amoss%batata.Huji.AC.IL%CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU (Amos Shapira) (06/20/89)
From: Amos Shapira <amoss%batata.Huji.AC.IL%CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU>
The chains hanging from the Merkava turret storage overhang is not designed
to protect from granades or molotov coctails.
When the Merkava was developed and tested in the battles of Sultam Yakub,
Bekaa Valley and other tank-tank battles, it was found that the storage
overhang was an excellent "guide" for RPG missiles.
In order to prevent the missiles reaching the tank's vulnurable area (on
which no Blazer could be installed), the chains you refer to were introduced
(Mk II and III, now being retrofitted to Mk I). The chains detonate the
incoming missile in the air, harmlessly.
Marc A. Volovic, Sgt (res.)