Atlantic Organization for Security (AOS)

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Smart Defence with “Smart Military APPS”

by · April 22, 2012

Smart-phone technologies, already familiar to many young soldiers who are once and future gamers, might be changing the face of warfare.

Smart phones are a leap-ahead technology offering soldiers myriad of capabilities to satisfy their need to share voice and data wirelessly.  They enable soldiers to download and store translation software and streaming video from unmanned aerial vehicles and view position and location information. The size, weight and power advantages are extremely consistent with the soldier’s mobile, man-portable requirements.

It is about two years that this technology is tested in US and it seems like a huge area for growth. With the highly fluid and varied battle environments our soldiers find themselves in these days, this seems to be ideal for so many applications.  Just as examples, they can

  • Keep track of hazards, such as landmines, snipers, etc.
  • Putt in a warning that you are entering an area with specific identified hazards.
  • Have generic information, such as a basic translating program, maps, geographic information, wildlife hazards, etc.

For dismounted Soldiers, the software approach consistent with modern day commercial technology, “Smart Military APPS” will also provide a consistent, easy-to-use experience. They will be able to choose different Mission Command applications for their specific mission needs without intensive training.

The White House also is interested because the hardened kernel could help fulfill a government plan to create a secure national wireless network for first responders

Within NATO, the use of this new “fresh & smart technology” as a tool/display system already familiar to the soldiers can be of great interest within the “smart defence” approach: better efficiency while reducing costs in terms of procurement, training etc.

AOS is supporting a Study Proposal to evaluate or leverage fresh ideas “SMART APPS” while maintaining “disciplined” governance, secure management etc. and how to get better advantage in future operations.

The following is just a little list of related articles on the subject:

  • DOD Works to Boost Smartphone Security – As the Defense Department seeks innovation made possible by smartphones and other mobile computing platforms, it’s also working to ensure DOD users of those devices employ them securely, a defense official said. “Because of the pervasiveness of the [mobile computing] …
  • New GD400 Rugged Handheld Computer Narrows Divide between Smartphones and Full-sized Computers – General Dynamics Itronix introduces the GD400 rugged handheld computer, designed for mobile professionals whose jobs range from ensuring the public’s safety and working inside warehouses to maintaining utilities. Weighing less than eight ounces, the sleek GD400 handheld is equipped with …
  • Army & Apple Discuss Hand-Held Solutions for Soldiers – The Army’s research and development command is evaluating commercial hand-held solutions such as iPad, iPhone, iPod, iMac, and MacBook platforms. Maj. Gen. Nick Justice, Research, Development and Engineering Command commanding general and key members of his staff met Apple, Inc. to …
  • AgustaWestland & DiSTI Corporation: Innovative iPad aircraft cockpit training emulator – The DiSTI Corporation, a leading provider of advanced graphical user interface technology, has been supporting AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, in the development of an innovative mobile application for aviation training, using the GL Studio iDevices Toolkit. Beginning with the iPad, …
  • Smartphones Combine With Tactical Radios to Boost Ground Troops – A cutting-edge combination of smartphones plugged into tactical radios empowered small Army units during a recent field exercise observed by Gen. Peter Chiarelli, the Army’s vice chief of staff. Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division communicated via voice, data and …
  • Top Five Apps for the Army Winners Recognized at LandWarNet Conference – The Army announced winners of the Apps for the Army (A4A) application development challenge at the LandWarNet Conference in Tampa, FL. A4A is the Army’s first internal application development challenge. In 75 days, 141 Soldiers and Army civilians registered in …
  • Android And iOS Apps For Military Drone Control Being Developed – The military is looking into building apps on the Android and iOS platforms to let soldiers use cheaper, commercial products out in the field. The plan is that these commercial products like iPad or Android tablets will be employed to …
  • Army develops Smartphone framework applications for the front lines – The JBC-P Handheld, is the first developed under an Army effort to devise an Android-based smartphone framework and suite of applications for tactical operations. The government-owned framework, known as Mobile / Handheld Computing Environment, ensures that regardless of who develops them, applications will be secure and interoperable with existing mission command systems so information flows seamlessly across all echelons of the force.
  • Army looks to troops for smart-phone tech advice – Smart-phone technologies, already familiar to many young soldiers who are once and future gamers, might be changing the face of warfare. Deployed commanders are pleading for more devices equipped with minicomputers and programmed with situational intelligence and training applications.

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