Difference between revisions of "Merkava"
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| Cost = 3,666,250 c-bills | | Cost = 3,666,250 c-bills | ||
| mass = 75 tons | | mass = 75 tons | ||
| − | | armor = PanzerSlab | + | | armor = [[PanzerSlab]] |
| − | | engine = [[Vlar 300]] [[ | + | | engine = [[Vlar 300]] [[fusion engine]] |
| speed = 64 | | speed = 64 | ||
| Crew = 3 | | Crew = 3 | ||
| comsys = [[Teledon 11]]<ref name="TRO:3075p174">''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 174, "Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tank"</ref> | | comsys = [[Teledon 11]]<ref name="TRO:3075p174">''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 174, "Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tank"</ref> | ||
| T&T = [[Baltex K400]]<ref name="TRO:3075p174"/> | | T&T = [[Baltex K400]]<ref name="TRO:3075p174"/> | ||
| − | | heat sinks = 10 | + | | heat sinks = 10 [[Heat Sink|single]] |
| − | | armament = | + | | armament = |
| + | * 1x [[Autocannon/5]] | ||
| + | * 1x [[LRM-15]] | ||
| + | * 1x [[SRM 4]] | ||
| + | * 2x [[Machine Gun]] | ||
| BV (2.0) = 879<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged'', p. 147</ref><ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War'', p. 54</ref> | | BV (2.0) = 879<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged'', p. 147</ref><ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War'', p. 54</ref> | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | |||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
| − | The '''Merkava''' (meaning " | + | The '''Merkava''' (meaning "chariot" in Hebrew) was the main heavy [[tank]] of the [[Terran Alliance]] (and later [[Terran Hegemony]]), with variants of the venerable design in service continually from the late [[twenty-third century]] until the end of the [[twenty-sixth century]].<ref name="XTRO:PrimIp13"/><ref name="TRO3075p174"/> |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | The Merkava is an ancient heavy battle tank design that started its service life with the Terran Alliance when the Mk | + | The Merkava is an ancient heavy battle tank design that started its service life with the Terran Alliance when the Mk I first deployed in [[2294]]; after the formation of the Terran Hegemony in the early twenty-fourth century, the Merkava Mk. II became a key component of the [[Hegemony Armed Forces]] armored units<ref name="TRO3075p174"/> from its introduction in [[2384]].<ref name="XTRO:PrimIp13"/> The Merkava, produced by [[Leopard Armor]] of [[Terra]], was deployed as a front line battle tank throughout the [[Age of War]]. The tank gained a kind of symbolic status during its service in the [[Terran Hegemony]] and had seen multiple revisions of its basic design over the course of the three centuries it was in service, with the last version produced by the Hegemony - the Mk VIII - finally ending production after being declared obsolete by the end of the [[Reunification War]] in [[2597]]. By the time it was declared obsolete the Mk. VIII had been in service for over a century, having first been added to the HAF inventory in [[2465]].<ref name="TRO3075p174">''Technical Readout: 3075'', p. 174, "Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tank"</ref> |
Perhaps the most important part the Merkava played in history was serving as the opposing force for the first [[BattleMech]], the ''[[Mackie]]'''s live-fire combat trial. Four remote-controlled Merkava Mk VIs were destroyed in such a fashion as to shock the observers, sealing the BattleMech's rise to the position of king of the battlefield.<ref name="TRO3075p174"/> | Perhaps the most important part the Merkava played in history was serving as the opposing force for the first [[BattleMech]], the ''[[Mackie]]'''s live-fire combat trial. Four remote-controlled Merkava Mk VIs were destroyed in such a fashion as to shock the observers, sealing the BattleMech's rise to the position of king of the battlefield.<ref name="TRO3075p174"/> | ||
==Deployment== | ==Deployment== | ||
| − | The tank was produced by the Terran Alliance and Terran Hegemony until just before the formation of the [[Star League]]. It was retired from front-line service to the Hegemony militias and the surviving vehicles were finally cannibalized for | + | The tank was produced by the Terran Alliance and Terran Hegemony until just before the formation of the [[Star League]]. It was retired from front-line service to the Hegemony militias and the surviving vehicles were finally cannibalized for parts—particularly the [[fusion engine]]—during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]].<ref name="TRO3075p174"/> |
| − | After the discovery of the [[Hegemony Memory Core]], the tank was | + | After the discovery of the [[Hegemony Memory Core]], the tank was revived during the first half of the [[Jihad]] thanks to its simple construction. [[Earthwerks Incorporated]], in the [[Principality of Regulus]], created makeshift factories to produce a new version of the tank, the Mk IX, on [[Tiber (FWL)|Tiber]]. The Regulan government had begun to deploy the Mk IX to the [[Regulan Hussars]] in large numbers by [[3073]].<ref name="TRO3075p174"/> |
