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Blue-force tracking (BFT) is a capability that allows friendly military units to automatically share and display their own locations on digital maps. Its primary purpose is to improve coordination and reduce the risk of friendly-fire incidents. Instead of relying solely on voice radio reports like "We're at grid reference X," BFT systems periodically update unit positions automatically. Blue-force tracking is one part of a broader Common Operating Picture (COP), which includes: Blue forces: Friendly units. Red forces: Known or assessed adversary positions. White forces: Neutral organisations or civilians, depending on the operational context. How it works A typical BFT system combines: Position source: Usually a GNSS receiver (such as GPS or other satellite navigation systems) to determine a vehicle's or person's location. Communications network: Transmits location and status data over radio, satellite, cellular, or other military networks. Command-and-control sof...