Instead of the usual maze of switches, periscopes, and controls, the Carmel features a cockpit that resembles a high‑end gaming simulator.
By Hezy Laing
Israel’s armored corps is undergoing one of its most dramatic technological shifts in decades, and the unlikely driving force behind it is the world of video games.
This transformation is most visible in the development of the Carmel, the next‑generation armored fighting vehicle created by the Ministry of Defense’s Directorate of Defense Research and Development (MAFAT) together with Israel Aerospace Industries, Elbit Systems, and Rafael.
The Carmel program was designed to completely rethink how tank crews operate, and its engineers turned to gaming technology to solve the long‑standing problem of information overload inside armored vehicles.
Instead of the traditional maze of switches, periscopes, and analog controls, the Carmel features a cockpit that resembles a high‑end gaming simulator.
Two crew members sit in front of touchscreens, augmented‑reality displays, and helmet‑mounted sights, controlling the vehicle with Xbox‑style joysticks rather than mechanical levers.
Developers openly acknowledge that the interface was inspired by the intuitive control systems used by gamers, who can process complex visual data and make rapid decisions with minimal training.
According to engineers at Israel Aerospace Industries, a soldier with gaming experience can learn the Carmel’s control system far faster than the systems used in the Merkava Mark IV.
The Carmel’s artificial‑intelligence backbone—powered by sensor fusion, 360‑degree cameras, and autonomous threat detection—mirrors the logic of modern video games that constantly update players with real‑time situational awareness.
The vehicle can identify enemy positions, recommend firing solutions, and even navigate semi‑autonomously through dense urban terrain.
This level of automation reduces the crew from four to two operators, a revolutionary shift that increases survivability and frees manpower for other missions.
Israel has already tested multiple prototypes, including Elbit’s Iron Vision system, which allows crew members to “see through” the armor using VR‑style helmet displays.
The Carmel’s digital infrastructure also enables remote operation, meaning future versions could be driven entirely from a command center—another concept borrowed directly from gaming culture.
Defense officials say that dozens of operators and test crews have already trained on Carmel simulators, many of them young soldiers with extensive gaming backgrounds.
The result is a new generation of armored warfare in which skills honed in living rooms—rapid decision‑making, spatial awareness, and intuitive interface control—are shaping the battlefield of the future.
