Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS): Background and Issues for Congress

Strategic Insights -

The US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is a cutting-edge technology aimed at enhancing combat effectiveness and training for soldiers. Developed by Microsoft and now partnered with Anduril, IVAS includes a ruggedized extended reality (XR) heads-up display (HUD) and a wearable computer, among other capabilities. As Congress evaluates IVAS and related authorizations, several issues require attention. The system's technological maturity, implications for military personnel and force structure, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities are among the concerns that need to be addressed. IVAS has been tested, with some users experiencing physical impairments, and the Army has requested funds for research and development, as well as procurement of new systems. The system has undergone significant changes, with the latest increment, IVAS 1.2, redesigned to reduce the field of view and address user acceptance issues. The Army has also announced its intention to hold a full and open competition for the follow-on effort, renamed the Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC).

Key Takeaways:

  • IVAS is a part of the Army's Soldier Lethality and Synthetic Training Environment modernization priority.
  • The system integrates next-generation 24/7 situational awareness tools and high-resolution digital sensors to deliver improved Soldier sensing, decision making, target acquisition, and target engagement.
  • IVAS 1.0 and 1.1 systems caused users to suffer from physical impairments, including headaches, eyestrain, and nausea.
  • The Army procured 5,000 IVAS 1.0 and 5,000 IVAS 1.1 systems, with a total cost of up to $22 billion over 10 years.
  • IVAS 1.2 has a redesigned HUD with a reduced field of view and was procured by the Army in FY2025.
  • The use of IVAS and XR programs may have implications for military personnel and force structure, including the potential for reduced training costs and personnel requirements.
  • Congress may consider issues such as user acceptance, cost and technical risk, personnel, and cybersecurity and information security as it evaluates IVAS and IVAS-related programs.

Statistics:

  • Up to $22 billion: estimated cost of IVAS over 10 years
  • 5,000: number of IVAS 1.0 systems procured by the Army
  • 5,000: number of IVAS 1.1 systems procured by the Army
  • $255 million: requested funds for IVAS 1.2 procurement in FY2025
  • $58.6 million: requested research and development funding for IVAS 1.2 in FY2025
  • $18.9 million: requested research and development funding for SiVT in FY2025
  • 70-degrees: field of view of the original IVAS HUD
  • 60-degrees: reduced field of view of the IVAS 1.2 HUD

Sources:

  • Congressional Research Service, "Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS): Background and Issues for Congress" (IF13022, Sept. 11, 2025)
  • Microsoft, "HoloLens"
  • Anduril, "Lattice open software platform"
  • Department of Defense, "Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, FY2024 Annual Report, 'Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS)'" (January 2025)
  • Department of Defense Inspector General, "Audit of the Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System" (April 20, 2022)
  • Congressional Research Service, "Cybersecurity" (IF10159)
  • Congressional Research Service, "Military Applications of Extended Reality" (IF12010)