Was the DROID APS that was used on the Merkava Mk.IID different from the one used on the Mk.IV?

I have the E.T. Model DROID which says for the Merkava Mk.III/IV and the Legend DROID which says for the Merkava Mk.IID/Nagmachon.

The E.T. Model DROID is roughly 1/2 the size of the Legend DROID.

Are they supposed to be different sizes?

Here are the two side by side. Legend on the left.



The first image shows one on the Mk.IID. Second image shows one on the Mk.IV. From the images, they look similar in size.

Just one droid type, the mounting frame at the bottom differs between each vehicle type.
ET models DROID is way underscale.

All ‘Droids’ are in accordance with IDF’s ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy.

Interestingly, Tiger Model’s late-type Nagmachon doghouse also comes with two ‘Droids’ in different sizes, one being about two third the size of the other.

The ET offering is widely accepted to be underscale. The device itself is the same for all applications. Fully interchangeable and full spares compatibility. It's the mountings that vary. I can't understand why Legend don't just do 1 kit with multiple mounts.

Propably the cost of the set would be higher if they included all the mounts. This way you can chose which version you need and buy it. The problem is for retailers that they need to stock 3 different product codes.

Thanks for the replies!

I will use the E.T. Model version on a what if I am currently working on.

Did anyone figure out what the purpose is of this unit? They aren't issued on a one per tank basis, I find it to be a pretty fascinating subject.

Save the OPSEC comments, if you don't know or don't wish to speculate, so be it. Just curious what the consensus is amoungst us uneducated masses.

My theory is that it's somesort of an ATGM warning system that probably also performs a jamming function but the fact that it's not mounted on every tank is kind of negates this.

I have no information but just a couple of speculations:

- First, if you notice it is mostly installed on the first vehicle of every formation, the one that goes always in the front. So they propably think that it is vital for the first vehicle and the others can be protected by this one unit.

- The system is propably an IR jammer, hence the peripheral lenses/IR emitters. There could be a frequency jammers installed but judging by the small size of the equipment installe on the system and the lack of an obvious antenna mount (either peripheral or wip antenna) I doubt it.

Just my 0.02$

I think it works in conjunction with Trophy and the other systems. I have only seen it but n MBTs and hvy APCs. I thought it was a precision locator for tracking incoming threats with jamming capabilities. It does look cool!