GDLS Receives $257.6M for Small-Scale Production of the M10 Booker, America's First Light Tank in Nearly 40 Years

In the first half of June, the U.S. Army announced the name of the first in about 40 yearsAmerican Light Tank

M10 Booker.The day before, the US Department of Defense announced the allocation of funding for small-scale production.

What is known

Light tank is the unofficial name of the vehicle.Formally, the M10 Booker is a fire support vehicle. General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) received $257.6 million for small scale production. Work under the contract will take place until October 18, 2025 at plants in Michigan, Ohio and Alabama.

Previously, GDLS received $1.1 billion for the production of 96combat vehicles. The first deliveries will begin in 2023. In total, the US Army wants to receive 504 M10 Booker units. The cost of the entire Mobile Protected Fire Power (MPFV) program is estimated at $6 billion.

The M10 Booker is equipped with a 105 mm 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.