Mobile Protected Firepower

The Army recognized the poor performance of the M551 Sheridan light tank in Vietnam and began the process of retiring the vehicle in 1977. A small number were retained in active service by the 82nd Airborne Division and the National Guard.{{refn|group=nb|name=sixth|By 1985, the Army had about 800 Sheridans, 750 of which were in storage. The 82nd Airborne retained 50 in active service.{{cite news |title=Army Official Urges Purchase of 500 Light Tanks |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/140991547/?terms=%22armored%20gun%20system%22&match=1 |access-date=18 October 2022 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |agency=UPI |date=23 December 1985 |archive-date=October 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018052447/https://www.newspapers.com/image/140991547/?terms=%22armored%20gun%20system%22&match=1 |url-status=live }}}}

The Army began a series of projects in the 1980s to either improve the Sheridan{{sfn|Zaloga|2009|p=44–45}} or replace it. Some of its efforts around this time could be described as hopelessly intermingled.{{sfn|Freeman|1991|p=13}} After a series of false starts, in June 1992 the Army selected FMC's XM8 Armored Gun System (AGS) to go into low-rate initial production.{{cite news |title=FMC Selected to Build Armored Gun System: Army's AGS to Feature All-Welded Aluminum Hull, Detroit Diesel Engine |work=Inside the Pentagon |issue=24 |publisher=Inside Washington Publishers |date=11 June 1992 |volume = 8|page=13|jstor = 43988110}} The AGS was expected to replace the Sheridan in the 3/73rd Armor of the 82nd Airborne Division{{sfn|Hunnicutt|2015a|p=183}} and TOW missile-armed Humvees in the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment.{{cite journal |last1=Edwards III |first1=Major O.T. |title=TRADOC System Manager For Abrams and the AGS Comments on 'Assault Gun Battalion 96' |journal=Armor |date=January–March 1995 |issue=1 |volume=104 |page=49 |url=https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1995/JAN_FEB/ArmorJanuaryFebruary1995web.pdf |access-date=23 March 2022 |archive-date=February 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215171704/https://www.benning.army.mil/armor/eARMOR/content/issues/1995/JAN_FEB/ArmorJanuaryFebruary1995web.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Foote |first1=Sheila |date=31 October 1995 |title=Army okays initial production of Armored Gun System |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A17513496/ITOF?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=552953e0 |access-date=5 August 2022 |work=Defense Daily |publisher=Access Intelligence |archive-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230115023208/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&u=wikipedia&id=GALE{{!}}A17513496&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-ITOF&asid=552953e0 |url-status=live }} The Army canceled the AGS in 1996, citing an unfavorable outyear funding environment.{{cite news |last1=Sherman |first1=Jason |title=Service Still Seeking OSD Support: Army's Decision to Terminate AGS Meets Stiff Resistance on Capitol Hill |work=Inside the Army |issue=6 |publisher=Inside Washington Publishers |date=12 February 1996 |volume=8 |pages=1, 9–10|jstor=43982648 }}

The 3/73rd Armor was inactivated over the following two years. The last Sheridans in service were vismod Sheridans used for opposing force training. These too were retired in 2004.{{sfn|Zaloga|2009|p=43}}

In 1999, Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki laid out his vision for a lighter, more transportable force.{{cite news |last1=MacRae |first1=Catherine |title=Service Wants to Be Lighter, Faster, More Lethal: Army Chief of Staff's 'vision' Is Focused on Medium-weight Force |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/43995956 |access-date=7 February 2022 |work=Inside the Army |issue=41 |publisher=Inside Washington Publishers |date=14 October 1999 |volume=15 |page=6 |jstor=43995956 |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209031541/https://www.jstor.org/stable/43995956 |url-status=live }} The Army began the Interim Armored Vehicle (IAV) program to implement Shinseki's concept. United Defense LP entered a variant of the AGS to meet the Mobile Gun System requirement; however the Army selected the General Dynamics Land Systems 8×8 LAV III derivative.{{cite web |title=M8 Armored Gun System - Archived 3/2004 |url=https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=433 |website=www.forecastinternational.com |publisher=Forecast International |access-date=28 March 2019 |archive-date=March 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328042857/https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=433 |url-status=live }}

