Anduril and Microsoft partner on US Army visual augmentation program

Seattle-based Microsoft Corp. and Costa Mesa-based Anduril Industries have expanded their existing partnership to drive the next phase of the US Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program. Pending US Department of Defense approval, Anduril will assume oversight of production, future development of hardware and software, and delivery timelines. This agreement also establishes Microsoft Azure as Anduril’s preferred hyperscale cloud for all workloads related to IVAS and Anduril AI technologies.

Anduril co-founder, Mr Palmer Lucky, originally developed the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset so is familiar with IVAS technology.

Microsoft and Anduril have previously collaborated to integrate Anduril’s Lattice open software platform into IVAS to provide rapid AI-enabled situational awareness capabilities to enhance soldier safety and operational effectiveness. This new agreement brings Microsoft and Anduril closer together, says Anduril, to maximize their unique expertise in cloud computing, artificial intelligence and defence manufacturing to further enhance technical developments and operational efficiencies.

This collaboration leverages the distinct strengths of each company, says Anduril, ensuring continuity in the program while advancing IVAS goals of enhancing combat effectiveness, awareness and decision-making on the battlefield.

Anduril says its mission focus on innovation in defence technology, deep understanding of military requirements, and unique approach to manufacturing defence products will ensure future program development specifically tailored to the evolving needs of the Army as well as production at scale and at lower unit cost.

“The IVAS program represents the future of mission command, combining technology and human capability to give soldiers the edge they need on the battlefield,” said Palmer Luckey,. “The ultimate goal is to create a military ecosystem where technology acts as an extension of human capability. By empowering soldiers with the tools they need to make faster, smarter decisions, we’re building a future where technology and human ingenuity combine to ensure mission success.”

“We are incredibly proud of the work our teams have put in to help the US Army transform its concept of a soldier-borne, AR [Augmented Reality] headset into reality with the IVAS program,” said Robin Seiler, Corporate Vice President, Mixed Reality, Microsoft. “Our Soldier-Centered Design approach helped reimagine technology development with the Army that continuously took in real-world soldier feedback to develop a product that soldiers love.”

As warfare grows more complex, the need for intuitive, information-rich tools becomes increasingly urgent. Traditional mission command systems— that rely on flat maps, static dashboards and verbal communication—are ill-suited to the dynamic nature of modern battlefields. The IVAS program represents a groundbreaking step forward in military technology, providing soldiers with a comprehensive, body-worn system that integrates advanced augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to give warfighters beyond line-of-sight perception capabilities, increasing combat effectiveness, survivability against drones, and accelerating mission command of unmanned systems.

Microsoft’s advanced cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities will continue to provide a robust backbone for the program, enabling seamless data integration and real-time insights critical to soldier effectiveness. Artificial intelligence will be foundational to all technical innovations for national security missions, believes Anduril, and the cloud is essential to successfully delivering AI whenever and wherever it is needed. Through this agreement, Anduril will establish Azure as its preferred hyperscale cloud to support its AI development. Azure, through its commercial, US government and classified clouds, provides high resiliency, sophisticated capabilities, flexibility and advanced security, designed to meet stringent compliance requirements.