Does this $60,000 Combat Goggle Actually Work?

Task & Purpose
16 Apr 202423:28

Summary

TLDRThe US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is a mixed reality headset designed to enhance soldiers' mobility and lethality, potentially replacing night vision goggles, GPS, and communication devices. Despite a $22 billion contract for up to 120,000 units over a decade, the technology has faced challenges, including initial poor soldier feedback and internal Pentagon investigations. The IVAS aims to provide advanced capabilities like night vision, GPS navigation, thermal vision, and weapon targeting, but has encountered issues such as discomfort, poor low light performance, and concerns over cyber vulnerabilities. The Army is pushing for its adoption by 2025, but the project is now the subject of Congressional debate, with some advocating for the more traditional Enhanced Night Vision Goggle - Binocular (ENVG-B) system. The future of IVAS hinges on addressing soldier concerns and proving its effectiveness in a combat environment.

Takeaways

  • 🤖 The Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is a mixed reality headset developed by Microsoft for the US Army, aiming to enhance soldiers' mobility and lethality with features like night vision, GPS, and weapon targeting.
  • 🚀 IVAS is intended to replace traditional night vision goggles, communications equipment, and GPS, and is being tested by 10,000 soldiers, with potential for up to 120,000 units to be procured over the next decade.
  • 💰 The contract for IVAS includes an option to purchase up to 120,000 units at a cost of up to $22 billion, indicating the high stakes and investment involved in the technology.
  • 📉 Despite its potential, IVAS has faced challenges, with initial soldier feedback indicating issues such as discomfort, poor low-light performance, and concerns about its tactical effectiveness.
  • 🔍 An internal Pentagon investigation and soldier feedback have raised concerns about the system's readiness and whether it meets user needs effectively.
  • 📡 IVAS is designed to integrate with other technologies like drones, potentially providing soldiers with live data and images from the air, changing the way reconnaissance is conducted.
  • 🧑‍✈️ The system could turn every soldier into a sensor node, collecting and transmitting valuable data on the battlefield, which raises questions about privacy and over-reliance on technology.
  • 🤔 There is a debate in Congress about whether to continue investing in IVAS or to focus on the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle - Binocular (ENVG-B) system, which is preferred by soldiers for its proven reliability.
  • 🛡️ The Army argues that while initial acceptance of new technology like IVAS may be low, history has shown that with time and development, such tools become invaluable, comparing their approach to Steve Jobs' philosophy on innovation.
  • 📉 The Inspector General report highlighted that IVAS failed four out of six operational tests and soldiers reported physical impairments like headaches and nausea from using the system.
  • 💡 The Army is working to address the issues raised in the feedback, with the latest version of IVAS promising improvements in low-light performance, comfort, and an 'all-weather' capability.

Q & A

  • What is the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) developed by the US Army?

    -The Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is a mixed reality heads-up display developed by Microsoft for the US Army. It aims to provide soldiers with improved mobility and lethality during the day or at night by replacing night vision goggles, integrating communications, GPS, and enhancing target enemy positions and training simulations.

  • What are the potential capabilities of IVAS that were tested?

    -The tested capabilities of IVAS include night vision, GPS navigation, thermal vision, 3D maps, weapon targeting, objectives visually highlighted, friendly and enemy markers, and the ability to fire from the hip or around the corner from behind cover.

  • What are the concerns raised by soldiers who have used the IVAS during field testing?

    -Soldiers have raised concerns about the IVAS being uncomfortable and annoying to wear, issues with light discipline due to the visibility of the holographic display, and the device's weight and bulkiness. There were also physiological impacts such as headaches, eye strain, nausea, and other symptoms of physical impairment reported after extended use.

  • What is the controversy surrounding the IVAS program?

    -The controversy surrounding the IVAS program involves an internal Pentagon investigation and initial poor soldier feedback, suggesting major challenges ahead. This has led to a Congressional debate on whether the Army should invest in IVAS or the next generation of Enhanced Night Vision Goggle - Binoculars (ENVG-B).

  • What is the potential cost of the IVAS program if fully implemented?

    -The potential cost of the IVAS program, if fully implemented, could reach as much as $22 billion for the purchase of up to 120,000 goggles over the next decade.

  • How does the IVAS system integrate with other technologies like drones?

    -The IVAS system is designed to integrate with ground and air platform sensors, including manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. This means it can receive live data feeds from drones flying overhead, providing soldiers with real-time imagery of the area they are about to enter.

  • What is the current status of the IVAS program in terms of development and fielding?

    -As of the information provided, the IVAS program has been through various tests and iterations. Version 1.2 was released in 2023 with several upgrades. However, due to the issues encountered, the older versions (1.0 and 1.1) are mainly used for training, while the infantry units are expected to receive the newer 1.2 version.

  • What are the potential operational impacts of the IVAS for soldiers?

    -The IVAS has the potential to transform a soldier into a sensor node, providing a shared picture of the battlefield and real-time information back to headquarters. This could make calling for fire easier and more precise, enhancing command and control capabilities.

