M10 Booker: The US Army's New Light Tank Revolutionizing Infantry Support

Introduction to the M10 Booker

The United States Army has introduced a new armored vehicle that promises to change the way light infantry units operate in combat. The M10 Booker, also known as the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) vehicle, is a light tank designed to provide direct fire support to infantry units. This article will examine the capabilities of the M10 Booker, its potential impact on infantry operations, and the controversies surrounding its development and deployment.

The M10 Booker's Firepower

One of the most critical aspects of the M10 Booker is its main armament. The vehicle is equipped with an M35 rifled 105 mm cannon, which is a low-recoil tank gun. This allows the Booker to fire powerful rounds while on the move without overwhelming its relatively lightweight chassis.

Recent advances in cannon and ammunition technology have made light tanks more deadly than ever before. The US Army has contracted for the production of M393 A3 high explosive plastic (HEP) cartridges for the M10 Booker. These rounds are capable of defeating standard earth and timber bunkers and breaching double reinforced concrete walls, allowing infantry to pass through.

The Army initially plans to produce 6,500 of these 105 mm shells per year. There are also indications that multiple types of M10 Booker munitions may be produced in the future, including armor-piercing depleted uranium rounds for enhanced anti-tank capabilities.

Northrop Grumman received a contract in 2020 to produce 105 mm prototype rounds that combine three different types of ammunition, such as anti-personnel and high explosive. These rounds will allow gunners to choose between point detonation and airburst modes, providing greater flexibility in engaging various targets.

The M10 Booker's Role and Purpose

Major General Glenn Dean, Program Executive Officer of the Army Ground Combat Systems, described the M10 Booker's role as follows:

"The M10 Booker is an armored vehicle that is intended to support our infantry Brigade combat team by suppressing and destroying fortifications, gun systems, and trench routes, and then secondarily providing protection against enemy armored vehicles."

This statement highlights the primary focus of the M10 Booker: infantry support. The vehicle is designed to clear paths for foot soldiers by destroying enemy fortifications and suppressing enemy positions. Its secondary role is to provide protection against enemy armored vehicles, although it is not primarily intended as a tank destroyer.

Crew and Systems

The M10 Booker has a crew of four:

1. Commander (E6 Staff Sergeant)
2. Gunner (E5 Sergeant)
3. Driver (E4 Specialist)
4. Loader (E3 Private First Class)

Unlike some modern tanks with autoloaders, the M10 Booker uses manual loading. This approach has both advantages and disadvantages. The extra crew member allows for better maintenance and the potential to operate additional systems, such as drone technologies. However, it may result in slower firing rates and a more cramped interior.

The M10 Booker shares many systems with the M1 Abrams main battle tank, including the fire control system and FLIR thermal sight. This commonality is beneficial for training and maintenance purposes. The crew consists of dedicated 19K tanker MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) personnel, who have undergone extensive training in armored vehicle operations, maintenance, and tactics.

Integration with Infantry Units

One of the key advantages of the M10 Booker is its integration into light infantry units. Unlike main battle tanks, which often require special permission to support infantry operations, the Booker will be placed directly in the infantry force structure. This means that infantry commanders will have direct access to armored support without going through additional channels.

The close integration of the M10 Booker with infantry units will require infantry commanders to learn how to work more closely with armor commanders. This collaboration will be crucial for effective combined arms operations.

The M10 Booker is equipped with a driver's enhanced vision package, which includes cameras on all sides of the vehicle. This feature improves situational awareness and reduces the risk of accidental collisions with infantry soldiers.

Deployment and Testing

The 82nd Airborne Division's M10 Booker test detachment will conduct rigorous operational tests to transform the vehicle from a mere piece of equipment into an integrated warfighting capability. This team will form the core of the first M10 Booker battalion, ready to deploy when called upon.

According to a Congressional research report, each Brigade Combat Team will receive 14 M10 Bookers, suggesting that it will be a company-level asset. In garrison, the Booker will be a division-level battalion asset that can be task-organized to support specific units as needed.

Comparison to Similar Vehicles

The concept of a lightweight tank to support infantry is not unique to the United States. Similar vehicles exist in other countries' arsenals:

1. Chinese ZTL-11 (export designation VN17)
2. Russian BMP-3

The Russian BMP-3, with its 100mm cannon, has seen extensive use in the war in Ukraine. However, there are significant differences in design philosophy, capabilities, and fighting doctrine between these vehicles and the M10 Booker.

Unlike the BMP-3, which is an infantry fighting vehicle designed to transport troops, the M10 Booker is purely a fire support platform. It is not meant to operate alongside heavier vehicles like the M1 Abrams or M2 Bradley but rather to support light infantry units that primarily use MRAPs (Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles) with limited firepower.

Strategic Mobility

The M10 Booker's design prioritizes strategic mobility, which is crucial for rapid deployment scenarios. Two fully combat-ready M10 Bookers can be transported on a single C-17 Globemaster aircraft, allowing them to be quickly deployed and operational upon arrival.

This capability is particularly important for units like the 82nd Airborne Division, whose mission statement emphasizes rapid global deployment within 18 hours. The ability to quickly deploy armored fire support can be a game-changer in contested environments, such as island chains in the Pacific or ports in Europe.

In contrast, only one M1 Abrams main battle tank can fit in a C-17, and it requires partial disassembly for transport, resulting in significant setup time upon arrival.

Tactical Mobility

The M10 Booker's tactical mobility is another key advantage. With a top speed of 40 mph, it can keep pace with light infantry units across various terrains, including jungles, mud, forests, and mountains. Its lighter weight allows it to cross bridges that would be impassable for heavier tanks like the M1 Abrams.

