Tactical NAV

Tactical NAV

TACNAV-X: Precision MGRS navigation, built specifically for the military.

App info


1.1.53
July 08, 2025
11,092
$9.99
Android 6.0+
Everyone
Get it on Google Play

App description


Android App Analysis and Review: Tactical NAV, Developed by Jonathan J. Springer. Listed in Maps & navigation Category. Current Version Is 1.1.53, Updated On 08/07/2025 . According to users reviews on Google Play: Tactical NAV. Achieved Over 11 thousand Installs. Tactical NAV Currently Has 135 Reviews, Average Rating 4.0 Stars

BACKGROUND:

Created during a combat deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), Tactical NAV was developed to honor the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. As the first MGRS-focused navigation app available on all app stores, it serves as a tool to enhance soldier safety and mission success, built with the memory of fallen comrades at its core.

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 River Valley in 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), embarked on the development of Tactical NAV following 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 Tactical NAV — even to this day. His ultimate goals were (and still are) to make a positive difference for other soldiers and service members and to honor the men and women killed and wounded in battle.

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 in accomplishing their missions at home and abroad.

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

BUILT FOR ACCURACY:

TACNAV-X’s performance accurately matches that of the AN/PSN-13 Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR).

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 successfully undergone evaluation against other software platforms and devices such as Nett Warrior, ATAK, and BFT. Its accuracy is within 1mm of these officially approved systems issued by the DoD.

IAPs & SUBSCRIPTIONS:

Tactical NAV offers in-app purchases (IAPs) and subscriptions. Currently, tactical drawing mode is available as an in-app purchase, and offline mapping mode is also accessible to users as either a monthly or yearly subscription.

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

KEY FEATURES:

• A military-quality precision targeting platform
• Purpose-built for the individual Soldier
• Offline mapping capabilities (complete usage of the app with no emission of a cellular signal)
• WGS-84 standard (MGRS, UTM, BNG, and USNG coordinates)
• 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
• 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
• ‘Go to Grid’ feature for precision planning, drawing of overlays, and dropping waypoints
• Rigorously tested to ensure utmost accuracy and reliability
• Android native code built for austere and contested environments

IMPORTANT NOTES:

The Department of Defense does not endorse Tactical NAV and TACNAV-X, nor should it be used in life-threatening or combat situations in place of a government-issued device.

SUPPORT:

If you have any questions about the app, please contact Jonathan Springer directly at [email protected].

What's New


• Resolved multiple bugs
• Modernized app internals
• Continued coding new features

Rate and review on Google Play store


4.0
135 total
5 57.1
4 16.5
3 7.5
2 6.0
1 12.8

Total number of installs (*estimated)

Estimation of total number of installs on Google Play, Approximated from number of ratings and install bounds achieved on Google Play.

Recent Comments

user
Art Buzzcraft

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!

user
R. Raider

Captain Springer is awesome and incredibly helpful when I had questions about Tactical NAV. He's created the best tactical app outside of ATAK, and that's really saying something. Looking forward to future updates, and happy to support someone who gives back to our disabled veterans. Also I wanted to add that that the drawing abilities and offline maps are a game changer for me. I can build all my overlays without a cellular connection, which is outstanding. Great app.

user
Justin Porter

Bought this app (the old version) a few years back. When i went to Fort Irwin, i was planning to use it to navigate around the box; this was basically impossible. HOWEVER, the new and improved app (this version) is one of the best i have ever seen or used! Many updates, new features, and a revamped UI. Additionally, the developer is extremely responsive and customer oriented. Definitely recommend this app!

user
Tim Brown

**Update: Thanks for the quick response Sir. You really do rock!** OG review: Freaking solid app, and customer service is on point. Use this all the time for mission planning and getting quick grids for fires. Emailed the developer and Jonathan got back to me in less than an hour. Unheard of when compared to other apps and developers. Pretty cool actually. I'm really looking forward to the landscape option and tablet compatibility. I cant recommend this app enough. Keep up the great work, Sir.

user
weekend wrench

Edit*** updated*** i was notified that the firmware is being fixed the ceo reached out to me immediately and notified me of the work in progress fixing the issue of not being able to import overlays previously saved. I appreciate the fast feedback I hope they resolve it soon I would like to get back to using this app!!

user
Mason Dodge

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!!!

user
Johnathan L.

Outstanding mobile targeting app. I'm a targeting officer (warrant/former NCO) and this app gets the job done. Definitely needs a horizontal option. Once that's included, along with some other incremental updates, I can see this app replacing a lot of legacy systems that are currently in use throughout the force. Awesome to see a fellow field artilleryman making all this happen. KoB!💥

user
Connor Smith

Wow, Tactical NAV surpasses my expectations, and I've been patiently waiting for this update to be released! The devs truly nailed this app, as it is exactly like the iOS app. I have already used it in the field during an artillery live fire. Bottom line, TacNav is accurate, so much so that I was able to create my own fires plan with ease, and I even shot arty using the app. All rounds were observed safe and accurate, and they impacted exactly on target. Very imoressive for a commercial app!!!