US Army Tests M10 Booker Armored Infantry Support Vehicle at Yuma Proving Ground

The US Army is actively testing the M10 Booker armored infantry support vehicle at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, a key location for military...

US Army Tests M10 Booker Armored Infantry Support Vehicle at Yuma Proving Ground

The US Army is actively testing the M10 Booker armored infantry support vehicle at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, a key location for military equipment assessments. The testing phase comprises various evaluations, including firing trials, performance assessments, and maintenance evaluations designed to ensure the vehicle’s operational readiness in diverse conditions.

Personnel from multiple divisions of the Army are engaging the M10 Booker in rigorous trials, maneuvering the vehicles over rough terrain, steep inclines, and water obstacles to accurately assess their capabilities. These operations aim not only to gauge durability but also to test performance in extreme weather conditions, which is critical for ensuring versatility in various combat scenarios.

In addition to the tests in Arizona, cold-weather assessments are being conducted at Fort Greely in Alaska, where the M10 Booker’s performance in sub-zero temperatures is under scrutiny. The Army has identified this new system as one of its “top modernization priorities,” demonstrating its commitment to enhancing infantry operations through advanced technology and vehicles.

Following the completion of the current test program, the US plans to procure over 500 M10 Booker vehicles to bolster its infantry combat capabilities. The M10 Booker is designed to accommodate a crew of four and is equipped with a range of advanced features. Notable attributes include a thermal viewer, a lightweight hull, and a turret that is armed with an M35 105mm low-recoil tank gun as its primary weapon. Additionally, the vehicle includes a 12.7mm M2 heavy machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun for versatile combat options.

Powered by an 800-horsepower diesel engine, the M10 Booker can achieve speeds of up to 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour), ensuring that it can maneuver effectively in various operational environments.

The M10 Booker is a crucial component of the Pentagon’s Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program, which is focused on enhancing both the mobility and firepower available to ground forces. In August of the previous year, the US Army awarded a low-rate initial production contract valued at $322.7 million to General Dynamics for the M10 Booker program, modifying an earlier contract that had been established in June 2023. This investment reflects the Army’s strategic focus on modernizing its armored capabilities to meet the demands of contemporary warfare.

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