Eitan 8x8 APC armoured vehicle personnel carrier

[DavidSling]

The Eitan : IDF's first wheeled armored personnel carrier

Armament
The Eitan 8x8 armoured personnel carrier can be fitted with a wide range of weapon stations. The APC (Armoured Personnel Carrier) version is fitted with a remote weapon station armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. The IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) version can be fitted with remotely operated turrets armed with 30/40mm automatic cannon. This turret can be also armed with anti-tank guided missile launchers.

Design and protection
The layout of the Eitan 8x8 armoured personnel carrier is similar to standard modern wheeled armoured vehicle with the driver and engine at the front, combat module in the middle and troops compartment at the rear. The Eitan can carried a total of 12 military personnel including commander, driver, gunner and 9 infantrymen with a weight from 30,000 to 35,000 kg. The hull of the Eitan uses a combination of armour protection system including passive armour module at the front and sides. The floor of the vehicle offers high level of protection against blast effects of mines and IEDs ( Improvised Explosive Device). The infantry enter and leave the vehicle through a small hydraulically operated ramp at the rear of the hull.

Mobility
The Eitan 8x8 armoured personnel carrier is motorized with a 750 horsepower engine. It can run at a maximum road speed of 90 km/h. The vehicle uses an 8x8 driveline configuration. The tyres of the vehicle are fitted with runflat system designed to resist the effects of deflation when punctured, and to enable the vehicle to continue to be driven at reduced speeds (under 50 km/h), and for limited range (up to 16 km), depending on the type of tire.

Accessories
To increase its protection, the Eitan 8x8 armoured personnel carrier is fitted with the Trophy Active Protection Systems (APS) from the Israeli Company Rafael. The Trophy neutralizes all types of Chemical Energy threats in flight, addressing them in four major stages: Threat detection, threat tracking, Hard Kill countermeasure activation, and threat neutralization.


Armament - One 12.7mm machine gun or 30/40mm automatic cannon
Country users - Israel prototype
Designer Country - Israel
Accessories -Runflat system, active protection system
Crew - 3 + 9
Armor - Modular armour
Weight - 30,000 to 35,000 kg
Speed - 90 km/h
Range - ? km
Dimensions - Length: ? m; Width: ? m; Height: ? m

Wheeled AFVs are generally similar in performance, but there are a few things that let the Eitan stand out:

1)It is currently the heaviest wheeled AFV in the world - weighing 35 tons. The 2nd heaviest AFV is the Boxer at 33 tons. Needless to say it is not amphibious, so bye bye USMC.

2)Accordingly, it is also very well protected compared to others. It features both passive armor and explosive reactive armor (ERA). They're still under development but it appears it's designed to handle common anti-tank weaponry with tandem warheads.

3)Comes equipped with Trophy APS. So far several wheeled IFVs around the world were proposed to customers with integrated APS, but none was bought. Let alone made operational.
The current Eitan prototype features no APS because by the time of its production, the Trophy 2 developed jointly by Rafael, IMI and IAI is set to be ready for production as well.
Trophy 2 is said to combine elements from both the Trophy and Iron Fist and provide a full anti-KE capability on HV version, most likely featuring an auto-loader as well.

4)Eitan is said to receive either a 30mm or 40mm cannon. IDF is inclined to develop its own 40mm cannon based on telescopic ammunition but still has the option to buy 30mm cannons.
Either way, the turret will not be an existing design, since the IDF has access to 3 different turret types meeting its requirements for 30mm that were tested on Namer, however none was fitted on the Eitan.

5)Eitan will be the first vehicle to use the Elbit IronVision which allows the crew to see the surroundings of the vehicle through a helmet instead of a screen, similar to HMDs on planes. It vastly improves situational awareness which is IMO a force multiplier.

http://defense-update.com/20160801_eitan.html
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/WAT...carrier-462936
http://www.defence24.com/423491,eita...ain-advantages

Chart by Defense-Update.com:

Updates:
*as a cost cutting measure, an unknown portion of the automotive components are MOTS or COTS (military/civilian off the shelf), and roughly 30% of the total components(assumed to be the automotive components) are especially made in USA to allow purchase via FMS.
It is yet unknown whether these are temporarily used for the development phase or if those are meant already for full scale production version.

