Rolls-Royce delivers first mtu Series 199 PowerPacks for M10 Booker Combat Vehicle Program
11 October 2023 – Rolls-Royce has delivered the first of its mtu 8V 199 PowerPacks to General Dynamics for the U.S. Army’s M10 Booker armored fighting vehicle program. Rolls-Royce’s Power Systems business will deliver up to 96 PowerPacks as part of the low-rate initial production phase (LRIP), with additional PowerPacks expected as the program moves into serial production.
Scott Hanson, Director Defense for Rolls-Royce Solutions America (subsidiary of Rolls-Royce Power Systems) said: “The delivery of these first PowerPacks marks an important milestone for us, as it represents the first mtu serial production engine to power a U.S. Army land defense program. This is also the Army’s first new design tracked vehicle fielded in over four decades.”
The mtu Series 199 is the best-selling armored fighting vehicle engine in its power class. The six- and eight-cylinder engines are characterized by particularly high power combined with especially low weight and volume. The integrated PowerPack consists of engine, transmission, cooling system, air filtration, energy system, preheating equipment, power management, and vehicle integrated features. Compact, highly integrated, and extremely flexible, this drive solution can be precisely tailored to the respective vehicle and mission profile.
“We’re excited to assemble and test these Series 199 Powerpacks at our mtu manufacturing facility in Aiken, South Carolina,” continued Hanson. “We’re proud of the role we play in equipping the U.S. Army with a best-in-class power solution and thrilled to continue our strong partnership with General Dynamics.” LRIP for the M10 Booker is expected to go through 2025 with serial production planned for 2026 pending the results of the LRIP evaluations.
Rolls-Royce’s mtu Series 199 engines and PowerPacks power more than 2,500 light armored vehicles with several armed forces. Versions of this powerplant have proven themselves in various armored vehicles, among them the Spanish Pizarro, Austrian ULA+N, German Boxer and Polish OPAL vehicles. They are also set to power additional vehicles of NATO nations, such as the British Army’s Ajax and Boxer. In addition to Aiken, Rolls-Royce also produces mtu Series 199 engines at its Friedrichshafen (Germany) and East Grinstead (U.K) manufacturing facilities.
Due to increased demands on the vehicles from customers, Rolls-Royce is currently developing an increase in the power of the previous top model of the mtu series 199. The 8V 199 TE23 will deliver 800kW of power to ensure best possible off-road mobility even for heavier vehicles.
Designed by General Dynamics Land Systems, the highly lethal, survivable and mobile direct-fire combat vehicle melds recently developed and battle-tested designs to dominate ground threats on the multi-domain battlefield. The M10 Booker vehicle employs a four-person crew and features an enhanced thermal viewer, a large-caliber cannon, a lightweight hull and turret, and is powered by the mtu 8V 199 PowerPack delivering 600 kW (800hp). It has been designed from the start for capability upgrades, based on future operational needs.
Photo courtesy Rolls-Royce