The M10 Booker is a Mobile Gun System (MGS) / assault gun platform intended to serve alongside heavy armor, infantry carriers, and allied ground forces in an advance across contested environments. The light tank was developed by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and is an offshoot of the Spanish-Austrian ASCOD Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV) detailed elsewhere on this site - though evolved some by the company under the "Griffin" initiative to satisfy a U.S. Army Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) requirement. The end result is a more mobile, lightweight alternative to the heavier M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and the infantry-focused M2 Bradley IFV.
The M10 Booker was formally debuted in June of 2023 during the Army Birthday Festival at the National Museum of the U.S. Army. Serial production began back in 2022 and first-deliveries followed in 2023. Initial operating formations are scheduled to be arranged from 2024-2025 onwards.
The original Griffin was tested with a 120mm, 105mm and 50mm main gun solutions and a hydropneumatic suspension system, the various versions of the vehicle weighing between 28 and 50 tons based on configuration. The finalized 40-ton Booker tank carries a 105mm M35 tank gun in the front face of its turret as its primary weapon which provides a good "reach" against enemy armor units, fortifications, and dug-in enemy troops. Infantry can be dealt with directly by the co-axial 7.62mm M240B machine gun and low-flying aerial threats countered by way of a 12.7mm M2HB Heavy Machine Gun (HMG).
The fully-suspended track-and-wheel drive arrangement gives the tank reportedly excellent performance over rough terrain and can be used with equal success along paved roads. A focus has been placed on crew / systems survivability through advanced onboard detection systems, enhanced situational awareness, and optimal armor coverage for its weight. The hull is given a very shallow glacis plate leading to the hull roof line which promotes an overall low profile compared to Cold War-era IFVs. Hull sides are vertical and protected in side skirt armor, particularly over the more vulnerable upper sections of the track-link network. The driver takes up a position at front-left and his hatch features three vision blocks. Each hull side is given six rubber-tired roadwheels and the drive sprocket is fitted forward with the track idler at rear.
The turret showcases angled sides for basic ballistics protection and mounts twin backs of four smoke grenade dischargers to each side (at the "cheek" positions) for a total of sixteen grenades to help screen the vehicle. The gun is fully-stabilized and aided by a digital system for accurized firing at-range, given access to all NATO-standard projectiles in the 105mm caliber. The turret has two access hatches along the roof line for the commander and loader. Vision blocks are noted as are various sensor fits.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one land system design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the M10 Tracked Mobile Gun System (MGS).
1 x Turbocharged diesel engine driving conventional track-and-wheel arrangement. Installed Power
43 mph 70 kph Road Speed
351 miles 565 km Range
Structure The physical qualities of the M10 Tracked Mobile Gun System (MGS).
4 (MANNED) Crew
22.5 ft 6.85 meters O/A Length
7.9 ft 2.4 meters O/A Width
12.0 ft 3.65 meters O/A Height
83,996 lb 38,100 kg | 42.0 tons Weight
Armament & Ammunition Available supported armament, ammunition, and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the M10 Booker Tracked Mobile Gun System (MGS).
1 x 105mm M35 main gun in front turret face.
1 x 7.62mm M240B co-axial anti-infantry machine gun in front turret face.
1 x 12.7mm M2HB Anti-Aircraft (AA) Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) on turret roof.
16 x Smoke grenade dischargers in four banks of four grenades, two at each turret cheek position.
AMMUNITION: 35 x 105mm projectiles (estimated).
1,000 x 7.62mm ammunition (estimated).
500 x 12.7mm ammunition (estimated).
16 x Smoke grenades.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the M10 Booker family line.
M10 "Booker" - Base Series Designation.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the M10 Booker. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national land systems listing.
Total Production: 12 Units Contractor(s): General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) - USA
[ United States ]
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
Going Further... The M10 Booker Tracked Mobile Gun System (MGS) appears in the following collections:
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