Difference between revisions of "Merkava Mk.1 (USA)"

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m (Racks empty in this order: 1) back left, 2) back right, 3) 8 in turret basket, 4) 6 on left, 5) 1 in the breach. 3 and 4 are both part of the ready rack. Ammo fills one by one, not by rack. Not familiar with tank pages, reformat with this info if needed)
(Edits)
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
<!--In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.-->
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
−
[[File:GarageImage Merkava Mk.1 (USA).jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
{{Break}}
 
{{Break}}
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} USA medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]] as a reward for the [https://warthunder.com/en/news/6145-special-battlefield-engineer-en "Battlefield Engineer"] event.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American medium tank {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]] as a reward for the [https://warthunder.com/en/news/6145-special-battlefield-engineer-en "Battlefield Engineer"] event.
  
−
At a glance, one may mistake the vehicle's profile for the [[Centauro]], which is already infamous on its own, because they share similar traits - an extremely long vehicle with a turret on its back, that sports very long cannon. However, this vehicle has an even lower profile and drives on tracks instead of wheels. Due to this, it's significantly slower. The amount of damage it can cause, though, is similar.
+
At a glance, one may mistake the vehicle's profile for the [[Centauro]], which is already infamous on its own, because they share similar traits - an extremely long vehicle with a turret on its back, that sports a very long cannon. However, this vehicle has an even lower profile and drives on tracks instead of wheels. Due to this, it's significantly slower. The amount of damage it can cause, though, is similar.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
<!--Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat?
+
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
−
 
 
−
If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.-->
 
−
 
 
 
This tank has an extremely low profile, sloped frontal armour that is extremely sloped everywhere and cannot be hull-broken.
 
This tank has an extremely low profile, sloped frontal armour that is extremely sloped everywhere and cannot be hull-broken.
  
 
[[File:Internal shields merkava mk1.jpg|420px|thumb|right|One of Merkava Mk.1's secondary shields (There may be multiple of them layered over each other depending on angle of attack)]]
 
[[File:Internal shields merkava mk1.jpg|420px|thumb|right|One of Merkava Mk.1's secondary shields (There may be multiple of them layered over each other depending on angle of attack)]]
  
−
Even if anything penetrates the front of the hull, the shell will then have to go through an assortment of modules and protection beyond the initial hull. The first in the way is a fuel tank, which shields the engine. Even if that is penetrated, there is still a list of rolled homogenous armour behind it. Even if that is penetrated, the engine will take the entirety of shrapnel with seemingly no failure. This will often result in the tank catching fire with a destroyed transmission and/or engine but with no other damage the tank. If one tries to fire straight at the driver, the shell will most likely just ricochet, bounce off the turret and away unless it was APDS or APDSFS. Even then, any shell that hit directly from the front will likely only take down the driver.  
+
Even if anything penetrates the front of the hull, the shell will then have to go through an assortment of modules and protection beyond the initial hull. The first in the way is a fuel tank, which shields the engine. Even if that is penetrated, there is still a list of rolled homogenous armour behind it. Even if that is penetrated, the engine will take the entirety of shrapnel with seemingly no failure. This will often result in the tank catching fire with a destroyed transmission and/or engine but with no other damage the tank. If one tries to fire straight at the driver, the shell will most likely just ricochet, bounce off the turret and away unless it was APDS or APFSDS. Even then, any shell that hit directly from the front will likely only take down the driver.
  
 
The hull is also quite proof against ATGM, as module placement absorbs as much damage as [[IPM1]] and [[M1A1 Abrams]] NERA, so missiles should be fired at the turret instead unless one tries to just burn down the vehicle. In arcade mode, if ATGM tank operator wants to destroy the tank fast, they should consider hitting the upper part of the hull next to the turret, for if only the engine is hit by projectile, then HEAT can overpenetrate it and spall into mid-section of the tank, sometimes just barely reaching the ready ammo rack and detonating it. In Realistic battle mode, simply hitting turret with ATGM might actually destroy the vehicle in one hit due to the crew loss.
 
The hull is also quite proof against ATGM, as module placement absorbs as much damage as [[IPM1]] and [[M1A1 Abrams]] NERA, so missiles should be fired at the turret instead unless one tries to just burn down the vehicle. In arcade mode, if ATGM tank operator wants to destroy the tank fast, they should consider hitting the upper part of the hull next to the turret, for if only the engine is hit by projectile, then HEAT can overpenetrate it and spall into mid-section of the tank, sometimes just barely reaching the ready ammo rack and detonating it. In Realistic battle mode, simply hitting turret with ATGM might actually destroy the vehicle in one hit due to the crew loss.
  
−
The turret is well-protected, with its well-angled armour structure and layers of homogenous armour. As such, anything short of APDS from specifically sniper tanks like [[Chieftain_Mk_3|Chieftain Mk 3]] or APDSFS have a high chance of doing no damage. The only place with no protection is the turret ring, which is vulnerable to well-aimed APHE shots.
+
The turret is well-protected, with its well-angled armour structure and layers of homogenous armour. As such, anything short of APDS from specifically sniper tanks like [[Chieftain Mk 3]] or APFSDS have a high chance of doing no damage. The only place with no protection is the turret ring, which is vulnerable to well-aimed APHE shots.
  
 
The ''side'' hull armour of the tank is considerably weaker though and can be penetrated by APDS-equipped SPAA and light tanks. Tracks still block some shots, but it's possible to destroy the entirety of turret compartment with a high enough rate-of-fire before tank turns around. AP-I belt would probably fail to penetrate it, though.
 
The ''side'' hull armour of the tank is considerably weaker though and can be penetrated by APDS-equipped SPAA and light tanks. Tracks still block some shots, but it's possible to destroy the entirety of turret compartment with a high enough rate-of-fire before tank turns around. AP-I belt would probably fail to penetrate it, though.
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In addition to the assortment of armour, the vehicle has smoke launchers and smoke shells to cover itself.
 
In addition to the assortment of armour, the vehicle has smoke launchers and smoke shells to cover itself.
  
−
Ammunition is stored in the very back of the vehicle, at the very bottom and is covered with even more armour lists. Most of the attacks from front of the vehicle or from above will inevitably hit side skirts, turret, or other modules in way of the shell and achieve nothing. In case enemy tank attacks from behind, even tank's back is protected with layers of spaced armour, rolled homogenous armour and fuel tanks, completely neutralizing weak chemical shells (such as HESH), or derailing HEAT-FS spall away from critical components. Only firing HEAT-FS diagonally through the shield in the middle of Merkava's rear seems to consistently achieve hitting ammunition or crew. Using AP based ammunition instead is highly adviced.
+
Ammunition is stored in the very back of the vehicle, at the very bottom and is covered with even more armour lists. Most of the attacks from front of the vehicle or from above will inevitably hit side skirts, turret, or other modules in way of the shell and achieve nothing. In case enemy tank attacks from behind, even tank's back is protected with layers of spaced armour, rolled homogenous armour and fuel tanks, completely neutralizing weak chemical shells (such as HESH), or derailing HEAT-FS spall away from critical components. Only firing HEAT-FS diagonally through the shield in the middle of Merkava's rear seems to consistently achieve hitting ammunition or crew. Using AP based ammunition instead is highly advised.
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
<!--Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.-->
+
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
In Arcade battles, the Merkava Mk.1 has a top speed of about 51 km/h forward. However, either due to extreme recklessness of its drivers, or better than average acceleration, it often gets to position faster than expected. Its reverse speed is quite low though, being about 10 km/h at best.
 
In Arcade battles, the Merkava Mk.1 has a top speed of about 51 km/h forward. However, either due to extreme recklessness of its drivers, or better than average acceleration, it often gets to position faster than expected. Its reverse speed is quite low though, being about 10 km/h at best.
  
 
In Realistic mode, its top speed is supposed to be about 46 km/h forward and about 8 km/h in reverse.
 
