After a 40-year dry spell, the U.S. Army has finally unleashed a new combat vehicle: the M10 Booker. Named in honor of soldiers from two vastly different chapters of American warfare, this $12 million powerhouse arrives as a tactical breakthrough, engineered to bridge the divide between sheer firepower and infantry mobility.
Delivered to Anniston Army Depot in early 2024, it’s already raising eyebrows—and expectations. The M10 Booker’s lean price tag—roughly half that of an M1 Abrams—reflects its razor-sharp focus: filling a vital gap in Infantry Brigade Combat Teams and retooling the battlefield playbook.
Here are 12 key reasons why the Booker marks more than just a new vehicle. This isn’t merely an armored asset; it’s a strategic shift in how the Army plans to fight—and win—in an era of unpredictable conflict.
1. A Name That Honors Heroes
The M10 Booker carries the legacy of two remarkable soldiers. It’s named after Private Robert D. Booker, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism in Tunisia during World War II, and Staff Sergeant Stevon A. Booker, who earned the Distinguished Service Cross for his valor during the 2003 Iraq invasion.
The dual naming symbolically bridges different eras of American military service. This marks the first time a U.S. combat vehicle has been named after a service member who fought in post-9/11 conflicts.
2. Formidable Firepower
The vehicle’s main armament is a 105mm M35 gun, capable of firing various ammunition types including the M900 Armored Piercing round that can defeat current Russian tank armor. This weapon system packs significantly more punch than the 25mm cannon found on M2/3 Bradley fighting vehicles.
The M1040 canister round, containing over 2,000 tungsten spheres, provides devastating anti-infantry capability at ranges of 100 to 300 meters. This ammunition commonality with other systems simplifies logistics and supply chains.
3. Crew & Configuration
The M10 Booker operates with a four-person crew in a layout that follows conventional tank design. Its crew compartment closely resembles that of the Abrams, featuring advanced thermal viewing systems and fire control technology.
These sophisticated systems enable the crew to maintain situational awareness and engage targets effectively in complex battlefield environments, while the familiar layout eases transition training for experienced tank crews.
4. Strategic Deployment & Mobility
The M10 Booker weighs between 38-42 tons, roughly half the weight of an M1A2 Abrams, enabling two vehicles to fit inside a C-17 transport aircraft. It can reach speeds up to 40 mph and travel 350 miles without refueling, making it ideal for rapid deployment scenarios.
The Army plans to acquire 504 M10 Bookers, with the 82nd Airborne Division receiving the first units in late FY25. The vehicles will be organized into battalions as divisional assets, providing commanders flexibility in supporting Infantry Brigade Combat Teams.
5. Advanced Protection
While not as heavily armored as the Abrams, the M10 Booker provides substantial protection for infantry support missions. Its armor system is specifically designed for its intended role.
The vehicle incorporates modern survivability features while maintaining a balance between protection and mobility.
6. Versatile Combat Role
Despite its tank-like appearance, the Army classifies the M10 Booker as an armored infantry support vehicle rather than a tank. It’s designed to suppress enemy positions, destroy fortifications, and provide protection against enemy armor.
This versatility makes it particularly valuable for light infantry units that previously lacked organic heavy fire support capabilities.
7. Versatile Combat Role
Despite its tank-like appearance, the M10 Booker serves as an armored infantry support vehicle, filling a critical capability gap that existed since the retirement of the M551 Sheridan light tank. It excels in suppressing enemy positions, destroying fortifications, and providing protection against enemy armor.
This versatility makes it particularly valuable for light infantry units that previously lacked organic heavy fire support capabilities, while its mobility characteristics allow it to support operations across various terrain types and environments.
8. Modern Technology Integration
The vehicle features advanced thermal viewing systems for the commander, enabling effective operation in various conditions. Its fire control and targeting systems represent significant technological advances.
These capabilities allow the crew to engage targets effectively while maintaining situational awareness in complex battlefield environments.
9. Ammunition Versatility
The M10’s main gun can fire the M900 Armored Piercing round, capable of defeating current Russian tank armor. This ammunition commonality with other systems simplifies logistics and supply chains.
The weapon system can also employ various other ammunition types, providing commanders with multiple options for different tactical situations.
10. Deployment Flexibility
While the M10 Booker cannot be airdropped, its relatively light weight makes it more transportable than traditional main battle tanks. This characteristic is crucial for rapid deployment scenarios.
The vehicle’s mobility characteristics allow it to support light infantry units in various terrain types and operational environments.
11. Organizational Impact
The introduction of the M10 Booker is prompting some units to reorganize, such as the 3rd Battalion, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, which will be reflagged as an armor unit. This transformation reflects the Army’s evolving tactical doctrine.
The vehicle’s deployment is part of a broader shift in Army organization from brigade-centric to division-centric operations.
12. Sustainment Planning
The Department of Defense has allocated $297 million for long-term technical support through 2029. This investment demonstrates the Army’s commitment to maintaining the M10 Booker’s operational effectiveness.
The support package ensures the vehicle will remain capable and relevant as technology and threats evolve.
With its combination of mobility, firepower, and protection – all at half the cost of a main battle tank – the M10 Booker is poised to enhance the Army’s combat effectiveness well into the future.
Its deployment marks not just a technological milestone, but also honors the legacy of two American heroes who exemplified the highest traditions of military service.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
