We Have an App for That: U.S. Military Use of Widgets and Apps to Increase C2 Agility.

摘要

With the advances in mobile technology the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the military services have recently moved towards incorporating mobile devices, like smart phones, into the warfighter's arsenal to increase the efficiency of command and control (C2). The use of widgets and specialized apps has become another method through which the warfighter can easily access data to increase situational awareness as well as connect rapidly with a command center. These devices also provide warfighters with the ability to provide pertinent data to the central command center thereby increasing the total situational awareness. Utilizing innovative information and communication technologies such as specialized widgets and apps on mobile systems supports the development of agile C2 systems. The DoD and the military services are currently working to provide widget and app storefronts to disseminate applications. This paper will draw on previous work done in looking at the efficacy of these widgets and apps and examine the steps already taken in utilizing these specialized apps, both in traditional and mobile systems, to increase the agility for the warfighter. In addition, it will provide a look ahead at the possible future of the apps given the current U.S. budgetary climate and other technological challenges they may face.