The U.S. Army spent several years and a lot of money developing the M10 "light tank," hoping to provide the infantry with a powerful ally, but what happened? This guy was neither wanted by anyone nor usable on the battlefield! It couldn't be dropped from the sky, and it couldn't handle bridges either, turning into an "expensive showpiece" in the blink of an eye. How did this "tank farce" unfold? Let's take a closer look!
From "Parachute Dream" to "Overweight Nightmare"
The story goes back to 2013. At that time, the 82nd Airborne Division patted its chest and told the Army, "Give us a light tank like the Sheridan, which can fit into a C-130 plane, and we can jump out and start fighting!" The Army heard this and said, okay, let's get started!
But soon, problems arose: trying to make something similar to the Sheridan, it just couldn't fit into the C-130! It's like trying to cram an elephant into a small car; the doors won't even close. Logically, this would be the time to hit the brakes, right? But the Army didn't, insisting on pushing ahead regardless.
By 2015, the Army Requirements Committee waved its hand: "Parachuting? No need! C-130? Not necessary anymore!" Now, the M10 had transformed from a "light airborne warrior" into a "half-baked main battle tank," with poor mobility, doing nothing to help the infantry. Alex Miller, a top Army technology official, shook his head: "This vehicle wasn't designed for infantry at all!"
Even more absurdly, the M10 had to use the old SINCGARS radio from 1990. This piece of equipment was even despised by the Pentagon itself; they spent $1.5 billion over 15 years to replace it, but failed. In 2022, the Army even decided that the M10 didn't need any autonomous driving, locking it into the "last century mode."
The "tragedy" of the M10 was fully exposed in 2024. The 101st Airborne Division eagerly prepared to receive these new toys at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, only to find out: 8 out of 11 bridges at the base couldn't handle the M10's 42-ton weight! This "light tank" was more than twice as heavy as the old Sheridan (16 tons), and once it crossed a bridge, it would snap!
And don't even mention air transport. The Army originally thought two M10s could fit into a C-17 plane, but the Air Force said: "Sorry, only one will fit!" It's like ordering a double meal, but the delivery guy says only one portion is available. Miller sighed, "This is truly adding insult to injury!"
Why keep pushing forward despite knowing it wouldn't work? Miller calls this the "monster of inertia." Once a project starts, it's like a truck with no brakes; no one dares to call it off. Change requirements? That means starting over, which takes time and effort. Increase costs? Absolutely not, exceeding 10% requires re-approval. So, the Army had to forge ahead and build 504 M10s, even though everyone knew no one really wanted them.
In 2018, the Army still ambitiously planned to send M10s to Fort Bragg, Fort Campbell, Fort Carson, and Fort Hood. But these infantry bases were completely unprepared: training grounds weren't built, environmental assessments weren't done, and they hadn't even figured out how to get the tanks out. Fort Campbell, a major infantry base, was never meant to be a place for tanks!
Where did it go wrong? It wasn't because anyone slacked off; it was because the whole process went haywire:
Wrong demands: From canceling parachute drops to ignoring bridge capacities at bases, the design of the M10 was completely disconnected from the needs of the infantry, resulting in something that was neither fish nor fowl.
Outdated technology: Insisting on using 30-year-old radios and rejecting autonomous technology, the M10 was a "retro classic."
Rigid procedures: Changing requirements was nearly impossible, forcing everyone to blindly continue down the wrong path.
No planning: Facilities, training, transportation—all were neglected, so building them was a waste of resources.
It's like wanting to buy a bicycle, but being given a tractor instead, with the seller saying, "Can't ride it? That's because you don't know how to ride!"
What now? Three M10s are already running around at Fort Bragg, but the Army is a bit uneasy about the 96-unit contract signed with General Dynamics in 2022. The mass production plans for 2025 and 2027 may also need some reconsideration.
The good news is that the Army is working on a new variant of the M1A3 Abrams, complete with automatic loading cannons, semi-autonomous driving, and active protection systems—exactly what the M10 should have been. Miller said, "If the M1A3 can come online sooner, the M10 might just be able to gracefully retire."
To avoid repeating mistakes, Chief of Staff of the Army, Randy George, has made up his mind: new projects must prove their worth within 120 days or face cancellation. Miller said confidently, "We'll never be this foolish again!"
The M10 "light tank" is a veritable "money-wasting comedy" of the Pentagon. It reminds us that acting impulsively and rigid procedures can lead to wasted resources, no matter how much money is thrown at it. In 2025, the Army needs to learn its lessons well and stop creating "unwanted and unusable" equipment.
The farce of the M10 has ended, but the story isn't over. Can the M1A3 take over? Will the U.S. Army break its bad habits? We'll have to wait and see! Don't forget, this isn't a TV series; real money is being burned here!
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7516725141737423375/
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