The Merkava is NOT an APC

> Michael wrote:

That would be the Merkava. Custom hull and turret, MkIII & IV models ise a
120mm smoothbore (for compatibility with NATO hardware IIRC). The engine is in
front, doors in the rear allow for access to the stowage compartment. They can
carry 90 rounds for the main gun (was 105mm, must be less for the 120), or 45
rounds plus an infantry squad or a couple of stretchers (now THAT is a
battlefield ambulance you'll feel safe in). There was a proposal for buying
Merkavas in place of
M-1s, but the domestic design won out; and did alright in Iraq so it
can't have been a bad decision.

** They are a passable MBT (maybe even pretty good). You do realize (according
to a source of mine who teaches AFV recognition courses at one of our UN
training centers) that this is never (well, I won't say *never*) used? I think
the doors are there to facilitate ammo loading, and according to my info, one
day someone just decided to do a demo with troops aboard. It wasn't really
ever intended that way. Then when they realized the troop carrier thing could
be done, they'd consider it in areas where the tank ammo
didn't matter as much - like cruising around occupied territories -
where that option did in fact protect the grunties without risk to the tank
from having a lower ammo count and extra warfighting considerations. But if
they
expect a real shooting war, its bye-bye Mr. Footslogger, hello more
ammo. It also frees the track commander from having to act as a battle taxi
when he has other more pressing things to deal with like enemy armour. It's a
neat facility, but it isn't a substitute for an IFV. They've tried different
IFVs, but found the M113 style to be rather boxy, an easy target, and easy
to penetrate. When they use their old converted T-? (whatever it was
they captured), they rip off the turret, remove the ammo, somehow make a
deployment system for the troops (this is the part I'm vague on), and they can
hold a squad uncomfortably but much more safely in what used to be an MBT hull
and is one of the more solid APC hulls now. I understand the Russians have
actually considered this too, as well as several other forces. If you have a
rack or old MBTs, it isn't that bad of a use for them. They may not be able to
slug it out with tanks, but done up right and with applique armour added, they
make a tough APC.

** Something like this is the concept behind (I believe) the BMP-60 from
Eureka. Correct me if I'm wrong, dudes down under?