The U.S. Army has a long history of iconic military vehicles, from the Willys Jeep and Sherman Tank, to the Humvee and various iterations of the M-1 Abrams. However, as time progresses, so must the Army’s fleet.
Vehicles that once dominated American battlefields are being replaced by the next generation of potential icons, a process Army leadership has been looking at addressing for years.
At the 2024 AUSA Annual Meeting, amid the display of military technology, panels and roundtables focused on modernizing the Army for future conflicts. One key discussion centered on the Army’s push to introduce the next generation of ground vehicles, specifically the XM-30 and the M10 Booker.
The XM-30 Mechanized Infantry Combat Vehicle is seen as a replacement for the 40-year-old Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle. Although the project has been on the drawing board since 2014, it faced challenges in development. Potential competitors viewed the program’s timeline and objectives as unrealistic, leading many defense contractors to opt out.
In early 2020, the Army relaunched the program, assuming a greater share of the funding responsibilities. Col. Jeff Jurand, project manager for the XM-30, confirmed that the project is finally moving forward.
“The vendors are on schedule to deliver their first prototypes within 22 months, and there is no indication that they will be unable to do that. If I were to shake my magic eight ball, the outlook looks good,” Col. Jurand said.
One reason for the progress is a Department of Defense-wide push for digital engineering as a first step in meeting the Army’s requirements.
“It has been eye-opening. It is a learning curve to adapt to new methods. Our vendors have been great partners and fully committed. It truly is a partnership as we evolve internally and retrain our workforce,” Col. Jurand added.
In June 2023, the Army selected American Rheinmetall and General Dynamics Land Systems to advance the project, based on three primary criteria: a tracked vehicle with a hybrid-electric drive, an unmanned turret with either a 50 mm autocannon or a 30 mm turret upgradeable to the larger caliber, and a reduced crew of two with space for six infantrymen.
While the XM-30 remains in development, the M-10 Booker is already a reality. The Booker is a modern armored vehicle designed for mobility, protection and firepower. It features a wheeled chassis and advanced armor against small arms fire and IEDs. Despite its tank-like appearance, Col. Kevin Bradley, director of the Army’s Next Generation Combat Vehicles Cross-Functional Team, emphasized that it is not a tank.
“It is mobile, protected firepower designed to support squads. Its primary focus is to open holes in buildings, take out bunkers and help accomplish tasks in both large-scale combat operations and urban fights. With the 105 cannon, it can defend itself against enemy armor if necessary, but it is not intended as a tank-on-tank unit,” Col. Bradley explained.
The M-10 is equipped with a remote weapon station that can mount various armaments, supporting infantry operations by transporting troops and providing effective fire support. The Army received the first M-10 less than a year ago, and in May, they issued a solicitation for full-rate production.
The Army plans to purchase 504 M10s, which will be allocated to light divisions in active duty and the National Guard. The 82nd Airborne Division will be the first unit equipped with 33 M10s by late fiscal year 2025.
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