In Realistic mode, its top speed is supposed to be about 46 km/h forward and about 8 km/h in reverse.
 +
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! rowspan="2" | Game Mode
 +
! colspan="3" | Mobility characteristics
 +
! colspan="2" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
! colspan="2" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
! Max Speed
 +
! {{Annotation|Weight|Vehicle Weight (Tons)}}
 +
! {{Annotation|AoA Weight|Add-on Armour Weight (Tons)}}
 +
! Stock
 +
! Upgraded
 +
! Stock
 +
! Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
! Arcade
 +
| 51 || rowspan="2" | 60.0 || rowspan="2" | N/A || 1,395 || ___ || 23.25 || __.__
 +
|-
 +
! {{Annotation|Realistic|Simulator uses Realistic FMs}}
 +
| 46 || 796 || 900 || 13.27 || 15.00
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Main armament ===
 
=== Main armament ===
−
<!--Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.-->
+
<!-- ''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibility of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{main|Name of the weapon}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.'' -->
 
{{main|Sharir (105 mm)}}
 
{{main|Sharir (105 mm)}}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
Merkava uses a 105 mm Sharir cannon with a two-plane stabilizer. The default reload rate is 8.71 seconds and with crew training it will go down to 6.7 seconds. First-stage ammo stowage on the turret floor has 14 shells and the 48 remaining shells are in the back.
 +
 
 +
Default ammo for this cannon is HEATFS M152, with 400 mm of penetration at 0° angle of attack (AOA).
 +
 
 +
Additionally, the gun can be loaded with:
 +
 
 +
* '''HESH M156''', which can penetrate armour about 127-142 mm thick for 140 Silver Lions per shot.
 +
 
 +
* '''APFSDS M111''', which can penetrate 337 mm at 0° AOA and 194 at 60° AOA at point blank for 220 Silver Lions per shot.
 +
 
 +
* '''Smoke M416''', with 20 m coverage range for 30 SL.
 +
 
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="6" | [[Sharir (105 mm)|105 mm Sharir]]
+
! colspan="5" | [[Sharir (105 mm)|105 mm Sharir]] || colspan="5" | Turret rotation speed (°/s) || colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="3" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
+
! Mode !! Capacity !! Vertical !! Horizontal !! Stabilizer
−
! rowspan="1" | Vertical <br> guidance
+
! Stock !! Upgraded !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
−
! rowspan="1" | Horizontal <br> guidance
+
! Stock !! Full !! Expert !! Aced
−
! rowspan="1" | Stabilizer
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| colspan="3" | 62 || -8°/+20° || ±180° || Two-plane
+
! ''Arcade''
 +
| rowspan="2" | 62 || rowspan="2" | -8°/+20° || rowspan="2" | ±180° || rowspan="2" | Two-plane || 38.1 || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | 8.7 || rowspan="2" | __.__ || rowspan="2" | __.__ || rowspan="2" | 6.7
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
+
! ''Realistic''
−
|-
+
| 23.8 || __._ || __._ || __._ || 40.0
−
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
−
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
−
|-
 
−
| ''Arcade'' ||45.8||63.3|| __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 
−
|-
 
−
| ''Realistic'' ||28.6||33.6|| __.__ || __.__ || __.__
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert qualif.
 
−
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace qualif.
 
−
|-
 
−
| 8.71 || __.__ || __.__ || 6.7
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
===== Ammunition =====
+
==== Ammunition ====
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 
|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
−
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
−
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 0° Angle of Attack'''
+
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10 m !! 100 m !! 500 m !! 1,000 m !! 1,500 m !! 2,000 m
 
|-
 
|-
−
! 10m
+
| M111 || APFSDS || 337 || 335 || 330 || 322 || 314 || 306
−
! 100m
 
−
! 500m
 
−
! 1000m
 
−
! 1500m
 
−
! 2000m
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| M152 || HEATFS || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400  
+
| M152 || HEATFS || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400 || 400
 
|-
 
|-
 
| M156 || HESH || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127
 
| M156 || HESH || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127 || 127
−
|-
 
