The US Army is entrusting defense contractor Anduril with its high-profile Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program, subject to Defense Department approval. This project, initially granted to Microsoft in 2018, involves developing augmented reality headsets for soldiers with a budget of $22 billion.
Anduril will assume oversight of the contract, including production, hardware and software development, and delivery timelines. Microsoft, while no longer the prime contractor, will remain as the cloud provider.
IVAS aims to enhance soldiers’ situational awareness with features such as thermal sensors, mapping, and mission-critical software. Anduril’s Lattice software has already been integrated into IVAS headsets, improving object detection and classification.
However, the program has faced technical issues, delaying its implementation. In 2022, the Defense Department raised concerns about the system’s usability and effectiveness. Moreover, Microsoft’s prototypes have experienced challenges with virtual object detection.
Despite these setbacks, Anduril’s founder, Palmer Luckey, expressed optimism about the project’s potential. He hinted at future advancements, teasing new features but refraining from providing specific details.
It remains uncertain whether the IVAS budget will remain intact under Anduril’s leadership. However, the company’s strong track record in defense technology positions it as a promising candidate to shepherd this ambitious program.
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