US Army resumes use of Microsoft AR headsets under $22 billion contract

2023

US Army resumes use of Microsoft AR headsets under $22 billion contract

In early August 2023, it became known that the US Army approved the next stage of the introduction of IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System) military augmented reality glasses based on the Microsoft HoloLens headset.

We are talking about the IVAS 1.2 device, created under the program with a budget of $22 billion. The wearable gadget combines the functions of AR glasses and a night vision device. The headset is tested in the troops of the 10th Mountain Division. American soldiers assess the reliability and functionality of the novelty, as well as the impact on well-being. The developers of IVAS 1.2 are said to have eliminated the flaws of the original version, which caused military personnel to experience nausea, dizziness and other negative effects.

IVAS 1.2

The next generation headset has received an improved light sensor. Improved peripheral visibility is provided; in addition, the problem with image distortion has been eliminated. It is assumed that the device will provide soldiers with such capabilities as route planning, quick target detection, object tracking, terrain modeling, etc. At the same time, monitoring the location of individual servicemen and their condition will help the command in planning combat operations and minimizing losses.

It is reported that at the end of July 2023, Microsoft delivered two dozen copies of IVAS 1.2 to the US Army. Based on the results of their tests, a decision will be made on mass supplies by 2025. It is planned to integrate the system with the cloud platform and create a specialized "store" of military applications.

No system in the army arsenal is capable of providing our soldiers with such a set of capabilities as IVAS: this revolutionary technology is not available anywhere in the world, "said a US Army spokesman.[1]

US Congress bans Army from buying 6,900 Microsoft VR glasses for $400 million

On January 12, 2023, it became known that Microsoft would not receive additional orders for virtual reality (VR) glasses from the US Army . Congress rejected a request to buy 6,900 such gadgets due to a number of problems.

We are talking about devices based on the Microsoft HoloLens headset. Tests of the products revealed "physical disabilities affecting the military mission," including headaches, visual tension and nausea. The American army intended to spend approximately $400 million on additional purchase of VR glasses. However, lawmakers reportedly instead approved $40 million for the development of an improved version of the glasses, which should address the shortcomings of the previous model.

US Congress bans Army from buying Microsoft VR glasses

At the end of December 2022, the US Army issued a "target order" worth $125 million for the purchase of a new modification of the wearable device for soldiers, which has the designation 1.2. In general, the American armed forces intend to spend up to $21.9 billion on 121 thousand within ten years. VR devices, spare parts and support services. The 1.2 index version of the glasses, in addition to fixing existing problems, is expected to include software improvements to improve reliability and reduce power consumption.

It is known that the US Army has already received the first 5 thousand virtual reality glasses produced by Microsoft. Tests of the system showed that American soldiers experienced various ailments while wearing the gadget. In addition, malfunctions of the device were recorded. Thus, it is not possible to use glasses during real hostilities: they do not meet the requirements and can pose a threat to the lives of the soldiers themselves. Now these VR devices will be used to train military personnel - until Microsoft begins shipping an improved version of the product.^[2]

2022

Due to VR headsets, the US military began to have health problems

In the first half of October 2022, it became known that the American soldiers testing glasses were augmented reality Microsoft unhappy with the operation of the device. Problems are associated with both the technical component and the negative effects that arise after wearing these glasses.

The US Army has signed a contract with Microsoft worth approximately $22 billion to create and support a VR system. The project was named Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS). Such glasses should display instructions and tasks immediately before the eyes of soldiers, which in theory should improve the effectiveness of military operations. In addition, IVAS has the capabilities of a night vision device. But in practice, it turned out that the device requires improvements.

Due to Microsoft augmented reality glasses, the US military began to have health problems

Many soldiers who have tested glasses complain of headaches, nausea, eye strain and other negative effects. Moreover, more than 80% of those who experience discomfort show symptoms after less than three hours of wearing the headset. And because of its size and weight, the device constrains movement.

During the tests, the IVAS system failed four of the six tests. It is said about failures, poor reliability, poor display clarity, insufficient field of view, etc. Plus, the glare of the screen is visible from hundreds of meters, which in combat conditions can play into the hands of opponents who can determine the location of soldiers. One of the testers said that in a real situation, wearing a gadget can be deadly.

