The Microsoft-powered headsets will be able to provide soldiers with real-time battlefield data from various sources such as drones, ground vehicles, and air defense systems.
Palmer Luckey, who sold Oculus to Meta for $2 billion in 2014 and started Anduril in 2017 with backing from Peter Thiel, expressed his vision for this technology.
“The goal is to augment soldier capabilities by providing soldiers with the ability to perceive threats outside of typical audio and visual ranges,” Luckey said.
He also emphasized the transformative potential of this technology on soldier performance and survivability in contested environments.
The IVAS system, initially launched by Microsoft in 2021, incorporates both thermal and night vision technologies but faced early challenges such as headaches and eyestrain. Microsoft has since made significant design improvements and expects further refinements following extensive testing scheduled for early 2025.
The U.S. Army committed to investing up to $21.9 billion in this project over the next decade, underscoring the strategic importance and long-term commitment to integrating advanced technologies in military operations.
Operation Hard Kill’s counter-drone warfare showcased: Weapon of the week
One of the many lessons learned from Ukraine’s war against Russia’s illegal invasion is the effectiveness of drone warfare. While the offensive advantages to drones are clear, the ability to defend troops against drones in the hands of bad actors is equally crucial. This was the motivation behind Operation Hard Kill, a critical counter-drone warfare project.
Soldiers, senior Army leaders and industry partners gathered at Fort Drum, New York, to showcase various counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). The 10th Mountain Division hosted the event. It provided soldiers with an up-close look at developing C-UAS equipment they will likely use in future conflicts.
“We’ve got to be able to go out onto the range, much like we take a rifle out of the arms room today,” Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann, Commander of the 10th Mountain Division, said. “We go to the rifle range, we open up the range, we start shooting. We’ve got to be able to do that with our drones, and it’s got to be scrutinized across the force. These types of exercises help us scrutinize that force, and it gives us the sets and the repetitions that we need to be proficient before we send our soldiers into harm’s way.”
The event illustrated part of the Department of Defense’s response to the deadly January 2023 attack on an American outpost in Jordan. A one-way uncrewed aerial system killed three Army soldiers and wounded 40 others.
Army officials said the hope is that one day, a counter-drone range will be as accessible as modern gun ranges.
Sen. Tuberville holding up another senior military nominee for a new reason
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., is holding up the promotion of a top military general. That may sound familiar, but unlike his blanket hold on all senior military officials in 2023, this is a single officer for a specific reason.
Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark is a senior aide to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and is up for a promotion to be the head of Army Forces in the Pacific. Tuberville, however, will not allow his promotion to go through until the inspector general releases a report on Secretary Austin’s January hospitalization.
Only Austin’s inner circle knew he was sick and in the hospital. The president was not initially informed, and Tuberville said Clark should have called the president to let him know.
“I’m waiting for the [inspector general] review [about] him screwing up and not telling the president of the United States that his boss and head of the Department of Defense was in the hospital,” Tuberville told Punchbowl News. “You don’t need to get a promotion when everybody’s wondering, ‘What the heck’s going on here?’”
There is one way to get around Tuberville’s hold: a full vote on the Senate floor. But that is a time consuming process. With only 10 working days left until the Senate leaves for the entire month of October, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., wants to instead approve judicial nominations and a government spending deal.
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., told Punchbowl that he would be willing to push for a floor vote.
“We’ve got to get the confirmation done. Hopefully the information [Tuberville] wants will be provided,” Reed said.
In 2023, Tuberville put a 10-month hold on all military promotions to protest a Biden administration policy that provides paid time off and travel expense reimbursement for military members who get an abortion. After receiving heavy criticism from members of his own party, he relented and got nothing in return.
Elite US Seal Team 6 preparing to defend Taiwan: Report
The U.S. Navy unit that took out 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden is preparing for its next covert mission as reported by the Financial Times on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The commandos of Seal Team 6 are training for the potential invasion of Taiwan by Chinese forces, according to sources familiar with the team’s operations.
