M10 Booker

The vehicle has been called a light tank by some military officers and defense media due to its design and appearance,{{cite web |url=https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-culture/2023/06/21/the-armys-m10-booker-is-a-tank-prove-us-wrong/ |title=The Army's M10 Booker is a tank. Prove us wrong. |website=Military Times |date=2023-06-22 |first=Davis |last=Winkle }}{{cite magazine |last=Atherton |first=Kelsey D. |date=2022-09-09 |title=Everything to know about the Army's new 38-ton light tank |magazine=Popular Science |url=https://www.popsci.com/technology/army-tank-mobile-protected-firepower/ |accessdate=2023-03-06 }} although Army officials related to the MPF program consider this incorrect.{{cite web |last=Bonenberger |first=Adrian |date=2023-06-10 |title=It's Not a Light Tank: Army Unveils New Armored Combat Vehicle |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/06/10/its-not-light-tank-army-unveils-new-armored-combat-vehicle.html |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=Military.com }}{{cite news |last=Osborn |first=Kris |date=2022-07-16 |title=Army Says New Mobile Protected Firepower Vehicle is NOT a 'Light Tank' |work=Warrior Maven |url=https://warriormaven.com/land/army-mobile-protected-firepower-vehicle-abrams |access-date=2023-03-06 }} The vehicle weighs about 38 tons,{{cite news |last=Dickstein |first=Corey |date=2023-06-10 |title=Army unveils the M10 Booker, its first new combat vehicle in two decades |url=https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2023-06-10/army-combat-vehicle-m10-booker-10387122.html |access-date=2023-06-10 |newspaper=Stars and Stripes }} which is equivalent to various medium and main battle tanks operated by other nations.{{cite episode |author-link=Nicholas Moran |first=Nicholas |last=Moran |title=Ten Responses to the MPF Discussion |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF_5jnVre90|via=YouTube |series=The Chieftain |access-date=2024-10-20 |date=2023-01-19 }} By design, it is not a tank by modern standards, and would, according to description, essentially serve the role of an assault gun.

The defense industry magazine ESD (European Security & Defence) reported in January 2025 that the Pentagon had spoken out against the light tank characterisation, stating: "The primary objection to the light tank label is found in the vehicle’s mission statement, which is to provide direct fire to neutralise obstacles typically faced by infantry, such as bunkers, gun emplacements or light armoured vehicles."{{cite web |last1=Dean |first1=Sidney E. |title=Tracked fire support vehicles: A return to ‘light tanks’? |url=https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ESD_1_2025_WEB.pdf |website=euro-sd.com |publisher=European Security & Defence (ESD) |access-date=2025-01-24}}

A spokeswoman for the Army’s Program Executive Office Ground Systems, Ashley John, stated in 2022 that the "MPF is not designed to be able to engage enemy tanks". Major general Glenn Dean, Program Executive Officer for Ground Combat Systems, separately stressed that "light tanks" historically have performed reconnaissance functions, "and this is not a reconnaissance vehicle, it’s an assault gun".

A later quote by Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean states:

{{quote|quote=The M10 Booker is an armored vehicle that is intended to support our Infantry Brigade Combat Teams by suppressing and destroying fortifications, gun systems and trench routes, and then secondarily providing protection against enemy armored vehicles.|author=Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, program executive officer of Army Ground Combat Systems}}

According to Lt. Col. Pete George, product manager for the M10 Booker Combat Vehicle, the vehicle is defined as an "armored infantry support vehicle".{{cite episode |author-link=Nicholas Moran |first=Nicholas |last=Moran |title=Inside the Chieftain's Hatch Snapshot: XM10 Booker |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdPmpidUbWo&t=154s |via=YouTube |series=The Chieftain |access-date=2024-10-20 |date=2023-01-08 |time=2:34 }}