−
| M111 || APFSDS || 337 || 335 || 330 || 322 || 314 || 306
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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|-
 
|-
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
−
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
+
! rowspan="2" | Type of<br>warhead
−
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
+
! rowspan="2" | Velocity<br>(m/s)
−
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
+
! rowspan="2" | Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
+
! rowspan="2" | Fuse delay<br>(m)
−
''in m:''
+
! rowspan="2" | Fuse sensitivity<br>(mm)
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
+
! rowspan="2" | Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
−
''in mm:''
+
! rowspan="2" | Normalisation at 30°<br>from horizontal
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
+
! colspan="3" | Ricochet
−
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
+
|-
−
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
+
! 0% !! 50% !! 100%
 
|-
 
|-
−
! 0%
+
| M111 || APFSDS || 1,455 || 3.79 || N/A || N/A || N/A || _._° || 78° || 80° || 81°
−
! 50%
 
−
! 100%
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| M152 || HEATFS || 1173 || 10.5 || 0.0 || 0.1 || 1,270 || +0° || 65° || 72° || 75°
+
| M152 || HEATFS || 1,173 || 10.5 || N/A || 0.1 || 1,271 || +0.0° || 65° || 72° || 75°
−
|-
 
−
| M156 || HESH || 732 || 14.85 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 4,310 || +0° || 73° || 77° || 80°
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| M735 || APFSDS || 1455 || 3.79 || N/A || N/A || N/A || +1.5° || 78° || 80° || 81°
+
| M156 || HESH || 732 || 14.85 || 0.4 || 0.1 || 4,306 || +0.0° || 73° || 77° || 80°
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
−
! colspan="7" | Smoke characteristic
+
! colspan="7" | Smoke shell characteristics
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Ammunition
 
! Ammunition
−
! Velocity <br /> in m/s
+
! Velocity<br>(m/s)
−
! Projectile<br />Mass in kg
+
! Projectile<br>Mass (kg)
−
! ''Screen radius <br /> in m''
+
! Screen radius<br>(m)
−
! ''Screen time <br /> in s''
+
! Screen deploy time<br>(s)
−
! ''Screen hold time <br /> in s:''
+
! Screen hold time<br>(s)
−
! ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
+
! Explosive Mass<br>(TNT equivalent) (g)
 
|-
 
|-
−
| M416 || 730 || 11.4 || 20 || 5 || 25 || 50  
+
| M416 || 730 || 11.4 || 20 || 5 || 25 || 50
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
===== [[Ammo racks|Ammo racks]] =====
+
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
−
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
+
[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
+
! Full<br>ammo
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br /> rack empty
+
! 1st<br>rack empty
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br /> rack empty
+
! 2nd<br>rack empty
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |3rd<br /> rack empty
+
! 3rd<br>rack empty
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |4th<br /> rack empty
+
! 4th<br>rack empty
−
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
+
! Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
−
|| '''62''' || 39&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 15&nbsp;''(+47)'' || 7&nbsp;''(+55)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+61)'' || style="text-align:left" | No  
+
| '''62''' || 39&nbsp;''(+23)'' || 15&nbsp;''(+47)'' || 7&nbsp;''(+55)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+61)'' || No
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
Merkava uses a [[Sharir_(105_mm)|105 mm Sharir cannon]]. It has a two-plane stabilizer. The default reload rate is 8.71 seconds and with crew training it will go down to 6.7 seconds. First-stage ammo stowage on the turret floor has 14 shells and the 48 remaining shells are in the back.
+
==== [[Optics]] ====
−
 
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
−
Default ammo for this cannon is HEAT-FS M152, with 400 mm of penetration at 0° angle of attack (AOA).
+
! colspan="3" | {{PAGENAME}} Optics
−
 
+
|-
−
Additionally, the gun can be loaded with:
+
!
−
 
+
! Default magnification
−
* '''HESH M152''', which can penetrate armour about 127-142 mm thick for 260 Silver Lions per shot.
+
! Maximum magnification
−
 
+
|-
−
* '''APDSFS M111''', which can penetrate 337 mm at 0° AOA and 194 at 60° AOA at point blank for 390 Silver Lions per shot.
+
! Main Gun optics
−
 
+
| X7.2 || X8.0
−
* '''Smoke M416''', with 20 m coverage range for 50 SL.
+
|-
 +
! Comparable optics
 +
| colspan="2" | ___
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Machine guns ===
 
=== Machine guns ===
−
<!--Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.-->
+
<!-- ''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.'' -->
 
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)}}
 
{{main|M2HB (12.7 mm)|FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)}}
−
As machine guns, Merkava Mk.1 has 12.7 mm [[M2HB_(12.7_mm)|M2HB]] and three 7.62 mm [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|FN MAG 60-40]] machine guns.  
+
 
 +
As for machine gun armament, Merkava Mk.1 has one 12.7 mm M2HB and three 7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40 machine guns.
  
