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Archive for the ‘Digitization’ Category

Military-Grade Optics Meets iOS via US Night Vision and Special Operations Apps

Monday, May 28th, 2012

We are constantly impressed with the development work that Special Operations Apps conducts. This latest project sees them teaming with US Night Vision, Hoodman USA, and Jonathan Springer to produce the Special Operations Apps/System for Optical Attachments or [SOA]2. It offers image geo-tagging in the standard Military Grid Reference System in frame-stamped high-definition video, geo-located and accurate within seven (7) meters.

Unveiled at last week’s SOFIC, the concept is to attach mobile mat devices to weapons and use them to record data and add value to the weapon’s other sensors such as image intensification systems.

SOA established a Joint Teaming Alliance (JTA) with US Night Vision, Hoodman USA, and Jonathan Springer, the US Army captain who created the critically acclaimed Tactical Nav App that has been soldier-deployed in the fiercest combat zones.

In a press release, SOA founder K. Dominic Cincotti related, “In addition to the Apple iPhone 4S and the New iPad,”we’re also excited about the platforms and devices like the Windows phones, the Android, the Lumia 9000, and the Nokia PureView, with its game-changing 41-megapixel camera.” He added that all of these are under consideration for [SOA]2 development, and his companies are in continuing talks with Nokia.

German IdZ-2 Now Called Gladius

Thursday, May 24th, 2012

The Germans have named their Infanterist der Zukunft or IdZ-2 (Future Soldier System) made by Cassidian with the moniker Gladius.

SSD Needs a New App

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

SSD Needs a New App – And You Can Help. As many of you already know, the SSD app for iPhone is no more. We need to get a new one up and running, and we’d like to expand access to the Droid users of the world. Here’s the issue. Our old app was effectively a very specific RSS feed reader that only read our feed. iTunes no longer accepts apps like this. This means we need to offer something more. If we are going to undertake the thousands of dollars required to produce this app, we’d like it to have added value for our readers. So what we’d like to know is what kinds of functionality would you like to see in an SSD app? One thing we can tell you that we are NOT going to do is sell anything through the app. Also, if anyone has special expertise in developing Multi platform apps please let us know. Finally, if any companies are interested in sponsoring the app please tell us.

We look forward to your input in the comments section of this post on SSD. Thank you!

Juggernaut Defense Helping Army Get Stronger With Droids

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

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Check out Juggernaut Defense’s latest designs and products for ruggedizing smartphones (EUD’s) on the battlefield in this article from Fox News. And then see them in person next week at SOFIC. Of particular note is the Atrix4G Juggernaut.Case(tm) which provides a Mil-Spec interface and hands-free/flip down armor mount for the Soldier. It enables the use of Android smartphones (EUD’s) in the battlefield environment for a fraction of the cost of a customized solution and in a fraction of the time.

juggernautdefense.com

Military Traveler

Saturday, May 12th, 2012

Military Traveler is an app for iPhone and Android. It provides maps and phone/email directory for over 200 military bases in the US. Plus, it’s free.

miltraveler.com

Pivothead Video Recording Eyewear

Sunday, May 6th, 2012

Pivothead eyewear provides still and video recording. But there’s no fish eye distortion with this camera system. It features a 75 Degree Field Of View.

The lenses offer 100% UV A/B/C Blocking and ANSI Z80.3 Impact Resistance. There are multiple frame options including the Durango seen here.

HD video recording options include 1080p@30 frames per second / 720p@60fps / 720p@30fps with continuous auto focus. Pivothead also offers wind-resistant audio recording. The sensor incorporates a 8MP Sony CMOS Image Sensor for crisp still images as well as face tracking. Still recording options include time lapse burst stills with up to 16-shot rapid bursts shots per interval. Includes a 8GB internal memory capacity.

pivothead.com

US Army Launches Apps Marketplace Prototype

Monday, March 26th, 2012

The Army has launched a limited app marketplace prototype. The reason we stress the word prototype is that at this point, that’s all it is. There are currently only 12 apps available and they are training related rather than operationally focused. The Army is dipping their toe into the pool but we’d say they are in the testing the waters phase rather than the poised on the high dive that is being presented in the popular press.


Photo – US Army SFCs Russell Houck and Nanette Williams of the Pentagon’s Executive Communications Team try out Army-approved apps on personal phones and tablets. MSG Douglas Wilderman looks on.

The long pole in the tent is still the approval process. When fully implemented, the Marketplace will deliver web-based and downloadable applications to all devices approved for use within the Army’s Common Operating Environment on the Army network.

“The Apps Marketplace is at the center of Army efforts to radically reduce the time to deliver applications across the force,” said LTG Susan Lawrence, the Army’s Chief Information Officer/G-6. “This prototype is a first step in establishing and exercising new submission and approval processes that will eventually enable Army members, organizations and third-party developers to release applications for Army-wide distribution.”

Interestingly, the marketplace prototype currently only supports apps for personal iOS devices. However, the Army promises the marketplace will soon support publicly-facing apps on Android devices as well. According to the Army, the apps available now include: The Soldiers Blue Book (initial entry training guide), Army Values, Army Social Media Handbook and Developing a Performance Work Statement.

“Training aids, planning tools and other apps in the Marketplace give Soldiers easy access to information we need to keep current,” said SFC Nanette Williams, a member of the Army Executive Communications Team at the Pentagon in a recent Army press release.

The apps were all developed by Army training schools in the Connecting Soldiers to Digital Apps, or CSDA, initiative. These apps are available at www.marketplace.army.mil. However, access is restricted.

Russians Inspect Soldato Futuro

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Col. Sergei Vlasov said on Monday, “A military delegation, headed by Deputy Commander of the Russian Ground Forces Lt. Gen. Nikolai Bogdanovsky, is on a three-day working visit to Italy to exchange experience in the development of combat gear.”

According to RIA Novosti, Russian officials are going to inspect versions of the Italian Forza NEC system in both field and static display conditions. The system is manufactured by a consortium of five companies led by Selex Communications and includes a Larimart computer using a standard 4-inch touch-screen for command and control, GPS and GIS. Additionally, there is a protection component with body armor featuring stab protection and protection against 9-mm rounds as well as a helmet with two visor options; bullet-proof and frag protective. Also included are laser protective goggles. Finally, the clothing component is FR and offers CBRNE options. However, it is not expected that the Russian delegation will expect much interest in the Italian ARX-160 rifle.

Once again, this is very much a NATO ‘Starship Troopers” program and not the first time that the Russian military has expressed interest in NATO Soldier Modernization Programs. Just a year ago, they expressed interest in purchasing copies of the French FELIN system. Their goal is to launch a domestic Russian program in the near future.