Comments by "Comm0ut" (@Comm0ut) on "Merkava: The perfect Tank?" video.

  1. Considering current events the idea of crippling a defensive force with purely "defensive" (weak, short range, comforting to your enemies so they don't take offense in either meaning of that word) buying that serious hardware was more than vindicated. So are drones and the crude 1990s versions were a necessary phase of development. The 103 design is outstanding and not wasting steel and expensive complex machinery to have a turret was a fine idea. A modern 103 could mount RWS with unobstructed traverse thanks to the hull design and that RWS could mount MANPADS for self-defense and ATGW/tactical UAS launchers. Being turret-free improves crew protection, reduces weight (permitting hard-kill APS without turret performance penalties which can be severe), and as the spectacular German StuG K/D ratio proved superbly effective at destroying offensive tanks. Track stabilization would be easy with modern sensors/hydraulic actuators which could be electronically slaved to the fire control system. A modern 103 successor could be a hybrid for stealth loiter and mount a small turbine (Capstone or aircraft ground power generator style and possibly mostly COTS parts) externally for charging (the use of a battery as an accumulator means the charging motor doesn't have to drive a mechanical transmission and can be much smaller in size than one which does.
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  2. Can anyone point me to tech pubs or video showing how the unusual pivoting tow chain system on new Namers is operated? It's quite different from a conventional tow cable and appears designed for rapid connection. Can it be used with both vehicle crews buttoned up? The adjustable height on the towed-vehicle mount could permit that if the towing vehicle hitch has/had internally operable height and latching controls (not hard, similar exist in the trucking world). Namer is the only unusual AFV towing arrangement like that I've ever seen and I'm a towing, construction and armor nerd.
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