 
Their penetration statistics seem to be standard for their calibre.
 
Their penetration statistics seem to be standard for their calibre.
  
−
==Usage in battles==
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[M2HB (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm M2HB]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount
 +
! Capacity<br>(Belt capacity)
 +
! Rate of fire<br>(shots/minute)
 +
! Vertical<br>guidance
 +
! Horizontal<br>guidance
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 900 (200) || 576 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | [[FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)|7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40]]
 +
|-
 +
! Mount
 +
! Capacity<br>(Belt capacity)
 +
! Rate of fire<br>(shots/minute)
 +
! Vertical<br>guidance
 +
! Horizontal<br>guidance
 +
|-
 +
| Coaxial || 5,950 (200) || 600 || N/A || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| Pintle (Commander) || 1,750 (200) || 600 || -10°/+50° || ±120°
 +
|-
 +
| Pintle (Loader) || 1,750 (200) || 600 || -10°/+50° || ±120°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
== Usage in battles ==
 
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
 
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
  
−
===Modules===
+
=== Modules ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Tier
 
! Tier
−
! colspan="2" |Mobility
+
! colspan="2" | Mobility
 
! Protection
 
! Protection
−
! colspan="3" |Firepower
+
! colspan="3" | Firepower
 
|-
 
|-
 
| I
 
| I
−
| Tracks||
+
| Tracks
 +
|
 
| Parts
 
| Parts
−
| Horizontal Drive||M156||
+
| Horizontal Drive
 +
| M156
 +
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| II
 
| II
−
| Suspension||Brake System
+
| Suspension
 +
| Brake System
 
| FPE
 
| FPE
−
| Adjustment of Fire||NVD
+
| Adjustment of Fire
 +
| NVD
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| III
 
| III
−
| Filters||
+
| Filters
 +
|
 
| Crew Replenishment
 
| Crew Replenishment
−
| Elevation Mechanism||M416||Smoke grenade
+
| Elevation Mechanism
 +
| M156
 +
| Smoke grenade
 
|-
 
|-
 
| IV
 
| IV
−
| Transmission||Engine
+
| Transmission
−
|  
+
| Engine
−
| Artillery Support||M111||Laser rangefinder
+
|
 +
| Artillery Support
 +
| M111
 +
| Laser rangefinder
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
===Pros and cons===
+
=== Pros and cons ===
−
<!--Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".-->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
 
 
* Armour is surprisingly effective, due to it being multi-layered
 
* Armour is surprisingly effective, due to it being multi-layered
 
* Sometimes capable of just driving into the capture point, as if it doesn't care
 
* Sometimes capable of just driving into the capture point, as if it doesn't care
Line 225: Line 275:
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
 
+
* APFSDS does not care about module-based protection and will go straight through the entire vehicle
−
* APDSFS does not care about module-based protection and will go straight through the entire vehicle
 
 
* Second layer of defence has a lot of openings, which can be exploited with side shots so the vehicle cannot be angled a lot
 
* Second layer of defence has a lot of openings, which can be exploited with side shots so the vehicle cannot be angled a lot
 
* Turret ring and middle rear weak spots compromise vehicle's defences and make it vulnerable to APHE at close ranges
 
* Turret ring and middle rear weak spots compromise vehicle's defences and make it vulnerable to APHE at close ranges
−
* Side hull armour is weak, can be destroyed by light tanks with +30 mm cannons, obversely, default ammo usually fails to penetrate  
+
* Side hull armour is weak, can be destroyed by light tanks with +30 mm cannons, obversely, default ammo usually fails to penetrate
 
* In up-tier, it's going to be slower than most of the adversaries
 
* In up-tier, it's going to be slower than most of the adversaries
 
* Can be simply burned, if it cannot be destroyed normally
 
* Can be simply burned, if it cannot be destroyed normally
Line 236: Line 285:
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!--Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
During the mid-1960s, Israel began researching the possibility of developing and manufacturing a domestically designed tank. The need for such a vehicle became even more emphasized after failed negotiations with Great Britain around the same time led to Israel not being permitted to licence produce the Chieftain MBT. Thus, during the late 1960s official development on a domestic Israeli tank began.
 
