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2006-09-30 Israel-Palestine-Jordan

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Posted by john 2006-09-30 18:05|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 It will be very interesting to see what the Israelis decide to do in terms of a replacement. The US military in Iraq seems to be having more success with its Strykers than with anything else, although the role they have there is not exactly the same as the role the Merkava has played in the Israeli Army. Something to watch, at least.

Posted by WhiteCollarRedneck 2006-09-30 19:38|| 2006-09-30 19:38|| Front Page Top

#2 Ironically, the conceptual origins in the tank are the maneuvers of what was called heavy cavalry. It had very specific textbook maneuvers that made great sense on the two-dimensional battlefield.

However, technology has added a third dimension to the battlefield, and any major component that does not involve that third dimension is in danger of obsolescence.

The Russians caught on to this idea early, with the heavily armored helicopter, and the US still hasn't made its equal, which would be very complementary to a Stryker brigade.

Such a heavy helicopter would be designed to carry much more potent weapons than our current attack helicopters. Right now, the A-10 fills that gap, but a heavy helicopter is needed as an organic escort to a Stryker unit. Where the Strykers go, the helicopters accompany.

Posted by Anonymoose 2006-09-30 21:02|| 2006-09-30 21:02|| Front Page Top

#3 As I understand it the Merkava was also designed to use its main gun as an artillery piece for indirect fire. Just because the IDF plans on shutting down production does not mean they plan on removing them from service.

Posted by Cheaderhead 2006-09-30 23:26|| 2006-09-30 23:26|| Front Page Top

#4 Heavy helocopter sounds like an oxymoron.

Posted by wxjames 2006-09-30 23:48|| 2006-09-30 23:48|| Front Page Top

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