U.S. Army’s M10 Booker combat vehicle undergoes extreme Arctic testing

By Defence Industry Europe

The U.S. Army’s new M10 Booker combat vehicle is undergoing rigorous testing in Arctic conditions as part of its development for future deployment. These tests follow the recent evaluation of its 105 mm M35 cannon at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona.

 

The extreme cold trials are taking place at the Arctic Regions Test Site in Fort Greeley, Alaska, where subzero temperatures are a daily challenge. The testing aims to ensure that the vehicle performs reliably in some of the world’s most demanding environments.

Peter George, lead product manager for the M10 Booker program, emphasised the importance of these trials. He stated: “M10 Booker crews will go wherever they are needed, so they need a vehicle that is ready for anything. That is why we test in the harshest environments. I spent a week with professionals from the Arctic Regions Test Site in Fort Greeley, Alaska, where we are putting the Booker through a gamut of extreme cold temperature testing in some of the world’s most challenging conditions. These testers regularly live life well below zero degrees.”

The U.S. Army plans to acquire approximately 500 M10 Booker vehicles to enhance the combat capabilities of its infantry brigades. A $323 million contract was awarded to General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) last August to initiate low-rate production of the platform.

Production is set to take place across multiple states, including Michigan, Alabama, Ohio, Florida, and Pennsylvania. The first deliveries are expected in October 2026, ensuring the vehicle is available for deployment in the coming years.

The M10 Booker offers significant firepower advantages over current infantry support vehicles, featuring a 105 mm M35 cannon compared to the 25 mm armament of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The vehicle also includes a 12.7 mm machine gun mounted on the turret and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, all operated by a four-person crew.

With an 800-horsepower propulsion system, the M10 Booker can reach speeds of up to 64 km/h, allowing for high mobility in difficult terrains. One of its key advantages is its ease of transport, as two units can be loaded onto a U.S. Air Force C-17 aircraft for rapid deployment.

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