Israel Defense Forces (Read First Post!)

[Territory]

the syrian flag looks so 2012

[tanks_alot]

An Israeli missile is launched from the Iron Dome missile system in the city of Ashdod in response to a rocket launch from the nearby Palestinian Gaza Strip on March 11, 2012.

Israeli F-16 jet pass over the Israeli city of Ashdod on March 11, 2012, during rocket launch from the nearby Palestinian Gaza Strip.

An Israeli soldier directs a tank near Kibbutz Beeri, outside the central Gaza Strip March 11, 2012.

[amerikie]

Even if they are using blanks as they clearly are with the rifles, dry exercises should be performed the same way a live fire wet exercise or real life operation is performed.

Otherwise mistakes will be made in real life.

I have no idea why anyone would be criticizing YAHALOM from a few pictures of a photo op training session. Have you actually seen them train/operate?
After training and doing joint operations with YAHALOM (and Oketz which also happen to be in some of the pictures), my opinion is that their training is fantastic and operate at an extremely proficient level.

[NimDod]

nice job with the ammo box for the 0.5" on top of the gun.
not having it on the left of it reduces the chance that the loader will shoot it by accident.

But why did they remove the loader's MAG?

[Marsh]

nice job with the ammo box for the 0.5" on top of the gun.
not having it on the left of it reduces the chance that the loader will shoot it by accident.

But why did they remove the loader's MAG?

Hi,

Most Merkava 4s for reasons involved with enhanced ballistic protection, are not fitted with a loaders hatch. (They can be). Hence the lack of loader's MAG.

Marsh

[tanks_alot]

Hi,

Most Merkava 4s for reasons involved with enhanced ballistic protection, are not fitted with a loaders hatch. (They can be). Hence the lack of loader's MAG.

Marsh

How do they make Artishok ambushes work without a loader's hatch?

[Marsh]

How do they make Artishok ambushes work without a loader's hatch?

Hi,
Sorry, what does Artishok mean?
Marsh

[tanks_alot]

Hi,
Sorry, what does Artishok mean?
Marsh

Artishock means artichoke.

I'm referring to standard tank ambushes, in which it's the loader's job to guard the close proximity of the tank.

[Climber]

Hi,
Sorry, what does Artishok mean?
Marsh

Tank ambushes

[Marsh]

Hi,
I presume that they would need to re-organise SOPs for such ambushes. In any case, there will need to be revision of such tactics with the advent of active-defence systems such as Trophy.
There was an argument within the IDF as to was it worth it to lose the loader's hatch. Not having one does increase ballistic integrity against top attack. this is at the cost of situational awareness. You probably are aware that some of the Merkava 4s in service now have a loader's hatch, for reasons not be discussed here.

[NimDod]

Hi,

Most Merkava 4s for reasons involved with enhanced ballistic protection, are not fitted with a loaders hatch. (They can be). Hence the lack of loader's MAG.

Marsh

Hi Marsh,
I thought that the round object where the loader's hatch (right of the commander's hatch, behind the sight) in the posted picture is a loader's hatch.
if not, than what is it?
and why remove a loader's hatch if you could can just have one (heavily armored, like the commander's) and leave it closed?
IMO, removing the loader's hatch takes most of the fun of being a loader.

Also, I'm not fimiliar with the name "Merkava 4S". what does the S stand for?
what's the difference between a Merk 4 and a Mark 4S other than Trophy?

(of course, if allowed to answer, OPSEC and all that)

thanks.

[Damian90]

Tank on posted photo have loaders hatch in opened positions. But like Marsh said, not all Merkava Mk4 have this hatch installed.

[NimDod]

Tank on posted photo have loaders hatch in opened positions. But like Marsh said, not all Merkava Mk4 have this hatch installed.

thanks.
Cant say I understand the logic behind having a loader's hatch, but not adding a loader's MAG.

[Marsh]

Hi Marsh,
I thought that the round object where the loader's hatch (right of the commander's hatch, behind the sight) in the posted picture is a loader's hatch.
if not, than what is it?
and why remove a loader's hatch if you could can just have one (heavily armored, like the commander's) and leave it closed?
IMO, removing the loader's hatch takes most of the fun of being a loader.

Also, I'm not fimiliar with the name "Merkava 4S". what does the S stand for?
what's the difference between a Merk 4 and a Mark 4S other than Trophy?

(of course, if allowed to answer, OPSEC and all that)

thanks.

Hi NimDod,

Have a look at this thread on Tanknet. Some nice photos of the loader's hatch.
http://208.84.116.223/forums/index.php?showtopic=26241

All Merkava 4s (s just to donate the plural, not a different mark or modification) have the capacity for the fitting of a loader's hatch. I don't want to go into more detail, but think how the instructor sits on a Merkava 4 when the external bucket seat is attached.....

cheers
Marsh

[NimDod]

thanks for clearing that