US Army enhances IVAS goggles ahead of major assessment

The US Army is set to implement further design enhancements to its Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) before a large-scale assessment planned for next year. Assistant program manager Major John Thomas indicated that the focus is on making the device extensible, allowing for the addition of new features without needing a complete redesign.

Upcoming upgrades will include a low-light camera with enhanced sensitivity and a refined focus mechanism, particularly useful when wearing gloves, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

There will also be improvements to the software and display for better clarity and usability.

Once these enhancements are completed, soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will test the IVAS 1.2 ahead of a broader assessment scheduled for spring.

Following division-level trials, the Army will conduct extensive testing with a battalion from the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado, to evaluate the system's effectiveness through operational demonstrations. After this large-scale assessment, further testing will occur before the goggles enter initial production and fielding.

The IVAS 1.2 represents the latest iteration in the ongoing IVAS program, which has faced various challenges based on soldier feedback. Earlier versions were criticized for causing disorientation, dizziness, and headaches.

The new design aims for greater comfort, featuring a flat design that allows users to easily flip the goggles up. It also includes a new low-light sensor to enhance performance in dark environments. Earlier this year, the IVAS 1.2 underwent squad-level assessments to gauge its overall performance.

By Vafa Guliyeva