Microsoft will supply the U.S. Army with an upgraded package of Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) equipment. Based on the Hololens technology, these new Microsoft HoloLens Headset has a slimmer, lighter, and better-balanced design compared to their predecessors, aiming to enhance the comfort and usability of soldiers.
The Army plans to test 20 of this Microsoft HoloLens Headset in August. Alongside evaluating the hardware, the Army is keen to ensure that the soldiers wearing them do not experience any physical discomfort.
Scheduled to begin in 2021, the initial batch of headsets delivery follows a significant 10-year, $21.9 billion contract. Microsoft secured the contract to supply the military with cutting-edge products. However, earlier this year, Congress turned down a request for additional IVAS units. They cited a lukewarm response to the original model.
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Microsoft is optimistic that the improved IVAS equipment will elicit a more positive reaction from U.S. soldiers. Should the initial test prove successful, a second round of testing is slated for 2024. Upon passing these tests, the Army aims to carry out combat trials of the IVAS headset in the first half of 2025, paving the way for broader adoption.