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Dirk

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

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

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.

Jinx

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

Thanks for great info - very highly appreciated

Dirk

mike_Duplessis · ***Power User*** Offline Joined: Jan 24, 2006 Posts: 236

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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