Yet another armored vehicle program cancellation. M10 Booker

[CamoDeafie]

Dead on arrival: Army pulls plug on M10 Booker light tank

The Army has put an end to the M10 Booker program in the midst of low-rate production as it pivots to a focus on a highly mobile, lighter force.

www.defensenews.com

Really. Who saw this coming?

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[gmerkt]

This was another of those hugely expensive weapons projects that took on a life of its own. A trend that keeps spiraling ever upward. Lots of money to be made by industry. I'm wondering what it costs the Russian government to make tanks. Even with built-in Russian corruption, it can't be as much as we pay here with built in capitalist corruption.

 

[Stomper]

This was another of those hugely expensive weapons projects that took on a life of its own. A trend that keeps spiraling ever upward. Lots of money to be made by industry. I'm wondering what it costs the Russian government to make tanks. Even with built-in Russian corruption, it can't be as much as we pay here with built in capitalist corruption.

It's called crony capitalism.... retired generals sit on the boards of defense contractors, defense contractors recruit retired generals because of "insider connections".


Beware the industrial military complex.

-Dwight D. Eisenhower

View: https://youtu.be/Gg-jvHynP9Y?si=SajBfZ-dmfDvcwso

 

[CountryGent]

A recent episode of the Cold War Channel covered Ike's speech and what he was referencing, including post—Cold War. Passing along in case others found interesting.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8glmBbBENlk&list=PLsnIHiWWLRcPakf6UwtFr4cl5Zd4U4KX2&index=1

 

[VinnieBoomBah]

Wonder what the odds are that the replacement they come up with doesn't need a crew compartment

 

[Andy54Hawken]

A moving foxhole attracts the eye...as Bill Mauldin once said / drew.....

Makes me grateful that I served in L R R P / L R S D units.
Andy

 

[CamoDeafie]

So. The army is plodding along with their M1 Abrams, M2, M3 Bradley's, I think still using M113s in some duties, along with supposedly "interim" Strykers (based on a Canadian Light Armored Vehicle III chassis, also from the 80s)....and their M109 artillery pieces.

They've been "trying" to replace most of these vehicles for the last 20+ years

 

[Andy54Hawken]

"Fix it" ...till its broke.....

I understand that companies want to make money / get a contract.
However...
Many things in in the military like the A10 , M-60 Machine gun , LRRP / LRSD units , while "old"...still work well for the job / mission they were designed for...
And the only reason to get rid of them...is so someone can make money....sigh.
Andy

 

[CamoDeafie]

I think the Army is terminally stuck on "transportable by C-130, but be as well armed/armored as heavier stuff".

 

[Andy54Hawken]

I think the Army is terminally stuck on "transportable by C-130, but be as well armed/armored as heavier stuff".

Yes indeed.....
I well remember make caches of all the "needed " and mission required gear we were issued ....
Only to do the job with a minimal amount of equipment ...then retrieving the hidden items before returing.

Of course doing so...was not regulation / allowed...or at times tactically safe / sound to do so....or always done....
Risk versus reward here.

But damn...the amount of gear we jumped with and were expected to hump while conducting a mission....
Makes one wonder if those who planned such things....ever did such things themselves....outside of some school or training exercise.

As for vehicles .....as a general rule...
You can't have it both ways...as in light / transportable and well armed / armored.
Andy

 

[CamoDeafie]

But damn...the amount of gear we jumped with and were expected to hump while conducting a mission....

Do believe thats an universal thing in the US military...
With the Marines bearing the brunt of the overloading.

 

[Stomper]

A moving foxhole attracts the eye...as Bill Mauldin once said / drew.....

Makes me grateful that I served in L R R P / L R S D units.
Andy

Fun fact:

I bet you didn't know that the Army cooks corps had a SOF detachment. They were officially called SLURP units, with snipers and everything!