{{main|General Dynamics Griffin}}

File:M10 Booker.jpg

Derived from the Austrian-Spanish ASCOD 2 infantry fighting vehicle-platform,{{cite web|last=Freedberg|first=Sydney J. Jr.|title=General Dynamics' Griffin III For US Army Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV)|url=https://breakingdefense.com/2018/10/gdls-griffin-iii-next-generation-combat-vehicle-ngcv-concept/|access-date=2020-09-02|website=Breaking Defense|date=2018-10-09}} the GDLS Griffin II was developed under the Army's MPF program. In accordance with the program's caliber requirements, it incorporated a 105 mm M35 tank gun and a redesigned chassis.{{cite web|last=Tegler|first=Eric|date=2021-03-07|title=Two Light Tank Prototypes Battle for the Future of Army Firepower|url=https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a35634134/army-mpf-tank/|website=Popular Mechanics}}{{cite web|last=Brooks|first=Drew|title=Tomorrow Talk|url=http://www.nationalguardmagazine.com/publication/?i=630500&article_id=3519118&view=articleBrowser&ver=html5|website=National Guard Magazine}}{{cite web|last=Turnbull|first=Grant|date=2018-09-08|title=AUSA 2018: General Dynamics swoops in with 50mm-equipped Griffin - Shephard Media|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/ausa-2018-general-dynamics-swoops-50mm-equipped-gr/}}

The M35 was originally designed and developed by Benét Laboratories, Watervliet Arsenal, in 1983 for the Marine Corps' Mobile Protected Gun Program. It was later incorporated in the Army's M8 Armored Gun System light tank, which was canceled in 1996.{{cite book|editor1-last=Foss|editor1-first=Christopher F.|editor1-link=Christopher F. Foss|title=Jane's Armour and Artillery|year=1997|isbn=978-0710615428|publisher=Jane's Publishing Group|location=London|pages=171–173|edition=18th|chapter=Light Tanks}}{{cite thesis|last=Freeman|first=Major Marshall A.|date=1991-04-05|title=The Army Needs a Strategic Armored Gun System—Now!|type=War College Individual Study Project|publisher=U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA236965.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512222853/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA236965.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=2022-05-12|access-date=2022-03-10|pages=23–24}}{{PD-notice}} The M35 is about {{cvt|1800|lb|kg|0}} lighter than the M68 tank gun used on the M60 tank.{{cite news|title=Armored Gun System Loses Weight to Be Deployed by C-130|jstor=43990667|work=Inside the Pentagon|volume=9|issue=31|publisher=Inside Washington Publishers|date=1993-08-05}}

File:M10 Booker firing.jpg cannon in 2024]]

In December 2018, GDLS was selected, along with BAE Systems, to develop prototypes.{{cite press release|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-army-awards-general-dynamics-contract-for-mobile-protected-firepower-300768433.html|title=U.S. Army awards General Dynamics contract for Mobile Protected Firepower|date=2018-12-18|website=PR Newswire}} GDLS presented its first prototype in April 2020.{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Jared|title=This could be the Army's next light tank of choice|url=https://taskandpurpose.com/military-tech/army-mobile-protected-firepower-general-dynamics-submission|access-date=2020-09-04|website=Task & Purpose|date=2020-04-24}} BAE's M8 AGS proposal was disqualified in March 2022.{{cite web|last=Roque|first=Ashley|date=2022-03-02|title=US Army eliminates BAE Systems from 'light tank' competition|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/us-army-eliminates-bae-systems-from-light-tank-competition|website=Janes.com}} In June 2022, GDLS won the MPF program competition and was awarded a contract worth up to $1.14 billion.{{cite web|last=Trevithick|first=Joseph|date=2022-06-28|title=The Army Just Selected Its First Light Tank in Decades|url=https://www.twz.com/the-army-just-selected-its-first-light-tank-in-decades|website=The Warzone}}

The MPF was officially designated "M10 Booker" in June 2023, named for American soldiers Private Robert D. Booker and Staff Sergeant Stevon Booker. Robert Booker was killed on 9 April 1943 during the Tunisian campaign of World War II, and was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Stevon Booker was killed on 5 April 2003 during a "Thunder Run" in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.{{cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/06/10/us-armys-new-combat-vehicle-named-for-soldiers-killed-in-iraq-wwii/|title=US Army's new combat vehicle named for soldiers killed in Iraq, WWII|last=Judson|first=Jen|date=2023-06-10|work=Defense News|accessdate=2024-02-12}}

The M10 Booker was developed to address a critical gap in U.S. Army Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) by providing a mobile, protected, direct fire capability to neutralize enemy fortified positions, heavy machine guns, and armored vehicle threats. The U.S. Army planned to field 14 M10 Bookers per IBCT, ensuring enhanced firepower and maneuverability in both offensive and defensive operations.{{Cite web |last=Congressional Research Service |date=14 January 2025 |title=The Army’s M-10 Booker (Formerly Known as Mobile Protected Firepower [MPF]) System |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11859}}

