Machbet

Machbet
A Hovet, the predecessor to the Machbet.
Type	Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
In service	1998-present
Used by	Israel
Production history
Designer	Israeli Aircraft Industries
Designed	Mid 1990s
Specifications
Crew	4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Armor	Rolled 5083/5086 H32 aluminium, spaced armor
Main armament	20 mm M61 Vulcan
Secondary armament	4 x FIM-92 Stinger infrared missiles
Engine	General Motors 6V53, 6-cylinder two-stroke diesel 212 hp (158 kW)
Suspension	Torsion bar
Operational range	480 km (300 mi)

The Machbet (Hebrew: מחבט, meaning "racquet") is an Israeli upgrade of the M163 Hovet self-propelled automatic anti-aircraft gun, based in turn on the M113 armored personnel carrier. In addition to the 20 mm M61 Vulcan rotary cannon it is armed with four FIM-92 Stinger surface-to-air missile launch tubes. The Machbet comes equipped with an upgraded tracking system and can establish a datalink with an external radar. The vehicle carries 1,800 rounds of 20 mm ammunition and 8 Stinger missiles. The Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) developed the Machbet in the mid 1990s. It had undergone testing in the IDF in 1997 and entered operational service in 1998 with the Israeli Air Force. The IAF was planning to convert all its Hovets to the newer Machbet configuration. Most of the Hovets have already been converted over to the Machbet.

The Machbet upgrade adds an enhanced suite of TV and FLIR target auto-tracking capability to the Hovet. A unit-level fire coordination and management capability is provided, as well as an interface to a sectorial air surveillance radar for the air targets picture. These all enable it to acquire approaching targets quicker, making the Machbet more effective than its predecessor.

While the intended role of the Machbet is the shooting down of aircraft approaching at low altitudes, it has been also found useful in urban warfare and ground fire support in general.

External links

• Machbet at iaf.org