Tactical NAV

Jonathan J. Springer

In-app purchases

About this app

BACKGROUND:

Created during a combat deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Tactical NAV was developed to honor the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. As the first MGRS-focused navigation app available on all app stores, it serves as a tool to enhance soldier safety and mission success, built with the memory of fallen comrades at its core.

Built from the ground up in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan, Tactical NAV was developed by a U.S. Army Field Artillery officer with the vision of crafting a low-cost and highly accurate mobile navigation platform tailored for the U.S. military.

Tactical NAV’s journey began in the Pech River Valley in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Capt. Jonathan J. Springer, a Field Artilleryman serving as a Fire Support Officer with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), embarked on the development of Tactical NAV following the memorial services for Spc. Blair D. Thompson and Spc. Jared C. Plunk, who were killed in action on June 25, 2010.

Despite initial rejections by the Department of Defense, Captain Springer remained steadfast in his mission to continue developing Tactical NAV — even to this day. His ultimate goals were (and still are) to make a positive difference for other soldiers and service members and to honor the men and women killed and wounded in battle.

He used his life savings to fund and develop TACNAV-X, all with the ultimate hope of saving military lives, and helping his fellow service members in accomplishing their missions at home and abroad.

Tactical NAV officially launched on the App Store and Google Play on February 14, 2011.

BUILT FOR ACCURACY:

TACNAV-X’s performance accurately matches that of the AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR).

MISSION:

Empower military service members with a highly accurate and powerful mobile navigation platform.

VISION:

Assist and support our nation’s service members with their mobile navigational needs and enable them to operate and win in both training and combat environments.

BOTTOM LINE:

Tactical NAV has successfully undergone evaluation against other software platforms and devices such as Nett Warrior, ATAK, and BFT. Its accuracy is within 1mm of these officially approved systems issued by the DoD.

IAPs & SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Tactical NAV offers in-app purchases (IAPs) and subscriptions. Currently, tactical drawing mode is available as an in-app purchase, and offline mapping mode is also accessible to users as either a monthly or yearly subscription.

All revenue generated from these features contributes to further developmental coding and updates, and a portion of the proceeds are donated to charities that specifically benefit disabled veterans.

KEY FEATURES:

• A military-quality precision targeting platform
• Purpose-built for the individual Soldier
• Offline mapping capabilities (complete usage of the app with no emission of a cellular signal)
• WGS-84 standard (MGRS, UTM, BNG, and USNG coordinates)
• Tactical drawing mode (useful for mission planning, building overlays, targeting, etc.)
• Waypoint plotting functionality with military graphics (per FM 1-02.2)
• Compass “FastLock” function for capturing quick and precise azimuths
• Snap and save photographs onto the main map to increase situational awareness
• Location, waypoint, and photo-sharing capabilities (via email and text)
• ‘Go to Grid’ feature for precision planning, drawing of overlays, and dropping waypoints
• Android native code built for austere and contested environments

IMPORTANT NOTES:

The Department of Defense does not endorse Tactical NAV and TACNAV-X, nor should it be used in life-threatening or combat situations in place of a government-issued device.

SUPPORT:

If you have any questions about the app, please contact Jonathan Springer directly at [e-mail].

TACNAV VIDEO WALKTHROUGH:

https://bit.ly/TACNAV-X

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Thank you for your support, everyone!

– Jon

Ratings and reviews

Long time user and paid for the app twice and also paid for the drawing mode to help support. I am a little disappointed that there's still no team tracking and team tools for marking etc. I think the app should be kept simple nothing overly complicated and no weird stuff. Just simple nav, topo, 3D, mapping, team tracking and markers, with simple tools. I've used ATAK and absolutely love the team tools but it is a more complicated interface.

Bought the old version in 2021 before I went to basic training. Obviously, I couldn't use my phone then, but it sure helped in AIT and at my current duty station as well as the camping trips I've been on. Im looking forward to the new version with all the updates and extras. From what I've seen so far in the short time of using the new version, it has a lot of potential for me. Especially the drawing aspect. This will be a game changer!!! Keep up the good work!!!

I use Tactical Nav for general recreational hiking, and prefer this app because of its UTM grid support. It's responsive and, combined with my bluetooth receiver, very accurate. My main gripes are: When I use the degrees option with the map measurement tool to project a waypoint, I have to stop and do mental math (if going westerly) to subtract from 360. Would like the degrees to directly follow a compass rose. Second, it would be nice if other maps could be used (open maps, mapforge). Thanks!

What’s new

• Made drawing mode free
• Various app improvements
• Coding for future updates
• UI & performance refinements

*A Note from Jonathan (Creator of Tactical NAV)*

What’s up, guys. Jon here.

This app was built out of my commitment to honor the soldiers we lost in Afghanistan in 2010 and 2011.

For me, this will always be more than software — it's a living tribute to their memory. They deserve nothing less.

Thank you for your trust and continued support.

Appreciate you, guys!

- Jon