US Army Tests Chest-Mounted Smartphones for Mapping and Battlefield Communication

The US Army is using chest-mounted End User Devices, described as stripped, ruggedized, and reprogrammed Samsung phones, as part of its push toward a more digital battlefield. At a recent exercise, soldiers used the devices to plot movements, check locations, communicate, and support faster decision-making. The devices reflect the Army’s broader shift toward commercially available technology adapted for military use.

During Project Convergence Capstone at Fort Irwin in California, roughly 10,000 soldiers trained in simulated large-scale combat while testing technologies including drones, electronic warfare systems, and Next Generation Command and Control. Soldiers carried EUDs in chest-mounted carriers, powered by batteries on their backs. Loaded with Android Team Awareness Kit, the devices provided real-time geospatial maps, friendly-force locations, rough enemy locations, map markers, photos, and chat tools.

The devices can connect through multiple paths, including satellite or cellular networks, and some apps can function offline if soldiers lose connection or face jamming. But troops also encountered connectivity issues during the exercise, including problems linked to simulated electronic warfare and other causes. The takeaway is practical: digital tools can speed decisions, but soldiers still need analog backups such as physical maps when networks fail.

The Army is still assessing how many EUDs different formations need and how far down the chain the devices should be distributed. Business Insider reports that the 25th Infantry Division has almost 2,200 devices, while other divisions, including the 4th Infantry Division, have fewer. Army leaders are weighing which soldiers benefit most, with unit commanders noted as likely users for movement and communication, while future applications could include medical, logistics, photo, and video tools.