The US military is developing an application that aims to use smartphones to call in bombers for air strikes. According to the American website Live Science, this app is named ATAK (Android Tactical Assault Kit), and it was developed by the non-profit Draper Laboratory in Massachusetts. Developers say that this technology may help reduce the possibility of collateral damage to allied forces or civilians during combat operations.
An official from Draper Laboratory said that this system will be compatible with Android phones and can be used for navigation and spatial awareness. Moreover, it can also control unmanned aerial systems.
With the help of ATAK, soldiers can use their communication devices to connect with military satellites and communication networks, allowing them to scout battlefields, establish safe zones, and track airdropped supplies. This information can be easily shared with pilots. The software interface is map-based, allowing users to mark certain areas or specific buildings, which helps ground personnel provide more background information to bomber pilots.
An official from Draper Laboratory said that the US Special Forces have recently begun testing this application overseas. Next year, ATAK might see broader usage in training and combat environments.