File:Notional Mobile Protected Firepower.png

The Army stated in its request for proposals in 2015 that it expected the MPF to operate in concert with the Army Ground Mobility Vehicle and Light Reconnaissance Vehicle. The Army said the MPF will operate in "austere and unpredictable locations". At an industry day in August 2016, an Army spokesperson said the MPF was one of the Army's top priorities. The Army desired a commercial off-the-shelf vehicle weighing no more than 32 tons.{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Connie |title=Army official says MPF remains 'top priority' |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24840733 |access-date=12 August 2023 |work=Inside the Army |issue=32 |date=15 August 2016|volume=28 |jstor=24840733 }}

The Army opted not to add a requirement for an air-drop capability, unlike the M8 Armored Gun System, which had this capability. According to an Army Futures Command official, as of 2021, one of the two competing team's bids was potentially light enough to airdrop due to its "significantly" lighter weight.{{cite news |last1=Sterenfeld |first1=Ethan |title=Murray: One MPF prototype potentially airdrop-capable |url=https://insidedefense.com/insider/murray-one-mpf-prototype-potentially-airdrop-capable |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=Inside Defense |publisher=Inside Washington Publishers |date=21 June 2021 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220226083740/https://insidedefense.com/insider/murray-one-mpf-prototype-potentially-airdrop-capable |url-status=live}}

In November 2017, the Army issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase and, in order to maximize competition, planned to award up to two Middle Tier Acquisition (MTA) contracts for the EMD phase in early 2019. The expected buy was 504 MPF systems.{{cite news |last1=McBride |first1=Courtney |title=Army Ground Mobility Vehicle |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26416303 |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=Inside the Army |issue=Courtney McBride |publisher=Inside Washington Publishers |date=27 November 2017 |jstor=26416303 |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226070531/https://www.jstor.org/stable/26416303 |url-status=live}}

File:BAE Systems Mobile Protected Firepower testbed.jpg preserved at the U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection, Fort Benning c. 2023]]

Science Applications International Corporation partnered with ST Kinetics and CMI Defence. The design paired CMI's Cockerill 305 turret to an ST Kinetics Next Generation Armored Fighting Vehicle hull.{{cite news |last1=Tressel |first1=Ashley |title=Army's new 'light tank' prototype selection coming in November |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26536531 |access-date=28 January 2023 |work=Inside the Army |issue=41 |publisher=Inside Washington Publishers |date=15 October 2018|volume=30 |jstor=26536531 }} BAE Systems offered a vehicle based on the M8 Armored Gun System. General Dynamics Land Systems offered a variant of the Griffin II.{{cite news |last1=Tressel |first1=Ashley |title=BAE, General Dynamics move forward in MPF competition |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26587496 |access-date=26 February 2022 |work=Inside the Army |issue=51 |publisher=Inside Washington Publishers |date=24 December 2018 |volume=30 |pages=1, 4–5 |jstor=26587496 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119202509/https://www.jstor.org/stable/26587496 |url-status=live}}

The GDLS vehicle incorporates components and systems from the British Ajax IFV (itself based on the Austrian–Spanish ASCOD).{{cite web |url=https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/10/the-u-s-army-could-soon-have-a-new-light-tank/ |first=Caleb |last=Larsen |title=The U.S. Army Could Soon Have A New Light Tank |publisher=19fortyfive |date=2021-10-02 |access-date=2022-01-21 |archive-date=2023-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119202510/https://www.19fortyfive.com/2021/10/the-u-s-army-could-soon-have-a-new-light-tank/ |url-status=live}} It was publicly unveiled on 22 April 2020.{{cite web |url=https://militaryleak.com/2020/04/25/general-dynamics-land-systems-unveils-new-light-tank/ |title=General Dynamics Land Systems Unveils New Light Tank |publisher=MilitaryLeak |date=2020-04-25 |access-date=2022-01-21 |archive-date=2023-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119202511/https://militaryleak.com/2020/04/25/general-dynamics-land-systems-unveils-new-light-tank/ |url-status=live}} BAE Systems' proposal was a lighter updated version of the M8 Armored Gun System, which was canceled in 1996.

