The US Army’s quest to field an improved version of its troubled Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) may reach the finish line sooner than expected.
The service has unveiled the much-anticipated timeline for its “IVAS Next” competition — a follow-on program aimed at enhancing soldier situational awareness and mission command through advanced mixed-reality technology.
To accelerate the process, the army is using an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) pathway, giving companies until mid-May to submit white papers.
Based on the viability of proposed solutions, a request for prototype proposals may be issued by mid-June, with at least one OTA award expected by the end of August.
“The government’s intent is to award agreement(s) to prime contractor(s) who provide full solutions,” the service noted. “The number of awards will be dependent on available funding, to include proposed vendor cost share, if applicable.”
A Roller-Coaster Ride
The launch of IVAS Next, now rebranded as Soldier Borne Mission Command, was first announced in August 2024, when reports emerged that the Army was considering a recompete contract to replace Microsoft.
Microsoft secured a 10-year, $22-billion contract in 2021 for IVAS production. However, after facing challenges with versions 1.0, 1.1, and 1.2, the company handed the reins to Anduril, which now leads the ongoing development of the IVAS program.
Earlier this week, an Anduril official confirmed that it has officially taken over oversight of the troubled program, having received the go-ahead from the US Army.
Potential IVAS Next Participants
At an industry day discussing the competition, around 80 companies expressed interest.
Key players include Anduril, L3Harris, Palantir, and the US arms of Elbit Systems and BAE Systems.
Kopin, developer of display technology for F-35 helmets, also attended the event.
While it is unclear how many will submit white papers, the competition roadmap sets a deadline of March 2026 for prototype deliveries.
