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Operation Homat Magen provided the first lessons in
large-scale operations in Urban-LIC. These lessons were incorporated
into the development and adaptation of intelligence gathering, command
and control and combat support systems. One of the many results of
these lessons was the fielding of new door and wall breeching
equipment, originally developed for special operations, but now issued
as standard equipment to the infantry units. These systems include the
‘Simon’ door breeching grenade, which has since been fielded by a
number of western military organizations, including the US Marine
Corps, and US and British Armies.
Israel is sharing experience and R&D on urban warfare related systems.
"What began as a cooperative research and ‘lessons learned’
cooperation effort between the US and Israeli governments evolved into
industrial teaming for major development programs, involving RAFAEL
and General Dynamics". Col (Res.) Nimrod Ran, RAFAEL's Urban Warfare
Program Director told defense Update. RAFAEL (teamed with General
Dynamics) and IMI (teaming with Lockheed Martin) have submitted
competing proposals for the USMC Follow-On to SMAW (FOTS) and future
US Army Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM) programs and are expected to
follow with similar programs for future Army programs.
Operation Homat Magen also overwhelmed the terrorist organizations in
the West Bank, buying essential time for the creation of the security
fence, which is expected to reduce the vulnerability of Israel's
population centers to Palestinian suicide attacks.
A different situation developed on the Southern front. To bypass the
terrestrial barriers erected by the IDF along the perimeter of the
Gaza strip, the Palestinians adopted new tactics using ballistic
weapons firing improvised Rockets and Mortars (RAM) at civilian
Israeli targets within range of their operational area. These attacks
increased to intolerable levels, forcing the IDF to enter the
segregated Gaza strip area in search of rocket/mortar firing teams and
their support structure. The Palestinians quickly retreated into the
cities and camps, where they tried to trap IDF armor in deadly
ambushes. The weapons used were improvised landmines and IEDs, which
scored several deadly hits, even against the
Merkava, Israel’s
heaviest tank. The flat, sandy terrain enabled extensive underground
activity, facilitating covert movement between buildings. Tunnels also
provided logistical supply channels for military equipment, as well as
subterranean approach routes for attacks against Israeli outposts.
Security operations in the Gaza strip involved continuous conflict
with insurgents. Palestinian attacks were directed at fortified
outposts, installations, patrols and supplies, as well as civilian
settlements. Escalating through a continuous pattern of attack and
response, the IDF implemented layer upon layer of defenses to its
vehicles. They added armor to tanks after several attacks against
tanks. They also added protected armored fighting compartments to
armored personnel carriers, and peripheral cameras, to enable improved
situational awareness and responsive fighting capability by mechanized
infantry.
Novel tactical approaches were introduced for armor.
Merkava tanks are
equipped with a window and firing hatch in the rear door, enabling
snipers to guard the rear section of the tank. Another modification to
the Merkava was the installation of a medical kit, for use during
evacuation of wounded soldiers under fire. Belly armor was added to
tanks, protecting against buried shaped charge
IEDs weighing over 100
pounds. Following the destruction of two explosive loaded M-113s
operated by Combat Engineer troops, the IDF improved the protection of
its M-113s, introducing an enhanced composite armor suite utilizing
reactive and passive protection. The new
Trophy active protection system
developed for IDF Merkava tanks was modified to fit medium and light
armored vehicles, and has now been re-designed to protect the Stryker
Armored Fighting Vehicle (AFV).
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