[Dilmah G]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/17/iphone-apple

In little more than a year, applications for Apple's popular iPhone have become a sensation - with more than 100,000 downloadable programs that do everything from stargazing to virtual farting.

But now one of America's biggest military contractors is taking the concept to extremes, by building a series of apps for use on the battlefield.

At a conference in Arizona on Wednesday, US defence company Raytheon announced its plans to launch a new range of military-oriented programs that can turn the popular touchscreen mobile phone into a tool for use in war zones such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

The first application in its plans, called One Force Tracker, uses satellite positioning and mobile networks to give soldiers constantly updating field maps that track the position of friendly troops and enemy fighters in real time.

The program – dubbed a "situational awareness application" by Raytheon executives – would combine data from many sources to try and give an accurate picture of hotspots such as sniper hideouts and vantage points. Troops could also use their iPhones for secure communication, said the company.

"We are committed to providing innovative technology solutions for warfighters and all of our customers," said Jay Smart, chief technology officer of Raytheon's intelligence and information systems business.

The application can run on ordinary iPhone handsets – a decision that came, Smart said, because building software for the gadget was cheaper and simpler than some of the expensive options specifically designed for military use.

"Raytheon's experience with mobile communications in the tactical environment and the government customers' need for low-power, simple plug-and-play applications led to the development of a real-time situational awareness application using Apple's touch technologies," he said.

It is not the first time the iPhone has been linked with military uses, however. Earlier this year Knight's Armament Company, an American weapons maker that supplies rifles to the Pentagon, launched a $12 ballistics application called BulletFlight which helps snipers and sharpshooters to hit their intended target.

Although it is most notorious for hi-tech weapons such as the Silent Guardian – a pain-inducing microwave gun - Raytheon, which based in Massachusetts, has a history of using popular technology for military purposes. Among its innovations are systems used in the unmanned aerial vehicles that are based on video games consoles.

One Force Tracker is not only for the battlefield, though. Raytheon told the Intelligence Warfighting Summit that the software could also be used – with some tweaks - by emergency workers such as doctors and firefighters responding to major incidents.

[BloodEagle]

  is this nonsense?

What's next, soldier sponsorship? No offense to Apple, but off-white / shiny does not camo make.

[Solatar]

I wouldn't think that iPhones would really take combat conditions well...seems like dirt/getting dropped would ruin a lot of things.

[Commander Zane]

They really want to basically cram the Advanced Battle Command System into a ****ing iPhone?

[Bobboau]

and run it unencrypted across the Internet probably.

[MR_T3D]

They really want to basically cram the Advanced Battle Command System into a ****ing iPhone?

apparently...
given my scepticism toward apple, i instantly distrust this idea..
its a safe bet that TOY couldn't last much more than a patrol, let alone a combat situation.

for a second, based on title, o thought this was about a new iGun  app..

[headdie]

it would provide a good tech demonstration that the concept of a small hand held device being able to provide that kind of volume of data in a usable fashion

[Commander Zane]

Yeah, when the military is already working on doing the exact same thing on an exclusive hand-held device, it's an individual-level version of the FBCB2 system used on vehicles and TOCs.

[Colonol Dekker]

I and my fellow royal engineers have been using our mobiles (aka "combat comms") in the field for years now. They have better signal than the standard radios and the GPS functionality has been around for years too in more expensive models. But the battlefield update will definitely aid field operations.

[Nuke]

I wouldn't think that iPhones would really take combat conditions well...seems like dirt/getting dropped would ruin a lot of things.

thats where you whip out your standard usmc issue camouflage mint flavored ribbed condom and apply it to your iphone.

[BloodEagle]

I wouldn't think that iPhones would really take combat conditions well...seems like dirt/getting dropped would ruin a lot of things.

thats where you whip out your standard usmc issue camouflage mint flavored ribbed condom and apply it to your iphone.

Wait. What?

[The E]

Also known as the Raytheon-designed, MilSpec'ed iPhone protector. Only 3000$.

[Sarafan]

C'mon, of course it could work.



 

[NGTM-1R]

Any infantry officer will be all over anything that gives them a better map.

[headdie]

C'mon, of course it could work.



 

If memory serves all that thing ever did was give you enough information to brick yourself

speaking of the M4 is there any word on the next gen rifle?

[Commander Zane]

Hahahahaha like that's ever going to be replaced.

[IceFire]

C'mon, of course it could work.



 

If memory serves all that thing ever did was give you enough information to brick yourself

speaking of the M4 is there any word on the next gen rifle?

I've read about that a few times.  It's had a series of start/stop processes where new rifles are potentially around the corner and then they get feature creep and become too big and too heavy and then it gets canceled because the weapon is useless.

The most prominent replacements I've read about include the following:

- the HK M416 which looks fairly similar to the M4 the firing mechanism is all G36 (considered a very reliable weapon).
- the Busmaster ACR (featured in Modern Warfare 2) which is a modular rifle that can fire different kinds of rounds with minimal modifications.
- XM8 which is another G36 derived weapon.  Looked fairly interesting but canceled.

I forget which service it was... I think it was the SEALs... decided to launch their own competition because they got fed up with the waiting. That produced the FN SCAR-L and SCAR-H (fires two different sizes of rounds) which seems like a pretty awesome weapon they have there.

[Dilmah G]

I'm just waiting until Obama's able to run the US via his 'Commander In Chief' application. Seems like budget cuts are taking their toll on you guys, huh?

[tinfoil]

In theory, great. Give our guys out there the best maps and information possible. Unfortunately in practice it will be done wrong.  Besides, how well will an iPhone stand up to the rigors of Afghanistan or Iraq? Not too well methinks. Nice idea, but let's try building something designed and tested by a major millitary that actually knows what they're doing.

[NGTM-1R]

speaking of the M4 is there any word on the next gen rifle?

It's called the M105, IIRC, and it was due to be the only rifle in service by the end of 2011 last I checked. The design has been finalized for awhile, at least.

As for how everyone crapping on the iPhone's durablity: believe it or not, it can actually do this if you're not burying it in crap. Keep it clean like your rifle and you'll be okay.