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The End of Friendly Fire?

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The Virginian Pilot is reporting today that the Joint Forces Command has undertaken a new effort to develop technology to help troops navigate in urban environments. According to the article “the aim is to develop a hybrid tracking system using various navigation sensors and radio waves that could be used when GPS isn’t available, such as inside buildings or underground in tunnels or in caves.”

It would be developed under an agreement signed this week by the Joint Forces Command and defense contractor L-3 Communications’ Interstate Electronics Corp.

The plan is to get several prototypes to the Marine Corps for testing by May 2008. The effort has two purposes — to help field commanders keep track of individual troops as they carry out missions and to allow Soldiers to monitor their own locations. Jim Benson, the director of advanced technology for the Anaheim, Calif.-based Interstate Electronics said it could help eliminate “friendly fire” deaths, citing the highly publicized case involving Pat Tillman, an Army Ranger killed in Afghanistan by fellow Soldiers.

Read more here.

Ward

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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }

K April 3, 2007 at 9:16 am

But will this really stop the Americans from Shooting, shelling and bombing British soldiers?

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Terrance Deady April 3, 2007 at 3:34 pm

no. just american soldiers

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Paul Boyce, U.S. Army April 3, 2007 at 3:45 pm

Army Acting Quickly to Resolve Remaining Concerns in Cpl. Tillman’s Death
Army Ranger Cpl. Pat Tillman died a hero April 22, 2004, in Paktika Province, Afghanistan. At great personal risk, he acted immediately to save others by attempting to identify his position when he, another Soldier and an Afghan Military Forces member came under

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Joseph L Keller Sr April 3, 2007 at 4:32 pm

Friendly Fire. Is that when your friends shot at you instead of the enemy. I served in V.Nam 65-66 with 1st Cav,C Co 2/8. We were never sure were the enemy was, they were usualy above us below us around us. When we opened up we hoped we were shooting at the enemy. Now when we called in air strikes, which was supposed to keep the enemy at bay,I can tell you those bombs and 20 caliber bullets that came down sure got all full close some times, close enough that ricocheys set our amo belts off from hitting the magazines in the amo belts. I had to cut one guys gear off it was so bad. I cussed and moaned but we walked out of there no casualties. Friendly fire is an annomaly, like being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It can not be stopped. Fate has alot to do with it too. My heart goes out to the familys that have lost loved ones this way. But you also have to look at it realisticly it does happen. There is so much hype on this now because a football player I never heard of was killed by FRIENDLY FIRE. If you really want to stop this then stop the wars and lets have a good time by all.

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wei arthur April 3, 2007 at 11:17 pm

American soldiers often have a shoot fire ask questions later type of combat attitude, fire disclipine is taught in combat school but is easily forgetten once the shooting starts or U.S. Air Force pilots will fire first without even attempting to confirm if it is an enemy force, twice Canadian soliders in Afghanistan have come under U.S. Air Force fie, resulting in a large number of KIA and wounded all because U.S. pilots disregarded their training and failed to reognie their targets

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wei arthur April 3, 2007 at 11:18 pm

American soldiers often have a shoot fire ask questions later type of combat attitude, fire disclipine is taught in combat school but is easily forgetten once the shooting starts or U.S. Air Force pilots will fire first without even attempting to confirm if it is an enemy force, twice Canadian soliders in Afghanistan have come under U.S. Air Force fie, resulting in a large number of KIA and wounded all because U.S. pilots disregarded their training and failed to reognie their targets

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pedestrian April 4, 2007 at 2:15 am

RFID

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a.a.r. April 5, 2007 at 1:12 pm

this technology sounds good until the enemy gets their hands on it then they can use it against us by knowing where our men/women are located the same way we would know. unless they can develop a way to destroy this thing should it fall into the wrong hands. people die in war time. be it by the enemy or friendly fire. it’s sad but true. All of our Men and Women who have died honorably during any war is a hero in my book. GOD BLESS THEM! Sgt. A.A.R

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