  • What are the concerns about the IVAS system's performance in different environmental conditions?

    -There are concerns that the IVAS system may have vulnerabilities in a cyber-contested electromagnetic spectrum environment, which could lead to the device being hacked or rendered inoperable. Additionally, there were rumors of the original version having trouble in light rain and frequently turning off.

  • How does the IVAS system address the issue of situational awareness for soldiers inside vehicles?

    -The IVAS system is designed to provide soldiers with increased vision and situational awareness by using high-end cameras around the vehicle, both during the day and at night. Soldiers can access this footage while en route to a mission, thus avoiding the issue of being locked in a vehicle with no external visibility.

  • What is the current stance of Congress regarding the IVAS program?

    -Congress has expressed skepticism about the IVAS program, denying the Army's request to acquire additional headsets and reducing their overall budget. This action indicates that Congress wants to see improvements and validation of the system's effectiveness before committing further funding.

  • What are the potential physiological impacts of using IVAS that soldiers reported?

    -Soldiers reported experiencing headaches, eye strain, nausea, and other symptoms of physical impairment after using the IVAS for extended periods. This has raised concerns about the long-term effects of using such technology in the field.

Outlines

00:00

🤖 Army's IVAS: A Mixed Reality Headset for Modern Warfare

The US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is a mixed reality headset designed to improve soldiers' mobility and lethality. Currently under testing with 10,000 soldiers, it faces Congressional debate due to initial poor feedback and challenges. The device aims to replace night vision goggles, communication devices, GPS, and enhance targeting and training. Despite the potential for a $22 billion contract over a decade, there are concerns about practicality, soldier addiction to technology, and whether the Army should invest in IVAS or the Next Generation EnV GB goggles. Version 1.2 of IVAS was released in 2023 with new upgrades, and the video discusses these as well as the narrator's concerns about the concept's practicality.

05:01

📡 IVAS 1.2: Enhanced Capabilities and Soldier Feedback

The IVAS 1.2 version, developed by Microsoft and based on the HoloLens 2 technology, has seen improvements including smaller, lower-profile glasses for comfort. It has been tested in various scenarios by 70 infantrymen to evaluate its effectiveness. The device promises night vision, GPS navigation, thermal vision, 3D maps, and weapon targeting, among other features. However, the Army has not clearly defined user acceptance levels, leading to controversy. Soldier feedback indicates issues with light discipline, as the device's display could be seen from hundreds of meters away, and other concerns about its practicality in the field.

10:03

🛡️ Soldier Acceptance and the Future of IVAS

Despite the futuristic appeal of IVAS, soldier acceptance has been a challenge. The Army has not developed a clear measure of user acceptance, and internal investigations reveal that IVAS failed several operational tests. Soldiers have reported physical impairments such as headaches, eye strain, and nausea after using the device. The Army's push for IVAS has raised questions about prioritizing unproven technology over more established equipment like the EN VGB goggles. The potential downsides include wasting billions in taxpayer funds if the system is not adopted as intended by soldiers.

15:03

💻 IVAS in the Balance: Funding and Technological Concerns

The IVAS program is under scrutiny for not requesting additional funding for the EN VGB goggles, opting instead to push for IVAS despite its challenges. The Senate Armed Services Committee has questioned the Army's decision, and there's a clear debate between investing in a proven favorite like the EN VGB or the potentially revolutionary IVAS. The Army believes it has procured enough EN VGB for its needs and is focusing on developing IVAS. Concerns about the device's weight, cost, and cyber vulnerabilities in a contested environment have been raised. The Army's commitment to IVAS is evident, but the path to full adoption will require addressing these issues.

20:04

🚀 IVAS Development and Potential Benefits

The development of IVAS has shown significant progress in a short time, and the Army leadership is optimistic about its potential. The system is seen as an all-in-one replacement for various standalone devices, which could justify its high cost. Despite concerns about its vulnerabilities in a cyber-contested environment and issues with weather resistance, the Army is working to improve the device. The potential benefits of IVAS include increased situational awareness, the ability to see through vehicles, and improved coordination for squad and platoon leaders. The video concludes with a call to support the channel by participating in a giveaway for limited edition collectibles.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS)

IVAS is a mixed reality headset system developed for the US Army, designed to enhance soldiers' mobility and lethality in various conditions. It aims to replace traditional night vision goggles, GPS, and communication devices, and is intended to improve target acquisition and training simulations. The system has been a subject of debate due to concerns over its practicality and the reported discomfort experienced by soldiers during testing.

💡Apple Vision Pro

Apple Vision Pro is a consumer-oriented augmented reality headset that serves as a comparison point for IVAS in the transcript. While Apple's product is designed for civilian use, such as calling for an Uber, IVAS is tailored for military applications, such as calling for fire support. The mention of Apple Vision Pro sets a context for understanding the type of technology IVAS employs.

