The U.S. Army’s recent acquisition of the M10 Booker has sparked a curious debate within the military community: Is the Booker a tank?

Officially received by the Army in April and christened at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, this combat vehicle has become the center of discussion due to its tank-like characteristics, despite the Army’s insistence on not labeling it as such.

“The M10 Booker represents a new modernized capability for the Army, allowing light maneuvers forces to overmatch adversaries,” the Army stated.

With three units delivered so far, the vehicle is expected to enhance the precision firepower of infantry brigades.

As it undergoes rigorous testing, including evaluations in diverse environments, the M10 Booker is on track to be operational by summer 2025.

Doug Bush, the Army’s assistant secretary for acquisition, logistics, and technology, emphasized the significance of the M10 in the Army’s transformation, stating, “The M10 Booker is a crucial part of that transformation.”

However, the nomenclature debate continues to loom over this new addition to the Army’s arsenal. The M10 Booker’s design includes armor, a pivoting gun turret, and tracks, prompting one community of tank enthusiasts to assert, “you could call the M10 whatever you want, but the thing is obviously a tank.”

This sentiment was echoed in a headline last June: “The Army’s M10 Booker is a tank. Prove us wrong.”

Moreover, the combat vehicle bears names honoring American military heroes: Pvt. Robert D. Booker and Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker.

Apart from its military prowess, the Booker comes with ease of deployment advantages.

Unlike the larger M1 Abrams, the M10 can be rapidly deployed via C-17 transport planes without disassembly, indicating a strategic edge in terms of mobility.

Despite its capabilities and innovative design, the M10 has faced skepticism over its potential efficacy in modern combat scenarios, with critics citing the challenges faced by light tanks in Ukraine’s current conflict against powerful anti-tank weapons.

This critique has reinforced the debate about the Booker’s classification and its role on the battlefield.

The M10 Booker, with a lighter armor than the M1 Abrams but armed with a 105mm cannon, offers a new dynamic to the battlefield.

It is projected to be acquired in significant numbers, totaling 504 by 2035, to equip mechanized brigades.

Relevant articles:
– M10 Booker: Don’t Let the U.S. Army Catch You Calling This a Tank, The National Interest
– The Army’s New M10 Booker Looks, Rolls, and Fires Like a Tank. But Please Don’t Call It One., popularmechanics.com
– Meet the M10 Booker: The U.S. Army’s New Non-Tank Tank, The National Interest
– The Army’s M10 Booker is a tank. Prove us wrong., Yahoo