Editing Merkava (section)

=== Merkava 4 Barak ===
[[File:Merkava-Mk-4-Barak-0001.jpg|thumb|Merkava Mk 4 Barak]]
The Merkava Mark 4 Barak (Lightning) entered service in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Egozi |first1=Arie |title=Israel Defense Forces test the Merkava 4 "Barak" tank prototypes |date=April 15, 2023 |url= https://defence-industry.eu/israel-defense-forces-test-the-merkava-5-tank-prototypes/ |publisher=Defence Industry Europe |access-date=15 June 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ברקע המלחמה באוקראינה: צה"ל מאיץ את שילוב טנק מרכבה סימן 5 |date= March 10, 2022 |url= https://news.walla.co.il/item/3493339 |publisher=Walla! |access-date= 15 June 2023}}</ref> The tank has an upgraded [[Trophy (countermeasure)|Trophy APS]], 360-degree day/night camera coverage for boosted situational awareness, a fighter jet–style [[helmet-mounted display]] for the tank commander, and new sensors enabling it to independently acquire targets and strike them rapidly, as well as having [[electronic warfare]] abilities and advanced processing systems,<ref name=barak>{{cite web |url= https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/technology-and-innovation/meet-the-merkava-mk-4-barak/ |title=Meet the Merkava Mk. 4 Barak |date= 19 July 2018 |publisher=[[Israel Defense Forces]]}}</ref> and a direct energy system capable of intercepting drones and cruise missiles.{{Citation needed |date=December 2023}} The Merkava Mark IV tank also has enhanced armor on top of the turret, providing more protection to the crew against drone strikes.<ref>{{Cite web |last= Axe |first=David |title=Israel's Merkava Mark IV Tanks Are More Drone-Proof Than Other Tanks |url= https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2023/10/12/israels-merkava-mark-iv-tanks-are-more-drone-proof-than-other-tanks-are/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Forbes}}</ref>

==== Iron Vision helmet-mounted display system ====
A main feature of the Barak, unveiled in July 2018, is the integration of the Iron Vision [[helmet-mounted display|helmet-mounted augmented reality system]], using high-resolution cameras arrayed around the tank to provide a 360° [[virtual reality]] view of a tank's surroundings to crew members' helmet displays while protected inside. Israeli company [[Elbit]] developed the system for the [[F-35]] fighter aircraft.<ref>[http://www.janes.com/article/69059/idf-to-trial-elbit-s-ironvision-in-merkava-mbt "IDF to trial Elbit's IronVision in Merkava MBT"] {{webarchive |url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170419091045/http://www.janes.com/article/69059/idf-to-trial-elbit-s-ironvision-in-merkava-mbt |date= April 19, 2017}} Peter Felstead, ''IHS Jane's Defence Weekly'', 27 March 2017</ref><ref name=barak/>