*Defence24.com and Defense-Update.com provide the most in-depth analysis so far, and were linked in this page.

*Eitan has no official STANAG 4569 levels contrary to any type of armor so far showcased by IMI and Rafael. This has multiple reasons:
a)The armor is still under development. This stems from the fact the prototype was not fitted with either passive or reactive armor when shown to the public or when doing its mobility tests, and was most likely fitted with steel weights for the tests.
b)Eitan may not be offered for export immediately, and IMOD may wait until it is production-ready.
c)Israel is an MNNA (Major Non-NATO Ally) and is still not part of NATO, so it does not have to make armor made for domestic use under standards of an organization it's not a part of.
Therefore it could make armor that is in between existing levels or higher.

However given the rhetoric on the Eitan project it may be fairly easy to estimate what kind of protection levels it may have:
Front - resistance to 30mm APFSDS, 57mm AP and existing types of RPG-7 (PG-7V2).
Sides - resistance to 14.5mm AP, 23mm AP, and RPG-29 was cited as one of the main threats it will face.
Roof - mortar fire most likely up to 81mm or more. Thick roof armor was spotted.
Rear - unknown. Thick door spotted.

and of course the heavier protection is provided by Trophy.

https://aw.my.com/en/forum/showthread.php?81631-Eitan-IFV
http://www.armyrecognition.com/isra...t_specifications_pictures_video_10208163.html

Merkava 4 MBT
https://defence.pk/threads/merkava-4.429628/
Namer AIFV/APC
https://defence.pk/threads/namer-heavy-armoured-infantry-fighting-vehicle-israel.437122/
Active Protection Systems (APS)
https://defence.pk/threads/active-protection-system-aps-for-tanks.418153/
IronVision helmet
https://defence.pk/threads/this-ironvision-helmet-can-see-through-armor.434434/#post-8401738

@Penguin @500 @Natan @Archdemon @GBU-28 @F-15I @mike2000 is back @Blue Marlin @Mountain Jew

 

[jaiind]

cool armoured vehicle

 

[Penguin]

However given the rhetoric on the Eitan project it may be fairly easy to estimate what kind of protection levels it may have:
Front - resistance to 30mm APFSDS, 57mm AP and existing types of RPG-7 (PG-7V2).
Sides - resistance to 14.5mm AP, 23mm AP, and RPG-29 was cited as one of the main threats it will face.
Roof - mortar fire most likely up to 81mm or more. Thick roof armor was spotted.
Rear - unknown. Thick door spotted.

Source: https://defence.pk/threads/eitan-8x8-apc-armoured-vehicle-personnel-carrier.451093/#ixzz4LA9hYJov

Resistance? I would be more interested at the range at which it can still stop penetration of 30mm APFSDS, 57mm AP rounds.

4)Eitan is said to receive either a 30mm or 40mm cannon. IDF is inclined to develop its own 40mm cannon based on telescopic ammunition but still has the option to buy 30mm cannons.
Either way, the turret will not be an existing design, since the IDF has access to 3 different turret types meeting its requirements for 30mm that were tested on Namer, however none was fitted on the Eitan.

Why not a version of 60mm HVMS in a modernized turret?
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product3609.html
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product3309.html

https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/israeli-imi-60mm-apfsds-t-ammunition/10221/21

The specifications suggest that the dart left the barrel at an astounding 5,300 feet per second, and only shed 300 feet per second after the first kilometer of travel. It was also capable of penetrating 120mm of armor sloped at 60 degrees at a range of 2 kilometers, more than contemporary APFSDS rounds from the then state-of-the-art 105mm gun.

See Tony Williams discussion http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/WLIP.htm

 

[Natan]

Why not a version of 60mm HVMS in a modernized turret?

The new tracked vehicle - Carmel, which has not yet been shown, is more like to have a 60-90-120 mm lightweight low-recoil canon.
Eitan is supposed to have a 30-40 mm canon.

 

[dani958]

we will export him?

