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The US Army recently welcomed its first M10 Booker armored fighting vehicle during a handover ceremony at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. This marks a significant step forward for the Army's modernization efforts.

Manufactured by General Dynamics Land Systems, the M10 Booker is designed to serve as an assault gun, enhancing the capabilities of Infantry Brigade Combat Teams' light maneuver forces. With its robust features, the vehicle is poised to play a crucial role in various operational scenarios.

Equipped with a 105 mm main direct-fire cannon, supported by a 12.7 mm M2HB heavy machine gun and a 7.62 mm M240B machine gun, the M10 Booker boasts formidable firepower. Its operational range of up to 350 miles (560 kilometers) and a maximum speed of 45 miles (72 kilometers) per hour ensure mobility and agility on the battlefield.

Following the handover, the production model will undergo rigorous testing, including operational trials with the 82nd Airborne Division over the next several months. This testing phase aims to assess the vehicle's reliability, maintainability, and performance under various environmental conditions.

Major General Glenn Dean, the US Army Ground Combat Systems program executive officer, highlighted the comprehensive testing plan, which includes evaluations in desert, arctic, temperate, and tropical conditions. The vehicle will be subjected to challenges such as scaling gaps and walls and encountering real-world threats to validate its survivability.

The M10 Booker was unveiled during the army's 248th-anniversary celebration in Virginia in 2023. Since then, General Dynamics has been working on its production, with a $258-million low-rate initial production contract scheduled for completion by October 2025.

Looking ahead, the Army anticipates fielding the first operational company of M10 Booker vehicles by the summer of 2025, enhancing its combat capabilities and readiness for future challenges.