Merkava
"The borders are drawn where the treads stop."
- – IDF Armored Corps Motto
The Merkava was a third generation MBT designed to replace the ageing Magach 6. It is equipped with a licensed M68 105mm main cannon: the same gun from the Patton, one to two turret mounted FN MAGs, with one browning .50 cal mounted coaxially. A uniquely Israeli invention, the Merkava compromises on battlefield survivability and speed in favour of armour and crew survivability.
In Team Yankee
IRL
As Israel's homegrown tank, the Merkava takes many liberties with conventional tank design. For starters, instead of having the driver in the front, turret in the middle, and engine in the back, the Merkava places the engine forward to act as an extra buffer against shrapnel, leaving the back available for a rear entrance for emergency exits. This configuration made it easier to preserve the far more valuable crew: tanks were replaceable but experienced tankees were not. With the standard ammo compliment, a Merkava could house up to 4 additional troops if absolutely required.
In a pinch, they were even used as APCs and medical evac units if ammo racks were significantly reduced, giving space for up to six men and their equipment: eight to ten if ALL ammo racks were thrown out. Depending on the mission requirements, some Merkavas were even converted into impromptu mortar carriers as in the first and second Intifadas. Uniquely, this is one of the only NATO tanks designed to fire ATGMs.
It served well against enemy T-62s and was largely immune to infantry AT weapons at the time, though later Merkava models were upgraded to use the advanced Trophy active defense system. In 2008, the IDF introduced a dedicated APC based on the Merkava called the Namer. The modern design is the Merkava IV which features a 120mm gun and modular armour plating for faster repairs. Today, the IDF is working on the 'Barak' upgrade package which will give tank commanders the same type of helmet as that seen in the F-35, allowing them to easily see outside the vehicle without popping their heads outside. It also improves on existing battlefield communication systems. It also features a modified baseball machine to fire projectiles at incoming missiles.
| Israeli Forces in Team Yankee | |
|---|---|
| Tanks: | Merkava - M60 Patton |
| Transports: | M113 Armored Personnel Carrier |
| Troops: | IDF Infantry Platoon |
| Artillery: | M109 Howitzer -M106 Heavy Mortar Carrier -M125 Mortar Carrier |
| Anti-Aircraft: | M163 VADS - ZSU 23-4 Shilka - M48 Chaparral - Redeye SAM Platoon |
| Tank Hunters: | Pereh - M150 TOW - Jeep TOW |
| Recon: | M113 Recce - Jeep Recce |
| Aircraft: | AH-1 Cobra Attack Helicopter - A4 Skyhawk |