💡Night Vision Goggles (NVG)

NVGs are devices used by soldiers to enhance vision in low-light conditions or complete darkness. The script discusses the potential of IVAS to replace these traditional NVGs by offering improved capabilities, including thermal vision and weapon targeting. The comparison with NVGs highlights the technological advancements aimed for in IVAS.

💡Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a critical aspect of modern military technology, as highlighted in the script when discussing the potential vulnerabilities of IVAS in a contested electromagnetic spectrum environment. The concern is that adversaries could hack into the system or disable it, turning an expensive piece of equipment into an ineffective and costly liability.

💡Operational Test and Evaluation

This refers to the process by which military equipment is assessed for its effectiveness, reliability, and overall performance under realistic conditions. The script mentions that IVAS failed four out of six operational tests, indicating significant issues that need to be addressed before the technology can be deemed combat-ready.

💡Heads-Up Display (HUD)

A HUD is a transparent display that presents data without requiring the user to look away from their usual viewpoints, such as the outside world or an instrument panel. In the context of IVAS, the HUD is a critical component that overlays information, such as maps and target data, directly into the soldier's field of view.

💡Body Worn Computer (Puck)

The 'puck' is a term used in the script to describe the body-worn computer that is part of the IVAS system. It processes and manages the data displayed on the HUD, serving as the central processing unit for the system's operations. The puck represents the integration of computing technology into wearable military equipment.

💡Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

UAVs, or drones, are mentioned in the context of their ability to provide live data to IVAS, such as images and sensor information. This integration is intended to enhance situational awareness and improve reconnaissance capabilities for soldiers on the ground, representing a shift towards more networked and automated warfare tactics.

💡Fog of War

The 'fog of war' is a military concept that refers to the uncertainty in situational awareness during battles. The script suggests that IVAS aims to eliminate this uncertainty by providing real-time data and a clear picture of the battlefield, thus improving decision-making and tactical operations.

💡Enhanced Night Vision Goggle - Binocular (ENVG-B)

The ENVG-B is a type of night vision equipment that is compared to IVAS in the transcript. It represents a more traditional approach to night vision technology and is favored by some soldiers over the more complex and less proven IVAS system. The debate between investing in IVAS versus ENVG-B systems reflects a broader discussion on military procurement and innovation.

💡Procurement

Procurement in the military context refers to the process of acquiring the necessary equipment and systems. The script discusses the challenges and debates surrounding the procurement of IVAS, including the high costs, potential for wasted investment, and the need to balance innovation with proven, effective technology.

Highlights

The US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) is a mixed reality heads-up display designed to enhance soldier mobility and lethality.

IVAS aims to replace night vision goggles, communications, GPS, and target enemy positions, as well as run training simulations.

The Pentagon's internal investigation and soldier feedback indicate significant challenges ahead for the IVAS program.

The IVAS has become a subject of Congressional debate regarding the Army's investment in the technology.

Version 1.2 of IVAS was released in 2023 with new upgrades, including improved low light night vision capabilities.

The IVAS device includes a heads-up display, a body-worn computer called 'the puck', a network data radio, and separate battery packs for each soldier.

IVAS is designed to integrate with ground and air platform sensors, potentially changing the way reconnaissance is conducted.

The device could turn every soldier into a sensor node, collecting and transmitting live data on the battlefield.

The Inspector General report criticized the Army's management of the IVAS program, highlighting a lack of minimum user acceptance levels.

Soldier feedback from training exercises indicated that IVAS failed four out of six operational tests in 2022.

Concerns were raised about the device's weight, comfort, and the potential for it to be a target for hacking or jamming.

The Army has procured a number of Enhanced Night Vision Goggles (ENVG) that they believe meets their requirements, despite criticism.

The IVAS program has faced funding challenges, with Congress denying additional funding and reducing the overall budget for the Army to address soldier concerns.

The Army is pushing for IVAS to be fielded by 2025, despite ongoing issues and the preference of some soldiers for current equipment.

The debate centers around whether to invest in a technology that is not yet fully accepted by soldiers or to continue with proven, albeit less advanced, equipment.

The potential impact of IVAS on future warfare includes improved command and control, shared battlefield awareness, and enhanced situational awareness for vehicle operations.

Despite the challenges, proponents of IVAS believe that with sufficient development time and funding, it could become an essential tool for squad and platoon leaders.

