U.S. M10 Combat Vehicle Pre-Production
In 2015, U.S Army started MPF program (Mobile Protected Firepower) for providing supporting fire for the Infantry in combat. In June 2022, GDLS won the Mobile Protected Firepower program competition and was awarded a contract worth up to $1.14 billion. The U.S. Army unveiled its new M10 Booker combat vehicle during a celebration of the service's 248th birthday on Saturday in Virginia. The combat vehicle's name from who served the nation selflessly during times of great conflict—Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Robert D. Booker, who perished in World War II; and Distinguished Service Cross recipient Staf f Sgt. Stevon A. Booker, who died from injuries sustained in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The design of the M10 Booker is conventional with the driver and engine at the front and the turret located at the rear of the hull. The turret accommodates a crew of three including a commander, gunner, and loader and it is to weigh about 42 tons. The main armament of the M10 Booker consists of one 105mm cannon based on the American M35 and a 7.62mm machine gun mounted coaxially. The M10 Booker is powered by a MTU diesel engine developing 800 hp and Allison transmission system, offering a superb power-to-weight ratio and hydro-pneumatic suspension. M10 Booker uses the M1A2 Sep V3 fire control system and CITV (Commander's Independent Thermal Viewer), M10 Booker is equipped with the Safran Optics 1‘s PASEO Commander’s Independent Tactical Viewer (CITV) long-range panoramic targeting sight. It increases the situational awareness capabilities of armored and surveillance vehicles in all combat scenarios (stationary and on-the-move) even at high speeds.
The Army is projected to buy 504 M10 Bookers by 2035. The vehicles will be used to establish armored battalions in light infantry divisions and brigades that otherwise have no armored vehicles. After the 82nd Airborne, other candidate units include the 10th Mountain Division, 11th Airborne Division, 25th Infantry Division, 29th Infantry Division, and 173rd Airborne Brigade. A brigade might receive between 15 and 20 Bookers, while a division could receive up to 45-60.
