army

.army — Army Graphics File

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · 1980s

Developer

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Key Features

Proprietary format for military mapping.
Can contain raster and potentially vector data.
Often includes geospatial metadata.
Limited public software support.

Best For

Internal U.S. Army mapping and GIS applications.
Preserving specialized military cartographic data.
Situations requiring integrated geospatial metadata.

Less Ideal For

General web image sharing.
Cross-platform compatibility.
Standard graphic design workflows.
Publicly accessible data visualization.

Common Use Cases

Displaying terrain maps for military planning.
Visualizing geographic information systems (GIS) data within Army projects.
Storing and sharing specialized cartographic information.
Archiving historical military mapping data.

How to Open It

Attempt to open with specialized GIS or military mapping software (e.g., ERDAS IMAGINE, if compatible).
If proprietary software is unavailable, try a universal file viewer or converter that might support obscure formats.
Consult documentation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for specific viewing tools or standards.

What is a .army file?

The .army file extension typically refers to a proprietary image format used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for mapping and geographic data visualization. These files often contain specialized raster or vector graphics along with associated metadata crucial for military operations and planning. While not a universally recognized format, it served a specific purpose within military contexts for many years. Accessing and viewing these files usually requires specialized software designed for geospatial analysis or military mapping applications.

Programs That Open .army Files

Platform	Program

How to Convert .army Files

Format	Method
.TIFF	Specialized GIS software, Military-specific conversion tools
.PNG	Specialized GIS software, Military-specific conversion tools

Common Problems with .army Files

⚠️ No common image viewers can open .army files.

You will likely need specialized military or GIS software, or to convert the file using specific tools if available.

⚠️ Difficulty finding information about the format specifications.

The format is proprietary and primarily used internally by the U.S. military, making public specifications scarce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is .army a common image format?▼

No, the .army file extension is a proprietary format used specifically within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and is not widely adopted elsewhere.

Can I open .army files on my standard computer?▼

Typically, you cannot open .army files with standard image viewing software like Paint or Photoshop. Specialized GIS or military mapping applications are usually required.

Technical Details

Army Graphics Files are generally binary files. They often contain raster image data, possibly with color palettes, and can also embed vector data or georeferential information. The specific structure and encoding can vary, making direct interpretation without associated software challenging.

Did You Know?

The format was developed to meet specific mapping and data visualization needs within military operations.

Its proprietary nature means most users will never encounter or need to work with this file type.

Security Information

As a file format associated with military operations, .army files could potentially contain sensitive geographic or strategic information. Exercise caution and ensure you have legitimate authorization before accessing or distributing such files.