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U.S. Soldiers may be issued iPads or Androids in the future

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Jill Csillag0 Comments

A recent report published in The Army Times announces future plans to incorporate the use of smart-phones and other electronic gadgets for field testing purposes.

If the program and testing is deemed a success, it’s very likely that soldiers will be given a choice of an iPhone or Android cell phone, with the Army picking up the tab on the monthly service fees.

It could very well be in the near future that our soldiers will be issued these with their military equipment.

With an expected target date of Feb 2011 for the field testing, it’s estimated that between 3 to 5 thousand soldiers will be able to participate in the testing.

How would these be used in the field you may ask? According to Mike McCarthy, director of the Mission Command Complex of Future Force Integration Directorate, connected devices would allow our soldiers to view real-time intelligence photos, as well as video from unmanned drones and other personnel.

“What we’re doing is fundamentally changing how soldiers access knowledge, information, training content and operational data,” McCarthy said. “The day you sign on to be a soldier, you will be accessing information and knowledge in garrison and in an operational environment in a seamless manner. We’re using smart phone technologies to lead this.”

McCarthy also stated they will also be reviewing the iPad, Kindles, Nook readers, and mini projectors as well.

Security will likely be the biggest challenge the soldiers will face when using these items. Part of the plan is to have the Army phones slip into special antenna sleeves for connecting to a non-commercial network.

This is yet another demonstration of how technology has impacted our lives, greatly.

 Any tool that will protect our soldiers is a win/win in my book. God bless our Servicemen and Servicewomen.