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BRITISH ARMY IN iPOD TRIAL

Details of a Mastiff model shown on DTM Global's iPod-based Insight system.

The British Army Aviation Centre at Middle Wallop, is to trial a new iPod-based recognition tool, InsightMobile. Army helicopter pilots will use the handheld recognition trainer to help with rapid, accurate identification of vehicles and weapons.

Tim Dewing, Chief Executive Officer of DTM Global Ltd, the company behind the iPod-based recognition trainer, says “PC versions of Insight are already in service with the military in the United States, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Australia and the UK, but this is the first time it will have been trialed on iPods.”

“The Army helicopter pilots will have an indispensible recognition tool for accurate identification of friendly and enemy forces, thereby helping to reduce the tragic loss of troops through friendly fire.”

Insight comprises a family of portable, PC based recognition training tools which formed the basis of NATO’s prototype Combat Identification Training System (NATO CITS) and has been produced in multiple languages. The Training Development Branch of the British Army Directorate of Training identified InsightMobile to fill a recognized requirement for the Army Aviation Centre. Following successful evaluation, it is envisaged that the Insight iPod software will be fielded operationally.

Each iPod can hold up to 1,500 3D models of ground vehicles, aircraft, warships and missiles that can be selected and rotated through any angle, aspect and range with optional thermal views. Each model has supplemental information concerning data, capabilities and deployment.