Microsoft wins $22bn contract to make augmented reality headsets for US military
System will allow soldiers to increase awareness of surroundings and spot targets
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Microsoft has won a deal worth nearly $22bn to supply the US military with augmented reality headsets.
The company’s head-mounted HoloLens technology was originally designed for the video game and entertainment industries.
The Pentagon says that the Integrated Visual Augmentation System allows soldiers to increase awareness of their surroundings and to spot targets and dangers.
The AR headsets let the user see virtual imagery superimposed over the actual world before them, and they can be controlled with hand movements or voice commands.
Microsoft officials have said that the system could integrate thermal night vision and facial recognition, provide real-time analytics on battlefields, and create “digital twins” of buildings for hostage rescues.
Read more:
- George Floyd news live: Derek Chauvin trial to resume
- Teacher’s ‘racist zoom rant’ overheard by student’s family after she forgets to end call
- Friend in car with George Floyd will refuse to testify
- Seven-year-old boy charged with rape, report says
- Alabama fails to reverse ban on yoga as conservatives say they fear rise in Hinduism
Army officials say that the technology was tested at Fort Pickett in Virginia last year.
And they say that the system could help give its troops an advantage “on battlefields that are increasingly urban, congested, dark and unpredictable.”
Troops first began testing the Microsoft system in a $480m deal in 2018.
Now it has signed a $21.88bn contract that will see Microsoft kit out more than 120,000 soldiers in the Army Close Combat Force.
In 2019 a group of Microsoft workers demanded that the company cancelled its first deal, arguing it would turn battlefields into video games.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments