I don’t remember hearing about the deaths back then, but I was doing intel jobs and in an armored cav squadron in Germany in the 80s. I learned about the initial prototype problems being resolved when I saw an old platoon sgt I knew when we discovered we were both in the Pentagon.
My tanker platoon sergeant friend had been involved with the final pre-fielding tests, which I think were done at Ft. Bliss by the 3d ACR. I don’t guarantee my memory is correct on Ft. Bliss, but I do know he was in the final testing group.