The U.S. Army's M10 Booker 'Light Tank' Nightmare Has Just Begun

[rangerrebew]

August 20, 2024   
The U.S. Army's M10 Booker 'Light Tank' Nightmare Has Just Begun

The U.S. Army's new armored vehicle, the M10 Booker, is being introduced as a highly mobile, cost-effective support vehicle for light infantry units. While not officially designated as a "tank" by the Army, it shares many characteristics with tanks, including a 105mm cannon and armor protection.

by Brandon J. Weichert
 
Summary and Key Points You Need to Know: The U.S. Army's new armored vehicle, the M10 Booker, is being introduced as a highly mobile, cost-effective support vehicle for light infantry units. While not officially designated as a "tank" by the Army, it shares many characteristics with tanks, including a 105mm cannon and armor protection.
 
-The Booker is designed to be easily transportable, fitting two units onto a C-17 Globemaster III without disassembly. However, its smaller size and lighter armor raise concerns about its effectiveness in modern combat, particularly against near-peer adversaries.

 
-Critics argue that while the Booker offers mobility, it may lack the firepower and protection necessary to survive on today's battlefields.

The US Army has a new 'tank'…but don’t you dare call it a tank. And it’s something more than an armored personnel carrier. In fact, like most tanks, the new tank, designated the M10 Booker, does not carry personnel other than the crew at all. What’s more, the Booker appears to be a miniaturized version of the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank (MBT).

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/us-armys-m10-booker-light-tank-nightmare-has-just-begun-210059

[rangerrebew]

Smaller, lighter, and more transportable tanks is the price the US paid in WWII, and still pays, for being across oceans from the rest 0f the world.  Without bridges and railroads to get them to the rest of the world is very problematic.  This all makes the narrow crossing from Russia to Alaska something to really build defenses around.

[PeteS in CA]

-Critics argue that while the Booker offers mobility, it may lack the firepower and protection necessary to survive on today's battlefields.

So, the light tank's fatal flaw is that it isn't a heavy tank? The Bradley isn't a heavy tank, yet when used properly is very effective, as Ukraine is demonstrating to Russia.

[Maj. Bill Martin]

What I don't get about this vehicle is the gun.  It's a low recoil 105mm gun, and from a 40 year old design.  It isn't capable of defeating the front or even side armor of a modern MBT, so who/what is the intended target?

[PeteS in CA]

What I don't get about this vehicle is the gun.  It's a low recoil 105mm gun, and from a 40 year old design.  It isn't capable of defeating the front or even side armor of a modern MBT, so who/what is the intended target?

Infantry Fighting Vehicles (e.g. the Russian MT-LB or BTR-80/82)

Infantry mobility vehicle (e.g. the Russian Tigr)

Fortified positions and buildings

Supply trucks

[MeganC]

What I don't get about this vehicle is the gun.  It's a low recoil 105mm gun, and from a 40 year old design.  It isn't capable of defeating the front or even side armor of a modern MBT, so who/what is the intended target?

The Federal budget.

[Smokin Joe]

The Federal budget.