In 1987, an M1A1 Abrams Tank was tested in Pakistan and its performance was terrible according to
Pakistani accounts. A (Pakistani) major [in a documentary] claimed that even the Chinese Type 59 tank is better then the M1A1 Abrams Tank.
My point of contention is that if M1A1 Abrams Tank was so bad, how come it performed marvelously in diverse environments ranging from deserts to urban settings during the
Persian Gulf War 1991 and
Operation Iraqi Freedom? If Pakistani accounts are to be taken seriously, then M1A1 Abrams Tank should have been a failure.
NOTE: M1A1 Abrams Tank have been used in the deserts of Jordan and Afghanistan as well. Therefore, environment was never an issue.
A [BBC] documentary about the (deceased) Pakistan army chief Zia-ul-Huq contains footage of an [unidentified] gun firing a (dummy) round towards a target but misses it by considerable margin. This gun is
claimed to be that of the M1A1 Abrams Tank.
However, this type of gun is (not) used in an M1A1 Abrams Tank (not even in the
export model of this Tank). Therefore, I find this documentary misleading. And if
Pakistani accounts are based on this footage, then they are equally misplaced and I find it strange that nobody attempted to critically evaluate this matter at official capacity.
Here is a photo of an M1A1 Abrams Tank:
The actual gun of an M1A1 Abrams Tank is [vastly] different from the gun shown in BBC documentary.
Now, here is PROOF of high accuracy of an M1A1 Abrams Tank:
Imgur (A dummy round was fired towards the
left-most target panel and hit the target. It shall be kept in mind that dummy rounds do not destroy targets.)
TAS (Target Acquisition System) of M1A1 Abrams Tank:
The Gunner's Primary Sight-Line of Sight (GPS-LOS), was developed by the Electro-Optical Systems Division of Hughes Aircraft Company. The night vision Thermal Imaging System (TIS), also from Hughes, creates an image based on the differences of heat radiated by objects in the field of view. The thermal image is displayed in the eyepiece of the Gunner's sight together with the range measurement to within 10 meters of accuracy, from a Hughes laser range finder, which is integrated into all of the fire control systems. The Abrams also has an onboard digital fire control computer. Range data from the laser rangefinder is transferred directly to the fire control computer, which automatically calculates the fire control solution. The data includes 1) the lead angle measurement, 2) the bend of the gun measured by the muzzle reference system of the main armament, 3) wind velocity measurement from a wind sensor on the roof of the turret and 4) the data from a pendulum static cant sensor located at the center of the turret roof. The Gunner or Commander manually inputs the data on the ammunition type and temperature, and the barometric pressure and the weapon is prepared for engagement.
Source:
M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank
This disclosure is from a book of Steven J. Zaloga:
Pakistan tested the M1 tank, but disagreements with the US over its nuclear programme have prevented acquisition of the Abrams tank.
This disclosure is from a book of Pranay Gupte:
In Bahawalpur, Zia and his brass had watched a demonstration of the M1-Abrams, one of the most sophisticated tanks in the world. The manufacturer of the tank, General Dynamics Inc., was so keen to make a sale that the American company had trimmed the overall price of a package deal by $500,000 to $3 million per tank. Indeed Zia seemed so impressed by the tank's awesome capabilities that the General Dynamics executives at the scene were certain that a deal will be clinched.
Zia left the demonstration in his usual cheerful mood, pausing to chat with several local security personnel and others before he boarded the C-130. The plane took off with a roar, but in less than four minutes, while it was at an altitude of 4000 feet and still climbing, the aircraft lost radio contact with the control tower.
In the nutshell, we have conflicting accounts from different sources about this matter but I have provided (neutral) evidence that is enough to dismiss
Pakistani accounts (and) the credibility of the relevant footage in the referred BBC documentary.
Therefore, all of the above leads to following questions:-
1. The M1A1 model tested in Pakistan was a
prototype?
2. Pakistani accounts are
FALSE?
3. Any technical information about this testing event?
Any meaningful input from the professionals is welcome but I will give preference to concrete information of the events, (not)
fairy-tales like my uncle was an eye-witness and the tank was shit and blah blah.
