Augmented reality glasses may be used in combat missions.
Microsoft has been awarded a $480 million contract to supply the US Army with prototype HoloLens augmented reality systems for use in combat missions and training, according to a filing with the General Services Administration.
The contract could eventually lead to the military purchasing over 100,000 AR headsets as part of a program to « increase lethality by enhancing the ability to detect, decide and engage before the enemy, » according to Bloomberg, which reported the news earlier Wednesday. AR headset rival MagicLeap was also reported to have been bidding for the Army’s contract.
« Augmented reality technology will provide troops with more and better information to make decisions, » a Microsoft spokesman said in a statement. « This new work extends our longstanding, trusted relationship with the Department of Defense to this new area.
