The M10 Booker Is the U.S. Army’s Secret ‘Light Tank’

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Key Points: The M10 Booker, often debated for its role, straddles the line between a light tank and an infantry support vehicle.

-Armed with a 105mm gun, it features tank-like armor and mobility but lacks the capabilities of a main battle tank or troop-carrying vehicles like the Bradley.

-While the Army downplays its reconnaissance role, the Booker’s speed and firepower make it well-suited for protecting flanks and supporting cavalry or infantry units.

-Critics question its relevance in a battlefield dominated by anti-tank missiles and drones, but its potential as a versatile asset in maneuver warfare suggests it deserves to prove its mettle.

M10 Booker: Light Tank or Recon Vehicle? Let’s Settle the Debate

Well, is it or isn’t it?

Is this a light tank or a reconnaissance observational vehicle? The M10 Booker has raised some eyebrows because it is not clear what role it will play in the future Army force.

It was formerly known as the vague-sounding “Mobile Protected Firepower” platform, prior to its unveiling in 2023.

At that point Army acquisition honchos regarded it as a “combat vehicle.”

Moreover, a U.S. Army general tried to put a finer point on the Booker during its public christening round table event, as reported by the Military Times last year. “[I]n the [U.S.] Army, the historical use of light tanks has been to perform reconnaissance functions. This is not a reconnaissance vehicle,” Major General Glenn Dean said. “It’s not actually a mission match [for a light tank].”

M10 Booker: Moving Past the Name Game

That didn’t seem to clear up the confusion because the M10 Booker may not have the survivability of an Abrams and is without the troop-carrying ability of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle.

Some generals consider the Booker a light tank above all. That means it should be able to take out enemy main battle tanks in armored combat, roll out in front of an advancing column, and protect light infantry.

M10 Booker: The Details Matter

Let’s take a closer look at the Booker.

It is a tracked vehicle with a 105mm gun. The turret can traverse in a full circle. It has armor like a tank and clearly looks like one. It will have to be maintained like a tank but probably will not need the full maintenance attention required of an Abrams.

And it can reach a speedy 40 miles per hour.

The M10 Booker may have been designed to assist a light infantry force only.

It can be carried into the area of operations on a C-17, but it likely cannot be parachuted into the battlefield like the M551 Sheridan light tank.

The Sheridan was a recon airborne assault vehicle, but it was usually known as a tank to airborne soldiers. Sheridans served until 1996 and were known for their airborne deployment during the intervention in Panama in 1989.

Expert Analysis: Seem Like a Tank To Me?

The M10 Booker seems like a tank to me. The overall question is what it will be used for and how it can survive on the modern battlefield with anti-tank missiles and innovative use of drones that take out tanks. Some have even questioned the relevancy of tanks in the 21st Century, especially considering their mixed record during the war in Ukraine. The U.S. Marine Corps just rid itself of tanks as well.

But the Booker is definitely not a main battle tank and shouldn’t entirely rely solely on a tank-on-tank combat role in armored warfare.

The Army may disagree as they claim the Booker is meant to be an infantry support tank, but I see it as part of an armored cavalry regiment in which the Booker could protect the flanks for advancing cavalry scouts who are traveling in Bradleys or Strykers.

This would give armored cavalry commanders confidence that the vanguard of the recon force would be protected and allow for speed, surprise, and security – the essential mission of a cavalry unit.

Moreover, the M10 Booker could call in air support in this scout role. It could make the difference to protect an armored column of Abrams main battle tanks and Bradleys. Stryker brigades could also make good use of the Booker in similar missions.

Yes, the M10 Booker Is Really a Tank

The Booker is thus a tank with recon and intelligence-gathering capabilities, even though some generals deny the recon role.

It is not battle-proven, and it would probably have a difficult time with enemy drones and anti-tank weapons, but it could draw fire and set up a “tripwire” concept in armored maneuver warfare.

Any attack on the Booker could alert the main advancing force of Abrams and Bradleys and enable them to locate the enemy quickly. Then air cover would take over, with Apache attack helicopters saving the day.

Thus, the Army and military observers should save the criticism and consider it a tank for cavalry uses. It’s a light tank, for crying out loud. This thing could definitely answer the call in an armored fight someday. Scouting is an essential duty for maneuver warfare and the Booker is tailor-made for this mission.

The tank is not dead in the Army and the next stop for the Booker should be the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California to prove its mettle in combat simulations. Then the Army can see if the Booker is up to the task – as a tank – first and foremost.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD, is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.