I feel like a bashed this thread into something other than “what is it” or “when will we see a model?”
So I have few thoughts in these regards. R&B: here’s the definition of the M10 Booker in a report prepared by CRS (the Congressional Research Service).
- it’s not a tank, by policy. We can call it what we like, but the Army provided this to the staff for the white paper to Congress. “The M10 is designed to neutralize enemy prepared positions and bunkers and defeat heavy machine guns and armored vehicle threats during offensive operations, or when conducting defensive operations against attacking enemies.” (CRS 27 Aug 2024: The Army’s M10 Booker)
- Currently the Army’s Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCT) do not have a combat vehicle assigned that is capable of providing mobile, protected, direct, offensive fire capability. The MPF solution is an integration of existing mature technologies and components that avoids development which would lengthen the program schedule.
The Light Divisions, Airborne Divisions, and Air Assault Divisions have been redesigned. They are currently transforming to a 2030 completion date. ALL these units are (at best) motorized. ALL the Infantry are Light, with the Air Assault Division having organic lift capability to lift an entire Brigade slice in one action. EACH of these divisions will have one Battalion (52 M10 Booker) as their organic ability to neutralize enemy positions, and defeat heavy machineguns, cannons, and armored vehicle threats. Each BCT (Brigade Combat Team) commander owns one entire M10 Company. She or he will be loath to give it away.
ALL 14 of the 82d Airborne’s Bookers will deliver NLT 30 September 2025 (for D21). They have received the first stick, and there was (of course) a celebratory moment in April of this year. The CPT is a young woman I met a few years ago on Fort Moore when she completed ABOLC. She was one of the first women to choose Armor and Airborne as her professional track. She seems pretty pleased to have received this unique honor, and the Army looks happy too. I know more have been delivered. Congress might jimmy-up (my polite term) funding for this program, but you can’t cure stoopid.
First delivery in April this year:
As best I can tell, 5 have been delivered to 73d Armor on Fort Liberty.