Transcripts

00:00

this is ivas It's the US Army's very own

00:03

version of Apple Vision Pro but instead

00:05

of helping you call for Uber it helps

00:07

you call for fire the military has

00:09

actually been busy working on the

00:10

concept for decades with the newest

00:12

attempt integrated visual augmentation

00:15

system being issued to 10,000 soldiers

00:17

for testing so far but an internal

00:20

investigation by the Pentagon and

00:21

initial poor Soldier feedback suggest

00:24

there are some major challenges ahead

00:26

and that's why ivas has become the

00:28

subject of a fierce Congressional debate

00:30

whether the Army should invest in ivas

00:32

or next Generation EnV GB goggles

00:35

goodbye fog of War hello crippling

00:38

addiction to technology what exactly is

00:40

ivas well according to the Army it's a

00:43

mixed reality heads up display to

00:46

provide Soldiers with improved mobility

00:48

and lethality during the day or at night

00:50

so essentially it aims to replace your

00:52

night vision goggles Communications GPS

00:55

and take over how you target enemy

00:57

positions and run training simulations

00:59

with your squad the Public Defense

01:01

contract for ivas has an option to buy

01:03

as many as 120,000 goggles over the next

01:07

decade for as much as $22 billion if

01:11

they want so a lot is at stake here with

01:13

this device version 1.2 just dropped in

01:16

2023 and we're going to talk about all

01:18

of its new upgrades as well as my

01:21

concerns as a regular old grunt about

01:23

whether this whole concept is really

01:25

practical or not but first I have an

01:27

awesome opportunity for you to win these

01:30

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01:33

vision goggles by tribe Optics they're

01:36

worth over

01:37

$7,000 I've partnered again with

01:39

veteran-owned small business get enterto

01:41

win.com to give these away to you the

01:43

way it works is you just click the link

01:45

in the description text below the video

01:47

head over to go. gettinger to win.com

01:50

taskandpurpose buy one of our sweet

01:52

limited edition Collectibles and you're

01:54

automatically entered to win these nvg

01:56

50 night vision goggles might be the

01:58

best available at any price price with a

02:00

minimum F specification of 1,600 they're

02:03

equipped with night vision intensifier

02:05

tubes manufactured by the same company

02:07

that supplies US Special Forces so

02:09

they're designed to deliver premium

02:11

performance at an affordable price the

02:13

tribe Optics nvgs are also excellent for

02:16

field use and hunting and the giant 50°

02:18

field of view is ideal for scanning

02:21

Woodland and Urban Terrain alike when I

02:23

was in Arizona recently my buddy used

02:25

his night vision goggles to drive

02:26

through the mountains and Pitch Black

02:28

these things really come in handy just

02:30

click the link in the description below

02:32

head over to go.get win.com

02:34

taskandpurpose and buy one of our cool

02:36

collectible mugs to automatically be

02:38

entered to win they're a veteran owned

02:40

small business so I'm really excited to

02:41

partner with them and to give you guys

02:43

this opportunity you must be a us

02:44

resident in order to be eligible to win

02:46

I appreciate your support and best of

02:48

luck beare Parts Army it's obvious why

02:50

Apple Microsoft Facebook are all pouring

02:52

the GDP of small countries worth of

02:55

dollars into developing this augmented

02:57

reality Tech this is because the Apple

03:00

vision and ivas goggles could

03:02

potentially unlock tremendous potential

03:04

in US mere mortals the promise of

03:06

networked soldiers is a dream that big

03:08

army has feverishly been working on in

03:11

one form or another since the 1980s each

03:14

time it's failed over and over again but

03:17

it's taken us one step closer the latest

03:19

iteration ivas started in 2018 so I

03:22

think the best way to break this down is

03:25

to start off explaining how it works

03:27

ideally in theory and then get into to

03:29

all of the negative soldier feedback and

03:32

the controversy surrounding it developed

03:34

by Microsoft it's based on their Hollow

03:36

lens 2 smart glasses headset technology

03:40

and they just delivered 20 of the new

03:42

and improved versions The 1.2 prototypes

03:45

a quick rundown of its promised

03:47

capabilities that were tested include

03:49

night vision GPS navigation thermal

03:51

vision 3D maps weapon targeting

03:54

objectives visually highlighted friendly

03:56

and enemy markers you could fire from

03:58

the hip or around the corner from behind

04:00

cover while seeing where the target

04:02

reticle is personally I could think of

04:04

one reason why better 3D maps would be

04:07

useful during my first raid on a house

04:09

in IR rock it took six kicks to get the

04:11

door open so everyone knew exactly where

04:13

we were coming from and then we figured

04:15

out it was the wrong house in the first

04:16

place and as I'm saying this out loud

04:18

I'm realizing it's an embarrassing story

04:19

I probably should have kept to myself

04:21

according to the Army the new IVs 1.2

04:24

version will give you the ability to

04:25

hinge the device so you can raise and

04:27

lower the display very similar to how

04:29

you do with with night vision goggles in

04:31

case you need to use your old human eyes

04:32

for a second and so from what I can

04:34

gather one of the major upgrades here is

04:36

improvements to the low light night

04:38

vision image intensifying ability the

04:40

ivas is made up of a few separate parts

04:42

