US Air Force Agrees to Purchase $9 Million Worth of iPads

[kdarling]

$520 per device is a deal, for a couple of reasons:

First, it's a retail $599 item.

More importantly, the USAF isn't going to have its crews sitting around with iTunes.

That's why the USAF is buying the iPads through a value-added reseller (VAR).

The VAR will do all the dirty work loading software and setting up the devices. They might also have to keep spares around, and perhaps handle longer term software updates etc.

 

[chrono1081]

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Shows that the military doesn't subscribe to MacRumors. I'd be mad if I spent $600 on a device that was made obsolete a week later, not to mention several million!

This is nothing new for the military. They upgraded to Windows Vista after 7 was out.

 

[Lokany]

Tricked

Even the air force bought too early.... Happens to all of us.

 

[sUGArDawg]

Now they need to refit the jets for iPod compatibility

We listen to iPods all the time...you just need the proper 3.5mm adapter to integrate the audio in to the crew interphone.

 

[kipj77]

Lol

They should wait a week and buy the iPad 3.

HAHAHA

Yes

 

[Don Kosak]

The iPad agreement makes sense. The electronic "flight bag" suite on the iPad has had several iterations in the private airline business. It's a logical step to apply the same technology to the military.

I'm just waiting for the US Air Force to equip their UAV drones with Siri.

 

[snowmoon]

People arguing over cost of these devices... these electronic flight bags would be replacing hundreds of dollars and upwards of 50 pounds of paper that needed to be updated monthly. Assuming they get used each iPad will represent a significant cost savings.

 

[kdarling]

People arguing over cost of these devices... these electronic flight bags would be replacing hundreds of dollars and upwards of 50 pounds of paper that needed to be updated monthly. Assuming they get used each iPad will represent a significant cost savings.

If they're using commercial charts, like the Jeppesen Military Chart Service, then they still have to pay for them in electronic form.

However, the USAF says that up to 70 pounds of aircraft and rule binders are carried onboard... and those could be removed in favor of an electronic version. Removing weight saves fuel; switching to electronic data saves time updating. That's the savings.

 

[E.Lizardo]

Thank you for using the apostrophe correctly throughout this article.

 

[Poll Smoker]

kill different

 

[ProVideo]

This paves the way for future Government purchases... which is great, but to put this in perspective, in the grand scheme of things this amounts to about $0.009/share revenue for AAPL shareholders, or at 44% profit, about $0.004/share, so dont go getting too excited about it...

Many people bought Windows machines because it was what was used at their workplace. How many of those iPads' new users will now purchase an iPad for personal use because of the familiarity of the device. It draws a new group of users into Apple's halo effect where they could be influenced to buy other Apple products as well.

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

Should have waited till after next week and they could have purchased 23,000 iPads instead

 

[alternateroute]

Not carrying all those heavy bombs and missiles would also be a good way to reduce weight and save fuel.

 

[CosmoPilot]

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I'm one of the pilots that will be taking advantage of this. I can assure everyone that the AF is not waisting money on obsolete technology. Our flight bags (pubs, charts, etx.) weigh about 200 lbs per jet (yes, lots of books to travel globally). The iPad2 is sufficient for our needs. We do not need to edit movie or play garage band. We only need access to .pdf files and navigational charts/approach plates.

Also, a test program (AF) has been in use for a long time now to study its benefit. This hasn't been a quick decision. Like all things, a checklist and/or technical order will be published documenting it's use (charging, turning off radios, updating with current pubs, personal use limitations, etc.). The general public can rest assured the AF will get this right.

Personally, I'm shocked the AF has taken a progressive stance and moved forward on this inititative. Normally we are years behind the airlines due to operational limitations and testing.

 

[MythicFrost]

This was cancelled... wasn't it?

 

[KingJosh]

I guess all the Apple haters gonna have to swim/walk

 

[adildacoolset]

for the love of anything don't let the F-18 pilots play angry birds. They'll get addicted in the jet

 

[ChristianVirtual]

This is nothing new for the military. They upgraded to Windows Vista after 7 was out.

My company (healthcare) the same; because of qualification of devices. We did that too with iPad 1/ iPad 2. Our user asked us: why we get the old crap ?
And I fear we do it again with iPad2/iPad 3

 

[MUrhino]

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Well to be fair, the military and governments in general do not make snap decisions to buy anything.

The Air Force and Pentagon probably have had this on the burner for months in committee and study before they decided to purchase. Plus Apple likely provided them a quote, for the current available product, quite some time ago. All long before the iPad 3 rumors started. Plus they can't plan to buy a product that hasn't been announced yet.

