Android OS Gets Battle Tested for U.S. Army

[dgstorm]

It looks like 'Andy' has been recruited. The United States Army is testing a prototype combat-ready Android-based smartphone for use on the battle-field. The device is called the “Joint Battle Command-Platform.” A non-profit company called, MITRE Corp. is developing the system, and designing it to be rugged enough for combat operations.

For the device to pass the rigorous tests to be field-ready, it must have good mapping systems, secure and reliable communications with-in a unit, and an app to help identify nearby friendly forces. One of the primary reasons the Army wants to develop this system is to help soldiers distinguish between friend-or-foe so that they can reduce "friendly-fire" incidents.

Here's a quote from the BizJournals.com article,

Soldiers who tested smartphone devices recently at Fort Bragg, N.C., praised the app that identified local friendly forces with blue icons on the map.

“We can know where each unit is in our platoon,” said Spc. Randy Fite in an article on the U.S. Army website. “It makes the job a lot easier.”

Wow! Now, that's pretty cool... 'Andy' is gettin Ranger training!

Source: BizJournals.com

[Droid-Xer]

The ever evolving platform!

[Steady Hawkin]

Keeps getting better and better!