actually kind of like the Apple Vision

04:44

it includes a heads up display goggles a

04:46

body worn computer known as the puck a

04:49

network data radio and three separate

04:51

battery packs for each Soldier more

04:54

stuff to carry yes I can't wait please

04:57

sir I want some more and in fact right

05:00

off the bat the first thing that jumps

05:02

out to me compared to the older variants

05:05

is its much smaller improved lower

05:08

profile glasses the first version in

05:10

2018 looked like cumbersome ski goggles

05:13

and now they look like lighter weight

05:15

hater blockers I mean look at the

05:17

original version they look a little

05:19

goofy looks like RoboCop 2014 and I want

05:22

to look like Robocop 1987 in all

05:24

seriousness this new version is a big

05:26

step up in addressing one of the biggest

05:28

points of criticism isms that the tested

05:31

soldiers had which was that it was

05:33

uncomfortable and annoying to wear now

05:35

where do they get those criticisms from

05:37

well hias was officially tested in the

05:39

field in June of 2022 over the course of

05:42

3 weeks by 70 different infantrymen to

05:45

see what needed tweaking they wore them

05:47

during three 72-hour training scenarios

05:50

which included movement toward an enemy

05:52

attacking and defending a position

05:54

couple of live fire events during day

05:56

and night and they put them through the

05:58

paces the goal of the mission today is

06:00

using the avas technology to launch and

06:03

recover other aircraft and to also call

06:05

in a nonline metac while they're also uh

06:09

receiving Dynamic Mission changes while

06:11

they're in route and also on the ground

06:14

what I wouldn't give to be able to test

06:15

those out at least it promises to make

06:17

recording Tik toks easier one of the

06:19

biggest updates to the program that I

06:21

never thought about before is how the

06:23

heads up display will work in

06:24

combination with another new technology

06:27

that's changing the face of Modern

06:28

Warfare drones according to the Army IVs

06:32

will integrate with ground and Air

06:34

Platform sensors what that means is it

06:37

can take in data from manned and

06:39

unmanned aerial Vehicles a drone flying

06:42

overhead will be able to send you live

06:44

pictures of what you're walking into in

06:46

advance what does that mean for your

06:48

regular grunt the way you conduct

06:50

reconnaissance will completely change

06:52

but it also gives us a hint as to why I

06:55

think the Army is pushing this device so

06:58

hard the ivas would turn every Soldier

07:01

into a sensor node it's the concept of

07:04

soldier as a sensor you know as opposed

07:07

to Soldier as a human being think of all

07:10

the live data that this thing will

07:12

passively collect on your head is your

07:14

unit currently retreating or moving

07:16

forward is your Battalion at 20% ammo or

07:19

90% that info could be collected from

07:21

your weapon sent to your headset back to

07:24

command did you just make fun of your

07:26

Commander's uncanny resemblance to

07:28

Napoleon bonapart these these are all

07:29

things that your command wants no needs

07:32

to know Facebook and Instagram in their

07:34

Wildest Dreams want this level of access

07:36

to your personal information while many

07:38

of my favorite creators on YouTube are

07:40

busy reviewing the new Apple Vision Pro

07:43

wondering how it might change the way we

07:45

work love and play I'm wondering how

07:47

augmented reality will change the way we

07:49

fight Wars if I were to take a little

07:51

bit too big of a hit from the pieace

07:53

pipe I would say that these devices are

07:55

going to record every second of War so

07:58

they can be used this train models for

08:00

robotss to eventually replace soldiers

08:02

in the future they're like how we train

08:04

machines to recognize objects with

08:05

capture not sure how I would like a

08:08

video recording of all my war crimes but

08:09

everything has its tradeoffs the big

08:11

takeaway here is that you're now adding

08:13

a 100,000 data collection devices

08:16

running around on the ground feeding

08:18

targeting information to your bigger

08:20

ticket assets like your himars and f-35s

08:23

and developing a shared picture of the

08:25

battlefield infantry have one device

08:27

really since World War II that's been

08:29

issued to them that has a operational

08:32

level impact and I think that's the

08:34

radio it's their ability to call for

08:36

fire like a hell diver the IVs would be

08:39

the second device with an operational

08:42

impact for the grunts as it feeds

08:44

realtime information of the battlefield

08:47

picture back to headquarters and makes

08:49

calling for fire easier I suspect it's a

08:52

command and control device as much as

08:54

anything else it gives a shared picture

08:57

of the battlefield so you can know what

08:58

second Squad is is doing right now wait

09:01

second Squad what the are you doing

09:03

right now while all of that sounds

09:04

really exciting and it's easy to get

09:06

carried away about future potential here

09:09

there's also some big potential

09:11

downsides that we're going to need to

09:13

address and we get these straight from

09:15

the 50-page Inspector General report

09:18

that investigated the Army's management

09:20

of the program the IG is like when you

09:22

see police internal investigation

09:24

departments except for the military

09:26

these are the dudes who are responsible

09:28

for holding a lot of the defense

09:29

spending accountable if you blow the

09:31

whistle on defense project you'll end up