==Weapons and Equipment== | ==Weapons and Equipment== | ||
| − | All of the Merkava's main weaponry is mounted in its turret. The tank's long-range weaponry includes a 15-tube [[ | + | All of the Merkava's main weaponry is mounted in its turret. The tank's long-range weaponry includes a 15-tube [[long range missile]] launcher, with 16 volleys of fire. The tank's main gun is a Class 5 [[autocannon]], which was given 20 rounds to feed it. For short-range defense, it has a single 4-tubed [[short range missile]] launcher, with 25 reloads. Finally, for anti-infantry work, the tank sports paired [[machine gun]]s, one mounted on the turret, with the other located on the front; one hundred rounds are placed with the rest of the ammunition in the main body of the tank.<ref name="TRO3075p174"/> |
| − | The VIII variant mounts a 300 | + | The VIII variant mounts a 300-rated fusion engine (with ten heat sinks), giving the tank the respective speed (for its time period) of 64 km/h. Protecting the tank's hull is ten tons of standard armor, which is almost evenly spread around the tank and on the turret.<ref name="TRO3075p174"/> |
==Variants== | ==Variants== | ||
| − | *;Merkava Mk | + | *;Merkava Mk VI : The Mark VI was the last of the Merkava's [[ICE|internal combustion engine]] variants. Moving at a top speed of 54 km/h, it used an [[LRM-10]] with a ton of reloads for long range fire support, but the rest of the weapons remained the same. The biggest problem was the armor protection: the Mk VI only carried four and a half tons of [[BAR]] 7 armor. This led to the tank's rapid destruction after the invention of the [[large laser]]. Several Mk VIs had their LRM launchers removed in order to produce a remote-control version of the tank used to test the prototype ''Mackie'' BattleMech in combat. BV (2.0) = 477<ref name="XTRO:PrimIp13">''Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 1'', p. 13, "Merkava Mk. VI Heavy Tank"</ref> |
| − | *;Merkava Mk | + | *;Merkava Mk VII : Introduced in [[2435]], the Mark VII mounts a [[Primitive engine|primitive fusion engine]], which gave the tank a top speed of 54 km/h. It was also protected by primitive armor. The tank slightly differs from the Mark VIII version by having LRM 10 and SRM 2 launchers<ref name="TRO3075p174"/>. BV (2.0) = 636<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged Age of War'', p. 53</ref> |
| − | *;Merkava Mk. IX | + | *;Merkava Mk. IX : The Mark IX is the [[Principality of Regulus]]'s modern version of the Merkava, introduced in [[3073]]. The vehicle mounts a [[light fusion engine]] that allows for a [[light Gauss rifle]] in the turret, with 32 rounds of ammo. The tank's SRM 4 is upgraded to a [[Streak Missile Launcher|Streak]], while it retains the speed and armor protection of the VIII. BV (2.0) = 1,038<ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged'', p. 148</ref><ref>''Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War'', p. 55</ref> |
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
| − | *The version IX of the tank only appears in | + | * The version IX of the tank only appears in ''[[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged]]''. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Gallery== | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | File:Merkava.jpg|Original ''Merkava'' from ''[[Technical Readout: 3075|TRO:3075]]'' | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| Line 55: | Line 65: | ||
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War]]'' | * ''[[Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War]]'' | ||
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]'' | * ''[[Technical Readout: 3075]]'' | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Combat Vehicles]] | [[Category:Combat Vehicles]] | ||
| Line 60: | Line 71: | ||
[[Category: Heavy Combat Vehicles]] | [[Category: Heavy Combat Vehicles]] | ||
[[Category: Tracked Combat Vehicles]] | [[Category: Tracked Combat Vehicles]] | ||
| − | + | ||
[[Category: Main Battle Combat Vehicles]] | [[Category: Main Battle Combat Vehicles]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Terran Alliance Combat Vehicles]] | ||
[[Category: Terran Hegemony Combat Vehicles]] | [[Category: Terran Hegemony Combat Vehicles]] | ||
[[Category: Free Worlds League Combat Vehicles]] | [[Category: Free Worlds League Combat Vehicles]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:47, 21 January 2024
| |
| Merkava MK. VIII Heavy Tank | |
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Leopard Armor |
| Production Year | 2465[1] |
| Mission | Main Battle Tank |
| Type | Tracked |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 75 tons |
| Armor | PanzerSlab |
| Engine | Vlar 300 fusion engine |
| Speed | 64 km/h |
| Crew | 3 |
| Communications System | Teledon 11[2] |
| Targeting Tracking System | Baltex K400[2] |
| Heat Sinks | 10 single |
| Armament |
|
| BV (2.0) | 879[3][4] |
Contents
Overview[edit]
The Merkava (meaning "chariot" in Hebrew) was the main heavy tank of the Terran Alliance (and later Terran Hegemony), with variants of the venerable design in service continually from the late twenty-third century until the end of the twenty-sixth century.[5][6]
