The U.S. Army has awarded a combined total of $354 million to defense contractors Anduril and Rivet to develop advanced wearable virtual displays. This funding aims to enhance the Army’s Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) program, which builds upon the previous Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) that was limited to headsets. The SBMC initiative will incorporate a range of devices, including complementary computers and wearables such as smartwatches.
Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey, has been allocated $159 million for its part in the program, while Rivet, a startup supported by Palantir, will receive $195 million. Luckey emphasized that the SBMC program is designed to foster a diverse ecosystem of hardware solutions, rather than relying on a single contractor for a uniform product. He projected that “dozens” of different headsets will emerge under this initiative.
“This program will likely see the majority of its hardware come from adaptations of commercial devices as augmented reality and virtual reality technologies improve,” Luckey stated. He also noted that the challenge of creating a one-size-fits-all headset has historically led to compromises that fail to meet specific needs of various military roles.
Luckey remarked, “I don’t think that any one headset can be the headset that meets every need for every soldier in the Army.” He criticized previous efforts to create a universal solution, which often resulted in devices that inadequately addressed the diverse requirements of infantry, pilots, and logistics personnel.
In addition to hardware development, Anduril has secured a contract to develop the software for the SBMC program. This software will integrate visual data from displays used by soldiers into their command structures, enhancing situational awareness.
Rivet is taking a different approach by focusing on “comfort, ruggedization, utility, and compliance,” according to CEO Dave Marra. The startup’s prototypes will feature voice command integration, allowing seamless communication among soldiers, logisticians, and support personnel on the battlefield. Marra highlighted the importance of natural language interactions, stating, “These kinds of natural language interactions are the most critical element to enable.”
As part of the Army’s Transformation-in-Contact strategy, the SBMC program aims to rapidly field new technologies by allowing soldiers to test prototypes and provide real-time feedback. This agile approach is intended to expedite the development process, moving away from lengthy testing phases.
Luckey emphasized the urgency of delivering dependable systems for combat use, asserting that “we need to be delivering a system that…cannot break or put people in danger.” He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to overcome previous challenges, particularly those related to motion sickness experienced with earlier prototypes of IVAS.
The competition between Anduril and Rivet represents a significant step forward in military technology, as both companies seek to redefine how soldiers interact with digital information in the field. As these developments unfold, the Army’s commitment to enhancing soldier capabilities through innovative technology is evident, setting the stage for a new era of military operations.
