The USAF’s Newest Weapon: The Smart Phone

Written by Dabney B. on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012

Cell phones have completely revolutionized the way that we communicate. Mobile communication has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past two decades, but the iPhone 5 still doesn’t hold a candle to the USAF’s multi-billion-dollar communication network. The USAF doesn’t see the proliferation of cell phones as a source of rivalry, though – they see it as an opportunity.

In fact, the Pentagon is trying to figure out how to incorporate cell phones into their communication network. They have to tread cautiously, though, because cell phones are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they make use of a well-established communications network that the military doesn’t have to fund. Also, everybody has one so they’re kind of like free standard-issue gear. On the other hand, “There’s always risks involved in having a mobile strategy where you’re not connected directly to the network,” said Major. Gen. Robert E. Wheeler.

Wheeler described the potential benefits of incorporating cell phones into the DoD network: “So, for example, if we do this in an enterprise-type model we can go cheaper, we can buy down the risks, … [and] we can jump the productivity curve.” The tricky bit is figuring out how to transmit classified data over commercial lines of communication, because as soon as there’s a breach in security all of that convenience becomes an instant liability.

The Pentagon recently released a strategy that tackles wireless infrastructure, mobile devices, and clever apps that can help maximize benefits to the warfighter. That’s a logical buy diazepam no rx step — there are already apps for everything under the sun, so why not create some apps that can help the military do its job? It’s exactly that type of thinking that keeps America at the front of military innovation. Thinking about things from the warfighter’s perspective will ensure that armed service members have exactly what they need to succeed. That’s how Strike Fighter Consulting Inc. provides top-notch advice – they look at a problem through the eyes of a pilot to come up with the best solution.

In this case, warfighters stand to benefit the most from this new program. They will always have the information that they need at their fingertips, and it will be available in a digital format that the younger generation is used to. iPads, for example, might be able to replace the knee boards that pilots use to hold a stack of paper documents and checklists. And best of all, these online documents can be digitally updated automatically so that the warfighter has constantly up-to-date information.

If this program gets approved, we can expect a flood of commercial mobile devices and apps designed specifically for the Air Force and other branches of the military. There are already a few Air Force smart phone apps on the market, but we can look forward to pilot-to-pilot social media tools, training manuals, and digital channels of communication that will help Air Force brass stay connected with the Airmen in the cockpits.

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