US Army to Halt M-10 Booker Light Assault Vehicle Due to Weight Concerns

The US Army has decided to terminate the M-10 Booker light assault vehicle project as it shifts attention to more advanced weaponry, including drones.

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll labeled the initiative, which was sanctioned under a former administration, as a misstep. The vehicle's excessive 42-ton weight and flawed design were the primary concerns.

Driscoll expressed dissatisfaction with the procurement's outcome, emphasizing the lessons the Army intends to draw from this experience.

The vehicle's considerable weight made it unsuitable for several planned operations, such as aerial deployment from Air Force transport aircraft.

Designed by General Dynamics Land Systems, the M-10 Booker is categorized as an infantry support vehicle or 'assault gun,' not as a conventional light tank.

General Dynamics began developing the vehicle in 2022 after securing a $1.14 billion contract. The Army initially aimed to procure over 500 units, with the first deliveries in February 2024.

It was the first significant new armored vehicle introduced by the US Army in twenty years, intended to empower 'light maneuver forces to outperform opponents.'

Initially thought to be lightweight and suitable for air deployment, the vehicle's ongoing development led to a final product that was too heavy for its designed purposes, a problem recognized belatedly.

Army CTO Alex Miller clarified that this isn't a case of procurement mismanagement; it's about the requirements process generating too much momentum, preventing the Army from adapting accordingly.

Defense Strategy Shift Towards Drones

The discontinuation of the M-10 Booker program aligns with a comprehensive overhaul initiated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

In a recent memo, Hegseth outlined a plan to pivot away from traditional assets, like Humvees and helicopters, towards enhancing drone capabilities.

Hegseth advocates for every Army division to be equipped with drones by late 2026.

He proposes modifying manned helicopter units to incorporate low-cost drone swarms capable of overpowering adversaries.

The directive instructs Army officials to rigorously evaluate their inventories, discontinue funding for outdated systems, and call off or reduce initiatives deemed ineffective or duplicative.

Besides the M-10, the cuts will extend to certain manned aircraft, terrestrial vehicles, and older models of unmanned aerial systems.