Yep. I'm an AMC pilot and have heard rumors of this for almost a year...no good sources, but this will be nice. Almost everyone has their own iPad now to look at pubs, but there is no good system in place for looking at current navigation charts or approach plates without paying an expensive subscription fee. Once they figure out how to restrict them it should be a nice change. Mission planning on the road is so much easier w/ an iPad. Retina display isn't a big deal for flying either.

 

[kdarling]

This was cancelled... wasn't it?

I believe it was the USAF Special Ops order that was cancelled because of security concerns.

This thread is about a different procurement contract for the Mobility Command. It still depends on the outcome of initial testing and validation.

What we're seeing is the usual struggle over finding a good choice that also makes sense from security and longevity standpoints. Remember, these will be in use for a long time. They'll need updates and replacements.

It's such a pain to validate a particular device, that normally you'd want assurances it will be available for a few years. The trouble with most commercial devices is that their models change at least once a year.

That's where devices like Panasonic's Toughpad series might come in. Or a VAR's custom implementation or stock buildup. Or even the iPad 2 if Apple keeps it around as a lower priced choice.

 

[PracticalMac]

I wonder if Apple will be directly involved in modifications to USAF's liking?


BTW, Foxconn can make 18,000 units in a few hours.

----------

Should have waited till after next week and they could have purchased 23,000 iPads instead

I am certain they are well aware of iPad 3.
Their is a lot more initial work to do then going to nearest Apple store and make the sales clerk eye's bug out.

 

[MythicFrost]

I believe it was the USAF Special Ops order that was cancelled because of security concerns.

This thread is about a different procurement contract for the Mobility Command. It still depends on the outcome of initial testing and validation.

What we're seeing is the usual struggle over finding a good choice that also makes sense from security and longevity standpoints. Remember, these will be in use for a long time. They'll need updates and replacements.

It's such a pain to validate a particular device, that normally you'd want assurances it will be available for a few years. The trouble with most commercial devices is that their models change at least once a year.

That's where devices like Panasonic's Toughpad series might come in. Or a VAR's custom implementation or stock buildup. Or even the iPad 2 if Apple keeps it around as a lower priced choice.

Ah, I see. Thanks for that.

 

[charlituna]

Shows that the military doesn't subscribe to MacRumors. I'd be mad if I spent $600 on a device that was made obsolete a week later, not to mention several million!

Given what they are using them for and that they will likely be locked out not unlike Apple's "Smart Screens" iPads, I don't think they care about said issue. That said, if there is a launch of new hardware there is probably some clause in the deal about changing to the newer hardware for any purchases after that date or a drop in price (or increase in the units bought) to account for the funds.

Oh and for those asking about the Russia thing, I call BS on that rumor. I suspect the real reason was that someone pointed out that it was almost as useless for them to just put things in PDFs and they should have a custom app built. So they cancelled an original contract that was just for buying the iPads and 18k copies of Good Reader and put out a new bid for making that app etc.

 

[PracticalMac]

USAF is getting an EXCELLENT deal and will happen THIS YEAR.
Almost all iPad 3's

1: The version of iPad (from Bloomberg report):

The type of iPad the command is buying retails for $599, Ferrero said. The Air Force would buy it at a discount for about $520 a device, she said. The product comes with wireless connectivity and 32 gigabytes of memory, she said.

The USAF will be saving $80 per iPad, that is IF by "wireless connectivity" does not mean 3G included, AND not counting any software. The chats could be $10~50 per pad too.

2. The US military over the last few years has been searching for commercial products for solutions, the COTS program, see COTS Journal.

3. Use of iPad in Aviation over last year already produced most of the software Air Transport command will need and has established a track record.

4. Custom devices would cost thousands more and take years to approve.

5. iPad will only be used for airport info, maybe flight planning, not that actual flying. FAA Regulations (FAR) actually do not prohibit use of iPad for navigation in private aircraft, only if used as secondary instruments. That is a working set of certified instruments are used (but in an emergency situation of total loss of primary instruments an iPad could be used).

6. Approval and training will go much faster then one expects because of other efforts to utilize the iPad.

7. Weights and Balance are critical in cargo aircraft, and an app can be created to reduce data error. At the very least a training device. Since this is a specialty item it will take longer to test and approve for use.

8. Changing and updating software will be incredibly easy.


Win win win for the USAF

 

[charlituna]

Comeon...you'd have to be living in a vaccum to not know the iPad 3 release schedule was slated for March

We didn't KNOW that until Apple sent out the announcement and as it for all we know this is a 3 month ahead announcement cause the iPad is about to go to the FCC for approval on using LTE and it would be leaked by the whole "records are public" nature of the FCC process. So the release won't be until June.