09:33

with an IG report unless it's one of

09:35

boeings don't do that what I'm assuming

09:37

is that someone close to or involved in

09:40

the project maybe someone who trained on

09:41

the device brought it to the attention

09:43

of the IG that the Army was moving

09:45

forward with the project even though

09:47

there was a high number of troops who

09:49

didn't find it effective that's

09:51

typically how these Inspector General

09:52

reports are spun up it could have also

09:54

been the fact that there was all these

09:56

major delays that have hindered the

09:58

program so far according to the internal

10:00

investigation the biggest thing is quote

10:03

ivas program officials did not Define

10:05

minimum user acceptance levels to

10:08

determine whether ivas would meet user

10:10

needs the report States Army future

10:13

command officials inferred user

10:15

acceptance as a soldier doing their job

10:18

better and quicker using ivas however

10:20

the Army has not developed any

10:22

percentage or otherwise measurement of

10:25

user acceptance to determine whether the

10:27

system is acceptable now with what the

10:29

internal investigation is suggesting

10:31

there is that the test results which are

10:33

mostly redacted from the public report

10:35

as you can see are not designed to

10:38

accurately determine if troops actually

10:40

found it useful or not Business Insider

10:43

got access to that actual Soldier

10:46

feedback from training according to

10:48

their report IVs failed four out of six

10:51

operational tests during the 2022

10:54

demonstration one test Soldier even

10:56

threw some serious Shades saying quote

10:58

theice would have gotten us killed when

11:01

referring to how the light from the

11:03

holographic display onto the goggles

11:06

would betray you by being visible for

11:08

hundreds of meters away so much for

11:10

light discipline to be fair I don't know

11:13

if they solved that in version 1.2

11:15

though so what this means is that old

11:17

versions The 1.0 and 1.1 will mainly be

11:20

used in training units to teach the

11:21

basics on the device Meanwhile your

11:23

close combat infantry units will start

11:26

receiving ivas 1.2 since it's more ready

11:29

for the prime time for example just how

11:31

effective will the night vision and

11:33

thermal sensors on it be compared to

11:35

Generation 3 nvg tubes I'm assuming it

11:38

uses digital night vision and thermal

11:40

which is currently not as bright or

11:42

clear of an image as far as I know sure

11:44

the ivas aims to offer an 80° field of

11:46

view which is like double what your

11:48

standard night vision goggles produce

11:50

however earlier versions that had that

11:52

wide field of view contributed to making

11:55

users feel weird and sick while wearing

11:57

them because resolution at the edges was

11:59

blurry I'd be very curious to know what

12:02

the refresh rate on the night vision is

12:04

for the ivas because if it isn't really

12:06

good latency the delay could make

12:08

operations like night driving more

12:10

dangerous compared to traditional nvgs

12:13

these are things I don't know however

12:16

there is an important aspect of

12:17

procurement that we need to address the

12:19

Army has stated that there are many

12:21

examples where Soldier acceptance was

12:23

initially low such as the original night

12:26

vision goggles in the 1970s machine guns

12:29

and the invention of automated transport

12:31

which obviously all turned out to be

12:33

very useful user acceptance isn't always

12:36

a metric that lends itself to objective

12:39

measures partly because troops can be

12:41

biased towards what they already know so

12:43

the arm is basically paraphrasing the

12:45

late steeve jobs here saying some people

12:47

say give the customers what they want

12:49

but that's not my Approach our job is to

12:51

figure out what they're going to want

12:53

before they do but there are more

12:56

downsides part of my degree of

12:58

skepticism of the I as comes from a 2022

13:01

and 2023 annual report for the office of

13:04

the director operational test and

13:06

evaluation this is the group that's the

13:08

main advisor to the Secretary of Defense

13:10

on equipment tests and evaluations

13:13

they're the ones that hold acquisition

13:14

programs accountable basically providing

13:16

independent assessments to Congress who

13:18

will end up approving what equipment

13:20

ends up in the budget and what does not

13:22

so what says has a Major Impact I'll put

13:26

a link in the description if you want to

13:27

read them yourself but the test office

13:29

wasn't exactly stoked on the new tech

13:31

stating that troops specifically wanted

13:34

improvements to the low light sensor on

13:36

the device saying quote the results of

13:39

the Ops demo user acceptance remains low

13:42

soldiers prefer their current equipment

13:44

soldiers cited ivas 1.0 poor low light

13:47

performance display quality

13:49

cumbersomeness poor reliability

13:51

inability to distinguish friend from Fox

13:54

difficulty shooting physical impairments

13:57

and limited peripheral vision as reasons

13:59

for their dissatisfaction I get it I can

14:02

barely hit the 300 met Target without

14:03

six camera strap to my head how much

14:06

does it weigh exactly Todd south of army

14:08

times wrote an article stating that ivas

14:11

1.0 version weighed a total of 3.4 lbs

14:15

with 2.4 of those pounds being the most

14:18

important part which is placed right on

14:20

the solders Noggin for context I was

14:23

surprised to learn that the en vgb also

14:26

weighs about 2.5 lb but un like that