U.S. officials maintain that an invasion by China is “neither imminent nor inevitable.” However, the United States apparently isn’t taking any chances as the Chinese People’s Liberation Army rapidly ramps up its military technology, and the U.S Indo-Pacific Commander says that China may be capable of taking over Taiwan by 2027.
Seal Team 6 is one of the most elite forces in the United States military alongside the U.S. Army’s Delta Force.
The U.S. has sent other special forces to Taiwan to provide training to Taiwanese forces in recent years. However, Seal Team 6’s operations are highly classified, and people familiar with the unit’s training did not provide further details on possible operations in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Beijing warned the U.S. to “stop enhancing military contact with the Taiwan region or arming it,” and accused Washington of heightening tensions along the Taiwan Strait, despite holding military drills of its own earlier this year in the region as a show of force.
China claims it’s committed to a peaceful reunification with Taiwan but has not ruled out the use of force. Beijing has long claimed that Taiwan is part of China while Taiwanese officials maintain that the island is independent from Beijing.
Lighter, more lethal units, equipped with state of the art technology, are being seen as the way forward for the service. MFRCs, like the one with the 101st Airborne Division, represent the Army’s most significant transformation in more than 40 years.
This elite recon unit now has access to drones and a host of combat-ready technology, all designed to monitor the enemy while remaining concealed.
“We have been tasked with being painfully light and disproportionately lethal to sense, kill, and protect on behalf of the brigade,” said Capt. Charles O’Hagan, the Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company commander.
This shift marks a departure from focusing on counterterrorism operations to equipping units to deter enemy forces and leverage current technology and warfighting trends. An MFRC consists of three “hunter-killer” platoons. One for drones, another for electronic warfare, and a third for robotics and autonomous systems.
Once airborne troops are on the ground, they need a way to reach their destination. Enter the Army’s Infantry Squad Vehicle, essentially a stripped-down version of the Chevrolet Colorado. The vehicle is large enough to supply a recon team for several days, but light enough to navigate rough terrain.
Established in March, the MFRC has already participated in two large-scale field training exercises. The first was at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in April, and most recently at Fort Johnson, Louisiana.
What does federal law say about partisan politics at Arlington National Cemetery?
Former President Donald Trump is being accused of breaking the rules regarding partisan political events at Arlington National Cemetery with a video released on his TikTok account. It was filmed during a visit Monday, Aug. 26, with the families of U.S. service members who died during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
The video is captioned: “Should have never happened.”
“We didn’t lose one person in 18 months, and then they took over that disaster, the leaving of Afghanistan,” Trump said in a voice over.
The words are a criticism of the Biden-Harris administration, his main political opponent.
Trump’s critics contend filming or hosting any event at Arlington for partisan political purposes is against Army rules and federal law.
And there you go. Donald Trump is using footage and photos his campaign took at Arlington National Cemetary for political purposes — against the rules and laws that govern this hallowed ground. Arlington officials tried to stop him from politicizing the cemetery, and Trump staff… pic.twitter.com/onpXLO19BG
The media policy for Army National Military Cemeteries states: “Filming or photographing will not be permitted if it conveys the impression that cemetery officials or any visitor or family member is endorsing any product, service or organization. Additionally, ANC will not authorize any filming for partisan, political or fundraising purposes, in accordance with the Hatch Act.”
The Hatch Act is a 1939 law that was passed to ensure federal programs are administered in a nonpartisan fashion.
Section 553 of the Hatch Act states: “Memorial services and ceremonies at Army National Military Cemeteries will not include partisan political activities.”
There are other provisions in the media policy which give the Public Affairs Office the authority to deny event requests if they could give the appearance that the cemetery or event sponsor is endorsing a political campaign.
Exactly what happened during Trump’s visit Monday is unclear but there are accusations that Trump campaign staff had a physical and verbal altercation with Arlington cemetery employees.
“Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within Army National Military Cemeteries, to include photographers, content creators or any other persons attending for purposes, or in direct support of a partisan political candidate’s campaign,” Arlington told ABC News in a statement. “Arlington National Cemetery reinforced and widely shared this law and its prohibitions with all participants. We can confirm there was an incident, and a report was filed.”
Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung released a screenshot of a message he said proves the former president had permission. The message just said that only Trump may have an official photographer and/or videographer outside the main media pool.
“The fact is that a private photographer was permitted to the premises and for whatever reason an unnamed individual, clearly suffering from a mental health episode, decided to physically block members of President Trump’s team during a very solemn ceremony,” Cheung said in a statement.
The Trump campaign said it would release the footage of the incident with cemetery staff if necessary.
Pentagon pressured to address hazardous conditions on US bases
Eight advocacy groups are calling on the Pentagon to address hazardous living conditions faced by military families on U.S. bases worldwide. These conditions include mold, contaminated water, lead paint and pest infestations. The groups insist these issues need immediate attention rather than waiting for long-term renovations that could take years.
Leading this effort is Hots&Cots, an organization that enables service members to report housing and dining conditions anonymously. Since its launch in October 2023, nearly 8,000 photos and around 400 reviews have been submitted, revealing serious problems in military housing.
The images, vetted for accuracy by volunteers, depict mold-covered ceilings, discolored tap water and pest-infested facilities.
Rob Evans, founder of Hots&Cots, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, warning that delays directly compromise the well-being and morale of service members.
Evans, a former sergeant in the Army Reserves and National Guard, developed the app after reading a September 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that highlighted severe issues in military housing and called for greater oversight.
“The Department of Defense must act sooner rather than later to address the quality-of-life issues facing our service members,” Evans said Tuesday, Aug. 27, in a statement. “Every day that these issues go unresolved is another day that the well-being and morale of those who serve are compromised.”
The GAO report documented poor living conditions, including mold, mildew, broken windows, and overflowing sewage in both government-owned barracks and privately-operated military housing. The report criticized the Department of Defense (DOD) for not setting clear inspection standards or providing guidance on how to address these problems.
In response to growing concerns, the DOD recently introduced a Housing Feedback System designed to gather input from service members on their living conditions. A Pentagon spokesperson emphasized the department’s commitment to providing safe and functional living spaces for military families.
The push for reform has garnered support from lawmakers like Rep. Richard Hudson, R-N.C., who criticized the inefficient use of funds allocated for housing improvements. Hudson vowed to hold military leaders accountable until service members receive the high-quality housing they deserve.
Evans continues to operate Hots&Cots independently, receiving no financial support from the Pentagon or his employer. He hopes the app can be a platform for service members to voice their concerns and drive real change in military housing conditions.
Controversy over Trump photos at Arlington National Cemetery
Former President Donald Trump’s running mate has harsh words for Vice President Kamala Harris amid controversy over Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery this week. And Israel’s military has launched a massive incursion into the West Bank as concerns grow over a broadening war. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024.
Controversy over Trump photos at Arlington National Cemetery
There’s controversy on the campaign trail after former President Donald Trump’s visit to Arlington National Cemetery earlier this week. He was there to mark three years since the United States’ withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Two Trump campaign officials had a “verbal and physical altercation” with a cemetery official during Monday’s, Aug. 26, ceremony honoring the 13 U.S. military service members killed in a bombing at Kabul’s airport in 2021, according to NPR.
Sources with knowledge of the incident told multiple news outlets the former president’s campaign had been warned not to take any pictures or videos in the area known as Section 60, but they did so anyway. Section 60 is the part of the cemetery dedicated to military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Cemetery officials released a statement confirming “an incident” had occurred and a report had been filed but did not give details about what had happened.
Late Tuesday night, Aug. 27, Trump posted a photo on his Truth Social platform of the Gold Star families who had invited him to the ceremony. In the post, family members said they had invited the campaign to film in Section 60.
