Minefield map app is British Army’s new weapon of war

THE British Army has unveiled a new “social media” app that helps soldiers to wage war using their mobile phones.

The Dismounted Situational Awareness Tool has been hailed as a “game changer” by a senior Army officer after trials in Eastern Europe during the recent Us-led Exercise Sabre Strike, involving 18,000 troops and 19 countries.

Mobile phones loaded with a mission, intelligence and mapping app called Android Tactical Assault Kit allow users to share and post information, such as images and their location.

Maj Ben Parkyn, the officer commanding C Squadron, 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards said: “It is going to be a game changer. I think we will never get away from maps, and having to look people in the eye to understand intent, but the speed at which we can do that now is greatly enhanced.

“If you see a minefield, or an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), or a pocket of enemy, you cannot only drop that [location] on, you can take a photo of it,” he said.

“You could also then set a proximity alarm, so if you get within 500m... it would ping on your system.”

The trial confirms the new head of the Army’s belief that the MOD must place “big bets” on technology or risk falling behind in the arms race.

Speaking at the Land Warfare Conference, Gen Mark Carleton-smith said yesterday: “Given the pace of the race, to fall behind today is to cede an almost unquantifiable advantage from which it might be impossible to recover.”