Gizmodo: soldier

US Army Uses iPod Touch for Translation On the Field

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 13:15:00 EST

This week on the Pentagon Channel (?), a soldier demonstrates the Army's cutting-edge new translation tool: an iPod touch.

The demo iPod looks to have the stock Apple OS, running a custom translation application. It allows the user to select a language, then a situation, and finally a command or question, like "Get down!" in Arabic, which I'm sure comes in handy. The app will also show a video of a CGI soldier saying the selection, in case your platoon is made up of visual learners. It's a pretty cool little program, but I hope the soldiers actually use it instead of playing Tap Tap Revenge like I'm sure they want to. [The Pentagon Channel, thanks Paul!]

RallyPoint Combat Glove for Computing Under Fire

Wilson Rothman — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:10:00 EDT

Wearable computers may be a reality in today's army, but use is restricted to safe environs like a bunker or an armored vehicle—out in the open, soldiers' priority is keeping hold of their guns. The RallyPoint Handwear Computer Input Device is unique in that it is designed specifically to be used even while the soldier is gripping a gun or a steering wheel. It's full of sensors—maybe too many:

• Four fingertip pushbuttons for common functions like push-to-talk
• Index fingertip sensor for map or mouse mode selection
• Lower index finger for switching radio channels
• Pinky fingertip for map zoom or, in mouse mode, mouse-click
• Middle fingertip is "anywhere mouse" trackpad that is engaged when press against a hard surface like a gun or a wall
• Accelerometers in wrist track Wii-like gestures for sending messages, etc.

The glove has been in development for a few years, but has just been taken up by the US Army for testing at the Natick Soldier Systems Center. It's insanely cool, and something with clear real-world applications—and not just for you, Zoltan. But still, I keep wondering exactly how smart it is to make the tip of the index (aka trigger) finger a sensor that's to be used while your holding a gun. No wonder they show it here with a plastic toy instead of a real gun with live ammo. [Technology Review
via KurzweilAI]

ParaNav GPS Unit For Parachutists Helps Marines Avoid Errors...Like This One

Sean Fallon — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:30:23 EST

Rockwell Collins has been selected by the US Marines to deliver 3,000 of its ParaNav GPS units for parachutists. Soldiers plummeting towards Earth will soon have the advantage of GPS navigation with a HUD that will help improve landing accuracy and allow for target zones to be easily changed on the fly.

The system itself consists of a GPS unit that connects to the soldiers helmet and a full-color display attaches directly to goggles or helmet shields. It also "contains an 802.11 Wi-Fi interface for Joint Precision Airdrop System data connectivity and custom circuitry that allows for dead reckoning calculations in the event of a GPS lock failure." Plus, it looks like the dude is rockin' a sweet mohawk. [GPS Daily]

Riding Shotgun on an Apache Gunship

msparkes — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 05:19:30 EDT

As if it wasn't cool enough already to be an Apache pilot, these pictures arrive to make us even more envious. If an Apache is nearby a rescue situation then they will sometimes try to lend a hand—even though they only have two seats. The lucky/unlucky copilot has to step outside and sit on the wing stub, to make room for the evacuee. These guys at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo are practicing the move. I imagine that "noisy, uncomfortable and fun" doesn't even begin to describe this. [Strategy Page]