Elbit chosen to supply Israel's future SPH

In an unsurprising move, Elbit was selected as the winner in the "tender" for the IDF's future Self Propelled Howitzer. After a decade of debate, development of a custom built howitzer is now underway. 

This follows months of analysis of alternatives by MAFAT (Research and Development Agency), and consultations with all relevant bodies.

Despite Elbit's victory not surprising anyone, it does appear odd that the winner, Elbit, is the only one in the tender to not actually present a functional system. At least not in the required configuration.

Its ATMOS 2000 has been used by numerous countries and trialed in Israel where it fired several thousand rounds already. But the new configuration it offers to the IDF is said to be completely untested.

The ATMOS 2000 in Elbit's portfolio is a modern and capable system, but is built for export and thus not optimal for IDF's needs. Therefore, it is speculated that the IDF requested the ATMOS's systems and subsystems (e.g gun, GPS, laying system, sensors, FCS) to be transferred to another, existing platform, supposedly a Merkava chassis. 

The Merkava has been the basis for a wide family of vehicles due to its naturally flexible construction, including a prototype howitzer before. 

Another alternative to the Merkava chassis, which was said to be considered, is the M270's chassis. This would allow the IDF to utilize aid money to purchase parts of the SPH and would create a commonality within the artillery corps, as the supply vehicles and MLRS utilize the same chassis.
KMW+IAI proposed the AGM (Artillery Gun Module) that follows this principle, however such decision would be short-sighted, as the supply vehicles are also becoming outdated, and the MLRS could be mounted on the IDF's recently acquired FMTV trucks, utilizing the Lynx architecture by IMI. Effectively creating a HIMARS equivalent.

AGM by KMW and IAI on M270 chassis

HIMARS utilizing Oshkosh FMTV truck and MLRS module

Elbit will develop the new SPH through its subsidiary Soltam. 

http://www.israeldefense.co.il/he/node/29137

IronVision tested on Merkava

Coming much sooner than expected, the Israeli Defense Forces are going to start initial testing phases of the IronVision system by Elbit this month. 

The IronVision is a helmet based system that provides a clear, transparent view of the surrounding area around the tank and feeds the image to the helmet directly, and follows the operator's head movement. 

Among its features are:

* A slew-to-cue mechanism, in which the commander can direct the gun towards the target.

* Ability to operate the tank's weaponry.

* Display of information from the WINBMS (Weapon Integrated Battle Management System).

* Zero latency feed in day and night modes.

* VR training.

Helmet of the IronVision system also featuring night vision mode

Its implementation in the Merkava is part of the Barak program which was described here.

The Barak is a tank based on the Merkava 4 and set to have a functional prototype ready within 3 years. 

The readiness to have the system tested so shortly, indicates that the scope of the upgrade may be far bigger than initially thought, and the IronVision may only be a small part of it.

Israeli Light Tank Prototype

In memory of a prominent contributor to the Merkava project, Yehiam Herpez, a book was written to describe his life work, in the form of interviews of colleagues and friends.

What caught my eye was a unrevealed project the IDF once had - a light tank!

The book can be found here in hebrew:

http://www.himush.co.il/himush.co.il/originals/%D7%A1%D7%A4%D7%A8%20%D7%99%D7%97%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%9D.pdf

Although he participated in the development of every generation of the Merkava and their automotive components and especially suspension, he was most highly appreciated for his success in developing the Merkava 3's suspension, which was considered no less than revolutionary at the time. 

Since the Mark 4 relied on a slightly improved Merkava 3 suspension and didn't take much of the development time, Yehiam was reassigned to the Light Tank project.

The Light Tank was developed in parallel with the Merkava 4 but doesn't seem to be based on any existing vehicle.

Despite having a frontally mounted engine, similar to the Merkava, there is no relation between the two.

It has an MG253 gun, an Achzarit Mk 1's engine Detroit Diesel 8V71TA (radiator moved to the hull floor below crew compartment), and a newly developed torsion bar suspension.

This decision seems odd, as there is no place in the Israeli doctrine for a light tank for many reasons, the most prominent of which are the lack of protection and no need for strategic transportation. 

It was most likely related to the then-efforts to create a future tank based on requirements of low weight and easy transportation. 

The real reason it was ever made is still a mystery.