In December 2018, the Army narrowed their choices to BAE and GDLS's proposals to move forward. The Army awarded rapid prototyping contracts for MPF not to exceed $376 million to these two companies.{{cite report |last1=Feickert |first1=Andrew |work=Congressional Research Service |date=5 January 2023 |title=The Army's Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) System |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11859 |access-date= 24 January 2023}}{{PD-notice}}{{cite web |url=https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/article/bae-systems-awarded-development-contract-for-mobile-protected-firepower |title=BAE Systems awarded development contract for Mobile Protected Firepower |publisher=BAE Systems |date=2018-12-17 |access-date=2022-01-21 |archive-date=2022-01-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121053429/https://www.baesystems.com/en-us/article/bae-systems-awarded-development-contract-for-mobile-protected-firepower |url-status=live}}

File:MobileProtectedFirepower.jpg

Both companies faced production difficulties and supplier issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Army had required that the two companies submit all of their 12 prototypes by August 2020.{{cite news |last1=Roque |first1=Ashley |title=BAE Systems, GDLS behind on 'light tank' prototype deliveries to US Army |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/bae-systems-gdls-behind-on-light-tank-prototype-deliveries-to-us-army |access-date=25 September 2023 |work=Janes.com |date=27 August 2020 |language=en}} GDLS delivered all of its prototypes (based on the Griffin II) by December 2020. BAE's final prototypes were delivered in February 2021. The assessment phase began in January 2021 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with testing scheduled to run through June 2021. In March 2022, BAE was reportedly disqualified from the competition due to "noncompliance issues", leaving GDLS as the only remaining option.{{cite web |last1=Roque |first1=Ashley |title=US Army eliminates BAE Systems from 'light tank' competition |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/land-forces/latest/us-army-eliminates-bae-systems-from-light-tank-competition |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303005608/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/land-forces/latest/us-army-eliminates-bae-systems-from-light-tank-competition |url-status=live}}

The Army selected the GDLS Griffin II in June 2022. The initial contract is for 96 Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) vehicles, with first delivery by the end of 2023.{{cite web |title=General Dynamics wins $1.14 billion Mobile Protected Firepower contract |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2022/06/general-dynamics-wins-1-14-billion-mobile-protected-firepower-contract/ |website=Breaking Defense |date=28 June 2022 |access-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-date=4 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704110532/https://breakingdefense.com/2022/06/general-dynamics-wins-1-14-billion-mobile-protected-firepower-contract/ |url-status=live}}

As of January 2023, delivery of the first LRIP MPF system is expected in 19 months, and Initial Operational Testing and Evaluation (IOT & E) is planned for the end of FY2024. The First Unit Equipped (FUE) is scheduled for the fourth quarter of FY2025, consisting of a battalion of 42 MPFs. Each LRIP MPF system is expected to cost about $12.8 million. Full-rate production MPF systems are expected to cost less than LRIP units.

The Army's MPF acquisition objective is for 504 vehicles, with Army officials noting that this number could vary slightly. Each Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) will be allocated 14 MPFs. The MPFs will form a divisional level battalion, from which companies will be detailed to the IBCTs. The targeted fielding for the first unit equipped is FY2025. Under current Army plans, four MPF battalions are to be fielded by 2030, with the bulk of the planned acquisition scheduled to be completed by 2035.

