Merkava Mark IV (Israel)

Some features, such as hull shaping, exterior non-reflective paints, and shielding for engine heat plumes mixing with air particles to confuse enemy thermal imagers, were carried over from the IAI Lavi program of the Israeli Air Force to make the tank harder to spot by heat sensors and radar.

The Mark IV includes the larger 120 mm main gun of the previous versions, but can fire a wider variety of ammunition, including HEAT and sabot rounds like the APFSDS kinetic energy penetrator, using an electrical semi-automatic revolving magazine for 10 rounds. It also includes a much larger 12.7 mm machine gun for anti-vehicle operations (most commonly used against technicals)

 

Type	Main battle tank
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
In service	1979–present
Used by	Israel Defense Forces
Wars	1982 Lebanon War, South Lebanon conflict, 2006 Lebanon War, First Intifada, Second Intifada, Gaza War,Operation Pillar of Defense, Operation Protective Edge
Production history
Designer	MANTAK
Manufacturer	MANTAK/IDF Ordnance Corps (assembly)
Unit cost	Est. $6 million
Produced	Since 1974
Number built	(As of March 2012) Mark I: 250 Mark II: 580 Mark III: 780 Mark IV: 360 (another ~300 on order)
Specifications
Weight	65 tonnes (143,000 pounds)
Length	9.04 m or 29.7 ft (incl. gun barrel) 7.60 m or 24.9 ft (excl. gun barrel)
Width	3.72 m or 12.2 ft (excl. skirts)
Height	2.66 m or 8.7 ft (to turret roof)
Crew	4 (commander, driver, gunner, and loader)
Passengers	Maximum 6 passengers
Armor	Classified composite/sloped armour modular design.
Main armament	120 mm (4.7 in) MG253 smoothbore gun, capable of firing LAHAT ATGM
Secondary armament	1 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) MG 2 × 7.62 mm (0.300 in) MG 1 × 60 mm (2.4 in) internal mortar 12 smoke grenades
Engine	1,500 hp (1,119 kW) turbocharged diesel engine
Power/weight	23 hp/tonne
Payload capacity	48 rounds
Transmission	Renk RK 325
Suspension	Helical spring
Ground clearance	0.45 m (1.5 ft)
Fuel capacity	1,400 litres
Operational range	500 km (310 mi)
Speed	64 km/h (40 mph) on road 55 km/h (34 mph) off road

Source