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2/ Carmel is a new AFV for the IDF, born out of the cancelled Merkava Mk5 programme. Previously dubbed Future Manned Combat Vehicle (FMCV) it is a medium weight AFV family, seeking < half Merkava Mk4 weight via use of soft/hard APS in place of physical armour as much as possible. 
3/ As with all IDF AFV, it is being designed for combat in confused and dense urban environments, requiring high survivability, relatively small size and very high situational awareness.
4/ A two man crew will leverage advanced situational awareness (AR/VR) and other new technologies including hosted UAS/UGV and significant levels of autonomy in FCS/BMS processes.
5/ Carmel is being developed in a two-prong approach. Develop the new AFV and develop the mission systems fit for it. This will deliver a vehicle faster than waiting for the vehicle before trialling the mission systems.
6/ We are yet to see the vehicle itself outside of generic CGI concepts and scale models, but we have now seen the systems fit being proven out - do the systems integrate, do the workflows and fundamental augmented reality SA approach work etc.
7/ What we saw in video bit.ly/2yUkRwM and press releases last week was this mission systems demonstrator. Ignore the M113 - it is totally irrelevant, used because its cheap, simple and there are >5,000 in surplus Israeli fleet. It wasnt picked for any broader reason.
8/ No-one spends millions on bleeding edge mission systems and puts them on an obsolete platform from 1960. The IDF have some of the most capable AFV in the world, and this is part of a programme to find the next step. The M113 is a convenient testbed, not any final product.
9/ M113 is old, cramped and very poor survivability without major upgrade. There is no intent to fit the Carmel's systems to the Israeli M113 fleet and it wasnt picked because it is an export M113 upgrade offering. Ignore the M113!
10/ The Rafael Suite is an automation kit developed for the Carmel, and whilst is planned to be offered as an automation package for any vehicle once it is developed right now this is Carmel only.
11/ What Carmel is, or will be, is a step change in AFV design. Some get excited about T-14 as the next generation but aside the crew being in the hull it is not that radical - the workstations remain largely conventional.
12/ Carmel's Augemented Reality using AR touchscreens and/or VR headsets (Elbit Iron Vision etc) is a radical technology led development in situational awareness and how we fight from an AFV.
13/ The intuitive and visually led integrated workflows with data fusion akin to 5th Gen fighters is unprecedented in AFVs and something genuinely next-gen to get excited about. Links back to @EliLea1 & others discussions around AFV helmets recently bit.ly/2KuI9Qr
14/ Automation is v high on agenda - Carmel concept at IAV2019 had vehicle autonomously and continually scanning for targets, identifying, classifying and recommending best weapon for engagement. (Pics @frank_views)
15/ Firepower is far beyond current vehicles. Based on existing concept presentations Carmel could mount 2xRWS, 2xATGM pods, main gun & coax as well as a UAV/loitering munition launcher and deployable UGVs. (pics from @skylancer7441/@frank_views)
16/ This doesnt just undo the negatives of having to fight heads down, it offers something that makes heads down operation more effective. There are of course negatives but until we have notional complete vehicle to review ill be an optimist & stick to the exciting possibilities
17/ Could go on all day, but the point is - this isn't just an M113 upgrade, Carmel is something much more exciting and signifciant. Remember US Futures Command has said the M1 replacement might not even be a tank. #NextGenAFV #Carmel @RAFAELdefense @ElbitSystemsLtd @JanesINTEL