During the mid-1960s, Israel began researching the possibility of developing and manufacturing a domestically designed tank. The need for such a vehicle became even more emphasized after failed negotiations with Great Britain around the same time led to Israel not being permitted to licence produce the Chieftain MBT. Thus, during the late 1960s official development on a domestic Israeli tank began.
  
 
The Israeli tank was primarily designed around combat experiences gained during the Yom Kippur War, resulting in heavy emphasis being put on crew survivability. By 1974, first prototypes of the new “Merkava” tank were constructed and put through initial testing. After nearly a decade of development, the Merkava Mk.1 was adopted for service by the IDF in December 1979 and modernized versions continue to serve with Israeli forces today.
 
The Israeli tank was primarily designed around combat experiences gained during the Yom Kippur War, resulting in heavy emphasis being put on crew survivability. By 1974, first prototypes of the new “Merkava” tank were constructed and put through initial testing. After nearly a decade of development, the Merkava Mk.1 was adopted for service by the IDF in December 1979 and modernized versions continue to serve with Israeli forces today.
  
−
''- From [https://warthunder.com/en/news/6140-development-merkava-mk-1-chariot-of-fire-en Devblog]''
+
''- From [[https://warthunder.com/en/news/6140-development-merkava-mk-1-chariot-of-fire-en|Devblog]]''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
<!--Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.-->
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
[[File:Merkava.JPG|420px|none|thumb|The Merkava Mk.1 on the battlefield]]
 
[[File:Merkava.JPG|420px|none|thumb|The Merkava Mk.1 on the battlefield]]
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
−
 
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
<!--Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
 
* ''encyclopedia page on the tank;''
−
* ''other literature.''-->
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
 
+
* [[wt:en/news/6140-development-merkava-mk-1-chariot-of-fire-en|[Development] Merkava Mk.1: Chariot of Fire]]
−
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/6140-development-merkava-mk-1-chariot-of-fire-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Merkava Mk.1: Chariot of Fire]
 
  
 
{{USA medium tanks}}
 
{{USA medium tanks}}

Revision as of 12:59, 15 December 2019

▃Merkava Mk.1
us_merkava_mk_1.png
▃Merkava Mk.1
USA flag.png USA
VI Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
9.0 9.0 9.0
Class:
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
MARKET

Description

GarageImage Merkava Mk.1 (USA).jpg


The ▃Merkava Siman 1 is a gift rank VI American medium tank with a battle rating of 9.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.87 "Locked On" as a reward for the "Battlefield Engineer" event.

At a glance, one may mistake the vehicle's profile for the Centauro, which is already infamous on its own, because they share similar traits - an extremely long vehicle with a turret on its back, that sports a very long cannon. However, this vehicle has an even lower profile and drives on tracks instead of wheels. Due to this, it's significantly slower. The amount of damage it can cause, though, is similar.

General info

Survivability and armour

This tank has an extremely low profile, sloped frontal armour that is extremely sloped everywhere and cannot be hull-broken.

One of Merkava Mk.1's secondary shields (There may be multiple of them layered over each other depending on angle of attack)

Even if anything penetrates the front of the hull, the shell will then have to go through an assortment of modules and protection beyond the initial hull. The first in the way is a fuel tank, which shields the engine. Even if that is penetrated, there is still a list of rolled homogenous armour behind it. Even if that is penetrated, the engine will take the entirety of shrapnel with seemingly no failure. This will often result in the tank catching fire with a destroyed transmission and/or engine but with no other damage the tank. If one tries to fire straight at the driver, the shell will most likely just ricochet, bounce off the turret and away unless it was APDS or APFSDS. Even then, any shell that hit directly from the front will likely only take down the driver.

The hull is also quite proof against ATGM, as module placement absorbs as much damage as IPM1 and M1A1 Abrams NERA, so missiles should be fired at the turret instead unless one tries to just burn down the vehicle. In arcade mode, if ATGM tank operator wants to destroy the tank fast, they should consider hitting the upper part of the hull next to the turret, for if only the engine is hit by projectile, then HEAT can overpenetrate it and spall into mid-section of the tank, sometimes just barely reaching the ready ammo rack and detonating it. In Realistic battle mode, simply hitting turret with ATGM might actually destroy the vehicle in one hit due to the crew loss.