 

[Penguin]

The new tracked vehicle - Carmel, which has not yet been shown, is more like to have a 60-90-120 mm lightweight low-recoil canon.
Eitan is supposed to have a 30-40 mm canon.

I know, but since the HVMS is also Israeli, why opt for 30mm round or 40mm telescopic round and not the 60mm. Sure, the former are more compact, but the latter has greater power. So what is the idea behind choice wor 30-40mm and for large caliber low-recoil gun.

 

[DavidSling]

IDF's new wheeled APC finishes first round of operational testing
The 'Eitan' is set to replace the aging M113 and comes complete with air conditioning, touch-screen monitors, Trophy active protection system, a 30mm cannon and tops out at 90km/h.

Yoav Zitun|Published: 25.01.17 , 13:12

The Eitan is slated to replace the aging M113 APC, which has been in service since the 1970s.


The Eitan (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

The Eitan was subject to months of grueling tests in varying terrain at IDF training bases in the Negev and Jordan Valley.

"The Eitan brings both strong resilience and lethality to the battlefield," project head Maj. Sharon Guetta told Ynet. "The vehicle can reach speeds of 90km/h, but its purpose is obviously to enable a fighting force to safely arrive at the target area."


Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

The Eitan has enough space for 12 soldiers—including the commander, gunner and driver—who will enjoy more comfortable seating (as opposed to the old APCs), a "softer" ride, air conditioning and touch-screen systems offering a 360-degree view of the battle space.

The APC comes equipped with a variety of joystick-controlled weapons systems, including an FN MAG, a .50 caliber heavy machine and a 30mm cannon with a range of 2,500 meters. The offensive capabilities are meant to be anti-personnel and anti-material in nature in order to protect the soldiers within.


Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit

The heavier 'Namer' APC will also be equipped with the 30mm cannon in order to provide forces an alternative, more flexible option than a tank shell.

Currently, the Eitan project is in the final stages of operational approval by the IDF and the chief of staff will review a timetable and decide on the scope of the new APC's use. In the short term however, the Nahal Brigade will continue to operate the Eitan, including in new deployment zones, in order to identify any potential deficiencies.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4912662,00.html

@Penguin @500 @Natan @Archdemon @GBU-28 @F-15I @mike2000 is back @Blue Marlin @Mountain Jew @Beny Karachun @Adir-M @Ilay @theman111

 

[DavidSling]

New Eitan Info

Doing just a little update since I've received new information regarding the Eitan.

*Eitan is confirmed to have 30mm cannon.
*Namer will be trialed with the new cannon as well beginning next year.
*new touchscreens.
*off-road speed during trials is 50km/h for safety. Said to increase in operational activity.
*Improved synchronization of battle management systems and communications with the fire control systems.
*currently going through final operational assessment phases, soon will have an assigned schedule for acquisition.
*some faults discovered, mainly communication between commander and driver. Now being fixed.



I must say, I'm quite disappointed with the choice of 30mm cannon (XM813) as it provides a lower degree of firepower than a 40mm, and is left behind in the trend of higher caliber munitions, led currently by UK, France, Spain, Russia, and China, and in the long run also the US.

The 30mm may be enough for Israel at the moment, but looking at the future and the IDF's current focus on a mix of hybrid and mobile warfare, it may not be enough in the long run. It's important to note that at the moment, the IDF does not operate a medium cannon, and as such it doesn't face the logistical constraints of ammo commonality.

However there is quite a logical reason behind the IDF's choice of 30mm over the 40mm.
The current suppliers of cannons and ammo for the 40mm CTAS are France and UK, both are deemed by Israel to be unreliable arms exporters, since both have imposed embargo on Israel, with the latter doing so just a few years ago.

Developing locally would be too time consuming and resource consuming. The IDF only chose to develop its own armament when access to foreign cannons was denied.


The Really Big News?
Namer is said to be trialed with the same turret to provide alternative fire for tanks that may not be around.
For years the debate around Namer's firepower has been central in every discussion regarding its development, and now it is finally here.

Namer has already been tested with 30mm turrets before, namely the RAFAEL Samson 30 Mk-1 and Elbit's UT-30, however it was decided to not purchase either and not to pursue a more suitable one, since these were mainly export oriented turrets.



