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The US Air Force is testing Google Glass for use on the battlefield

The US Air Force is testing Google Glass for use on the battlefield

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A forward-looking technology research team within the Air Force is investigating potential uses for Google Glass as part of the effort to transition from using laptops to more portable computers, reports VentureBeat.

The Battlefield Air Targeting Man-Aided Knowledge research team, or BATMAN, specializes in beta-testing emerging technologies. Google Glass could be used to access information quickly during missions and facilitate communication between pilots and air craft controllers. However, it's "not a silver bullet for many of the Air Force’s needs," a BATMAN software developer told VentureBeat.

The Air Force obtained its Glass units as part of the early adopter Glass Explorer program, and not through any special partnership with Google.

Head-mounted computers like Glass have sparked interest among the American military and law enforcement. The New York City Police Department is already experimenting with Glass. Meanwhile, the US Navy is building its own version of Glass, while private military contractors are developing similar products.