US Army talks Android, iPhone, iPad for soldiers

The US Army's Capabilities Integration Center's head Lt. Gen. Michael Vane today said the military is planning to issue smartphones to combat soldiers that could improve their abilities to work out in the field. The Army at a minimum will have Common Access Card readers like those for notebooks on the iPhone in January and on Android in April, letting either check their e-mail and calendars with security intact. Future upgrades should let them see live positions on the battlefield and get intelligence in real time, USA Today was told in an interview.

The armed forces branch is already testing it out in safe conditions, such as postings at domestic bases, in garrisons and at schools. A test in Fort Bliss, Texas is also providing an early simulation of how it would work in combat conditions. One brigade is getting a full test as part of a modernization program that could even include tablets like the iPad, e-readers like the Kindle or Nook and pico projectors.

Most of the current challenges focus on encrypting the messages, as most of the trials were conducted without protected signals. Phones would also need to be ruggedized, although this would more likely involve cases rather than any direct modifications.

The devices themselves would likely be completely subsidized, including the phone bills, but may not necessarily lock soldiers into a particular device. They may instead get an allowance both to buy the phone of their choice and to cover the associated costs.

Google has had relatively little involvement with the US military in deploying hardware, but Apple has talked directly and has been part of some of the earliest experiments.

By Electronista Staff