In a significant move under the new Army Transformation and Acquisition Reform memorandum, the U.S. Department of Defense officially terminated the M10 Booker Combat Vehicle program on May 1, 2025. Signed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, this sweeping acquisition reform aims to streamline procurement efforts and address systemic inefficiencies within the U.S. Army’s modernization strategy. Among the programs affected is the M10 Booker, once hailed as a critical solution for providing mobile protected firepower to Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs). Developed by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) under the Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) program launched in 2018, the M10 Booker was designed to deliver rapidly deployable fire support for light infantry formations. However, despite its promise, the program faced persistent challenges related to design, weight, and mobility, ultimately rendering it unsuitable for its intended role. The production version of the M10 Booker tipped the scales at 42 tons—nearly triple the weight of the M551 Sheridan it was meant to replace—and far exceeded the envisioned limits for a light tank. This excessive weight rendered the vehicle incompatible with key infrastructure and strategic transport goals. For instance, only one M10 could be transported aboard a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, comparable to the logistical burden of deploying an M1A2 Abrams main battle tank. Compounding these issues, Fort Campbell—the home of the 101st Airborne Division—reported that eight of its eleven bridges were structurally incapable of supporting the M10’s weight. This logistical limitation severely undermined the vehicle’s suitability for airborne and light infantry operations, raising serious questions about its operational viability.
Cost Overruns and Strategic Realignments
By June 2024, reports from the Government Accountability Office revealed that the MPF program had already consumed $7.2 billion. Revised forecasts estimated that completing the full acquisition and support of the M10 Booker would have cost over $17 billion—a staggering figure far exceeding initial projections These escalating costs, coupled with the program’s failure to meet core mobility objectives, underscored deeper systemic issues in the Army’s acquisition process.
Notably, the air-drop requirement—a cornerstone of the M10’s original mission—was quietly abandoned as early as 2015, significantly weakening the platform’s operational value. The cancellation of the M10 Booker aligns with broader trends in recent Army procurement policy. In 2024, the Army also terminated the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program, citing changing technological realities and battlefield conditions favoring more flexible and cost-effective alternatives, such as unmanned aerial systems and space-based capabilities.
Operational Role and Capabilities
Although some military officers and defense media referred to the M10 Booker as a “light tank” due to its design and appearance, Army officials associated with the MPF program considered this classification inaccurate. Weighing approximately 38 tons, the vehicle falls into the category of medium or main battle tanks operated by other nations. By modern standards, the M10 Booker is better described as an assault gun, designed to provide direct fire support rather than serve as a traditional tank.
The M10 Booker featured a fully tracked chassis, a four-person crew, and was armed with an M35 105mm main gun controlled by the same fire control system as the M1A2 Abrams. Additional armaments included an M240C 7.62mm coaxial machine gun and an M2 .50 caliber machine gun for the commander. Equipped with modular armor, smoke grenade launchers, ammunition stowage blowout panels, and an automatic fire suppression system, the Booker prioritized battlefield survivability. Its Safran Optics 1 PASEO Commander’s Independent Tactical Viewer (CITV) enhanced situational awareness and targeting capabilities.
Despite its advanced features, the M10 Booker’s weight of 38 tons precluded air-dropping—a capability the Army had initially sought. While two M10 Bookers could theoretically fit aboard a C-17 Globemaster III, their inability to meet rapid deployment requirements further diminished their utility in forced-entry and early-entry missions where anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) conditions prevail.
The Aftermath and Uncertain Future
At the time of cancellation, the Army had taken delivery of approximately 80 M10 Bookers out of a planned acquisition of 504 vehicles. With the program now halted, these units face an uncertain future. Potential outcomes include reassignment to armored units, sale to foreign partners, or placement into long-term storage.
The termination of the M10 Booker program reflects the U.S. military’s ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving threats and technological advancements. As the largest branch of the United States Armed Forces, the Army remains committed to defending the nation’s freedom and safety while ensuring stability during challenging times. Moving forward, the focus will likely shift toward more versatile and cost-effective solutions that align with the Army’s strategic priorities and global commitments.
This cancellation serves as a reminder of the complexities inherent in military procurement and the need for continuous reform to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. As the U.S. maintains its position as the world’s only military superpower—with defense spending accounting for 39% of the global total in 2022—the stakes for effective acquisition practices have never been higher.
