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New Army Combat Vehicle Prepares for Cyber Testing

The Booker Combat Vehicle is on a fast track to production.

The Army will include cyber vulnerability tests for the M10 Booker Combat Vehicle before and during operational testing.

U.S. Army officials on Saturday unveiled the newly named M10 Booker Combat Vehicle, an armored infantry assault vehicle built by General Dynamics Land Systems.

The vehicle, formerly known as the Mobile Protected Firepower vehicle, is named after two soldiers who share the Booker surname and were both recognized for their heroism. Medal of Honor recipient Pvt. Robert D. Booker served in WWII, and Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker earned the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in Iraq.

Douglas Bush, the Army assistant secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology, and Maj. Gen. Glenn Dean, the program executive officer for ground combat systems, held a media roundtable discussion with reporters two days prior to the event on the condition that information discussed be embargoed until Saturday afternoon for the official unveiling.

During that discussion, Bush revealed that the vehicle will undergo initial cyber vulnerability testing with production vehicles in 2024 prior to operational testing and will endure an operational assessment during operational testing in 2025. Gen. Dean added that the vehicle will “get a full cyber workout” as part of its test regime.

The platform provides vehicle commanders with a sighting system that allows pointing out targets to dismounted infantry and an electronics architecture that allows modules to be easily replaced.

The M10 Booker could eventually be equipped with artificial intelligence for advanced targeting or other purposes if the Army chooses, but that is not a current requirement.

Expected milestones include:

Delivery of the first production vehicle in November
Initial operational testing equipped in late 2024/early 2025
First unit equipped in 2025

The system is designed to address an operational shortfall in infantry units by providing mobile, protected, direct, offensive fire capability. It relies on existing mature technologies and components to reduce development time so it can be fielded more rapidly.

Army officials expressed confidence during the media roundtable that General Dynamics Land Systems has resolved early issues, including the accumulation of toxic fumes inside the vehicle.

The company describes the vehicle as a “highly lethal, survivable and mobile direct-fire combat vehicle” that “melds recently developed and battle-tested designs to dominate ground threats on the multi-domain battlefield.” The company adds that the Booker vehicle employs a four-person crew and features an enhanced thermal viewer, a large-caliber cannon, a lightweight hull and turret, and a modern diesel engine, transmission and suspension system and says that it has been “designed from the start for capability upgrades, based on future operational needs.”