My question is since there are electrical solenoids mounted to allow charging and firing via an electrical circuit, where do those cables (visible below the .50 caliber MG in the bottom picture) enter the turret?

it looks like the cable runs down into the gap between the turret structure proper and the applique armor module and up underneath the solenoid mount before branching off to the two individual solenoids.

In some pictures it seems that the cable are running in a tray

Thanks Israel for the awesome photos they will be put to use here soon.

But I still can’t see how the thick black cable are connected to the 0.50 cal.

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In some pictures it seems that the cable are running in a tray

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I think that's what you talk about.

I know that the US Army mounted the .50 caliber MG to give the tank crew another option beyond 7.62 and 120mm weapons to precisely engage targets with the gunner's thermal/FLIR sights and controls.

20 years ago we used to use the .50 cal for a single purpose only: simulating the main gun up to max. 1.500 m in certain drills. We always removed them before operational deployment.

These days they seem to be permanently fixed. I guess apart from using them the same way did, they're also an additional, beefier coax for engaging targets up to around 1.000 m.

Strange, I've seen pics of some (not all) IDF tanks in Lebanon back in the early 80's with .50's mounted so I assumed they always had an operational role.

There is sometimes a cover added to protect the solenoids but I would surmise that the mechanism underneath is the same.

I need to do some digging, I do remember seeing a picture of it somewhere...

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I need to do some digging, I do remember seeing a picture of it somewhere...

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That's the picture I was referring to. Didn't remember it' was a Mk.3 though...