The turret is well-protected, with its well-angled armour structure and layers of homogenous armour. As such, anything short of APDS from specifically sniper tanks like Chieftain Mk 3 or APFSDS have a high chance of doing no damage. The only place with no protection is the turret ring, which is vulnerable to well-aimed APHE shots.

The side hull armour of the tank is considerably weaker though and can be penetrated by APDS-equipped SPAA and light tanks. Tracks still block some shots, but it's possible to destroy the entirety of turret compartment with a high enough rate-of-fire before tank turns around. AP-I belt would probably fail to penetrate it, though.

The sides of the base of the turret seem to be a viable target for HESH, unlike the rest of the tank. Though, even there vehicle has a little fuel tank, which has a tendency to derail spalling away from last turret crew member.

As such, Merkava should avoid exposing its sides, to protect its turret crew and ammunition.

In addition to the assortment of armour, the vehicle has smoke launchers and smoke shells to cover itself.

Ammunition is stored in the very back of the vehicle, at the very bottom and is covered with even more armour lists. Most of the attacks from front of the vehicle or from above will inevitably hit side skirts, turret, or other modules in way of the shell and achieve nothing. In case enemy tank attacks from behind, even tank's back is protected with layers of spaced armour, rolled homogenous armour and fuel tanks, completely neutralizing weak chemical shells (such as HESH), or derailing HEAT-FS spall away from critical components. Only firing HEAT-FS diagonally through the shield in the middle of Merkava's rear seems to consistently achieve hitting ammunition or crew. Using AP based ammunition instead is highly advised.

Mobility

In Arcade battles, the Merkava Mk.1 has a top speed of about 51 km/h forward. However, either due to extreme recklessness of its drivers, or better than average acceleration, it often gets to position faster than expected. Its reverse speed is quite low though, being about 10 km/h at best.

In Realistic mode, its top speed is supposed to be about 46 km/h forward and about 8 km/h in reverse.

Game Mode Mobility characteristics Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Max Speed Weight AoA Weight Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 51 60.0 N/A 1,395 ___ 23.25 __.__
Realistic 46 796 900 13.27 15.00

Armaments

Main armament

Main article: Sharir (105 mm)

Merkava uses a 105 mm Sharir cannon with a two-plane stabilizer. The default reload rate is 8.71 seconds and with crew training it will go down to 6.7 seconds. First-stage ammo stowage on the turret floor has 14 shells and the 48 remaining shells are in the back.

Default ammo for this cannon is HEATFS M152, with 400 mm of penetration at 0° angle of attack (AOA).

Additionally, the gun can be loaded with:

  • HESH M156, which can penetrate armour about 127-142 mm thick for 140 Silver Lions per shot.
  • APFSDS M111, which can penetrate 337 mm at 0° AOA and 194 at 60° AOA at point blank for 220 Silver Lions per shot.
  • Smoke M416, with 20 m coverage range for 30 SL.
105 mm Sharir Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 62 -8°/+20° ±180° Two-plane 38.1 __._ __._ __._ __._ 8.7 __.__ __.__ 6.7
Realistic 23.8 __._ __._ __._ 40.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
M111 APFSDS 337 335 330 322 314 306
M152 HEATFS 400 400 400 400 400 400
M156 HESH 127 127 127 127 127 127
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
Mass (kg) 		Fuse delay
(m) 		Fuse sensitivity
(mm) 		Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g) 		Normalisation at 30°
from horizontal 		Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
M111 APFSDS 1,455 3.79 N/A N/A N/A _._° 78° 80° 81°
M152 HEATFS 1,173 10.5 N/A 0.1 1,271 +0.0° 65° 72° 75°
M156 HESH 732 14.85 0.4 0.1 4,306 +0.0° 73° 77° 80°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s) 		Projectile
Mass (kg) 		Screen radius
(m) 		Screen deploy time
(s) 		Screen hold time
(s) 		Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
M416 730 11.4 20 5 25 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Merkava Mk.1 (USA)
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		3rd
rack empty 		4th
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
62 39 (+23) 15 (+47) 7 (+55) 1 (+61) No

Optics

Merkava Mk.1 (USA) Optics
Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics X7.2 X8.0
Comparable optics ___

Machine guns

Main articles: M2HB (12.7 mm), FN MAG 60-40 (7.62 mm)

As for machine gun armament, Merkava Mk.1 has one 12.7 mm M2HB and three 7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40 machine guns.

