TACNAV-X was created during a combat deployment in Afghanistan to honor U.S. soldiers killed in action. For over 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, building overlays, targeting, etc.)
• 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
• Apple Watch support included for free
BACKGROUND:
Built from the ground up in the rugged mountains of eastern Afghanistan, Tactical NAV (also known as TACNAV-X) 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 jon@tacnavx.com.
Man, Ive used Tactical Nav for years serving in the military. Ive utilized this app on deployments to Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and its been used at home during training. Tac Nav is always an app i can depend on, it’s dead accurate, and the features that have been added to it over the years have been awesome. Like other reviewers have said, Tactical Nav can use a horizontal option, but Ive emailed the devs about it and they responded back to me the same day and told me that they’re working on it. So thanks for the great customer service guys, and for the support and work you put into the app. Offline maps is a game changer, IMO. Its been the biggest feature that me and my guys use when we operate in areas where there’s no signal. It also helps with OPSEC because we can completely use the app while it’s in Airplane mode. To the developers: Please keep up the great work with Tactical Nav and continue pushing ahead with the updates. This app has really been a life saver for me and my guys when we’ve needed it. Highly recommended. Always forward!
Developer Response
Potato Demon,First of all, I love the username. Secondly, thanks for leaving such a thorough and fantastic review for Tactical NAV. I can't begin to describe how much it's appreciated, so thanks.Like I said in my email, I'm tracking the need for a horizontal/landscape option for the app, and we're coding it in now (it just takes time since the UI/UX is customized). We're also working on some more updates that will follow soon, so please be patient and stand by.Also, I'm thrilled to hear that the app was beneficial to you and your guys when you were deployed overseas. Offline mapping mode was the most significant update that we've integrated into the app. So I'm happy it has worked out for you when you've needed it.Bottom line, if you ever need anything else from me or have additional input and guidance for my development team, please send me another email anytime. I'll do my best to incorporate your feedback into Tactical NAV in the future.Again, thanks for the great review, and I genuinely appreciate your support. Take care!Sincerely,- Jon
City use / Hiking uses
Luminox4
This app isn’t just deployable to war zones! I am a prior Army Sergeant who loves to go out into the wild and I don’t always grab my Garmin but I always have my phone! With this app I can feel at ease knowing I have the technology to find my way out of the thick of it if I get turned around! The map is as easy to view as those such as google and maps by Apple. If you are in city limits there is even store names and very detailed mapping of the area streets and side alleys! On the military side of this, the owner takes the lives of Soldiers very serious and created this to ensure those lobbing rounds down range had the best tool available to ensure call for fire was as accurate as possible to ensure the lives lost were the intended targets and to ensure those who called it in got the protection they needed! He didn’t create this app just for a dollar sign, he would put the lives saved and protected by the accuracy of his app over any amount of money, that’s the kind of guy who is putting his life into this! “What is the sound of artillery”
A must buy app.
ViperChill
BLUF: A beautifully designed military app that is very easy to use. Simply put, a must buy for soldiers and service members. For reference, my unit is currently en route to Eastern Europe, and the majority of us have downloaded Tactical NAV. I'm a platoon leader and genuinely find this app beneficial in day-to-day use for what I need in a military focused app. Also, after using it during a recent FTX before leaving CONUS, where we were using live rounds, mortars, and artillery fire during training, that is when I was sold on TACNAV. In my opinion, there is no other app on the App Store that compares to Tactical NAV because this app pretty much does it all, minus the troop tracking stuff, which I'm looking forward to when it comes out. I'm writing a detailed review because Jon took the time to personally respond to my email and answered all my questions in great detail, and I really appreciated that. He was a great help and I can tell he really cares about his product and his customers. Tactical NAV is a 5-star app all the way. AATW!
Developer Response
Hi ViperChill,Thank you so much for the fantastic review and the kind words about the app. It was also great to chat with you over email regarding Tactical NAV, and I’m thrilled I was able to help you out with your questions.Also, I know you’re operating in Eastern Europe right now, so please know that you and your unit (and everyone else serving over there) are in my thoughts and prayers.Bottom line, please keep your head down and stay safe, and if you ever have any further questions or feature requests for Tactical NAV, just hit me up at any time.Thanks again, brother, and take care!Sincerely,- Jon
Great app for diverse utilization!
Jlvitti
This app is such a user-friendly platform where the everyday civilian and soldier can easily access and utilize accordingly. As a civilian traveling across various rural areas and cities in the US, this app has never failed me. I have navigated the busy streets of NYC and LA with this app, and then found my way around the less populated Midwest rural areas of Iowa and Ohio. As a fires intelligence officer, there is no better innovation that is easily and readily available that I would trust more. The offline capabilities is truly a lifesaver where the dictating battle environment may present those complex scenarios. This app provided our artillery batteries and the chain of command the necessary information to send rounds down range in a timely and accurate manner that saved lives! Today’s technological capabilities provides such innovative opportunities for commanders and our most senior leadership....this app answers those calls to be a cost effective and reliable resource!
We’ve been listening closely to your feedback and are rebuilding Tactical NAV from the ground up for what’s next.
What’s New:
• Updated for iOS 27
• Next-Gen Hardware Support
• Continued Swift Rebuild
• Performance, Maintenance & Fixes
This is just the beginning.
A lot more is underway behind the scenes as we build the next generation of TACNAV-X.
Stay tuned!
Jon
Version 5.0.14
The developer, TacNav Systems LLC, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
Seller
TacNav Systems LLC
Size
52.2 MB
Category
Navigation
Compatibility
Requires iOS 14.0 or later.
iPhone Requires iOS 14.0 or later.
iPad Requires iPadOS 14.0 or later.
iPod touch Requires iOS 14.0 or later.
Mac Requires macOS 11.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
