From the British Forces Network:
A £30 million pound investment has been confirmed to fund the development of digital apps for the battlefield.
British personnel tested battlefield communication technology known as the Dismounted Situational Awareness Tool last year (Picture: Crown Copyright/Cpl Tom Evans).
The money will be used to fast-track agile software development technology, to support military forces on operations across the globe.The funding, confirmed by the Defence Secretary, follows a commitment to spend £66 million on mini drones, remote control armoured vehicles and the ability to send in pre-programmed support vehicles to the front line.
It follows the testing last year of a mobile app which allows military commanders to communicate on the battlefield.
Known as the Dismounted Situational Awareness Tool, it uses phones loaded with programmes including the mission, intelligence and mapping app called Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK).
Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “From major natural disasters to the frontline on the battlefield, our Armed Forces are quick to react and even quicker to adapt.
“This technology matches that agility by enabling the creation of specialist digital applications that are tailored, secure and responsive.
“By deploying this technology into the hands of our military, from sailors serving in the Caribbean, to pilots working in the Middle East, we will ensure we have a fighting force fit for the future, equipped with state-of-the-art technology at their fingertips.”