Namer with Samson 30 Mk 1 turret in trials



What this means essentially is that the IDF will now have not one, but two true IFVs allowing it to operate true mechanized infantry with independent firepower capabilities which include precision strike at long ranges via Spike missiles.

https://zuk-armor-il.blogspot.co.il/

 

[Penguin]

I must say, I'm quite disappointed with the choice of 30mm cannon (XM813) as it provides a lower degree of firepower than a 40mm, and is left behind in the trend of higher caliber munitions, led currently by UK, France, Spain, Russia, and China, and in the long run also the US.

The 30mm may be enough for Israel at the moment, but looking at the future and the IDF's current focus on a mix of hybrid and mobile warfare, it may not be enough in the long run. It's important to note that at the moment, the IDF does not operate a medium cannon, and as such it doesn't face the logistical constraints of ammo commonality.

However there is quite a logical reason behind the IDF's choice of 30mm over the 40mm.
The current suppliers of cannons and ammo for the 40mm CTAS are France and UK, both are deemed by Israel to be unreliable arms exporters, since both have imposed embargo on Israel, with the latter doing so just a few years ago.

Developing locally would be too time consuming and resource consuming. The IDF only chose to develop its own armament when access to foreign cannons was denied.

The XM813 Bushmaster is based on the Mk44 and is offered as an upgrade for M1126 Stryker and M2 Bradley vehicles, as well as having been a contender to be the primary armament of the GCV Infantry Fighting Vehicle.

Improvements include a one-inch longer barrel, integral mount to increase first round hit probability by up to 10 percent, and dual recoil system to enhance accuracy and cope with future hotter propellants. It can have a next-round select, linkless feed system.

The 30 mm chain gun can fire Mk310 Programmable Air Burst Munition rounds to attack targets in defilade. The United States Army Research, Development and Engineering Command helped enhance the XM813 mainly for safety and turret integration.

By changing five parts, the gun caliber can be increased to 40 mm. As of November 2013, the XM813 was being tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground over three months to ensure reliability levels of 40,000 mean rounds between failures. Long-term plans are to equip vehicles with the Bushmaster III 35mm/50mm cannon.

The XM813 has a demonstrated firing ability out to 3,000 metres (1.9 mi) for precision firing. Airburst rounds increase lethality by enabling engagement of targets in defilade when they would otherwise only be suppressed by fire
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mk44_Bushmaster_II#XM813

30×173 mm
Same as on Goalkeeper and A-10 Warthog
Such a weak round.

 

[DavidSling]

 

[Gothic]

The Eitan : IDF's first wheeled armored personnel carrier

I always wondered why israeli armor look like Crocodiles , tough and rugged on the outer side and soft on the belly

if that's intentional or if indeed israeli technology has reached that maximum

 

[Beny Karachun]

The Tank Administration in the Israeli Ministry of Defense (MANTAK), together with the IDF Ground Arm, are continuing to develop the Eitan, the future wheeled armored personnel carrier (APC) of the IDF.

During the last few days, the Eitan APC completed a series of field tests, which took place in southern Israel, as well as in the Golan Heights.

The Eitan will weigh 30-35 tons, have a 750 horsepower engine, and be able to reach speeds of up to 90+ km/h on paved roads, according to IMOD. The APC variant will be able to carry 12 personnel, including the commander, driver, and gunner.

 

[DavidSling]

In addition to the “Barak,” which is set to be ready within the next few years, Matzliach also described the Defense Ministry’s new wheeled armored personnel carrier, known as the “Eitan,” or “Steadfast,” which recently finished its first round of operational testing with the Nahal infantry brigade.

Replace the aging M113 APC, the “Eitan” will be able to carry 12 soldiers – including the commander, gunner and driver – who will enjoy more comfortable seating, air conditioning and touch-screen systems offering a 360-degree view of the battlefield.
While less fortified than the Namer APC that it will complement, it will be equipped with advanced defense systems such as the Trophy active protection system (which will also be installed on the “Barak”) and hi-tech armor designed to protect against rocket- propelled grenades and antitank missiles. The Eitan will also come equipped with an FN MAG 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, .50 caliber heavy machine gun, a 30 mm cannon with a range of 2,500 meters, and a missile launcher that can be operated without the crews leaving the vehicle and exposing themselves to the enemy.

