CNN: U.S. Army may soon equip troops with smartphones

"The Army is wrapping up a six-week program to test the viability of using touchscreen phones and tablets in combat. The pilot program began on June 6 within the White Sands and Fort Bliss training areas in New Mexico and Texas."

Don't they need transmission towers??? Unless they're really talking about sat phones.Sounds like a prelude to FFW. Or the remnants of Land Warrior. Is there a danger of technology replace valuable human skills, like land navigation? At the very least this may prevent friendly-fire incidents. But how much communication is needed between units before it starts to interfere with decision-making? I don't think testing by a force with 2GW mentality can tell us a complete account of t the usefulness of such technology, but I haven't seen any articles about the US military's love affair with technology lately.

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This is fun: The Future Soldier Systems

The good old days, Sarge:
Generation III Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (GEN III ECWCS)