In June 2023, the Army designated the Mobile Protected Firepower combat vehicle as the M10 Booker after Private Robert D. Booker, who was killed in the North African campaign during World War II, and Staff Sergeant Stevon Booker, who was a tank commander during the invasion of Baghdad.{{cite news |last1=Judson |first1=Jen |title=US Army's new combat vehicle named for soldiers killed in Iraq, WWII |url=https://www.defensenews.com/land/2023/06/10/us-armys-new-combat-vehicle-named-for-soldiers-killed-in-iraq-wwii/ |access-date=11 June 2023 |work=Defense News |date=10 June 2023}}

The Defense Department announced in early May 2025 that the M10 program was being cancelled. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll indicated the vehicle had weight as well as design issues, making it too heavy for many intended missions. The move was part of a larger strategy to move toward areas like drones with advanced capabilities.{{cite web|url= https://www.businessinsider.com/us-army-scrapping-m10-booker-light-tank-vehicle-too-heavy-2025-5 |title=The US Army says it's scrapping a new light assault vehicle that got 'too heavy'|publisher=Business Insider, May 2, 2025|accessdate=May 2, 2025}}

File:M10 Booker firing.jpg main gun in 2024]]

{{Cquote|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.|source=}}

As of 2023, there is a limited quantity of serviceable 105 mm ammunition for MPF training and operational use. As such, there could be a requirement to procure additional 105 mm ammunition.

In 2023, MPF product manager LTC Peter George said that although the Ajax was the starting point for the GDLS MPF, the current chassis shares little in common with the Ajax and "it's difficult to see the similarities."{{cite AV media |people=Nicholas Moran, LTC Peter George |date=8 January 2023 |title=Inside the Chieftain's Hatch Snapshot: MPF |trans-title= |type=video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdPmpidUbWo |access-date=24 January 2023 |publisher=YouTube}}

{{clear}}

BAE XM1302 MPF pilot vehicle 2 at the U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection, Fort Moore.

File:BAE XM1302 MPF rubber band track.jpg|Rubber band track

File:BAE XM1302 MPF USAA&CC.jpg|

File:BAE XM1302 MPF weapon mount 2.jpg|Commander's hatch

File:BAE XM1302 MPF M257 smoke grenade launchers.jpg|M257 smoke grenade launchers

File:BAE XM1302 MPF MTU engine lowered ramp.jpg|rear view

File:BAE XM1302 MPF weapon mount.jpg|Weapon mount

File:BAE XM1302 MPF wire cutter.jpg|Wire cutters

File:BAE XM1302 MPF.jpg|Kidde Control Electronics Panel fire suppression system

File:BAE XM1302 MPF MTU engine.jpg|Engine

File:BAE XM1302 MPF driver.jpg|Driver's hatch

File:Mobile Protected Firepower logo.jpg

• M1128 mobile gun system, an assault gun variant based on the Stryker chassis
• M1134 anti-tank guided missile vehicle, a Stryker tank destroyer variant
• MGM-166 LOSAT, a canceled U.S. Army line-of-sight guided missile
• XM1202 mounted combat system, a U.S. Army Future Combat Systems 20-ton tank canceled in 2011
• XM1219 armed robotic vehicle, a U.S. Army Future Combat Systems unmanned ground combat vehicle canceled in 2011

{{reflist|group=nb}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• {{cite thesis |last=Freeman |first=Major Marshall A. |date=5 April 1991 |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=May 12, 2022 |access-date=10 March 2022 }}{{PD-notice}}
• {{cite book |last1=Hunnicutt |first1=Richard Pearce |author1-link= R. P. Hunnicutt |title=Sheridan: A History of the American Light Tank |volume=2 |date=2015a |orig-date=1995 |publisher=Echo Point Books & Media |location=Battleboro, VT |isbn=978-1-62654-154-2}}
• {{cite book |last1=Zaloga |first1=Stephen J. |author1-link=Steven Zaloga |title=M551 Sheridan, US Airmobile Tanks 1941–2001 |date=2009 |publisher=Osprey Publishing Ltd. |location=Oxford |isbn=978-1-84603-391-9}}

{{Refend}}

• {{official website|https://www.peogcs.army.mil/mpf.html}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdPmpidUbWo An interview and walk-around of an MPF prototype with the product manager]

Category:Assault guns

Category:Airborne tanks

Category:Fire support vehicles

Category:Post–Cold War tanks of the United States

Category:Trial and research tanks of the United States