But, despite a lot of negative reviews, the US Army has not yet planned to curtail the project to implement IVAS in the ground forces. The bulk of the current problems are expected to be fixed after improvements. In any case, the results of the tests carried out will be carefully studied by the authorized bodies.^[3]

Pentagon: Purchase of VR headsets from Microsoft for $22 billion is pointless

The US Army could end up wasting up to $22 billion if soldiers are not interested in using or are unable to use the Microsoft HoloLens headsets it promised to purchase for their intended purpose. A Pentagon spokesman warned about this at the end of April 2022.

The Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) project was delayed and was reportedly due to launch in 2022. But USA the Department of Defense's Office of Inspector General (OIG) questioned whether it was worth doing at all. Back in 2018, the US military spent $480 million on 100,000 prototype glasses augmented reality to understand how they can help soldiers prepare and conduct hostilities.

Pentagon: Buying VR headsets from Microsoft for $22 billion is a pointless deal

{{quote 'Purchasing IVAS without ensuring acceptability for users can result in up to $21.88 billion of taxpayer funds being spent on implementing a system that soldiers may not want to use or misuse. Due to the fact that the US Army has not yet fully determined whether military personnel will use HoloLens headsets in the field, said Edward Duglas, inspector of the Pentagon watchdog. }} According to The Register, the heavily redacted report does not disclose the response of soldiers to testing HoloLens prototypes, but the document says that the survey results showed both positive and negative user attitudes. Douglas in his report and indicates that the US Army plans to purchase 121,500 IVAS devices from Microsoft, but the US Army leadership does not provide information on how the system will improve combat missions. Douglas also doubts the expediency of the IVAS program, because first you need immediate approval of end users, namely soldiers.^[4]

2021

US Army general tells how troops use Microsoft AR headsets

In early May 2021, General United States Army John M. Murray told how troops use AR garniture. Microsoft Not HoloLens just fashion gear, he said, but an example of a flexible approach Pentagon to funding and deploying cutting-edge technology.

In late March 2021, Microsoft announced that it had won a major contract to supply 120,000 of its HoloLens augmented reality headsets to the U.S. Army. The contract Microsoft designed for five years and can be extended for another five with total revenues up to $21.88 billion. The company has been working on a prototype HoloLens specialized military headset since 2018. In 2021, the modified headset will be put into production for deployment in the field.

US Army Gen. John M. Murray tells how troops use Microsoft AR headsets

HoloLens is just one element of a larger integrated visual inspection system (IVAS) that will include support for Microsoft's Azure cloud platform, as well as a number of external sensors that can collect information for the headset. IVAS helps soldiers identify and identify enemy combatants, and provides night vision and thermal imaging functions.

During a discussion at the Center for American Security, General John M. Murray explained that the army is just beginning to study the possibilities of the IVAS system. But most importantly, the new headsets will allow not soldiers to be brought to the front line, but sensors. For example, a soldier will be able to inspect the surroundings without leaving cover. In this case, the sensors can be placed in various places, on machines and drones.

Usually, defense departments take years to bring new technologies to the production stage, but this time it took Microsoft only 28 months. Including because the IVAS program was paid for according to new procurement protocols, which allow you to quickly transfer money to contractors and speed up the overall process of developing and deploying new technologies.^[5]

Microsoft will supply the US Army with 120 thousand augmented reality headsets for $21.9 billion

At the end of March 2021, Microsoft announced a contract for the US Army to supply augmented reality headsets based on HoloLens technology and supported by Azure cloud services. The contract is designed for 10 years, its value reaches $21.88 billion.

The contract with the US Army Microsoft involves the supply of more than 120 thousand augmented reality headsets. The company has been working closely with the army since 2018, with military personnel testing Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) virtual reality headsets over the past two years. These solutions include night vision sensors, high-resolution thermal imagers, and they are also designed to indicate soldiers on a projection display.

Microsoft will supply the US Army, more than 120 thousand. $21.9 billion AR headsets

The system also uses augmented reality and machine learning to create a realistic mixed reality learning environment so that "Close Combat Force" (CCF) units can train before engaging adversaries, the U.S. Army said in a statement.

In February 2021, the Army revealed how a newer, stronger version of the projection display allows armored vehicle operators to see through walls such as the Bradley combat vehicle. An earlier version was criticized for poor sensor and GPS performance.

