The Army envisions a core set of Army-created apps on these future mobile devices, with third-party apps being enabled, via the framework, to use the features of the core apps, or to add to them. That represents a big shift in military thinking: a willingness to rely on commercial development for ideas, innovation and fast turnaround, and integrating that innovation in a structured way to meet the demanding requirements for battlefield operations.

For the hardware, the Army is currently evaluating prototypes for suitability, considering both government and commercial off-the-shelf models, with a ruggedized case or tactical cover.

The handhelds will be designed to make use of a range of military radio networks.

The next round of tests, both hardware and software, will be in October, during the Network Integration Rehearsal at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The rehearsal is one of four related events leading to a full-blown network evaluation at the brigade combat team level at the end of 2012.

John Cox covers wireless networking and mobile computing for Network World.