Pocket-sized Forward Entry Device (PFED)

The joint pocket-sized forward entry device (PFED) is among the new military grade Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) known as rugged-PDAs (R-PDAs). The PFED is designed primarily for forward observers, artillery fire direction and target acquisition missions.

Through the integration of GPS and laser binoculars, the PFED enables a forward observer to instantaneously acquire direction, distance and vertical interval to a target and determine heading and speed of moving targets. This data provides local calculation of the target coordinates. The operator is then prompted to choose the type of target and munition desired. The information is then sent up the chain via radio.

Military Information Technology reports that PFED was design to mirror exactly what Soldiers are taught in school. The device features icons for Soldiers, tanks, bridges and other entities, enabling the operator to select quickly, as well as a menu to indicate how many enemy Soldiers there are and what they are doing.

The Military Information Technology article further explains that the PFED is a vast improvement from the days of "charts and darts" where a forward observer would typically use a map to locate a target, determine the grid coordinates and verbally call in the request. A typical fire order sequence could take over 45 seconds. With the PFED, this process can take less than 10 seconds and is much more reliable and accurate.