Their penetration statistics seem to be standard for their calibre.

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount Capacity
(Belt capacity) 		Rate of fire
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
Coaxial 900 (200) 576 N/A N/A
7.62 mm FN MAG 60-40
Mount Capacity
(Belt capacity) 		Rate of fire
(shots/minute) 		Vertical
guidance 		Horizontal
guidance
Coaxial 5,950 (200) 600 N/A N/A
Pintle (Commander) 1,750 (200) 600 -10°/+50° ±120°
Pintle (Loader) 1,750 (200) 600 -10°/+50° ±120°

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tracks Parts Horizontal Drive M156
II Suspension Brake System FPE Adjustment of Fire NVD
III Filters Crew Replenishment Elevation Mechanism M156 Smoke grenade
IV Transmission Engine Artillery Support M111 Laser rangefinder

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Armour is surprisingly effective, due to it being multi-layered
  • Sometimes capable of just driving into the capture point, as if it doesn't care
  • Has weapons and ammunition similar to SPG Centauro, which is enough for most encounters
  • Different ammunition types are cheap to use
  • ATGMs may have problems destroying this vehicle, as well as small rockets and HESH

Cons:

  • APFSDS does not care about module-based protection and will go straight through the entire vehicle
  • Second layer of defence has a lot of openings, which can be exploited with side shots so the vehicle cannot be angled a lot
  • Turret ring and middle rear weak spots compromise vehicle's defences and make it vulnerable to APHE at close ranges
  • Side hull armour is weak, can be destroyed by light tanks with +30 mm cannons, obversely, default ammo usually fails to penetrate
  • In up-tier, it's going to be slower than most of the adversaries
  • Can be simply burned, if it cannot be destroyed normally
  • Repair cost is higher, so need to be caution when you use it.
  • Thermal signature is in the front of the tank, that make you easy to be seen by thermal sight.

History

During the mid-1960s, Israel began researching the possibility of developing and manufacturing a domestically designed tank. The need for such a vehicle became even more emphasized after failed negotiations with Great Britain around the same time led to Israel not being permitted to licence produce the Chieftain MBT. Thus, during the late 1960s official development on a domestic Israeli tank began.

The Israeli tank was primarily designed around combat experiences gained during the Yom Kippur War, resulting in heavy emphasis being put on crew survivability. By 1974, first prototypes of the new “Merkava” tank were constructed and put through initial testing. After nearly a decade of development, the Merkava Mk.1 was adopted for service by the IDF in December 1979 and modernized versions continue to serve with Israeli forces today.

- From [[1]]

Media

File:Merkava.JPG
The Merkava Mk.1 on the battlefield

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the vehicles;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


USA medium tanks
M2  M2
M3  M3 Lee · ▃Grant I
M4  M4 · Calliope · M4A1 · M4A1 (76) W · M4A2 · M4A2 (76) W · M4A3 (105) · M4A3 (76) W · M4/T26
M26 Pershing  T20 · T25 · M26 · M26 T99 · M26E1
M46/47/48 Patton  M46 · M46 "Tiger" · M47 · M48A1 · T54E1 · T54E2
M60  M60 · M60A1 (AOS) · M60A1 RISE (P) · M60A2 · M60A3 TTS · M728 CEV · 120S
MBT-70  MBT-70 · XM803
M1 Abrams  XM1 (Chrysler) · XM1 (GM)
  M1 Abrams · M1 KVT · IPM1
  M1A1 · M1A1 HC · M1A1 Click-Bait
  M1A2 Abrams · M1A2 SEP · M1A2 SEP V2
Other  T95E1
Australia  M1A1 AIM
Canada  M4A5
Israel  ▃Magach 3 (ERA) · ▃Merkava Mk.1 · ▃Merkava Mk.2B · ▃Merkava Mk.3D
Turkey  M60 AMBT

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