8 ms·
What type of classified information was leaked? From the screenshot provided it appears that the argument may have been about the turret rotation speed (probab
by dhx 5y ago
What type of classified information was leaked?
From the screenshot provided it appears that the argument may have been about the turret rotation speed (probably as listed on Wikipedia?), whether it is 9 or 12 seconds for full rotation of the turret? The 9 second rotation speed was added to Wikipedia 5 years ago[1] and the 12 second rotation speed information added 8 years ago[2]. It appears the original information was perhaps sourced from a book titled "Char Leclerc - De la guerre froide aux conflits de demain" by author Marc Chassillan and published 16 years ago[3].
I find it hard to believe turret rotation speed would warrant classification given how readily observable this metric would be to an enemy. The chance of a tank operator accidentally demonstrating maximum turret rotation speed during a training exercise, public display or otherwise would also be very high, even if tank operators were instructed to never operate the turret at maximum rotation speed to avoid showing off a better metric than what may be known publicly.
I would assume the concern, if warranted, would be for some other type of information that may be less observable e.g. a statement to the effect of "If you rotate the turret at maximum rotation speed for more than X cumulative seconds, the turret will enter a safety mode and only operate at maximum speed of X% of the normal maximum rotation speed. Maintenance procedure XYZ will need to be conducted to restore full performance of the turret."
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leclerc_tank&diff=749915425&oldid=745306689 https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leclerc_tank&diff...
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leclerc_tank&diff=578966004&oldid=578864457 https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leclerc_tank&diff...
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-2726894385 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-272689...
- UncleEntity 5y agoBack in the day I went to Dragon Gunner school and knowing the rotational capabilities of a tank was fairly important since it was wire guided and if they can turn and shoot before you hit them… Pretty low battlefield survival probability with being a dragon gunner since they were relatively slow compared to the Soviet era tanks ability to get a shot off at the big puff of smoke you just created.
- dhx 5y agoPerhaps it was a metric many years ago which countries thought could be kept relatively unknown before everyone had cameras, instant communication, etc? The US seems to be happy showing off the turret rotation speed of the M1 Abrams at public demos as shown in [1], [2], [3] and [4]. There is no rotation speed listed on the Wikipedia page for this tank but elsewhere on the Internet appears to state 9 seconds for full rotation, which appears to match up with what the videos show. I find it hard to believe there is much benefit if any in classifying turret rotation speeds, or for that matter, most other parts of a tank in 2021. The underlying technology is ancient and readily described in all manner of books and videos. The overwhelmingly important factor in tank warfare today would be whether another platform with better visibility of surrounds (UAV, satellite, etc) has communicated enemy positions to the tank crew. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKHcKEc_2Nc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKHcKEc_2Nc [2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxLWb2AHLzw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxLWb2AHLzw [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5XUQ2beGfM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5XUQ2beGfM [4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1mH-_h3_1Q https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1mH-_h3_1Q