| Version française |
Namer APC
Tracked Armoured Personnel Carrier Vehicle - Israel
Description
The Namer is a tracked Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicle designed and developed by the Israeli Ordnance Corps responsible for the development and maintenance of war materiel, combat-support materials, and other systems. The first prototype of this heavily armored personnel carrier, called Namera (Tiger), was based on outdated Merkava Mk.1 MBT chassis. It was revealed and fielded in 2005 for trials and evaluation. This variant was offered for export customers, however, it received no production orders. Conversion plans were abandoned in favor to the newly-built Merkava Mk.4 main battle tank chassis. Production of new vehicles rather than conversion was considered more practical and cost-effective. This variant was publicly revealed in 2008. The Namer (Leopard) heavy armored personnel carrier is a major element of the IDF modernization plan. The latest design of the Namer is based on the Merkava Mk.4 main battle tank chassis. Currently, it is one of the most protected APCs in the world. It provides infantry with the level of protection and mobility matching those of the latest main battle tanks. The first batch of production vehicles was delivered in 2008. In October 2010, Israel’s Defense Ministry has awarded General Dynamics a contract to build 600 Namer (leopard in Hebrew) armored personnel carriers (APC) over the next eight years. The Namer APC is now in service with the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). In August 2012, soldiers of the Golani Brigade participated in an exercise on the IDF's newest and most advanced armored personnel carrier (APC), the Namer (Leopard). The Israel Defense Forces has also developed multi-purpose support versions of the Namer, armed with the Samson weapon station, an unmanned turret armed with one 30mm automatic cannon as well as the Spike anti-tank guided missiles. The current design of the Namer is already prepared for such installations, offering protected storage for weapons separated from the fighting compartment and a strengthened roof able to carry the extra loads.
Namer APC variants:
- Namer IFV: Fitted with an unmanned turret armed with one 30mm automatic cannon.
Technical Data
| Armament |
|
The basic variant of Namer is armed with a remotely controlled weapon station, fitted with a 12.7 mm machine gun, which can be replaced with one 40 mm grenade launcher. There is also a manually-operated 7.62 mm machine gun, mounted on top of the hatch of the commander. The first Namer was armed with the RAFAEL's Mini-Samson Remotely Controlled Weapon Station with multi-sensor target acquisition systems. The turret can be armed with a 12.7 mm M2HB heavy machine gun, one 7.62 mm M246 machine gun or one M19 40mm automatic grenade launcher. On each side at the rear of the hull, there is 6 smoke grenade dischargers in two rows of three.
|
| Design and protection |
|
The Namer heavy APC is fitted with modular armor and the Trophy active protection system. For the first time, an active protection system is used as an integral element. The Namer offers the same protection level as the Merkava Mk.4 main battle tank. The Namer has a crew of three, including the driver, gunner, commander, and can accommodate 9 infantrymen or two stretchers at the rear of the hull. The rear of the hull is fitted with a hydraulic ramp that allows soldiers to enter and leave the vehicle the vehicle with maximum protection. The final design includes an ergonomically designed driver's compartment, similar to that of the Merkava tank, fitted with large vision blocks and electro-optical driver's viewing devices enabling effective performance under all visibility conditions. The Namer APC offers the same protection level as the latest Merkava Mk4 main battle tank. Its armor includes an active protection system Trophy as an integral element. The Israeli Company IMI has also developed and produced an advanced armor suite for the Namer. This advanced armor will provide maximum protection to the front, sides, and roof. IMI is also providing the advanced armor protecting the Merkava Mk 4 main battle tank. Internally, the seating arrangement enables good protection from blast effect, utilizing highly protected belly and 'floating' seats (not rigged on the floor).
|
| Mobility |
| The Namer APC is based on Merkava Mk.4 main battle tank running gear, but the Namer has a different hull. Initial production vehicles are motorized with the Merkava Mk.3 MBT Continental AVDS-1790-9AR diesel engine, developing 1,200 hp, however, it will be replaced with a more modern Continental or MTU unit. The suspension on each side consists of six rubber-tired road wheels on either side with the drive sprocket at the front, idler at the rear, and four track return rollers. The upper part of the suspension is protected by spring-loaded armored skirts. The NAMER APC can run at a maximum road speed of 60 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 500 km. |
| Accessories |
| Standard equipment of the NAMER APC includes CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear) protection and automatic fire suppression systems. Four remotely controlled video cameras are used to provide the crew, driver, and commander with an unobstructed peripheral view. The Namer is a fully networked armored fighting vehicle. Part of its C4 equipment includes the new Battle Management System/Infantry, designed by Elbit Systems to support the dismounted 'Integrated Advanced Soldier' (IAS) system. |
Specifications
| Armament | Armor |
| One 7,62 mm machine gun and/or one 12,7 mm machine gun. | Ballistic armor + an active protection system. |
| Country users | Weight |
| Israel | 50,000 kg |
| Designer Country | Speed |
| Israel | 60 km/h |
| Accessories | Range |
| Firing gun control system, NBC protection and fire suppression systems. | 500 km |
| Crew | Dimensions |
| 3+ 9 infantrymen | Length: 7.5 m; Width: 3.8 m; Height: 2.0 m |
Details View
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
Pictures - Video
