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Paid for by the U.S. tax payer.
The Merkava
was designed by Major General Israel Tal.
His main goal was increased crew survivability.
Every part of the overall design helps the crew survive.
He even put the engine in the front to provide protection to the crew.
It has a special protective umbrella for the tank commander
to protection him from enemy fire with the hatch open.
Special "spaced armor" is
in use along with
protected fuel and ammo compartments.
Merkavas can
also carry a small Infantry squad internally.
MK-3 Statistics
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Wght
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61 tons
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Length
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7600 mm
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Length (w/ cannon forward)
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8780 mm
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Max. Hght
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2760 mm
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Max. Width
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3700 mm
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Range (road)
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500 km
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Speed (Forward max)
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55 kph
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Speed (Forward average)
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38 kph
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Speed (Reverse)
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25 kph
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Engine
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882kW TCM diesel
AVDS-1790-9AR
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Fording Depth
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1.38 (2) m
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Maximum width ditch
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3.5 m
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Vertical obstacle climb
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1 m
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Fuel tank
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1250 liters
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Main Gun
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120mm cannon
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Coaxial machinegun
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7.62mm
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Anti-personnel machinegun
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2 x7.62mm
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Commander's machinegun
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12.7 mm
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Light Mortar
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60 mm
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