Microsoft Corp. and Anduril Industries have announced an expanded partnership to drive the next phase of the U.S. Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program.
Pending Department of Defense approval, Anduril will assume oversight of production, hardware and software development, 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.
The IVAS program represents a groundbreaking step in military technology, providing soldiers with a body-worn system that integrates advanced augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). These capabilities offer beyond-line-of-sight perception, enhanced combat effectiveness, survivability against drone threats, and improved mission command over unmanned systems. Traditional mission command systems—reliant on flat maps, static dashboards, and verbal communication—are increasingly inadequate in the face of modern warfare’s complexity.
Anduril and Microsoft’s collaboration leverages the distinct strengths of each company to ensure continuity in the program while enhancing IVAS’s ability to increase soldier awareness and decision-making. Anduril’s focus on defense innovation, deep understanding of military requirements, and ability to manufacture at scale will help tailor IVAS development to the Army’s evolving needs while reducing unit costs. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s advanced cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities will provide real-time insights and seamless data integration critical to soldier effectiveness.
With this agreement, Anduril will establish Azure as its preferred hyperscale cloud, supporting AI development across its commercial, government, and classified operations. Azure’s resiliency, flexibility, and advanced security are designed to meet the stringent compliance requirements necessary for handling the nation’s most sensitive data.
Since its founding in 2017, Anduril has focused exclusively on developing advanced defense technologies. Palmer Luckey, the company’s founder—known for revolutionizing the VR industry with Oculus—brings unparalleled expertise to this initiative.
“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 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.”
Robin Seiler, Corporate Vice President of Mixed Reality at Microsoft, echoed this sentiment: “We are incredibly proud of the work our teams have put in to help the U.S. Army transform its concept of a soldier-borne, AR headset into reality with the IVAS program. 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. We are excited to partner with Anduril for the next phase of IVAS and leverage our combined strengths to meet our commitments on this vital program and deliver a game-changing capability for every U.S. soldier.”
Previously, Microsoft and Anduril collaborated to integrate Anduril’s Lattice platform into IVAS, providing AI-enabled situational awareness capabilities to enhance soldier safety and operational effectiveness. This new agreement further aligns Microsoft’s expertise in cloud computing and AI with Anduril’s leadership in defense manufacturing, enhancing technical development and operational efficiency.