14:30

this is something you're going to be

14:31

wearing either day or night this

14:33

suggests to me that it's possible to

14:35

slim down 1.2 version of the goggles

14:38

weigh even less so that's encouraging

14:40

news I'm uh Captain Wright I'm the

14:42

Charlie trip Commander 573 had second

14:44

airborn division it's being marketed as

14:46

kind of a night vision goggle that ties

14:48

Optics thermal messaging and planning

14:50

all into one one of the weirdest

14:52

problems identified in that

14:54

investigation that I found I think will

14:56

be familiar to any one of you who have

14:58

used civilian million virtual reality or

15:00

augmented reality devices the

15:03

physiological impacts which means troops

15:05

suffered headaches from wearing the

15:07

device in fact 80% of them who experien

15:10

problems found that after 3 hours of use

15:13

you would have eye strain and nausea

15:15

issues it's interesting because users

15:17

also reported feeling the same way when

15:20

using Apple vision and similar products

15:22

like VR here's the quote from the

15:24

operational test and evaluation report

15:26

by the government the majority of

15:28

soldiers reported at least one symptom

15:30

of physical impairment to include

15:32

disorientation dizziness eye strain

15:34

headaches motion sickness nausea neck

15:36

strain and tunnel vision in the Army if

15:38

you complain about a headache I

15:40

guarantee your squad leader will advise

15:41

you to get the sand out of your and take

15:43

a few moin but that's not exactly an

15:45

option when you can't take these off I

15:47

own virtual reality goggles and while I

15:49

find it to be an amazing experience

15:51

personally I also found that it gave me

15:54

a weird dissociative feeling after using

15:56

them for more than an hour Eddie burbach

15:58

did a great job outlining how that feels

16:00

in his review of the Apple Vision I

16:02

don't know maybe the Army sees that as a

16:04

good side effect that you're

16:05

depersonalized in the middle of combat

16:07

but this is part of the reason why I

16:09

think it's possible and I'm just

16:11

spitballing here let me know what you

16:13

think of this I'm just talking off the

16:15

cuff just Playing devil's advocate here

16:17

it's possible that the Army believes it

16:19

might be worth it for soldiers to be a

16:21

little uncomfortable and a little

16:23

impeded when it comes to shooting if it

16:26

means that the ivas is a device that can

16:28

better call for precision fire and give

16:30

better Battlefield picture on an

16:32

operational level even if it sacrifices

16:35

a little on the Tactical level uh think

16:37

of it this way body armor was

16:39

uncomfortable and reduced Mobility also

16:42

and I'd rather take that off but it also

16:45

is true that it saved a lot of lives but

16:47

that's not where the debate about this

16:49

comes from it comes from the possibility

16:51

that the Army might be prioritizing a

16:53

technology that's not yet ready to field

16:56

at the expense of one that is

16:59

what happened is the ivas program has

17:01

recently come under intense scrutiny

17:03

because the Army appears to have not

17:05

requested additional funding for

17:07

acquiring the en vgb enhanced night

17:10

vision goggles and has instead requested

17:13

funding for ivas despite the problems

17:15

it's run into they're pushing full steam

17:18

ahead with plans to field the ivas

17:19

goggles which they originally wanted to

17:21

do by

17:22

2025 here is the US Senate armed

17:25

services committee asking the secretary

17:27

of the army Christine waral questions

17:29

about the ivas program I asked um why

17:32

the Army had once again failed to

17:34

include full funding um for the enhanced

17:37

night vision goggles binoculars

17:40

emgb um Congress stepped in last year to

17:43

restore the full 300 million I think

17:45

Microsoft knows that this is this is it

17:48

they either get it done and get it to a

17:50

place where our soldiers want to use it

17:52

or we will move on so you can see they

17:54

have two different competing points of

17:56

view about what's happening there

17:57

exactly but this is why Congress denied

17:59

the Army's request to acquire 6,900

18:02

additional headsets and reduced their

18:05

overall budget they now have 40 million

18:07

to fix problems that these soldiers

18:09

identified and there's 125 million that

18:12

of the original funds that could go

18:14

towards completing version 1.2 so that's

18:17

what's at the center of this procurement

18:19

showdown in the one corner you have your

18:22

EnV GB it's a classic you know it you

18:25

love it soldiers love it it's a crowd

18:27

favorite then in the other corner you

18:29

have ivas it's a little risky it's bold

18:32

but it could eventually be the future of

18:34

warfare and a potential game Cher but

18:36

the two projects are indirectly

18:38

competing for funding and if you're in

18:39

an army leadership position it's your

18:42

job to figure out how to balance

18:43

allocation of the finite number of

18:45

resources now it's important to note

18:48

that the Army believes this is a

18:49

non-issue they state that they've

18:51

already procured the number of enhanced

18:53

night vision goggles that they thought

18:55

would meet their requirement one of the

18:57

biggest criticisms from the dod internal

18:59

investigation says quote procuring ivas

19:02

without attaining user acceptance could

19:04

result in wasting up to 21.8 billion in

19:07

taxpayer funds to feel the system that

19:10

soldiers may not want to use or use as

19:13

intended but saying the Army could waste

