- Yes
- No
I would like to suggest the Namer Prototype with OWS 25
The Namer prototype was a completely different vehicle than the Production version of the Namer. the prototype was designed in 2002 and based on the Merkava Mk.1. The idea was to convert the obsolete tank into a heavy APC to replace the existing M113 just like the Achzarit did for the T-55. the Namer (often misnamed Namera or Nammera online) was built in 2005 and tested as APC. At this time an order of over 100 was on the table. the new APC featured the same armour as the Merkava 1 for the most part, it was simply taller and without a real turret. an additional composite armour was added on the front and un the belly to make it more resistant to the various treath. but this protection was not significantly improved over the Merkava 1. The tank also retains the same engine and transmission as the Merkava 1. The elimination of the turret reduced the weight significantly which gave the tank a much higher mobility. in 2007, the learning of the recent combat made the IDF review their requirement for the Namer. they wanted a lot more protection and the tank to be based on a chassis that was not obsolete. the Namer as we know was born from this requirement.
Namer prototype
Somewhere during the testing of the Namer prototype, the IDF fitted the tank with the OWS 25 turret. most likely to give the tank the ability to properly support the infantry. this tank was slowly falling in the IFV category and not simply APC. it is unclear when this modification was made but it was surely canceled when the namer needed a redesign.
Namer prototype
Firepower
the main armament of the Namer (P) OWS 25 is the 25mm Bushmaster M242 auto-cannon. this auto-cannon is the same as that used on the M3 Bradley. only there is no ATGM installed (at the opposite of the OWS-25R version). this auto-cannon can fire APFSDS with an interesting armor penetration that allows it to fight early MBTs. the ammo load includes 200 rounds ready to use in a dual feed belt but the ammo storage is unknown. Maybe up to 5 reloads could be stored inside the hull if not more. the turret is powered making it quite fast to aim. a high rotation speed in the area of 40°/sec is likely to be. the elevation ranges from -11°/+60° which makes it a tank quite capable of engaging low-flying aircraft. the turret also features a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun and day/night sight. the turret is controlled by both the Commander and the gunner from the inside of the hull just below the turret. the turret can be reloaded manually from inside.
Mobility
The mobility of this tank will be much better than the Merkava 1 or the Namer. while it is unknown the speed was unchanged, the power weight is significantly better, the tank will be more responsive and accelerate more. . the engine is the V12 diesel Teledyne Continental AVDS-1790-6A providing 963 hp paired with the Allison CD-850-6BX automatic transmission. the weight reduced to approximately 40 tonnes will give a power-weight of 23.5 hp/ton which is a real improvement. the top speed is unknown. Some sources started the Namer could reach 80 km/h which is optimistic but this one could have enough power to achieve it. without having a reliable source, I will keep the 53 km/h of the Merkava and Namer which is simply a safe choice.
Protection
the Namer prototype retains the base protection of the Merkava Mk.1 which makes it a pretty decently protected APC. The only difference is that the chassis is taller a bit. Of course, here is also some composite added on the front over the armor which adds a bit of protection and also additional protection against mines. but the belly protection does not matter much unless you plan to flip over. the crew of 3 men includes a commander, driver, and gunner who are all in the center of the tank. the tank features an LWS and ESS. but it does not have a smoke launcher or anything else.
Sources
outside the picture, there is not many sources placing both parts together. but there is the source for the chassis an turret.
Chassis
- Namer
- Army Guide - Namera, Tracked armoured personnel carrier
- Namer IFV: World's Most Armored Infantry Carrier
- http://mil.news.sina.com.cn/p/2008-08-15/0914516644.html
- 图文:雌虎原型车顶置武器站上安装的12.7机枪_新浪军事_新浪网
- https://read01.com/7DPNRRL.html
- US Army may consider buying German Puma or Israeli Namer for Ground Combat Vehicle program 0511111
- Israeli Armor: 2017
- https://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/bbs/view.html?b_bbs_id=10159&pn=0&num=11039
- Israeli concerns “Rafael, IAI and IMI agreed to jointly develop the next generation of active protection complex (KAZ)
- https://defense-update.com/20070810_namer_aifv.html#google_vignette
- Merkava Mk 4 – A Growing Family of AFVs - Defense Update:
Turret