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DARPA Seeks App Developers For War App Store

Posted by samzenpus on from the check-out-the-free-section dept.

MrSeb writes "DARPA has a problem on its hands: Satellites, unmanned drones (UAVs), and myriad other worldwide sensors are now so ubiquitous and omnipotent that the Department of Defense (DOD) doesn't actually know how to make the best use of them. In other words, the hardware is there, but the software isn't. To tackle this particularly tricky issue, DARPA is looking for smartphone app developers to help build 'sophisticated, adaptive applications.' Yes, DARPA wants to give smartphone developers access to the DOD's fleet of Hellfire missile-equipped UAVs. Instead of using a single, remote pilot to fly just one UAV, DARPA imagines 'an app [...] that allows a swarm of small deployed UAVs to be controlled as a single unit (a hive [mind] so to speak).' DARPA also wants app developers to help out with easy-to-use app interfaces, novel uses of smartphone-like sensors (accelerometers, cameras, gyros) — and ultimately, it wants to make a War Market where a soldier can simply log in with his DOD-issued smartphone or tablet and download Angry UAVs, Nuke Ninja, and other battlefield apps."

4 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Bombing? There's an app for that... by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Bomb the lead car lite... A great new ad supported Drone app that will automatically bomb the lead car in any convoy you point it at. Unobtrusive ad's and a limit of 2 convoy bombing per day. Upgrade to the full pro app today for only $29.99!

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  2. Re:Industrial war complex? by Ethanol-fueled · · Score: 5, Funny

    All of you fuckers laughed at me and modded me down when I told you that Metal Gear Solid 4 was a documentary and not a video game.

  3. Army needs help with Spec Ops Mission! by josteos · · Score: 5, Funny

    Join MILville today and get 25 free Drone Credits!

    --
    Save the Music; Save the World at http://www.TuneTriever.com (Our latest Android game)
  4. Re:Interesting problem by lightknight · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Agreed. While the prospect of various enemies overrunning my country is not lost on me, my analytical skills are pointing to a bigger threat within my country than without: namely that the military / security people have gone AWOL, and constitute a bigger threat to the populace than their named greatest enemies.

    I don't like the police getting TANKS for internal use, Special Weapons and Tactics for unpaid parking tickets, and Intelligence Agencies running operations inside the country. Writing programs for these people sounds like handing people the very gun they will shoot me with. I've seen enough idealism and irony with the Thin Thread program, where an aloof mathematician couldn't conceive of the possibility of his program being used against the general populace for some below-board practices.

    We'll talk about getting your soldiers some nice apps when I stop feeling ashamed about discussing my country with citizens from its allies.

    *shakes head*

    Something like that...

    --
    I am John Hurt.