Call in an airstrike with your iPnone!

[n2doc]

This Apps For The Army effort had evolved over the previous few years because soldiers have long been enthusiastic users of Apple products (iPod and iPhone, and now the iPad as well). But Apple has tight control over what software can be used on these devices, so the military needed a close relationship with Apple just to get their custom military software on the iPods, iPhones and iPads the troops are so enthusiastic about.

This relationship enabled the army to run a programming contest a year ago. Troops and civilian employees were challenged to develop as many good military-specific apps as they could in 75 days. The goal was to create the most effective smart phone software for the troops. Mainly, this was for the iPhones (and iPod Touch), but also for other smart phones like those using the Google Android operating system. The army believed their military and civilian personnel knew what applications were most needed. The troops have already decided what hardware they most need, because they have been buying iPods and iPhones with their own money. The contest attracted 114 military and army civilian competitors, who created 53 apps by the deadline. Cash prizes were given out to 15 of the best Apple and Android apps ($27,500 for the top three finishers in five different categories.)

One of the more impressive apps was one that assisted troops calling in air and artillery fire. Specialized, and now portable, computers have been used in the military for decades, to help troops who call in artillery fire, or air strikes. But these "forward controllers" have to lug around a lot of gear, as they move, often on foot, with the infantry they support. Every bit of weight counts. The less you carry, the more energy you have for life-and-death tasks. Now, there is an app for that, and the forward controllers can leave behind gear that has now been replaced by an iPhone app.


more

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htiw/articles/20110331.aspx

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Terrorist bait.

[Renew Deal]

2. That could be a lot of fun.

Hanging out at the bar calling in air strikes all over the world. :hide:

[charlie and algernon]

3. heh, takes darts and billards to a whole new level

Loser gets his house bombed. :rofl:

[Blue_Tires]

6. as a kid, my friends and i joked

that war would eventually reach the point where two generals would just sit in a bunker and push buttons or control robots all day

[Ian David]

4. Talk about "ANGRY Birds!" n/t

[Initech]

5. Wanna blow shit up without leaving your house? There's an app for that!

[damntexdem]

7. Can I use it for traffic on I35?

Or would that just slow things down further?

;-)

[Ezlivin]

8. Angry Birds Nuclear Edition

The pigs have no place safe to hide.