Army awards Microsoft $95M for additional IVAS 1.2 headsets, virtual trainers

The Army is gearing up for expanded testing of the latest variant of Microsoft’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System.

BYJON HARPER

SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

Spc. Layne Alfieri, a soldier assigned to 1st Battalion 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, dons an Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) 1.2 prototype during the IVAS 1.2 Phase One User Assessment held by Program Executive Office (PEO) Soldier on Fort Drum, August 22. The user assessment was designed to collect soldier feedback on the IVAS 1.2 prototypes. (U.S. Army photo by Jason Amadi, PEO Soldier Public Affairs)

The Army is gearing up for expanded testing of the latest variant of Microsoft’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System and has awarded Microsoft $95 million for the next stage of the program, DefenseScoop has learned.

IVAS is one of the Army’s highest-priority modernization initiatives for its soldier system portfolio. The technology includes a ruggedized augmented reality and heads-up display system based on Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 device. The service aims to use the capability for both training and battlefield operations for dismounted troops.

The new variant, known as IVAS 1.2, was developed to address soldier complaints stemming from testing of previous versions.

After receiving positive feedback from the initial cadre of troops that tested the system 1.2 in recent weeks, the Army’s top weapons buyer gave the green light to order more systems for what he called “the next step in rapid prototyping.”

“We fundamentally re-engineered the system to be a better fit for soldiers and how they do their infantry mission in terms of how they wear it, while also improving some of the technology problems with sensors and software. So, it’s early, but early returns from some initial testing with soldiers at Fort Drum [in New York] was very positive. That gave me confidence to move to the next step in the rapid prototyping program for this,” Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology Doug Bush told reporters during a roundtable at the Pentagon this week.

On Thursday, Program Executive Office Soldier told DefenseScoop that for phase two Microsoft has been tasked to develop and deliver 280 pre-production and “production representative” IVAS 1.2 systems and 11 soldier immersive virtual trainers to support planned testing during fiscal 2024, culminating in an “operational test” in fiscal 2025. The service has awarded the company $95 million for that effort.

The program could be worth as much as $21.9 billion if it comes to full fruition.

The Army is looking to potentially field an improved IVAS by the end of fiscal 2025.

The augmented reality headsets are expected to give troops the ability to see through smoke, around corners, and in the dark using advanced sensors; leverage holographic imagery; and display 3D terrain maps and project a compass into a soldier’s field of vision.

“IVAS is attempting to be both kind of a night division device and an augmented reality device in one … What we call a NVD or night vision device, uses a tube to amplify the light. IVAS is doing that with effectively a night camera. So, we think this new version of that camera, apparently, in early tests performed very well,” he added.