Navigation Technology for GPS-Denied Operations

In the late 1980s, our light infantry battalions were issued the first man-portable GPS devices. Roughly the size of a cigar box at the time, they were largely left in the arms room and viewed with disdain by most infantry leaders as a crutch for the incompetent officer and NCO who simply needed to learn to land navigate by map, compass and stars.

Today, we have come full circle, as the U.S. Army has finally recognized the danger of relying on interruptible technology for a crucial skill... but rather than return to the traditional technologies of map and compass, they are focusing on new technology ranging from cameras and electro-optical imaging sensors to gyroscopes and accelerometers. 
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​Hopefully, our current small-unit leaders continue with realistic training and treat such devices as “nice to have” but nothing to be relied upon. Otherwise, future enemies may learn that the best way to defeat U.S. forces is to simply interdict their battery supplies.