Army rolls out proprietary app marketplace

The U.S. Army on Friday launched a custom mobile app marketplace to deliver handset and tablet applications through the web to military personnel who have access to iOS devices.

The Army Software Marketplace prototype currently features 12 mobile training applications, available (iOS devices required) for download on iOS devices only, that are the direct result of the Connecting Soldiers to Digital Apps (CSDA) initiative.

Army CSDA Director Brig. Gen. Wayne Grigsby Jr. said that the marketplace is an information delivery tool designed to distribute training material to soldiers at "the point of learning."

When the marketplace leaves the prototype phase and becomes a fully-functioning product, it will be able to deliver web-based downloadable apps that can be used in the Army's Common Operating Environment on the Army network.

"This prototype is a first step in establishing and exercising new submission and approval processes that will eventually enable Army members, organizations and third-party developers to release applications for Army-wide distribution," said Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence, Army Chief Information Officer/G-6.

At present, the marketplace only offers web-based iOS apps, though Android support is expected in the near future. No mention was made as to the development of apps native to iOS or any other mobile platform.

Examples of apps available now include the Soldiers Blue Book, Army Values and the Army Social Media Handbook.