“We are taking the APC to a whole new level, turning the Namer into an infantry fighting vehicle, which will allow crew to use it not only as an armored vehicle which wheels them from place to place,” Matzliach said.

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/ID...-ensure-superiority-on-the-battlefield-492064

 

[DavidSling]

http://sturgeonshouse.ipbhost.com/topic/1499-israeli-afvs/?page=2

 

[DavidSling]

an and new years' update

It's been a while since news came about any major development in AFVs in Israel. We're kept in the dark for now, about the artillery project, which seems to be delayed until inspection by the MoD is finished regarding corruption allegations.

Eitan

• Costs half the price of a Namer.
• Costs 1/10th the engine-time of a Namer.
• Reached well over 100km/h on trials but may be limited to 60km/h in transportation mode as it's expected to drive on highways in emergency time rather than on HETs (Heavy Equipment Transporters). But the speed governor could also be removed when needed.
• MANTAK will present this month its recommendations for an APS for the Eitan - Iron Fist or Trophy, a decision said to be worth hundreds of millions of shekels (Every Trophy system costs 1 million shekels roughly, which is 300,000 USD).
• ERA as well as the passive composite armor are said to be sufficient against current threats.
• 3 screens are located inside the vehicle - 2 large "21 screens for the commander and driver, and 1 smaller one by the rear door.
• Engine could come from either MTU or Caterpillar.
• Initial operation capability in 2019.

What this means

• For now a total of 500 Namers are planned. Some in service and some in production, albeit slow one. For the same price as another 500 (originally the IDF wanted 800 or more), over 1000 Eitans could be acquired which makes them more open to auxiliary duties such as mortar carriage, repair and maintenance, recovery and more, where the Namer would be too expensive. And since these duties require no turret and no APS, it could cost even 1/3rd as much as the Namer.

• Training a battalion worth of Namers would cost as much as 3 brigades of Eitans. Impressive savings, but these can be attributed probably to the fact the Namer's engine is the old AVDS-1790 which in its early iterations served the Patton tanks.

• No comment here, other than it being odd that they just gave it a top speed of 90km/h at first when it could do well over that. Previously they gave it a governed speed of 50km/h I believe, which now changed to 60km/h. Perhaps some automotive improvements they didn't disclose.

• This is a big one - we were promised way back in 2014 that RAFAEL and IMI will set aside their former rivalry in this exact topic but it seems now that the next generation of APS will no longer be a combination of both their systems, and rather would be another competition between the two. I don't know yet whether this is good or bad, but I do feel some disappointment.

• When talking about the Eitan, the military officials and media always refer to just one incident - the Shujaiya (Gaza) rocket attack that killed 7 men in an M113 troops transporter. The rocket was an RPG-29 (PG-29V). So if the IDF claims the Eitan can, without an APS, resist the RPG-29, then by all means this is an impressive feat. Generous claims are for 600mm penetration after ERA, and 750mm without ERA, which is quite substantial.

• Just like the Merkava 4, but unlike the Namer, the Eitan will have the BMS Tzayad (Hunter, marketed by Elbit as Torch) integrated into the main computer, laying everything on one screen in front of the commander. Though judging by the photos below alone, it's not yet obvious where the gunner's display is.

• Which probably means that an electric or hybrid engine is now off the table. The available offerings right now are: C18 and 6V 890

Eitan

Namer


And for the first time in ever, the IDF released some statistics on its acquisition this year. It's not much, actually not enough even, but it's something.

The short list

The only two important bits are that the Merkava 4 and Namer are both produced at a rate of 30 vehicles per year, each. This makes sense for the Namer, which is due to have the 500th unit delivered by 2027, which means today there are ~200 units, but that's a really low number. At peak production, the plant could produce 120 Merkava tanks a year. And that was more than 30 years ago.

And that's it for today!


Source:

https://www.yediot.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5066561,00.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=yediot%20page&utm_campaign=facebook%20page

http://sturgeonshouse.ipbhost.com/topic/1499-israeli-afvs/?page=4