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Machine Gun armament on Merkava II
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.

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Dirk
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Location: South Africa

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 2:38 pm
Post subject: Machine Gun armament on Merkava II

Any idea so to why the Merkava II has three machine guns topside (This excluding co-axial MG).

From what I can gather one MG is mounted for the TC and Loader (7.62mm ?) and a 12.7mm MG mounted on the main gun.

Is this due to the SOP of IDF forces - close infantry support or just the nature of the environment , eg. urban terrian ?

IIRC other current tanks - M1 , Leo II etc. has at most two MGs .

Thanks in advance

Dirk

Doug_Kibbey
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 3:49 pm
Post subject: Re: Machine Gun armament on Merkava II

Probably both...the IDF would seem to have made standard what other militaries have improvised when the operational conditions called for less main gun use, and more MG engagements. It was typical to see additional MG's mounted on U.S. tanks and other armored vehicles in Vietnam, regardless of doctrine...many of these being either hard mounted, or merely placed on the vehicle and using the infantry bi-pod.

Sabot
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: Machine Gun armament on Merkava II
The external .50 cal machine gun on top of the main gun is linked to the fire control system and can be fired by electrical actuation under armor. The IDF realized that the .50 cal is more effective in urban warfare. Most modern MBTs included two machine guns due to the increased threat of attack helicopter aerial weaponry. _________________ RobG

Jinx
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:52 pm Post subject: Re: Machine Gun armament on Merkava II
I remember seeing a photo or an illustration of an Israeli Sho't (Centurion) with a 12.7 mm machine gun mounted above the main armament. So this seems to have been common practice with IDF tanks.

Dirk
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: Machine Gun armament on Merkava II
Thanks for great info - very highly appreciated Dirk

mike_Duplessis
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Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:43 pm
Post subject: Re: Machine Gun armament on Merkava II

I was under the impression the .50 cal over the gun was used like a spotting rifle for quick-draw engagements. At ranges under 800m(?) .50 cal and 105mm trajectories would pretty much match. The commander, without the gunner's aid, would be able to walk a stream of .50 cal rounds up to the target then fire the main gun himself. in worst-of-worst case scenarios a tank crew could drop all the way to two people. The driver and a VERY overworked commander/gunner/loader doing all the work out of the commander's station.

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