Eitan AFV - updated news

In August this year (2016), the Eitan AFV was unveiled to public in a short video made by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. 

The information given was rather scarce, but is enough to create the big picture.

Background

Eitan was developed for a multitude of reasons:

a)Namer APC is too expensive and is at its peak production capacity. Not enough will be made in time however.

b)Eitan is an easy to produce APC that can quickly replace the M113 APC that has been deemed too vulnerable ever since it entered service over 40 years ago.

c)Israel, facing threats from the north, center, and south, at the moment relies on HETs to transport whole divisions between regions. A very slow process and quite a challenge. Eitan will be able to drive on the road with ease, without relying at all on transporters, and thus provide a very quick reaction and relieve regional brigades from the pressure.

Eitan will provide the IDF with a highly protected, highly mobile, and easily produced APC. Albeit not nearly as armored as the highly requested Namer, it is to be bought en masse. 

It is in no way a replacement to the Namer, which will stay in current production volume, rather it is a complementary platform.

Rakiya Program

While it is a rather recent development, it could be traced back to 2012. 

In 2012, the Israeli news outlet JPost.com released an article describing a future fighting vehicle program called Rakiya. It was said to be in very early stages of assessment and many options were considered - whether it will be wheeled or tracked, high caliber armament or medium, and so on. 

Later in 2015 it was understood to have been split into 2 programs - Eitan and Carmel.

The former is now prototyped and will be operational by 2020. The latter is a 30-ton tracked platform and will be operational only by 2027. 

Carmel is said to complement the current fleet of tanks and not replace either the Merkava 3 or 4. 

Its armament is hinted at 76mm gun and wholly based on a new concept. However the existence of a Merkava 5 was questioned.

Unlike the M1A2 Abrams, Leopard 2, Challenger, and Leclerc, the Merkava 4 is not yet planned to be replaced.

Eitan Specifications

Weight - 35 tons
Power - 750hp
Top Speed - 90+ km/h
Armament - 30/40mm unmanned cannon (IFV), 12.7mm or 40mm AGL+7.62mm (APC)
Protection - passive*+reactive+active. 

Crew - 3

Passengers - 9
Versions - command, APC, IFV, ambulance(?), rest N/A
Additional payload - N/A
height - N/A
width - N/A
length - N/A

*hybrid protection estimated at STANAG 4569 level 6 on front and level 4/5 on sides.

Belly protection either 4a or 4b.

level 6 protection = 30mm APFSDS

level 5 protection = 25mm APDS

level 4 protection = 14.5mm AP WC

level 4a/b protection = 10kg mines

Eitan Design Features

Armor

Overall the Eitan seems like an average APC but it does have a few features that allow it to stand out.

It is currently the heaviest wheeled APC, and in terms of protection it is second to none. 

Passive protection cannot be accurately determined at the moment, as Israel is not a NATO member and therefore doesn't rank domestically used vehicles with the STANAG system, however it can be estimated to have a level 6 frontal protection and side protection of between level 4 and 5.

The German Boxer APC is one of the only wheeled APC coming in close, with a standard protection all-around against 14.5mm bullets (level 4) and frontal protection against 25mm (level 5), with the ability to push the weight limit a a bit higher to a level 5 protection on the sides and level 6 on the front. 

However, the Boxer is an older design and lacks ERA and/or an APS, making it unable to cope with emerging threats including the current ATGM threat that is so common on the battlefield, requiring the use of heavier vehicles such as Puma instead.

One version was demonstrated with an APS in an Australian bid, but it's unlikely to ever be purchased.

Boxer CRV in Australian LAND 400 Phase 2 bid

Another APC that comes close is the recent Russian Bumerang APC, which is equipped with an APS as well, but gives up much of its passive protection in favor of mobility. Sadly, it's also equipped with a weaker engine, so upgrading the armor would be a rather difficult and expensive task.

Bumerang IFV, recently spotted with Afghanit APS

Eitan relies not only on its heavy hybrid armor, but also on the Trophy APS which has recently proven to be capable of intercepting dozens of ATGMs in the Gaza Strip, including, with ease, the Kornet ATGM capable of penetrating 1,200mm of RHA, enough to penetrate even MBTs at the front.

Firepower

Eitan's current armament plans are not yet known. The APC variant will be armed with a 12.7mm HMG or 40mm AGL or a dual mount.

The IFV variant  was claimed to have either a 30mm cannon or a 40mm cannon. 

Difference between these two is pretty serious, so it means the IDF has yet to assess what type of firepower it needs for now and for the future. 

But a critical point was revealed; the turret will be an overhead station, meaning it will be completely outside the vehicle and remotely controlled. Elbit has the UT30 Mark 2 in its portfolio for a 30mm cannon, and they and Rafael are well experienced in designing remote turrets. However if a 40mm cannon is picked, it will likely require IMI's development since the chances of purchasing cannons from the UK or France is slim.

France and UK jointly developed a 40mm cannon in CTA technology, meaning the projectile is embedded within the charge.
Both France and the UK are using 2-man turrets however, which can be made smaller than overhead turrets.

T40 turret used on the VBCI 2 IFV

40mm shells of the CTAS turret

If the IDF picks 40mm for its future IFV, it will become among the most capable in terms of firepower, standing in line with the VBCI 2 and Ajax/Ares.
However the 30mm option may sound a lot more appealing for the IDF. The US has recently decided to acquire the XM813 cannon for multiple platforms, and not only will it not require any local R&D, but it can also be supplied via aid money, not to mention it will be easier to install as the Eitan is set to have the majority of its components produced in the US.

Sensors

a Key feature in the Eitan is the recently unveiled Elbit IronVision system.

The IronVision is based on the JHMCS II helmet developed and produced by Elbit and used on F-35 warplanes.

The system makes use of an helmet and a wide set of concealed and protected cameras to project a live feed and accurate few of the vehicle's surroundings.

If implemented, it will give a unimaginable boost to the Eitan's capabilities, as it will provide the crew and the passengers with an unprecedented level of situational awareness, as well as give the crew a quick engagement option since the gun can be slaved to the helmet. 

Mobility

Weighing up to 35 tons, the Eitan is propelled by a 750hp engine that not only gives it an excellent power to weight ratio, but allows it to grow in weight if needed. 

Automotive components are, for the moment, place-holder, and when the Eitan enters production we'll be able to see what new components it'll make use of. 

Although we do know that the Eitan is based to a high degree on the Merkava and Namer vehicles, sharing many components.