Description[edit]
The Merkava is an ancient heavy battle tank design that started its service life with the Terran Alliance when the Mk I first deployed in 2294; after the formation of the Terran Hegemony in the early twenty-fourth century, the Merkava Mk. II became a key component of the Hegemony Armed Forces armored units[6] from its introduction in 2384.[5] The Merkava, produced by Leopard Armor of Terra, was deployed as a front line battle tank throughout the Age of War. The tank gained a kind of symbolic status during its service in the Terran Hegemony and had seen multiple revisions of its basic design over the course of the three centuries it was in service, with the last version produced by the Hegemony - the Mk VIII - finally ending production after being declared obsolete by the end of the Reunification War in 2597. By the time it was declared obsolete the Mk. VIII had been in service for over a century, having first been added to the HAF inventory in 2465.[6]
Perhaps the most important part the Merkava played in history was serving as the opposing force for the first BattleMech, the Mackie's live-fire combat trial. Four remote-controlled Merkava Mk VIs were destroyed in such a fashion as to shock the observers, sealing the BattleMech's rise to the position of king of the battlefield.[6]
Deployment[edit]
The tank was produced by the Terran Alliance and Terran Hegemony until just before the formation of the Star League. It was retired from front-line service to the Hegemony militias and the surviving vehicles were finally cannibalized for parts—particularly the fusion engine—during the Succession Wars.[6]
After the discovery of the Hegemony Memory Core, the tank was revived during the first half of the Jihad thanks to its simple construction. Earthwerks Incorporated, in the Principality of Regulus, created makeshift factories to produce a new version of the tank, the Mk IX, on Tiber. The Regulan government had begun to deploy the Mk IX to the Regulan Hussars in large numbers by 3073.[6]
Weapons and Equipment[edit]
All of the Merkava's main weaponry is mounted in its turret. The tank's long-range weaponry includes a 15-tube long range missile launcher, with 16 volleys of fire. The tank's main gun is a Class 5 autocannon, which was given 20 rounds to feed it. For short-range defense, it has a single 4-tubed short range missile launcher, with 25 reloads. Finally, for anti-infantry work, the tank sports paired machine guns, one mounted on the turret, with the other located on the front; one hundred rounds are placed with the rest of the ammunition in the main body of the tank.[6]
The VIII variant mounts a 300-rated fusion engine (with ten heat sinks), giving the tank the respective speed (for its time period) of 64 km/h. Protecting the tank's hull is ten tons of standard armor, which is almost evenly spread around the tank and on the turret.[6]
Variants[edit]
- Merkava Mk VI
- The Mark VI was the last of the Merkava's internal combustion engine variants. Moving at a top speed of 54 km/h, it used an LRM-10 with a ton of reloads for long range fire support, but the rest of the weapons remained the same. The biggest problem was the armor protection: the Mk VI only carried four and a half tons of BAR 7 armor. This led to the tank's rapid destruction after the invention of the large laser. Several Mk VIs had their LRM launchers removed in order to produce a remote-control version of the tank used to test the prototype Mackie BattleMech in combat. BV (2.0) = 477[5]
- Merkava Mk VII
- Introduced in 2435, the Mark VII mounts a primitive fusion engine, which gave the tank a top speed of 54 km/h. It was also protected by primitive armor. The tank slightly differs from the Mark VIII version by having LRM 10 and SRM 2 launchers[6]. BV (2.0) = 636[7]
- Merkava Mk. IX
- The Mark IX is the Principality of Regulus's modern version of the Merkava, introduced in 3073. The vehicle mounts a light fusion engine that allows for a light Gauss rifle in the turret, with 32 rounds of ammo. The tank's SRM 4 is upgraded to a Streak, while it retains the speed and armor protection of the VIII. BV (2.0) = 1,038[8][9]
Notes[edit]
- The version IX of the tank only appears in Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged.
Gallery[edit]
Original Merkava from TRO:3075
References[edit]
- ↑ MUL online date for the Merkava
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 174, "Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tank"
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 147
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 54
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Experimental Technical Readout: Primitives, Volume 1, p. 13, "Merkava Mk. VI Heavy Tank"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 Technical Readout: 3075, p. 174, "Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tank"
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged Age of War, p. 53
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged, p. 148
- ↑ Record Sheets: 3075 Unabridged - Age of War, p. 55