Editing Merkava (section)

===Merkava Mark 4===
[[File:NGP 6692.jpg|thumb|Merkava Mark IV firing]]

The development of Merkava Mark 4 was begun in 1999, and production in 2004. The upgrade's development was announced in an October 1999 edition of the military publication ''Bamachaneh'' ("At the Camp"). However, the Merkava Mark 3 remained in production until 2003. The first Merkava IVs were in production in limited numbers by the end of 2004.<ref name="Merkava Mk IV breaks cover">{{Cite news |last= Donald |first=David |date=June 14, 2010 |url= http://www.janes.com/events/exhibitions/eurosatory2010/sections/daily/day2/merkava-mk-iv-breaks-cove.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120907223648/http://home.janes.com/events/exhibitions/eurosatory2010/sections/daily/day2/merkava-mk-iv-breaks-cove.shtml |archive-date=2012-09-07 |title=Merkava Mk IV breaks cover |work=Jane's }}</ref>

Removable [[modular armor]], from the Merkava Mark 3D, is used on all sides, including the top and a [[V-hull|V-shaped belly]] armor pack for the underside. This modular system is designed to allow damaged tanks to be rapidly repaired and returned to the field. Because rear armor is thinner, chains with iron balls are attached to detonate projectiles before they hit the main armored hull.<ref name="auto" />[[File:Merkava4-atzmaut1.jpg|thumb|left|The Merkava Mark IV in its first public show at [[Yad La-Shiryon]] during [[Israeli Independence Day]] celebrations in 2002.]] It is the first contemporary tank without a loader's hatch in the turret roof, because any aperture in the turret roof increases risk of penetration by [[ATGM]]s.<ref name="auto2">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nozvCwAAQBAJ&q=merkava+4&pg=PT62 |title=Modern Israeli Tanks and Infantry Carriers 1985–2004 |first=Marsh |last=Gelbart |date=May 20, 2012 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=9781780967837 |access-date=March 14, 2018 |via=Google Books}}</ref> Tank rounds are stored in individual fire-proof canisters, which reduce the chance of cook-offs in a fire inside the tank. The turret is electrically, rather than hydraulically, powered (hydraulic turrets use flammable liquid that ignites if the turret is penetrated)<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.army-technology.com/projects/merkava4/ |title=Merkava 4 Israel Defence Forces Main Battle Tank |access-date=2006-07-24 |url-status=live | work = Army technology |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060813211629/http://www.army-technology.com/projects/merkava4/ |archive-date=August 13, 2006}}</ref> and "dry": no active rounds are stored in it.

Some features, such as hull shaping, exterior non-reflective paints ([[radar cross-section]] reduction), and shielding for engine heat plumes mixing with outside air (reduced [[infrared signature]]) to confuse enemy [[thermal imager]]s, were carried over from the [[IAI Lavi]] program of the [[Israeli Air Force]] to make the tank harder to spot and target by heat sensors and radar.[[File:IDF-Merkava-Mk-4M-2016-Zachi-Evenor.jpg|thumb|Merkava Mk 4M, 2016]]

The Mark 4 includes the larger 120&nbsp;mm main gun of the previous versions, but can fire a wider variety of ammunition, including [[high-explosive anti-tank]] (HEAT), and [[Sabot (firearms)|sabot]] rounds like the [[Armour-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot|armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot]] (APFSDS) [[kinetic energy penetrator]], using an electrical semi-automatic revolving magazine for 10 rounds. It also includes a much larger 12.7&nbsp;mm machine gun for anti-vehicle operations (most commonly used against [[Technical (vehicle)|technicals]]).<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.defense-update.com/directory/merkava4.htm |title=Merkava Mk4 Detailed |publisher=Defense Update |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140426050715/http://www.defense-update.com/directory/merkava4.htm |archive-date=April 26, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2004}}</ref>

The Mark IV has the Israeli-designed ''TSAWS'' (tracks, springs, and wheels system) [[caterpillar track]] system, called "''Mazkom''" ({{langx|he|מערכת זחלים קפיצים ומרכובים, מזקו"ם}}) by troops. This system is designed to reduce track-shedding under the harsh basalt rock conditions of Lebanon and the Golan Heights.

The model has a new fire-control system, the [[El-Op]] ''Knight Mark 4''. An Amcoram LWS-2 [[laser warning receiver]] notifies the crew of threats like [[laser-guided]] [[anti-tank missile]]s and the fire-control system can launch [[smoke grenade]]s to obscure the tank from the laser beam.<ref name="auto2"/> Electromagnetic warning against radar illumination is also installed.<ref name="auto2"/>[[File:Merkeva Mk 4M - Israeli Tanks 2019-04-21 IZE-42.jpg|thumb|A profile of a Merkava Mk 4M tank, armed with an [[IMI 120 mm gun]], a [[M2 Browning]] .50-cal, a [[7.62×51 mm NATO]] commander's [[FN MAG]], and equipped with the [[Trophy (countermeasure)|Trophy active protection system]].]]

The tank carries the Israeli [[Elbit Systems]] BMS (Battle Management System; Hebrew: צי"ד), a centralised system that takes data from tracked units and [[unmanned aerial vehicle|UAVs]] in theater, displays it on color screens, and distributes it in encrypted form to all other units in a given theater equipped with BMS.

The Merkava IV has been designed for fast repair and replacement of damaged armour, with modular armour that can be easily removed and replaced. It is designed to be cost-effective in production and maintenance.

The tank has a high-performance air conditioning system, and can be fitted with a toilet for long-duration missions.<ref name="auto" />

====Mark 4 Meil Ru'ach (Mk 4M) Windbreaker====
The Merkava Mark 4M (Mk 4M) Windbreaker is a Merkava Mark 4 equipped with the [[Trophy (countermeasure)|Trophy]] [[active protection system]] (APS), designated "Meil Ruach" ({{langx|he|מעיל רוח}}; "Windbreaker" or "Wind Coat"). [[Mass production]] of Mark 4M tanks began in 2009, and the first whole brigade of Mark 4Ms was declared operational in 2011. The Trophy APS successfully intercepted [[rocket-propelled grenade]]s and [[anti-tank missile]]s, including [[9M133 Kornet]]s, fired by [[Hamas]] before and during [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict|Operation Protective Edge]] in 2014.<ref>Barbara Opall-Rome, [http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/land/vehicles/2016/01/28/israel-trophy-active-protection-system-aps/79460018/ "Israel To Equip Troop Carriers With Trophy APS"] Defense News, January 28, 2016</ref>

====Mark 4 Meil Ru'ach 400 (Mk. 4M 400) Windbreaker====
A midlife upgrade for the Mk. 4M that is somewhat of a bridge between the Mk. 4M and the Mk. 4 Barak.