The US Army will convene a ‘user jury' on 12 July to evaluate its latest iteration of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) heads-up display in anticipation of launching operational testing later in the month.
During the week of 28 June, the service began enabled testing with IVAS capability set four, variant two at Fort Pickett in Virginia, according to Program Executive Officer Soldier Major General Anthony Potts and IVAS Product Manager Colonel Troy Denomy.
“We know that the form factor is about where we want it; now it's about the stability of the platform,” the two-star general told Janes on 30 June. “It's about the stability of the software, stability of the operating system, and making sure all those are where we want them.”
This latest IVAS variant will then go to a ‘user jury' on 12 July to check platform stability and readiness, Maj Gen Potts added. If the ‘jury' provides positive feedback, the device will begin operational testing in anticipation of a fielding decision sometime between September and December.
Microsoft and the service have been militarising the company's HoloLens 2 augmented reality (AR) system and earlier this year signed a production contract that could be worth up to USD21.9 billion over the coming decade.
Army leaders envision that soldiers could use the AR device for a range of activities from simulated training events to mission planning and execution. Potential headset capabilities include the ability to translate foreign words, navigate terrain, identify and catalogue individuals, and more. It is also being designed to be paired with the fire-control system for the service's Next Generation Squad Weapons.
Earlier this year US soldiers conducted IVAS cold-weather testing at the Army Test and Evaluation Command's Cold Regions Test Center at Fort Greely, Alaska. (US Army)
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