This mobility enables the M10 Booker to support infantry operations in remote regions where traditional heavy armor cannot easily reach. It also provides an element of surprise, as the vehicle can appear in locations where the enemy might not expect armored support.

Maintenance and Recovery

One often overlooked aspect of armored vehicle operations is maintenance and recovery. Light infantry units typically lack dedicated engineering and recovery vehicles in their organizational structure. The M10 Booker addresses this issue by being light enough to be towed by another M10 Booker in case of damage or mechanical failure.

This self-recovery capability eliminates the need for specialized recovery vehicles like the M88 Hercules, further enhancing the Booker's ability to support extended operations in remote environments.

Production and Procurement

The US Army is moving forward aggressively with the M10 Booker program. According to budget documents, the plan is to manufacture 32 vehicles per year until reaching a total of 504 units. This rapid procurement process has raised some eyebrows, as it deviates from the typically lengthy and contentious Army acquisition process.

To expedite development and production, the Army utilized a special program called the Middle Tier Acquisition Pathway. This approach streamlines the procurement process by focusing on existing solutions and cutting through bureaucratic red tape. While this has allowed for faster fielding of the M10 Booker, it has also generated controversy among some defense analysts.

Controversies and Criticisms

Despite the Army's enthusiasm for the M10 Booker, the program has faced criticism from various quarters. Some of the main points of contention include:

1. Weight: Critics argue that the M10 Booker is too heavy for its intended role as a light tank.
2. Armor protection: Some analysts believe the vehicle's armor is insufficient to protect against modern threats.
3. Lack of air-drop capability: Unlike its predecessor, the M551 Sheridan, the M10 Booker cannot be airdropped.
4. Cannon size: Early prototypes featured a larger 120mm cannon, but the final design opted for a 105mm gun to increase ammunition capacity.
5. Limited anti-tank capabilities: While not its primary role, some argue that the M10 Booker's ability to engage enemy tanks is inadequate.

Defense analyst Brandon Weir is among those who question the vehicle's capabilities. Critics point to the performance of similar light tanks in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where vehicles like the French AMX-10RC reportedly struggled in frontline combat roles.

Armor and Protection

The exact specifications of the M10 Booker's armor are classified, but with its Level 3 armor package installed, it meets the STANAG 4569 Level 3 standard. This means it can withstand 30mm autocannon fire from 500 meters away, providing adequate protection against most infantry fighting vehicles.

However, concerns remain about the vehicle's vulnerability to modern threats such as anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) and armed drones. The lack of active protection systems or dedicated anti-drone capabilities has been noted by some observers.

Secondary Armament

One surprising aspect of the M10 Booker's design is its limited secondary armament. Currently, the vehicle is equipped with only an M240 7.62mm machine gun as its secondary weapon. Some critics have expressed surprise at the absence of a heavier weapon, such as a .50 caliber machine gun or a 30mm remote-controlled weapon station, which could provide better support for infantry maneuvers.

Future-Proofing and Upgrades

Despite these criticisms, supporters of the M10 Booker argue that the vehicle is just beginning to demonstrate its potential. The Army has designed the Booker with future upgrades in mind, following a trend of creating modular platforms that can be easily updated with new technologies.

This approach allows for cost savings in the long run and ensures that soldiers have access to the latest capabilities without requiring entirely new vehicle designs. Potential future upgrades could include:

1. Enhanced armor packages
2. Active protection systems
3. Improved fire control and targeting systems
4. Integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence
5. New ammunition types

The Capability Gap

Defense analyst John Hill argues that the M10 Booker fills a critical capability gap that has existed since the Army retired the M551 Sheridan light tank in the mid-1990s. For decades, US light infantry units have lacked organic armored fire support, relying instead on external assets or lighter vehicles with limited firepower.

The introduction of the M10 Booker not only addresses this gap but also has the potential to free up M1 Abrams main battle tanks for their primary role of engaging enemy armor. By providing dedicated fire support to light infantry, the Booker allows heavier assets to focus on their specialized tasks.

Training and Doctrine

The integration of the M10 Booker into light infantry units will require significant changes to training and doctrine. Infantry officers and NCOs will need to learn how to effectively employ armored assets in their operations, while tankers assigned to Booker units will need to adapt their tactics to better support light infantry maneuvers.

Some key areas that will likely be addressed in new training programs include:

1. Combined arms tactics for light infantry and armor
2. Communication and coordination between infantry and Booker crews
3. Terrain analysis and route selection for armored support
4. Maintenance and logistics in austere environments
5. Integration of Booker fire support with other infantry weapons and systems

International Interest

The development of the M10 Booker has attracted attention from US allies and partners around the world. Many countries face similar challenges in providing armored support to light infantry units, especially in regions with limited infrastructure or difficult terrain.

While no official export plans have been announced, it's possible that the M10 Booker could become an attractive option for countries looking to modernize their armored forces without investing in heavier and more expensive main battle tanks.

Conclusion

The M10 Booker represents a significant development in US Army capabilities, addressing a long-standing need for mobile, protected firepower in light infantry units. While the vehicle has faced criticism and skepticism, its potential to enhance the combat effectiveness of infantry brigades is substantial.

As the M10 Booker moves from testing to full-scale deployment, its true impact on modern warfare will become clearer. The success of the program will depend not only on the vehicle's technical capabilities but also on how well the Army integrates it into its force structure and develops effective tactics for its use.

Ultimately, the M10 Booker's legacy will be determined by its performance in real-world operations and its ability to adapt to the ever-changing nature of modern conflict. As the US military continues to prepare for potential great power conflicts, the role of versatile, mobile armored vehicles like the M10 Booker is likely to become increasingly important.

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