Namer

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Namer
Namer IFV/APC
Operational Namer at exhibition in Yad La-Shiryon
TypeInfantry fighting vehicle
Place of origin Israel
Service history
In service2008–
Used byIsrael Defense Forces
WarsGaza War
Production history
DesignerIsrael Military Industries
ManufacturerIDF Ordnance (assembly)
Unit cost$3 million[1]
Produced2008–
No. built15-45[2]
Specifications
Mass60 tonnes[3]
Crew3 (commander, driver, RCWS operator)
ArmorClassified composite matrix of laminated ceramic-steel-nickel alloy + underlaid reactive armour. Sloped modular design.
Main
armament
Samson RCWS equipped with either [[M2 Browning machine gun|Template:In to mm M2 machine gun]], or Mk 19 grenade launcher, or smaller MG.
Secondary
armament
1 × Template:Mm to in FN MAG MG
1 × Template:Mm to in external mortar
12 smoke grenades
Engine1,200 hp (895 kW) turbocharged diesel engine
Power/weight20 hp/ton
Payload capacity9 infantrymen[4]
SuspensionHelical spring
Operational
range
Template:Km to mi
Maximum speed 60 km/h (40 mph) - top speed

Namer (Hebrew: נמ"ר, pronounced [nameʁ], means "leopard" and also a contraction of "Nagmash" (APC) and "Merkava") is an Israeli heavily armoured heavyweight infantry fighting vehicle based on the Israeli Merkava Mark IV tank. Namer was developed by and is being assembled by the Israeli Ordnance Corps. It has been in service with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since summer 2008.

History

Namer prototype based on Merkava Mark I. Notice the straight side of the hull.
Operational Namer based on Merkava Mark IV. Notice the sloped side of the hull.

1990's-2004

The experience of converting Centurion tanks into armored personnel carriers (Nagmachon) and combat engineering vehicles (Puma, Nakpadon), followed by the successful conversion of many T-54 and T-55 tanks into Achzarit infantry fighting vehicles pushed the idea of converting Merkava tanks into heavily armored APCs / IFVs. The concept held great promise, because many of the 250 Merkava Mark I's were being gradually withdrawn from service and it was also made clear that the 105 mm armament of the Merkava Mark IIs could not be upgraded to the more modern IMI 120 mm gun.

The development did not progress much in the 1990s due to lack of funds, but following 2004 Israel–Gaza conflict, which exposed the vulnerability of the M113 armored personnel carrier to improvised explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades, the IDF re-opened the development.[5] At that point domestic production of Namer was preferred over purchasing the Stryker armored personnel carrier.[6]

2005-present

Eventually, IDF Ordnance developed some heavy-duty infantry fighting vehicle prototypes based on the Merkava Mark I chassis, and also a handful of IFVs based on the Merkava Mark IV chassis.[7] The vehicle was initially called Nemmera (Hebrew: leopardess), but later renamed to Namer.

On February 15, 2005 Maariv reported that a running Namer prototype based on the Merkava Mark I was fielded by the Givati Brigade for trials and evaluation. It was equipped with a Rafael Overhead Weapon Station, which is remotely controlled and loaded from within the vehicle. This same unit was demonstrated at the Eurosatory 2005 military exhibition with possible export customers showing interest.

Lessons learned in the battles of the 2006 Lebanon War also largely verified this program. Consequently, in 2007 it was reported[8] that the first fifteen Namers would be delivered in 2008, and over a hundred more will finally equip two combat brigades. However, conversion plans were abandoned in favor to newly-built Merkava Mark IV chassis.

On March 1, 2008 an operational, started from scratch and fully-developed Namer IFV based on Merkava Mark IV chassis was officially presented by the IDF.[9] Reportedly, the construction was urged on May 2008 by importing parts from the US.[10] On September 15, 2008, the Namer was unveiled to the general public at an exhibition in Rishon LeZion.

Design

Operational Namer in Yad La-Shiryon, Latrun.

Survivability

Like the Merkava Mark IV, Namer has been designed for a high level of crew survival on the battlefield with modular armor, reinforced V-shaped belly armor pack, and NBC protection. It is also ready to be equipped with an active protection system. As of June 2009, the IDF approved the acquisition of Israel Military Industries' Iron Fist active protection system for the Namer.[11]

Armament

Namer is armed with either a M2 Browning machine gun or a Mk 19 grenade launcher mounted on a Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station, a 7.62 mm (FN MAG) machine gun, a 60 mm mortar. Smoke grenade launchers are also carried. Mounting an external remote controlled 30-mm autocannon[4] and Spike anti-tank guided missiles is also considered.[12]

Capabilities

Namer is capable of maneuvering in difficult terrain, powered by the Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-9AR 1,200 hp (895 kW) V12 air-cooled diesel engine of the Merkava Mark III. Namer is able to carry up to 12 troops (crewmen and fully equipped infantrymen) and one stretcher, or two stretchers and medical equipment on a Namerbulance MEDEVAC version[13]. The original Merkava Mark IV rear entrance was redesigned to be a wider door ramp with a sniper port. Two hatches are fitted on the roof, which is higher than Merkava's hull roof. Namer also shares a digital battlefield management system with Merkava Mark IV.

Users

 Israel

The Golani Brigade was the first to acquire the Namer. According to IDF, the Namer IFV is set be distributed to infantry and combat engineering forces, with possible future plans for special models for intelligence and command purposes.[14] Two Namers took part in the Gaza War as part of the Golani Brigade.[15] As of February 2009, IDF had ordered 130 Namers and already received about ten, while planning to order another 800 vehicles.[1] As of June 2009, IDF received 15 vehicles out of current order of 45.[2]

Export

 Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan and Israel have conducted negotiations over the Namer vehicle.[16]

See also

References

External images
image icon High-quality photo #1
image icon High-quality photo #2
image icon High-quality photo #3
image icon High-quality photo #4
  1. ^ a b "צה"ל הכניס לשימוש נגמ"ש חדש מתוצרת ישראלית" (in Hebrew). Haaretz.
  2. ^ a b "The Institute for National Security Studies", chapter Israel, 2009, [1] June 17, 2009.
  3. ^ [2]
  4. ^ a b "New Artillery Cannon for APC". IDF official site.
  5. ^ "תוכנית "נמרה": טנק המרכבה 1 יוסב לנגמ"ש" (in Hebrew). Haaretz.
  6. ^ "ARMORED WARFARE: Israel Drops Stryker for Merkava APC". Strategypage.com.
  7. ^ Gelbart, Marsh, and Tony Bryan (illustrator) (2004). Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985–2004. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 1-84176-579-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Armor: The Ultimate IFV". StrategyPage.
  9. ^ "עין הנמ"ר" (in Hebrew). Official IDF site.
  10. ^ "צה"ל מאיץ את ייצור ה"נמר" בסיוע ארה"ב" (in Hebrew). Maariv.
  11. ^ "IDF Approves Acquisition of Active protection Systems for Namer AIFVs". Defense Update.
  12. ^ "Namer Heavy armored personnel carrier". military-today.com.
  13. ^ "הגלגול הבא של הנמ"ר - אמבולנס משוריין" (in Hebrew). Official IDF site.
  14. ^ "Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) - Namer". Official IDF site. IDF.
  15. ^ "מה עשו שני נמ"רים בלב רצועת עזה?". Official IDF site (in Hebrew). IDF.
  16. ^ PanARMENIAN.Net Israel rearms Azerbaijani army

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Namer APC.
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