The US Army begins testing the new M10 Booker fire support combat vehicle

Over the next three months, the US Army will begin rigorous operational testing of the new M10 Booker tracked fire support combat vehicle at Ft. Liberty, formerly Ft. Bragg. This important stage in the machine's development marks a critical step towards integration into the fleet of combat vehicles of the US Army.

According to information posted on defense analyst Ronkainen's X account, the US Army has already received a total of eight M10 Booker machines. This initial delivery consists of four stock and four retrofit cars that have been modified from their original XM10 configurations.

M10 Booker, named after two military Medal of Honor recipients — First Lieutenant James Booker and Specialist Jerry Booker — represents a new generation of means of fire support for the US ground forces. It is designed to provide accurate and powerful support in a variety of combat scenarios, the M10 Booker is poised to significantly enhance the Army's operational capabilities.

The M10 Booker production contract was awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) in 2021 following competitive bidding. The contract, valued at approximately US$1.5 billion, includes the delivery of an initial batch of 144 vehicles with the option of additional units in the future depending on performance and operational needs. The signing of this contract marked an important milestone in the U.S. Army's modernization efforts to replace aging platforms with more advanced and versatile combat vehicles.

The purchase of the M10 Booker is part of the US Army's broader strategy to strengthen its mechanized fire support capabilities. The vehicle is equipped with a state-of-the-art 105mm gun capable of firing a variety of munitions, including high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) and kinetic energy (KE) rounds, providing multiple options to engage both armored targets. In addition to the main armament, the vehicle is also equipped with a twin 7.62 mm machine gun and a roof-mounted Remotely Operated War Station (ROWS) with a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun for additional defensive capabilities.

As for defense, The M10 Booker boasts advanced modular armor that can be customized to meet mission requirements. This includes composite and reactive armor kits designed to counter a wide range of battlefield threats, from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to direct enemy fire.

The US Army's acquisition of the M10 Booker is intended to provide ground forces a highly mobile and survivable fire support platform capable of operating in a variety of combat conditions. It aims to improve the overall effectiveness and sustainability of Army operations by providing accurate and powerful support in various combat scenarios, thereby significantly improving the Army's mechanized fire support capabilities.