The M10 Booker, a new armored vehicle undergoing trials by the U.S. Army, is being tested to its limits in some of the harshest environments on earth to determine if it is viable for deployment in the Arctic region. With heightened tensions in the Arctic region because of strategic and geopolitical interests, the U.S. Army is preparing to be able to deploy rapidly and operate effectively in such hostile environments. The design of the vehicle prioritizes speed, mobility, and firepower, essential for contemporary warfare in cold, harsh environments.
The Fort Greely, Alaska, tests that experience some of the country’s lowest temperatures simulate the conditions soldiers may face in Arctic battles. The M10 Booker, with its 105mm M35 low-recoil gun and excellent power, is being tested to determine how well it will perform in cold weather, including operating its engine performance, electronics, and mobility on frozen, snowy ground.
Most striking is the airlift capacity of the vehicle to remote areas at speed. It is compact enough for two units to be transported on a C-17 Globemaster III, a critical requirement for rapid deployment in emergency situemergencies, the M10 Booker has been designed to keep pace with modern battlefield requirements, with a mix of offensive and defensive capabilities, such as a 12.7mm heavy machine gun and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun to offer additional support.
These tests are essential to confirm the reliability of the M10 Booker in one of the planet’s most demanding environments. They also show that the Army is growing concerned with the Arctic as a theater of strategic interest, with the development of new tactics, technology, and vehicles designed to prepare it for battle in such harsh conditions. If the M10 Booker passes these stringent tests, it will play an important part in future Arctic operations, with deliveries set to begin by the late fiscal year 2025.
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https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a36040026/us-army-needs-new-snow-carrier/
https://defence.nridigital.com/global_defence_technology_jul21/catv_arctic_vehicles
