I remember from my first decade of service how slow and cautious the Navy is when it comes to incorporating new technology into it's ships. The differences between my first boat, the USS Shark, and the later submarines that I served on, culminating with duty aboard the USS Tucson, are like night and day. The Navy eventually embraced the idea of bringing it's ships into the 21st century and the results have made the Navy a more capable fighting force. Incorporation of modern computers into many ship's systems has enabled sailors to more efficiently perform the duties that are necessary to make a ship a deadly instrument of war.
The Army is looking at ways to utilize the latest civilian technology to help complete it's missions. The iPhone is receiving some pretty serious attention based on it's ability to incorporate so many useful functions in one small package. The idea of a hand-held communication device, GPS system, camera, photo storage, and a host of other applications has piqued the interest of the Army's technology geeks. One innovative idea is the use of an application that allows the iPhone to control a tactical mobile robot for EOD purposes and for missions on the battlefield.
There are also a few more practical considerations. For example, what if a soldier drops their iPhone in the toilet just moments before a big battle is to take place? He could potentially compromise the mission by dropping out of the communications loop. Even worse, he could become trapped in his zeal to retrieve this vital piece of equipment, similar to the poor fellow in this article.
It gets even worse. The soldiers may find themselves using pit latrines. Dropping an cell phone in a place like that can create a potentially deadly situation!!!
Think I'm exaggerating? Read this article to learn just how deadly this situation can be.
I am sure that the iPhone or an iPhone-like device will be incorporated at some point. They are a virtual gold-mine of applications wrapped up into one tiny little package and that is too valuable to pass up.
The Army is looking at ways to utilize the latest civilian technology to help complete it's missions. The iPhone is receiving some pretty serious attention based on it's ability to incorporate so many useful functions in one small package. The idea of a hand-held communication device, GPS system, camera, photo storage, and a host of other applications has piqued the interest of the Army's technology geeks. One innovative idea is the use of an application that allows the iPhone to control a tactical mobile robot for EOD purposes and for missions on the battlefield.
Obviously, the Army will have to do a lot of work to ensure the security of the iPhone is sufficient to allow it to be used for sensitive information. Technology is becoming so sophisticated and they would have to be very certain that there are no "backdoors" that would compromise mission security. I am sure that the Army is well aware of the threat posed by a potential cyber warfare campaign. Widespread use of iPhones in mission planning and execution would provide one more potential opening to that threat.“The iPhone has tremendous potential as a mobile device for the Army because it really is a computer platform that happens to have a phone in it,” Wallington said.
One Army vendor, iRobot, has seen an application developed for the iPhone to control its PackBot, a lightweight tactical mobile robot capable of performing such dangerous battlefield missions as explosive ordnance reconnaissance, identification and disposal.
Wallington said the same iPhone capability that serves as a control device for digital games can be used to steer and drive the robot."
There are also a few more practical considerations. For example, what if a soldier drops their iPhone in the toilet just moments before a big battle is to take place? He could potentially compromise the mission by dropping out of the communications loop. Even worse, he could become trapped in his zeal to retrieve this vital piece of equipment, similar to the poor fellow in this article.
It gets even worse. The soldiers may find themselves using pit latrines. Dropping an cell phone in a place like that can create a potentially deadly situation!!!
Think I'm exaggerating? Read this article to learn just how deadly this situation can be.
I am sure that the iPhone or an iPhone-like device will be incorporated at some point. They are a virtual gold-mine of applications wrapped up into one tiny little package and that is too valuable to pass up.
2 comments:
You write well... I was surprised to find myself agreeing with much of what you say (Most bloggers are a bit extreme in either direction for my tastes).
And may I sweetly and "respectfully" mention that "it's" is a contraction for "it is?" Use “its” when indicating possession (e.g. “The Navy eventually embraced the idea of bringing it's ships into the 21st century…”; should be “its”).
Semper Fortis, dude.
Whoops...guess you caught me making a mistake over and over. I will try to keep that in mind.
Thank you for your kind comments and I am glad that you enjoyed reading my blog.
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