The 711th Human Performance Wing at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, is beta-testing Google Glass for its possible applications in combat, reported VentureBeat. The goal is to help the military transition from heavy reliance on battlefield laptops to using smartphones, tablets, and “wearables” more in combat and intelligence missions. Potential Air Force uses for Google Glass include helping forward air controllers steer aircraft to their targets, search and rescue missions, and helping combat controllers communicate with aircraft and ground troops in a variety of operations. So far, the team is impressed with the ability to quickly access information, but software developer and civilian contractor Andres Calvo told the VenterBeat the glasses are “not a silver bullet for many of the Air Force’s needs.” Google Glass is a wearable computer that incorporates an optical head-mounted display. The computer itself is Android-powered and mounted to the side of a pair of glasses. It operates on voice command.
The U.S. supports “a stronger and more capable” European defense, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III said during an Oct. 22 press conference in Brussels—but that defense should not duplicate the functions and capabilities of the NATO alliance.