US Army invests over $1.4B in Modern Combat Vehicle M10 Booker manufactured by GDLS

Defense News July 2023 Global Security army industry
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STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. - General Dynamics Land Systems Inc., a leading defense contractor headquartered in Sterling Heights, Michigan, has been awarded a $257,602,312 contract modification on June 26, 2023, for M10 Booker 105mm tracked combat vehicle low-rate initial production. This comes after securing a substantial $1.14 billion Low Rate Initial Production award in 2022 for the M10 Booker, formerly known as the Mobile Protective Firepower (MPF).
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The new U.S. Army M10 Booker 105mm tracked combat vehicle or Mobile Protective Firepower. (Picture source U.S. DoD )

The M10 Booker is the U.S. Army's latest addition to its combat vehicle fleet. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) specially designed and developed this cutting-edge vehicle to bolster the combat capabilities of the U.S. Army Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT).

This substantial investment marks one of the first major combat vehicle productions by the U.S. Army since the 1980s. The M10 Booker is outfitted with a host of advanced features, such as a 105 mm main gun, resilient armor, smoke grenade launchers, blowoff panels, and an automatic fire suppression system. These enhancements are intended to improve the vehicle's survival rate against direct and indirect fire, rocket-propelled grenades, and underbody threats.

GDLS will execute the contract work across its facilities in Sterling Heights, Michigan; Anniston, Alabama; and Lima, Ohio. The project's completion is anticipated by October 18, 2025. The contract is administered by the U.S. Army Contracting Command at the Detroit Arsenal, Michigan.

Upon awarding the contract, Army funds for fiscal 2023, amounting to $257,602,312, were obligated for the procurement of weapons and tracked combat vehicles. This substantial financial commitment underpins the Army's strategy to modernize its forces with the latest ground combat systems.

The cumulative investment of over $1.4 billion in the M10 Booker underscores the U.S. Army's strategic efforts to equip its Infantry Brigades with vehicles boasting superior firepower and survivability. As such, the M10 Booker is set to significantly enhance U.S. Army Infantry Brigades' battlefield performance in response to the complex challenges of modern warfare.