Anduril and Meta Create AR Helmet to Enhance Vision and Situational Awareness of US Soldiers.

According to information published by Anduril Industries on June 3, 2025, Anduril and Meta have formed a partnership to develop an advanced augmented reality (AR) helmet for the U.S. Army. This collaboration aims to integrate cutting-edge AR technologies into military operations, providing soldiers with enhanced situational awareness and real-time data processing in combat scenarios. The helmet, part of the Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) Next program, is designed to replace the previous Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) developed by Microsoft, which faced several challenges, including user discomfort and technical issues. This new initiative represents a significant advancement in both hardware and software for modern military systems.
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A US soldier wearing the Integrated Visual Augmentation System during a training exercise at Fort Drum, New York, on July 31, 2024. (Picture source: US DoD)

The SBMC Next program, designed to deliver next-generation AR technologies to the U.S. Army, marks a shift in leadership and development priorities. Following the transfer of the IVAS program from Microsoft to Anduril in February 2025, Anduril now leads the project, with Meta contributing its expertise in AR and artificial intelligence. The companies have developed a new helmet system called EagleEye, which will serve as the central component of a broader AR ecosystem for military use. EagleEye will combine high-performance optics, artificial intelligence, sensors, cloud computing, and advanced command and control functions to create an immersive and intuitive system for soldiers in the field.

The EagleEye helmet integrates a state-of-the-art optical system based on silicon carbide, ensuring a wide field of view and high color accuracy, even in low-light or challenging environments. This feature is essential for soldiers who need clear and precise visuals to navigate complex combat situations. Furthermore, the helmet will use Meta's Llama AI model to process data from various sources, including sensors, satellites, drones, and ground-based systems, enabling rapid decision-making and real-time situational awareness.

A key advantage of this collaboration is the integration of Anduril's Lattice command and control platform. Lattice aggregates and analyzes data from multiple sources, allowing commanders and soldiers to make quick, informed decisions during missions. The platform’s ability to integrate seamlessly with the EagleEye helmet provides soldiers with real-time access to strategic information, enhancing their operational effectiveness in dynamic combat environments.

The partnership also emphasizes the use of cloud and edge computing technologies to reduce data processing delays and ensure the system remains operational even in areas where communication infrastructure is compromised. This resilience is critical in the face of potential adversarial attempts to disrupt communications or employ electronic warfare tactics. The new system will offer U.S. forces greater autonomy and adaptability in the field, even in environments where traditional communication systems may fail.

In a statement, Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril, highlighted his mission to equip soldiers with the latest technologies to enhance battlefield performance. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of combining the companies' expertise to support the modernization of the U.S. Army.

The development of the EagleEye helmet marks a significant milestone in the evolution of military technology. By combining Meta’s AR and artificial intelligence innovations with Anduril's expertise in military systems and command platforms, this partnership has the potential to transform how soldiers interact with their environment and make decisions under pressure. This collaboration also represents a strategic effort to maintain the technological edge of the U.S. military in an era where technological advancements are rapidly shaping the future of warfare.

The partnership between Anduril and Meta marks an important step in the development of augmented reality systems for the U.S. Army. The new EagleEye helmet and its integration with the Lattice command platform will provide soldiers with unprecedented capabilities to process and act on battlefield intelligence in real time. By combining cutting-edge AR technologies with advanced command systems and artificial intelligence, this collaboration is set to redefine military operations and enhance the U.S. Army's effectiveness in future combat scenarios.