mav@cs.huji.ac.il (Marc Alexandrovich Volovic) (04/18/91)
From: Marc Alexandrovich Volovic <mav@cs.huji.ac.il> As has been said an umpteen number of times, the small tubes are smoke grenade launchers. The newer versions of these launchers are also IR signature masking. On some tanks (notably - the Merkava Mk III) an additional snorkel tube sticks from the turret top (on the side). This is the weather sensor, tied directly into the gunnery computer. The Merkava also has dedicated crew equipment stowage on the turret rear, and an internally loadable, fire while hatches down, 60mm mortar. The Russian tanks carry a spare fuel tank, which may be shed if need arises (or fuel is expended). -- Marc A. Volovic email: mav@lizardo.huji.ac.il Linguistics Dept snail: P.O. Box 23114 Hebrew University Jerusalem, 91230 Jerusalem, Israel Israel