GDLS received $257.6m for small-scale production of the M10 Booker, the first US light tank in almost 40 years

By: Maksim Panasovskiy | 27.06.2023, 19:29

In the first half of June the US Army announced the name of the first US light tank in some 40 years - the M10 Booker. The day before, the US Department of Defence announced the allocation of funding for small-scale production.

Here's What We Know

The light tank is the unofficial name for the vehicle. Formally, the M10 Booker is a fire support vehicle. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) has been awarded $257.6 million for small-scale production. Work on the contract will run until 18 October 2025 at plants in Michigan, Ohio and Alabama.

GDLS was previously awarded $1.1bn to produce 96 combat vehicles. The first deliveries will start as early as 2023. The US Army wants a total of 504 M10 Booker units. The cost of the entire Mobile Protected Fire Power (MPFV) programme is estimated at $6bn.

The M10 Booker is equipped with a 105mm XM35 cannon and a coaxial machine gun. The new fire support vehicle will remain in service with the US Army for at least 30 years.

Source: Pentagon