While I'm still at it, let me mention another technology utilizing Google's Android OS that can be of use for the soldier in the battlefield. While I have discussed the GD300 from General Dynamics and the "Apps for the Army" initiatives in developing mobile apps for existing smartphones, Raytheon, one of the largest defense contractors in the world, has also jumped into the smartphone apps business and also used the Android in developing an application that will be helpful for the soldiers on a mission.

Called the Raytheon Android Tactical System (RATS), the system turns a soldier into an android smartphone into a realtime intelligence and map tool as it allows  the soldier to tap on other technologies such as a UAV to get streaming video. This gives the soldier a birds eyeview of the battlefield. For civil missions, this can also be useful for search and rescue operations

In a military version of MMS, a soldier can snap a photo of a person they captured and immediately send it to headquarters for intelligence people to identify the person. There are many applications that RATS can do.

What is most noticeable about the RATS, and also the apps develop for "Apps for the Army" is the use of COTS, or Commercial Off The Shelf, products, and with Android being an open source mobile operating system, the development costs is lower. While military consoles for almost the same purposes cost over thousands of dollars, this COTS approach helps save on costs as existing products are used. With budget reduction pressures, RATS is timely and effective, as long as there exists a good bandwidth and connection for the operator on the field.

Now, for the question of this idea for airsoft application. DIY or home tinkerers can use this system or develop a similar app that can use some DIY UAVs that are now being developed for civilian purposes. We have had a video preview of the MadBull UAV, and if it is fitted with a video camera that can transmit realtime video feeds to a smartphone, then it will be really useful.

There's already a civilian product that can do the same and pre-orders are being taken now and would be really useful for airsoft. Used with an iPhone, the Parrot AR.Drone can give realtime video feed and with the iPhone unit itself, you can snap photos and send for some "intel" verification during milsim games. Now talk about getting to the market by defense companies, a hobby compay has already beaten them to it.