File:M10 Booker C-17.jpg]]

The M10 Booker features a fully tracked chassis, a four-person crew, and is armed with an M35 105mm main gun controlled by the same fire control system as the M1A2 Abrams, along with an M240C 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and an M2 .50 caliber machine gun for the commander.{{Cite web |title=DCMA Land Systems supports M10 Booker combat vehicle |url=https://www.dcma.mil/News/Article-View/Article/3812220/dcma-land-systems-supports-m10-booker-combat-vehicle/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Defense Contract Management Agency |language=en-US}} It incorporates modular armor, smoke grenade launchers, ammunition stowage blowout panels, and an automatic fire suppression system to enhance battlefield survivability. The Booker is also equipped with Safran Optics 1's PASEO Commander's Independent Tactical Viewer (CITV) to increase the commander's situational awareness and to improve targeting capabilities.{{Cite web |title=Safran Optics 1 selected to provide Panoramic Sight to General Dynamics Land Systems for the US Army's Mobile Protected Fire Program |url=https://www.optics1.com/blog/2022/12/28/safran-optics-1-selected-to-provide-panoramic-sight-to-general-dynamics-land-systems-for-the-us-army |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240626182138/https://www.optics1.com/blog/2022/12/28/safran-optics-1-selected-to-provide-panoramic-sight-to-general-dynamics-land-systems-for-the-us-army |archive-date=2024-06-26 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Site Name |language=en}}

A feature of the M10 Booker is its air transportability, with its 38-ton weight allowing two M10 Bookers to be carried in a single C-17 Globemaster III, whereas the C-17 can only carry one Abrams tank,{{Cite web |last=Royal Australian Air Force |title=C-17A Globemaster III |url=https://www.airforce.gov.au/aircraft/c-17-globemaster |access-date=3 February 2025}} supposedly enhancing rapid deployment capabilities. The Army wanted a vehicle capable of being airdropped, however at 38 tons, the Booker cannot be airdropped. The Army envisioned the M10 Booker as a crucial asset for IBCT operations, particularly in forced and early entry missions where anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) conditions exist.{{Cite web |last=Malyasov |first=Dylan |date=2025-02-01 |title=US Army’s M10 Booker nears full-rate production decision |url=https://defence-blog.com/us-armys-m10-booker-nears-full-rate-production-decision/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=defence-blog.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=ESD |date=2023-10-24 |title=US Army Ground Combat Systems Update |url=https://euro-sd.com/2023/10/articles/34757/us-army-ground-combat-systems-update/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |language=en-US}}

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|image1 = US Army M10 Testing at YTC.jpg

|caption1 = M10 desert testing at Yuma Test Center

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|caption2 = M10 artic testing at Arctic Regions Test Center

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The U.S. Army took delivery of the first production vehicle in February 2024.{{cite news|last1=John|first1=Ashley|title=Army takes delivery of first M10 Booker Combat Vehicle|url=https://www.army.mil/article/275419/army_takes_delivery_of_first_m10_booker_combat_vehicle|access-date=2024-04-19|work=U.S. Army|date=2024-04-18}} The M10 underwent testing and evaluation in Arizona and Alaska in early 2025.{{cite news |title=The U.S. Army: The M10 Booker Is Back In Action! |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/the-u-s-army-the-m10-booker-is-back-in-action |access-date=25 April 2025 |publisher=The National Interest}}{{cite news |title=M10 Booker tested at US Army Yuma Proving Ground |url=https://www.army.mil/article/283010/m10_booker_tested_at_us_army_yuma_proving_ground |access-date=25 April 2025 |publisher=US Army}} In May 2024, the U.S. Army issued a solicitation for full-rate production;{{cite news|url=https://insidedefense.com/insider/army-seeks-full-rate-production-m10-booker-combat-vehicle|website=Inside Defense|title=Army seeks full-rate production for M10 Booker combat vehicle|last1=Sukharev|first1=Nickolai|date=2024-05-08|accessdate=2024-05-08}} however, this solicitation was cancelled in May 2025 after approximately 80 vehicles were produced.

