Tank shell developed to neutralize anti-tank missile squads which cannot be hit by standard shells.
By YAAKOV KATZCalanit tank shell COOL 248.88(photo credit: IMI)
The army will begin testing a new, sophisticated tank shell that can be fired over a hill and explode on top of enemy anti-tank missile squads.
Called Calanit (Anemone), the shell is manufactured by Israel Military Industries and will begin trials with one of the IDF's armored brigades in the next week.
The shell - which is suitable for 120mm cannons - was developed to neutralize anti-tank missile squads that operate behind structures or over a hill and which cannot be targeted by standard tank shells. The Calanit is fired above the squad, stops in mid-air and releases six explosive charges of different sizes.
Hizbullah fired thousands of anti-tank missiles at IDF tanks and troops during the Second Lebanon War.
Israel Military Industries is also supplying the army with the Iron Fist, which has been chosen as the active-protection system for the new Namer armored personnel carrier. The Iron Fist fires a kinetic missile at incoming anti-tank missiles.
The Iron Fist consists of a radar and passive optical system that detects incoming threats and destroys them within a fraction of a second using a combustible blast interceptor.
The Calanit works with an electronic targeting system. All the tank operators have to do is punch in the exact location of their target before loading the Calanit into the tank gun's chamber. The Calanit is a fire-and-forget munition, which means that once fired the tank crew does not need to guide it to the target.
