Q: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently reported that Jonathan Springer, a U.S. Army captain in Afghanistan, developed an iPhone app (Tactical NAV) that can help guide artillery fire. It's been used in combat and training and can be downloaded for $4.99. What prevents the Taliban and other enemies from downloading that same app to guide their fire toward U.S. and NATO forces?
-- Michelle Hutchinson, Marietta
A: The Tactical NAV app can be bought and used by anyone, and the U.S. Army doesn't discuss "friendly or enemy tactics, techniques or procedures, or the perceived effectiveness or vulnerabilities of a system," Margaret McBride, an Army public affairs officer, told Q&A on the News in an email. She said the Army encourages innovation and has recently launched an Apps for Army Marketplace for soldiers and others to develop and/or submit apps for testing and certification. The Army hasn't tested the Tactical NAV app for security, and it hasn't been approved for use by the Army or the Department of Defense, McBride said. Springer spent $30,000 and maxed out a credit card to develop Tactical NAV, which had been downloaded about 8,000 times by the middle of December, according to a Bloomberg article. Hunters and hikers also have bought the app for its GPS capabilities, Springer told Bloomberg. "I wanted to give something back to soldiers that might help save their lives," he said.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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