Reply With QuoteStupid question... but I'm just curious. When is a tanker going to come out of the tank and fire the 60mm mortar? Is it mounted on the tank? Just wondering...
Some pics of the israel M60 Patton "Sabra"
The M60 Sabra tank is an upgraded version of the M60A1 which is designed for the MBT modernization program of the Turkish Army.
The Israeli Military Industries (IMI) is upgrading the M60A1's with a new modular armor package which is delivered to Turkey in kits with technology transfer. The upgraded version retained the M60 Patton style M19 cupola with it's 12.7mm M85 machine gun. The modernization program includes the Elbit Systems electric gun and turret drive stabilization mechanism with a new fire control system (built by Aselsan) and a new 120 mm smoothbore gun (built by MKEK). In addition, the Sabra tank is equipped with an automatic fire and explosion suppression system, a threat warning system, smoke grenade launchers and a 60 mm mortar system (supplied by Soltam Ltd).
The prototype was completed and passed the qualification tests in May 2006. Several other prototypes are being tested in Israel and Turkey as part of USD 688 million contract dated 29 March 2002. The M60A1 modernization program is currently in the mass modernization phase. The project will end by April 2009.
Israeli officers described the upgraded Turkish M60A1 configuration, also known as the Sabra Mk.III, as "a totally new tank", with one IDF armour specialist claiming that "in some areas it even supersedes the Israeli Merkava Mk.IV".
Sabra
General characteristics
Type Main Battle Tank
Country Israel & Turkey
Crew 4
Length 9.40 m
Width 3.63 m
Height 3.05 m
Weight 55 tons
Armour and armament
Armour Classified, Steel/Laminate armor
Main armament 120 mm smoothbore gun
Secondary armament 7.62 mm M240 Coaxial weapon
7.62 mm MG3A1 Machine gun
12.7 mm M87 Machine gun
60 mm internal mortar
Mobility
Power plant Teledyne Continental AVDS 1790-5A four stroke diesel
908 HP (677 kW)
Suspension Independent, trailing arm
Road speed 48 km/h
Power/weight 16.5 hp/ton
Range 450 km
Stupid question... but I'm just curious. When is a tanker going to come out of the tank and fire the 60mm mortar? Is it mounted on the tank? Just wondering...
In the Merkava the mortar is internal. Maybe here also
I think the clue's in the name60 mm internal mortar
Still doesn't answer my question of how it's deployed. I know it's in the tank somewhere. Is it crew serviced then?
Yes, it's used for targets not reachable by the gun or MGs or for targets that need something bigger than the .50cal but less than a 120mm shell.
Possibly also for smoke
Looks a lot like the upgraded Leo 1s , at least that's my impression.
Would be interesting to know in what senses it supersedes the Merkava IV.
I am constantly surprised by how innovative, resourceful and just badass Israeli industry is.
Bet it has a higher top speed- historically Israeli design has favored crew protection over speed IIRC
x2.Originally Posted by Rictor
Dont always agree on their policies, but man do they know how to run an army...
I was thinking that from above it almost looks like a King Tiger. The internal mortar is one of those lessons learned from the Yom Kippur War; the need to be able to handle the AT team threat and the infantry need support. Like Flanker stated, it's an in-between weapon.
Okay one probably very dumb question coming up, but, where is the mortar? I can't see it anywhere. Is it operated and fired from the loader's hatch?
My guess is that it's next to the main barrel of the tank
Necessity is the mother of all inventions. Well perhaps not the microwave oven's mother, but you get the point. Their ressourcefulness is really impressive.
I'd love to see an upgrade for the Leopard 2A4 by the Israelis
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