Tactical NAV

Editor's Review

Tactical NAV: Born from the Battlefield 🪖, Honoring the Fallen 🎖️

Created during a combat deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Tactical NAV was developed to honor the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. As the first MGRS-focused navigation app available on all app stores, it serves as a tool to enhance soldier safety and mission success, built with the memory of fallen comrades at its core. This app wasn't just built; it was forged in the crucible of war, inspired by the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers. 🌟

Built from the ground up in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan, Tactical NAV was developed by a U.S. Army Field Artillery officer with the vision of crafting a low-cost and highly accurate mobile navigation platform tailored for the U.S. military. ⛰️

Tactical NAV’s journey began in the Pech River Valley in Kunar Province, Afghanistan. U.S. Army Capt. Jonathan J. Springer, a Field Artilleryman serving as a Fire Support Officer with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), embarked on the development of Tactical NAV following the memorial services for Spc. Blair D. Thompson and Spc. Jared C. Plunk, who were killed in action on June 25, 2010. 🙏

Despite initial rejections by the Department of Defense, Captain Springer remained steadfast in his mission to continue developing Tactical NAV — even to this day. His ultimate goals were (and still are) to make a positive difference for other soldiers and service members and to honor the men and women killed and wounded in battle. He used his life savings to fund and develop TACNAV-X, all with the ultimate hope of saving military lives and helping his fellow service members in accomplishing their missions at home and abroad. 💸

Launched on February 14, 2011, Tactical NAV offers a military-quality precision targeting platform designed for the individual soldier. 🎯 It includes offline mapping capabilities, ensuring complete usage without cellular signals, and supports WGS-84 standard (MGRS, UTM, BNG, and USNG coordinates). The tactical drawing mode is perfect for mission planning, while waypoint plotting uses military graphics per FM 1-02.2. 🗺️

Additional features include a Compass “FastLock” function, photo-saving capabilities, location sharing, a one-button night mode, and a ‘Go to Grid’ feature for precision planning. Rigorously tested for accuracy and reliability, Tactical NAV is built with Android native code for austere and contested environments. ⚙️

Tactical NAV has successfully undergone evaluation against other software platforms and devices such as Nett Warrior, ATAK, and BFT. Its accuracy is within 1mm of these officially approved systems issued by the DoD. 💯

In-app purchases and subscriptions, such as tactical drawing mode and offline mapping, contribute to further development and updates, with a portion of the proceeds donated to charities benefiting disabled veterans. 💖

Important Note: The Department of Defense does not endorse Tactical NAV and TACNAV-X, and it should not be used in life-threatening or combat situations in place of a government-issued device. ⚠️

Features

• Military-quality precision targeting platform

• Offline mapping capabilities

• WGS-84 standard (MGRS, UTM, BNG, USNG)

• Tactical drawing mode

• Waypoint plotting functionality

• Compass “FastLock” function

• Snap and save photographs

• Location sharing capabilities

• One-button night mode function

• ‘Go to Grid’ feature

• Rigorously tested accuracy

• Native code for austere environments

Pros

• Military-quality precision targeting platform

• Offline mapping capabilities for complete usage

• WGS-84 standard with multiple coordinate systems

• Tactical drawing mode for mission planning

• Waypoint plotting with military graphics

• Compass "FastLock" for precise azimuths

• Photo-saving for increased situational awareness

• Location, waypoint, and photo-sharing capabilities

• One-button night mode for low-light situations

• Rigorously tested for utmost accuracy and reliability

Cons

• Not endorsed by the Department of Defense

• Should not replace government-issued devices