IDF Achzarit

IDF Achzarit Mk 2
IDF Achzarit Mk 2
	Achzarit armed with an OWS station
Type	Infantry Assault Carrier
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
Wars	South Lebanon conflict (1982–2000) ; Second Intifada ; 2006 Lebanon War ; Gaza War
Production history
Designer	Israeli Defence Forces Corps of Ordnance
Manufacturer	NIMDA
Produced	1988–present
Specifications
Mass	44 tonnes
Length	6.20 m
Width	3.60 m
Height	>2 m (estimate)
Crew	3 + 7 passengers
Armor	composite
Main; armament	Rafael OWS fitted with a 7.62 mm FN MAG
Secondary; armament	2×7.62 mm FN MAG
Engine	Achzarit 1 : Detroit Diesel 8V-71 TTA; Achzarit 2 : 8V-92TA/DDC III; Achzarit 1 : 650 hp (478 kW); Achzarit 2 : 850 hp (625 kW)
Power/weight	14 hp/tonne or 19.3 hp/tonne
Transmission	Achzarit 1 : Allison XTG-411-4; Achzarit 2 : XTG-411-5A
Suspension	Kinetics modified torsion-bar
Operational; range	600 km
Maximum speed	65 km/h (Achzarit 2)

The Achzarit (אכזרית‎ in Hebrew: "cruel", female inflection) is a heavily armored armored personnel carrier manufactured by the Israeli Defence Forces Corps of Ordnance.

Rear view of an Achzarit

Achzarit Mk 2, upgraded version of the Achzarit for low intensity conflicts, 2016.

History

The Achzarit is based on the Soviet-built T-54/T-55 tank,[1] beginning with those captured from Arab armies during the Arab–Israeli wars. To make space for a troop compartment, the eight-and-a-half tonnes turret, the original superstructure of the chassis and the transversely mounted engine were removed.[1] Non-Explosive Reactive Armour was installed over the original hull.[2] The first model of the Achzarit entered in service in 1988.

Design

Protection

The Achzarit is one of the best protected infantry carriers in service and can withstand both shaped-charges and armor-piercing projectiles which would destroy conventional IFVs. The manufacturers claim[3] that the machine can withstand repeated 125 mm APFSDS hits over its frontal arc. At 44 tonnes, the machine is exceptionally heavy for an infantry carrier. The fact that 14 tonnes of the vehicle's weight is made up of additional advanced special composite armor, gives some indication as to its high degree of protection.

Weapons

It is armed with three 7.62 mm machine guns, including one Rafael Overhead Weapons Station, a machine gun controlled from within the cabin, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. As a lesson from the Second Intifada, a bulletproof glass turret was installed over one of the hatches to enable the commander to see outside without being exposed to small arms fire and shrapnel.

Several Achzarit in service have been upgraded with a 12.7 mm Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station in place of the standard 7.62 mm Rafael Overhead Weapon Station.

Operations

Because of its heavy armor, the Achzarit is sometimes called a Heavy APC (HAPC).

Achzarit APCs took part in Operation Rainbow in Rafah, after a comparatively lightly armored M113 APC was destroyed by an RPG. Achzarit APCs were also involved in the Gaza War.

Gallery

References

"Achzarit". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2009-11-05.
Gelbart, Marsh (2004). Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985-2004. Osprey Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 978-1841765792.
Gelbart, Marsh (2004). Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985-2004. Osprey Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 978-1841765792.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[GS-1] "Achzarit". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 2009-11-05.

[2] Gelbart, Marsh (2004). Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985-2004. Osprey Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 978-1841765792.

[3] Gelbart, Marsh (2004). Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985-2004. Osprey Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 978-1841765792.