I have interesting friends. Two of them, who shall remain nameless because it is possible they have let slip to me information that is technically classified, recently told me the best GPSD deployment story since the robot submarine.
So, Friend A says “Hey, Eric, did you know GPSD is used in the on-board nav system of the Abrams tank?” Friend A is in a position to know, because Friend A has done troubleshooting of that nav system – once, over the phone with a tank actually in combat in Iraq. It seems GPSD is used as part of IFF (identification friend or foe) and without that module they are at unpleasant risk of heaving a shell at a friendly. (And no, I am assured the bug was not in GPSD itself.)
No. In fact, I did not know that GPSD helps run the Abrams main battle tank. (I told one of my lieutenants and he, ever practical, said “Hey, ESR, can you get us a tank ride?” Alas, this is beyond my powers.) But then it got better…
Friend B said. “Oh, that’s interesting.” Because while Friend B didn’t know about GPSD and the Abrams, friend B happens to know something Friend A didn’t – that the U.S. Army has standardized on just two GPS service modules for all its vehicles. Basically, there’s one less expensive package for soft-skinned vehicles and one more expensive for the tanks and the Bradleys and the Strykers – anything armored.
What’s good for the Abrams is good for other AFVs, apparently. It follows as the night the day that GPSD is in the IFF/nav system of every current AFV the U.S. fields. That is pretty cool. And cooler because the use doesn’t present ethical difficulties – they use it for not shooting at people!