Army starts renegotiating Microsoft’s $22 billion IVAS deal
By formally seeking workable alternatives from industry participants, the US Army has taken a major step in recompeting its multi-billion-dollar mixed reality goggle manufacturing contract.
The military announced its next request for information (RFI) for the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), asking interested businesses to submit their ideas by February 26th for a heads-up display that is ready for battle.
The release from the Army states that IVAS is intended to provide units and troops with a single platform with the goal of enhancing awareness of situations, mobility, and effectiveness. It is characterised as a system that prioritises combat usage while providing capabilities for rehearsal and training.
The RFI indicates the Army’s will to look into other options, even if it does not ensure a recompete of the current 10-year manufacturing deal with Microsoft, which is worth up to $22 billion. The declaration comes after last year’s market study. The Army listed the main obstacles for IVAS Next, including resolving recognised sensory issues like nausea and uneasiness related to virtual, mixed, and augmented reality headsets, even though it has not yet released a competition calendar or procurement strategy.
Although Microsoft has not yet responded to questions about the new RFI, the business has previously said that it would want to continue working with the Army. Palmer Luckey, the creator of Anduril, has alluded to a new mixed-reality gadget, although it’s unclear whether the company is partnered with Microsoft. Companies like Palantir are said to be considering a proposal, while Kopin, located in Massachusetts, has shown interest in competing.
According to an industry source who praised the RFI, the Army is prepared for a new strategy and has probably discovered competitive or better products on the market.
Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 technology was the focus of the current IVAS contract, which was first hailed as a revolutionary advancement. The objective was to develop a multipurpose tool that could be used for virtual training as well as combat operations, incorporating nighttime usage. But in 2021, complaints of problems including dizziness, motion sickness, pain, and dependability difficulties started to surface.
Although the initiative was first well received by the public, military officials eventually moderated expectations. To fix the problems, the application was split into three variations: the 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2. The impending 1.2 version is crucial, even if the Army already has 5,000 units of the initial version and intends to purchase an additional 5,000 devices of version 1.1 category.
In order to address earlier issues, version 1.2 switches from a helmet-mounted screen with a 70-degree field of vision to a flat, hinged structure with a 60-degree field of view. Whenever not in use, troops may flip the screen up thanks to this improved design.
The Army also started investigating IVAS Next while collaborating with Microsoft on revamps and testing. Attending Army-led gatherings and getting ready for a possible open bid for the valuable headset manufacture contract were reports from business insiders.
To further clarify IVAS Next needs, Army authorities simultaneously assessed their night vision equipment. With other night vision systems like the PVS-14 device and the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle-Binocular (ENVG-B), soldiers of the 75th Ranger Regiment were instrumental in the testing of IVAS 1.2.
An Army source said that these Rangers are responsible for giving a thorough evaluation of each method’s skills, contrasting the IVAS with the ENVG-B and PVS-14. In order to guarantee that the future version satisfies the Army’s operational objectives, the insights are intended to assist in making judgements on the optimal IVAS form element, energy necessities, and other parameters.