By April 2021, it is known that HoloLens has not undergone any significant changes from a hardware point of view since the announcement of the second version of the mixed reality headset, which took place in 2019. The manufacturer has gradually improved the software part of HoloLens devices along with the development of gesture support. Microsoft also implemented support for Microsoft Mesh technology, which allows people to see each other in virtual space.^[6][7]

2019: How the U.S. Army uses Microsoft's augmented reality headset

In April 2019, it became known how the US Army uses mixed reality glasses Microsoft Hololens. A modification of the device intended for the armed forces was called IVAS (Integrated Visual Augmentation System).

IVAS practically does not differ from the usual Microsoft Hololens headset used by companies, with one exception - the military version is complemented by a new FLIR thermal imaging camera installed above the display. This camera allows you to see opponents in the dark and smoke.

US Army uses Microsoft augmented reality headset to train fighters

According to CNBC, whose journalist managed to get acquainted with IVAS, using the gadget is akin to playing a computer first-person shooter. The soldiers who put on the device see in front of them a compass indicating the side of the world in real time, as well as their position and the positions of colleagues on the virtual map.

In addition, a digital sight is displayed in front of the eyes, which moves depending on the guidance side of the weapon. You can display parameters of a person's physical condition, for example, a pulse.

The journalist, who participated in the presentation, says the headset displayed from a bird's eye view the building in which it was located, as well as an adjacent building. Similar images from the satellite can be seen in mapping services like Yandex.Maps.

From CNBC's conversation with rank-and-file soldiers and commanders, it becomes clear that Microsoft Hololens is seen by the military as a tool for real combat.

Initially, the US Army planned to buy several thousand headsets, but later it became known about the purchase of more than 100 thousand copies. By 2022, this equipment is planned to be distributed to thousands of military, and its widespread use is scheduled for 2028.

Night vision mode in IVAS

CNBC journalist Todd Haselton reported that by April 2019, the system was still under development - it was unstable during testing, and had to be restarted once. Also, engineers have yet to work on reducing the headset in order for it to be housed in a military helmet.

IVAS is used to train fighters in VR mode. For full-scale implementation, it will be necessary to establish close integration of Hololens with an sight, thermal imager, night vision device, three-dimensional map, as well as create a special interface.

Earlier, dozens of Microsoft employees signed a letter to protest the company's contract to supply augmented reality headsets for the US Army, designed for use on the battlefield.

We are a global coalition of Microsoft workers, and we refuse to create technologies for warfare and oppression, the letter says, under which more than 50 workers left their real names, and some more anonymously supported him.

However, according to the military, a public demonstration of the possibility of an augmented reality system was carried out in order to show reporters that modern technologies in the army do not become a destructive tool, but, on the contrary, help the military reduce the number of victims. For example, with Hololens, soldiers navigate better during combat, which can reduce civilian casualties that happen to be there.

By April 2019, the U.S. Army is deploying IVAS for training, helping soldiers prepare for real military action and improve firing accuracy.^[8]

During testing, the instructor receives information about the health status of recruits, and can also use the view mode of the area through the eyes of the owner.

2018: $479.2 million contract award

On November 28, 2018, the US Army announced Microsoft the conclusion of a $479.2 million contract involving the supply of glasses. augmented reality HoloLens These devices will be used for training fighters and in military operations.

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will supply the American army with up to 100,000 HoloLens headsets, with which the military will be able to carefully rehearse complex special operations on enemy territory.

US Army buys 100,000 augmented reality glasses for military operations

The equipment will be used for training - primarily operators of combat unmanned vehicles and special forces. Such a technology can solve many problems, since it allows you to simulate any environmental conditions, landscape and actions of a potential enemy, Microsoft notes.

Augmented reality technology will provide troops with more information and improve their quality for decision-making. This order expands our long-standing proven relationship Ministry of Defense with in such a new area, a Reuters Microsoft spokesman told the agency.

The military version of HoloLens will differ from the consumer version. For example, the first implements heat sensitivity and night vision.

Bloomberg previously reported on the tender for the purchase of AR gadgets. According to him, Microsoft managed to bypass a number of technology companies, including Magic Leap. The latter lost largely because it focuses on the consumer market. In addition, Magic Leap began selling augmented reality glasses only in 2018.

As noted by The Verge, Microsoft has previously sold some headsets to the military. At the same time, the cooperation of IT companies with the armed forces is increasingly becoming the subject of criticism from the employees of these companies. So, due to staff pressure Google , she was forced to withdraw her candidacy for the implementation of a cloud project Pentagon worth $10 billion. By the end of November 2018, Microsoft still wants to win this contract, despite the discontent of workers.^[9]

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