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The Army cancels the M10 Booker, a ‘light tank' that was too heavy
The Army cancels the M10 Booker, a ‘light tank' that was too heavy

Yahoo

time02-05-2025

  • Automotive
  • Yahoo

The Army cancels the M10 Booker, a ‘light tank' that was too heavy

The Army has officially killed further delivers of the M10 Booker, canceling not just a billion-dollar program to build a heavily-armed vehicle for fast-moving infantry units, but also putting a final answer to an age-old question: is the M10 Booker a tank? 'Now that we're canceling, you can call it whatever,' Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told reporters Friday, confirming the program's end. Cancelling the Booker matches one element of an overhaul ordered by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in how the Army develops and buys weapons. In a 4-page memo released April 30, he ordered the service to 'divest outdated formations, including select armor and aviation units across the Total Army.' That apparently included the Booker, which discussed Driscoll Friday. 'We got the Booker wrong,' said Driscoll, adding that the Army already has taken delivery of roughly 80 of the tanks. 'We wanted to develop a small tank that was agile and could do [airdrops] to the places our regular tanks can't.' But the Booker, at 38 tons, can't be airdropped. 'We got a heavy tank,' said Driscoll. 'What's historically happened is we would have kept buying this to build out some number of Bookers, and then in decades in the future we would have switched. Instead, we went to the Pentagon leadership and we said, 'we made a mistake, this didn't turn out right. We're going to stop. We're going to own it.'' Another issue that irked both Army officials and lawmakers stuck with the bill for the Booker was the so-called Right-to-Repair terms in its maintenance plans. The contract under which the Booker was purchased required that the Army use the Booker's builder, General Dynamics, to address a wide range of parts and maintenance issues that Army mechanics could have addressed on their own. 'If you look at kind of comparable industries for the civilian sector, I think tractors went through this five, eight years ago,' said Driscoll. 'You had farmers who were having a hard time repairing their equipment. The exact same thing is true for soldiers. We have many instances where, for two dollars to twenty dollars, we can 3D-print a part. We know how to 3D print a part. We have the 3D printer, but we have signed away the right to do that on our own accord, and that is a sinful activity for the leadership of the Army to do to harm our soldiers. And so that is the type of thing that we are no longer going to be willing to concede to the private industry.' Sen. Elizabeth Warren was a particular critic of the Booker's Right-to-Repair language, citing it in Driscoll's January confirmation hearing. 'When right-to-repair restrictions are in place, it's bigger profits for giant defense contractors, but also higher prices for DoD and longer wait times for service members who need to get equipment repaired so they're ready to go,' Warren said in the hearing. The tracked M10's armament includes a 105mm main gun, a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun, and a .50 caliber machine gun. At under 40 tons, it is light enough that an Air Force C-17 can fly two of them, versus the plane's limit of a single M1 Abrams at a time. The M10 was the first major weapons system in the U.S. military named for a service member from the post-9/11 wars. The name Booker honors two soldiers killed in combat, including one from the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. Staff Sgt. Stevon A. Booker was a tank commander posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions during the Thunder Run raid on Baghdad that opened the Iraq war. Pvt. Robert D. Booker, an infantryman in World War II, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in combat in Tunisia in 1943. Developed beginning in 2018 as the Next Generation Combat Vehicle, the Army awarded a $1.14 billion contract to General Dynamics in June 2022 to build the first 96 vehicles for the service. The Army planned to buy roughly 500 of the tanks, with the goal of equipping each of the service's Infantry Brigade Combat Teams with 14 of them.

I Tested the Turboant M10 Pro Electric Scooter and It's Ideal for First-Time Buyers
I Tested the Turboant M10 Pro Electric Scooter and It's Ideal for First-Time Buyers

Yahoo

time08-02-2025

  • Automotive
  • Yahoo

I Tested the Turboant M10 Pro Electric Scooter and It's Ideal for First-Time Buyers

The term "Pro" is overused, but the $400 Turboant M10 Pro is aptly named as an upgrade within Turboant's entry-level scooter lineup. Though it may not rival more-powerful, higher-end models, it stands out as a premium choice in Turboant's lower-end lineup. It provides what you'd hope for at this price: practicality, reliability and a touch of style. The M10 Pro is simple yet stylish. Its all-black design with red accents gives it a clean and modern look. The M10 Pro comes with all the necessary tools for assembly, which primarily involves attaching the handlebars. It also features a bright, easy-to-read LED display, complete with a USB-A charging port — a thoughtful addition for keeping your phone or other devices powered on the go. The wiring is neatly routed internally through the scooter and is visible only at the exit points near the brake lever and rear caliper. The deck measures approximately 17.7 inches long and 6.3 inches wide, offering ample room for a comfortable, staggered stance while riding. This design ensures that riders of various sizes can maintain stability and comfort during their commute. The M10 stands about 3.2 inches off the ground, with 20-inch wide handlebars equipped with a simple thumb throttle. At just 36 pounds, the scooter is lightweight and portable, yet it retains a robust and sturdy feel. It can support riders up to 220 pounds. Its 8.5-inch pneumatic tires handle minor bumps and cracks well, delivering a comfortable ride on smooth roads and light urban terrain. Turboant M10 Pro electric scooter See at Turboant Given its price, the Turboant M10 Pro delivers solid performance. Powered by a 350-watt motor, it reaches a top speed of 20 mph, making it a reliable choice for short, everyday commutes. For riders not ready to reach 20 mph, the M10 Pro offers two ride modes: Mode 1, with a top speed of 12 mph, and Mode 2, with a top speed of 20 mph, along with cruise control, which is nice to have on long straightaways where you aren't frequently starting and stopping. The estimated 30-mile range is excellent for city rides and last-mile commutes, though it'll vary depending on rider weight, terrain and speed. The 36-volt, 10-amp-hour lithium-ion battery fully charges in approximately six hours. The scooter's IP54 rating allows it to withstand light rain, though the Turboant isn't built for water submersion. It also features a mechanical rear disc brake and a front electronic brake, providing dependable stopping power and added safety if your power fails for some reason. The M10 includes a tiltable 1.5-watt LED headlight in the front and a red taillight, ensuring visibility in low-light conditions. The scooter also includes a bell to alert others as you ride. The M10 Pro offers great value, but it does have some limitations. The motor is sufficient for flat terrain and mild inclines (up to 15%), but it struggles on steeper hills, which could be a drawback for riders in hilly areas or folks closer to the scooter's 220-pound weight limit. Additionally, though it's functional, the deck may feel tight or unstable for taller riders or those with larger feet. Lastly, although the clean black-and-red design looks nice, the Turboant lacks the premium aesthetics of higher-end scooters. The Turboant M10 Pro is a solid option for people seeking an affordable commuter scooter. Though it may not match the power or premium look of more expensive models, its speed, range and portability make it an excellent value. It's ideal for first-time scooter buyers or anyone looking for a budget-friendly, dependable ride to get them that last mile.

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