Google Android has been chosen to power an intelligent mobile communications device for battlefield situations that has been developed by US Army's the Joint Battle Command Platform program.
Previously, the US military had contemplated using Apple's iOS for the proposed smartphone, with many high ranking US generals in favour. It seems that Android's open architecture has been the deal breaker as with iOS the US army would have been tied in to Apple's closed ecosystem.
According to J. Tyler Barton, an engineer with one of the Army organizations designing apps, "It's like when you get an iPhone and you have the Apple-made apps: the contacts, the e-mail".
Android's open platform will allow the US Army to create role specific apps more easily as well as reduce costs incurred. This will also go in line with their streamlining plans, as the iOS would have been a more expensive proposition.
The Joint Battle Command Platform is a joint venture between the US army and MITRE Corporation, which essentially is developing a battle tool rather than a smartphone which will run specialised apps designed for the army.
As of now the US army is planning to include a suite of mission control apps which will include mapping, blue force tracking, Tactical Ground Reporting, or TIGR tactical graphics and critical messaging (such as SPOT reports, Medevac and Mayday) between all mission command systems. An Office suite will also be provided.