19:15

$22 billion is a little bit of an

19:17

exaggeration and some critics have

19:19

pointed out that it's kind of an appeal

19:21

to a motion because that assumes that

19:23

the entire 120,000 devices would be

19:25

fielded while the device doesn't work

19:28

which is unlikely that number is the

19:30

total hypothetical ceiling for the

19:32

project if it hits all of its

19:34

performance development milestones it

19:37

even includes the cost of spare parts

19:39

maintenance and training on it why

19:41

120,000 goggles that seems a little

19:43

arbitrary well my guess is because

19:45

that's how many active duty US Army

19:47

infantrymen there are although I've seen

19:50

estimates that are much lower than that

19:51

and the dod doesn't release that

19:53

information publicly believe me you I

19:55

would be the last person that you'll

19:57

find arguing against investing in

19:59

Innovation for our soldiers I think

20:01

incremental development of these devices

20:03

is absolutely the correct thing to do

20:05

they've already advanced leaps ahead in

20:07

just three short years and if I had to

20:09

guess I would say that Army leadership

20:11

is seeing how much better these are

20:13

getting in such a short period of time

20:15

and they believe they can get it to work

20:17

before they run out of funds many of the

20:20

reviews of those device also point out

20:22

the insane price of them costing roughly

20:24

as much as a used car but the military's

20:27

ivas takes it a step further running

20:30

taxpayers the low low cost of only

20:33

$60,000 per unit this is offset somewhat

20:36

by the fact that it's an all-in system

20:38

that replaces many other Standalone

20:40

devices like your night vision goggles

20:42

your GPS another major concern that t&

20:45

named was the quote IVs 1.0

20:48

vulnerabilities in a cyber contested in

20:51

electromagnetic spectrum environment as

20:53

detailed in the classified version this

20:55

means there's some concerns about if the

20:57

enemy could hack into the this device or

20:59

it could just be turned into a 32 lb

21:01

$60,000 brick I also heard rumors from

21:04

those close to the project that the

21:06

original version had trouble in light

21:07

rain and would frequently turn itself

21:09

off and had glitches often what would

21:12

every training NCO do if they couldn't

21:14

use their favorite phrase if it ain't

21:16

raining we ain't training I'm not

21:17

certain if that was fixed but some

21:19

evidence that it might have been comes

21:21

from the newest press release from the

21:22

Army which specifically calls it an all

21:24

Weather fighting goggle this is a new

21:26

term for the device that I haven't seen

21:28

any army Publications used for it before

21:31

the whole point is that it's supposed to

21:32

increase your vision not decrease it and

21:35

when they work out all the BRS and

21:36

improve it troops will have increased

21:39

Vision in some ways for example they'll

21:41

be able to see through their vehicle and

21:43

have situational awareness as to what

21:45

the heck is going on outside never mind

21:47

don't look out there what's going on

21:48

outside the vehicle isn't important this

21:50

prevents you from dismounting though

21:52

into dangerous situations now we've got

21:54

relatively high-end cameras all the way

21:56

around the vehicle both day and night

21:59

and the soldiers wearing the new ivas

22:00

technology are able to use those cameras

22:02

and access it while they're in route to

22:04

Mission so instead of staring at a blank

22:05

steel wall they can keep up with what's

22:08

going on around the vehicle if you're a

22:10

regular viewer of the channel you'll

22:12

know one of my least favorite things

22:13

about being in a mechanized infantry

22:15

Striker unit was being locked in the

22:18

back of a dark hole having no idea

22:20

what's going on outside the vehicle When

22:22

we dropped ramp having said all of that

22:24

my personal feelings on whether your

22:26

average INF would benefit from the ivas

22:29

device I think absolutely if it's given

22:31

enough time and money to further develop

22:33

the ivas it'll become an essential tool

22:36

even if it's just something that all

22:37

Squad leaders or platoon leaders are

22:39

given at first so that it's a tool for

22:42

command because that's really what a

22:43

squad Leader's main job is they're meant

22:45

to be setting up the most effective

22:47

fields of fire they're meant to be

22:49

coordinating Logistics ammo resupply it

22:52

wasn't me your lowest grunt who was

22:54

navigating and making sure your map was

22:56

correct that we were hitting that right

22:57

house during raid that responsibil is on

23:00

the squad leaders and Leadership and to

23:02

a lesser extent your team leaders that's

23:04

who I think would benefit the most from

23:07

having an ivas first so if you're

23:08

looking for a way to support me and the

23:10

channel just head over to go.get iner to

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win.com taskin purpose get one of our

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sweet limited edition Collectibles and

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you'll be automatically entered to win

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and the deadline to enter is April 26th

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at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Standard Time as

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always thank you very much for your

23:27

support and good luck

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