TACNAV-X: Military Navigation

Jonathan J. Springer

In-app purchases

About this app

TACNAV-X was created during a combat deployment in Afghanistan to honor U.S. soldiers killed in action. For more than 15 years, we've proudly served the military community.

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What's up? This is Jon, the creator of TACNAV-X, an offline tactical navigation platform built for austere and contested environments.

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to check out the app.

TACNAV-X is dedicated to the 24 Soldiers killed in action during our deployment to Afghanistan in 2010, and to the men and women who continue to serve today.

I'm still here, I'm still listening, and I'm still building.

God bless you,

Jon

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KEY FEATURES:

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

BACKGROUND:

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 and Korengal Valleys of 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), began developing this tactical navigation platform immediately after 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 TACNAV-X, even to this day.

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 accomplish their missions at home and abroad.

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

BUILT FOR ACCURACY:

TACNAV-X was extensively field-tested during military operations in Afghanistan and later at Fort Bragg, including comparative testing alongside the AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) and other military navigation systems.

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 undergone extensive real-world evaluation alongside Nett Warrior, ATAK, BFT, the DAGR, and other military targeting and navigation systems. During comparative testing, TACNAV-X demonstrated accuracy within 1 meter of a DAGR.

IAPs & SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Currently, offline mapping mode is available as a monthly or yearly subscription, or as a one-time purchase. Drawing mode, previously an in-app purchase, is now included free for all users.

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

IMPORTANT NOTES:

The Department of Defense does not endorse Tactical NAV or TACNAV-X. The app should not replace a government-issued device during life-threatening or combat operations.

SUPPORT:

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

Ratings and reviews

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!

Hands down the best military nav app on Android... Total game changer downrange and in the field.. Had a question and the dev actually hit me back while he was laid up in a damn hospital bed. That's real leadership right there- dude takes care of the guys on the ground no matter what. Can't wait for the foldable screen update to drop so I can run this on a bigger display.

What’s new

We’ve been listening closely to your feedback and are actively rebuilding TACNAV-X from the ground up for what’s next.

What’s New in This Version:

- Updated for Android 17
- Next-Gen Hardware Prep
- Core Engine Rebuild
- Maintenance & Fixes

A lot more is underway behind the scenes. Stay tuned!