Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

US Air Force Buys iPads To Replace Flight Bags

Posted by samzenpus on from the brand-new-bag dept.

redletterdave writes "Following the precedent set by commercial airliners, the U.S. Air Force plans to buy up to 18,000 iPads for its Air Mobility Command (AMC), replacing heavy flight bags with light and efficient Apple iPad 2s for the crews that fly cargo aircraft. The devices will reportedly be used by the crews on the C-5 Galaxy and C-17 Globemaster aircraft. There are several benefits to using electronic flight bags instead of physical versions. For one, the iPad can instantly update charts electronically, while the AMC would require flying charts get reprinted every 28 days to stay up-to-date. By cutting publication printing and distribution costs, and exchanging 70 pounds of paper for a 1.3-pound iPad, the Air Force can save some serious cash, including more than $1.2 million worth of fuel per year."

9 of 348 comments (clear)

  1. Battery by Picardo85 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But printed charts and manuals don't have an 8-10 hour battery time ...

    1. Re:Battery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If you don't have electrical power in your plane you got much more serious problems than to worry about a dead iPad battery I believe.

    2. Re:Battery by Loadmaster · · Score: 5, Informative

      The C-17 has plenty of standard outlets on-board. There are two at the Load station and outlets every couple of feet above the sidewall seats. Plenty of outlets to be had.

      I know, because I was a C-17 Load.

      You know what it didn't have? A fucking microwave. Had a convection oven but no microwave.

  2. Flight door... by Nittle · · Score: 5, Funny

    What about when they have to turn them off when the flight door is closed?

  3. Re:They should wait a few more months by grouchomarxist · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Have you actually gone through the military procurement system? They probably ordered these when the iPad (1) was announced.

  4. Tablet, not iPad by clickforfreepizza · · Score: 5, Interesting

    TFA specifies once that in truth, they are looking at tablets, not just iPads. Than it's back to Apple this and iPad that. If it indeed is a forgone conclusion, they should have explained why. That's some mighty fine journalism, there. Also, they mention iOS isn't certified yet; don't know if any tablet is.

  5. NOT a iPad , a tablet by bongey · · Score: 5, Informative
    iPad != tablet

    Lt. Col. Glen Roberts, clarified the report, stating the commend "is looking for a tablet device, not necessarily an iPad"

    Seeing that there is custom DoD Android edition and clearances, where iOS has not . http://www.bgr.com/2011/12/28/pentagon-approves-android-device-for-department-of-defense-apple-still-awaits-clearance/ . There is even a DoD SDK.

    But one thing about the Air Force there are different commands and they all make different decisions . ASFOC will make one decision, AMC another and the ANG another, and they never cooperate, costing tax payers millions.

  6. Re:iPad can charge off of USB ... by perpenso · · Score: 5, Informative

    So, go ahead and find me a USB port on the flight deck of a C-17. I'll wait <crickets> I thought so. ...

    Did you forget that *you* wrote that 28 Vdc was available.

    ... Whatever they're doing to keep their pads charged beyond normal battery endurance, it'll be a workaround hack (issuing external USB-connected battery packs along with the pad) or some significant auxiliary systems re-engineering of in-service military transport aircraft.

    Or it will be a simple DC/DC converter, simpler than the AC/DC converter that every iPad already ships with.

  7. Aircraft 28V dc / USB adapters already exist by perpenso · · Score: 5, Informative

    Adapters for 28V dc aircraft environments already exist: http://www.lonestaraviation.com/Power-Adapter-USB-Socket.html