Jane’s has the scoop on the Army’s new iPod-based tactical aid:
Elements of the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division are deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan equipped with new one-way translation devices based on video models of the Apple iPod personal entertainment system. Called Vcommunicator Mobile, the commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems are being provided by Vcom3D (Orlando, Florida). The company is delivering the devices under contract to the US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI). In April 2007 the 10th Mountain Division submitted an Urgent Need Statement to PEO STRI for a one-way language translation device. The resulting ‘sources sought’ announcement noted: “10th Mountain Division units have a requirement for a multifunctional, multimedia language and culture learning device. The identified system must provide one-way translation and cultural knowledge for both the Iraqi Arabic and Iraqi Kurdish languages. Primary use for the device will be at the squad/team/individual level allowing small unit leaders the ability to provide directions and guidance to the local populace during the conduct of operations.
DAILY STANDARD contributor Christian Lowe caught a glimpse of the new kit at a trade show last fall. On the tactical advantage:
You’re at a checkpoint and you need the Iraqi to get out of the vehicle and open the trunk. Scroll the iPod wheel over to “Vehicle Checkpoint” mission library and it’ll show a list of phrases: “peace be upon you;” “we need to search your vehicle;” “turn off your car;” “open the door;” etc. The iPod will show the words in phonetics and in Arabic so you can try the phrase yourself or show it to an Iraqi to read.
Useful, but kind of a let down. I pictured 10th Mountain boys melting insurgent faces with Whitesnake tracks, not an Arabic speak and spell. Photo Courtesy of Defense Tech.
