follows that the now called
M1A2 SEP V1 would be converted (Probably a as time allows game name change to be submitted?). So a possible end date change should be DEC. 2014 or JUN 2015 which allows for a seven month program delay or our "swag". lower LEFT FOR REF INFO SOURCE (GD.).
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/article/article_2430.html
ADD SEP V2 FOR SEP MODIFY NAME AND CHANGE END DATE.

2. As reported yesterday in the APC Thread, Columbia after a couple of years, is again up for consideration by Israel to be the MERKAVA's FIRST foreign customer.
TRACK.

3. If you've been following along in this thread and the Patch Page one, I'll be submitting several tanks for vision increases to 50 based on published and manufacturer info. Some tanks didn't make the list because of the use of 2nd GEN FCS which is limited to 40 TI/GSR. LECLERC fell into this category, which frankly surprised me me at the time. Does it make it a bad tank? NO IT DOESN'T, one reason is that the FCS (Now I fall back on memory.) can track and target six tanks within I believe a minute-that's decent fighter poop there! And here's another for the same reason from a respected site covering that country out of the UK.
http://www.sinodefence.com/army/tank/type99-system.asp
FYI.

Well that was easy enough, and I just recieved a message from my Comm CTR. that the rains are letting up and those TYPE 99's are approaching my Thai troops sector with heavy mech. infantry support. Have to get to the CP before Gen. AI hits me with his arty.
He likes his arty!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I want to now finish out this thread with the last of the work list items.

1. Sweden also adding EVO to STRV 122 as noted in the last APC Post concerning the CV-9040.
http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor...p?armor_id=457
http://www.haaland.info/armour/index...-stridsvagn122
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/35969/
http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_...d_0706121.html
http://www.ibd-deisenroth-engineerin...evolution.html
ADD.

2. IDF changing armor tactics.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/...echnique-tanks
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/35908/
FYI.

3. It never hurts, as new people come in and old ones misplace it!?!
I'll keep it, don't worry, be happy! Sounds like it could be a song!?!
http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...n0534/lsn1.htm
FYI.

4. Scandinavian Armour site.
http://www.haaland.info/armour/
FYI.

5. Tanzania TYPE-59 modernization should be completed now. Based on this as dated it was nearing completion. Reported on this earlier in the thread in Post 205 pg. 21 when started, work done by the Chinese.
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...rica&Itemid=55
MODIFY/ADD.

6. Morocco requesting U.S. assistance to upgrade it's M1A1 tanks to M1A1 SA level. We'll do it too...any betters out that we won't!? !
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...Morocco-07435/
http://www.armyrecognition.com/june_...s_2006123.html
http://www.army-technology.com/news/...-abrams-tanks/
TRACK/MODIFY.

Tank news/work list now completed.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Alright now I know of about three people out here when they get wind of this are going to start clamoring to get the ANDERS in the game again. However this is a cautionary tale when words like "expected" are used. Well "I'm not asleep at the switch" yet and as some know I've been tracking the ANDERs development for sometime. I would expect these to be the NATO spec ANDERs with the RAUG 120mm or the Belgain CMI CT-CV 105mm. We'll see. Well guess what? Tracking it still...
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...rope&Itemid=57
http://www.army-technology.com/proje...ombat-vehicle/

And a bonus for Don and all the rest...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/augus...k_0308122.html

And since some are having an ERA moment...the MK II ERA is of an advanced gen NERA type which is very effective against TANDEM warheads (TOW, RPG-29 etc.) The ERA adds about 2.5 tonnes (Olympics in the UK sorta thing.) which is included in the overall weight and is also mounted on the side skirts as well.

Gotta see a man about a flat top, watch some more of the OG and have a wonderful day at work!?! Everyone have a wonderful weekend!

Well the ref did say "tanks" and of different varients, I think part of this could include the heavier stuff like the Dutch LEO's, the Indonesian deal fell through, however, the recent deal with Germany didn't.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Because information is sometimes perishable even on the net, I better put a status on this for the 2013/2014 campaign. So with the above post on the ANDERS MBT I'll add the following...
http://www.armyrecognition.com/augus...s_0608126.html
http://www.armyrecognition.com/belgi...ment_prod.html

In the first ref is a picture of the ANDERS MBT from EUROSTATORY 2012. Note the simulated firing of the FALARICK ATGM in the picture. These Medium tanks will also be equipped with Israels TROPHY System.
TRACK/ADD

Here's some news to help clear the que all FYI...
1) TROPHY beats off another ATGM attack, so far since being equipped with it the IDF TROPHY 6 ATGM/RPG 0, that should be about right...
http://www.dmilt.com/index.php?optio...asia&Itemid=56

2) Something I've had my eye on for over a year now, getting even more interesting last month, it'ds here for a reason you'll just have to read for yourselves...
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/...-Saudis-06993/

3) ARJUN MKII, we'll just wait but, they're saying it'll be ready sooner. However like someone else I know date changes can be a PITA and we've changed this one twice already I believe. I'm good to leave it alone until we get closer.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/...arjun-mkii-mbt

4) OPLOT-M gets the "tech" treatment at last...
http://www.army-technology.com/proje...e-tank-ukraine/

5) Does this mean Russias new MBT the ARMATA is in trouble and will go the way of the BLACK EAGLE or T-95? I don't think so for now anyway as the Russian Army for the most part seems to think it's time to go in a new direction with a new design...
http://en.rian.ru/mlitary_news/20120703/174384885.html

6) Taiwan wants 200 new tanks, where will they come from. A prediction if we don't do it maybe a look will be given to the Ukraines OPLOT-M. Thailand is very happy with theirs and they would hold their against anything China has now.
http://www.army-technology.com/news/...bt-purchase-us
http://www.armyrecognition.com/july_...s_2307124.html

Regards,
Pat