The Army was initially set to procure up to 504 M10s, all of which would have been allotted to light divisions in the active duty and National Guard, but only approximately 80 vehicles were produced before the M10 program was cancelled. The 82nd Airborne Division became the first unit equipped when 33 M10s entered the Fort Bragg motor pools in late FY2025, while other M10s were distributed to Fort Campbell with the 101st Airborne Division (where the M10 cracked eight of 11 bridges it crossed due to its weight), to Fort Carson with the 4th Infantry Division, and to Fort Johnson at the Joint Readiness Training Center; however, the future use of the M10, if any, is in doubt.{{cite web |last1=Seitz |first1=Isaac|date= 30 April 2025|title=MORE The Army’s New M10 Booker ‘Light Tank’ Is In Big Trouble |url=https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/the-armys-new-m10-booker-light-tank-is-in-big-trouble/ |website=nationalsecurityjournal.org |publisher=National Security Journal Corp. |access-date=4 May 2025}}

The Defense Department announced on 2 May 2025 that the M10 program was being cancelled. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll indicated that the program was cancelled due to cost, a poorly negotiated right to repair maintenance contract, its 42-ton weight, and its design.{{Cite web |last=Rommen |first=Rebecca |date= 2 May 2025|title=The US Army says it's scrapping a new light assault vehicle that got 'too heavy' |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/us-army-scrapping-m10-booker-light-tank-vehicle-too-heavy-2025-5 |access-date=3 May 2025|website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Ashley Roque, Aaron |date=1 May 2025|title=Hegseth orders 'comprehensive transformation' of US Army, merging offices and cutting weapons |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2025/05/hegseth-orders-transformation-of-us-army-combining-offices-and-cutting-roles/ |access-date=2 May 2025|website=Breaking Defense |language=en-US}} The Army had taken delivery of approximately 80 of the vehicles when the program was cancelled.{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Matt |last2=Nieberg |first2=Patty |date= 2 May 2025|title=The Army cancels the M10 Booker, a ‘light tank’ that was too heavy |url=https://taskandpurpose.com/news/m10-booker-tank-cancelled/|website=taskandpurpose.com |publisher=Task & Purpose |access-date=3 May 2025}} The vehicles have an uncertain future and may be transferred to armored units, sold abroad, or placed in storage.{{cite web |last1=Myers |first1=Meghann|date= 27 April 2025|title=The Army made a tank it doesn’t need and can’t use. Now it’s figuring out what to do with it. |url=https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/04/army-made-tank-it-doesnt-need-and-cant-use-now-its-figuring-out-what-do-it/404877/ |website=defenseone.com |publisher=Defense One |access-date=4 May 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Latham |first1=Andrew|date=30 April 2025 |title=M10 Booker Boondoggle: The Army Built An Armored Vehicle No One Needs |url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2025/04/m10-booker-boondoggle-the-army-built-an-armored-vehicle-no-one-needs/ |website=19fortyfive.com |publisher=19FortyFive |access-date=4 May 2025}}

{{flag|United States}}

• {{flag|United States Army}} - 22 estimated as of January 2025,{{cite book |title=The Military Balance |date=2025 |publisher=International Institute for Strategic Studies |isbn=978-1-041-04967-8}}{{rp|36}} (approx. 80){{cite web |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11859 |title=The Army's M-10 Booker (Formerly Known as Mobile Protected Firepower [MPF]) System |date= |accessdate= }} (cancelled)

• M1128 mobile gun system – US Army's previous assault gun based on Stryker
• M551 Sheridan – US Army's last light tank, retired in 1997
• M41 Walker Bulldog – light American tank in the early days of the Cold War
• Commando Stingray – light US tank for export only

International:

• 2S25 Sprut-SD - Russian light tank
• Kaplan MT / Harimau – Turkish/Indonesian light tank
• Zorawar LT – light tank by India's DRDO and L&T
• Sabrah light tank – Philippine light tank system based on ASCOD and Pandur II
• Type 15 tank – Chinese light tank
• TAM – Argentinian light tank developed by Thyssen Henschel
• B1 Centauro - Italian light tank

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category-inline|M10 Booker}}

{{US tanks|style=wide}}

{{Post-Cold War tanks}}

{{General Dynamics}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:General Dynamics land vehicles

Category:Tracked armoured fighting vehicles

Category:Post–Cold War armored fighting vehicles of the United States