However, cemetery officials say that wasn’t their call to make. Federal law prohibits political campaign or election-related activities within army national military cemeteries.
Trump’s running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, touched on the incident during a rally in Pennsylvania Wednesday, Aug. 28, dismissing the allegations.
“Three years ago, 13 brave, innocent Americans died, and they died because Kamala Harris refused to do her job and there hasn’t been a single investigation or a single firing,” Vance said. “I don’t, I don’t — look, sometimes mistakes happen. That’s just the nature of government, the nature of military service. But to have those 13 Americans lose their lives and not fire a single person is disgraceful. Kamala Harris is disgraceful.”
Vance also blasted Trump’s Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, for how the Biden administration handled the withdrawal from Afghanistan.
“And she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up?” he said. “She can… she can go to hell.”
The Harris campaign has declined to comment on Vance’s remarks as well as the reports of an altercation at Arlington.
Harris, Walz to sit down for first TV interview of campaign
Vice President Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will take part in their first joint interview since their campaign together began on Thursday, Aug. 29. This interview marks Harris’ first formal sit-down as the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate and comes at a critical time as she faces criticism for her lack of media engagement.
Since President Joe Biden withdrew from the race and endorsed her, Harris has been criticized for not participating in interviews or holding press conferences.
Their interview with CNN’s Dana Bash comes as the Harris campaign kicks off a bus tour of swing state Georgia. It will air at 9 p.m. ET.
At least 10 dead amid large-scale Israeli military operation in West Bank
The Israeli military launched its largest incursion into the occupied West Bank in decades on Wednesday. At least 10 Palestinian militants were killed in what the IDF described as a “counterterrorism operation.”
Hundreds of Israeli troops took part in the overnight raids targeting Palestinian militants after months of increasing attacks. These raids have raised concerns about the potential for the Israel-Hamas War to escalate further.
The IDF’s international spokesperson said in a briefing Israel had identified a quote “systematic strategy in Iran” of smuggling weapons and explosives into the West Bank.
The United Nations’ secretary general has called on Israel to immediately end the operation, saying it’s “fueling an already explosive situation and further undermining the Palestinian authority.”
The Supreme Court declined to reinstate the Biden administration’s latest student debt cancellation plan, leaving millions of borrowers in limbo as legal challenges continue. The justices turned down a request from the Justice Department to lift an appeals court order blocking the SAVE plan.
SAVE is an income-driven repayment program designed to lower monthly payments and offer earlier loan forgiveness. The save plan is part of President Biden’s broader effort to reduce the financial burden on about 43 million Americans with student debt.
The plan’s estimated cost has been a point of contention, with critics arguing it effectively forgives loans without proper authorization.
CrowdStrike offers $60M in credits; Delta reports $500M loss
CrowdStrike is offering $60 million in credits to customers impacted by a massive software outage earlier this year, but the true cost of the incident might be much higher. Delta Air Lines — the most affected client — claims it lost around $500 million due to the outage, which disrupted flights and operations.
Despite these challenges, CrowdStrike reported a strong quarter with $260.8 million dollars in adjusted earnings. That’s a 47% increase from last year.
However, the company has revised its full-year earnings forecast downward, reflecting the expected costs of customer compensation.
Moody’s downgraded CrowdStrike’s outlook from positive to neutral, raising concerns about the company’s ability to retain customer trust after the incident.
NASA’s Perseverance rover begins steep climb up Mars crater
NASA’s Perseverance rover has set off on a “road trip” of sorts across Mars. The rover has been wandering the red planet’s Jezero Crater since 2021.
So far, it’s found evidence of ancient flash floods and collected several rock samples, which NASA plans to bring back to Earth on a future mission. Now, the rover is expected to spend the next few months making a steep climb up to the western rim of the crater.
Scientists believe the 28-mile-wide crater was once home to a river delta and they’re hoping samples taken by Perseverance will help them piece together an idea of what Mars’ climate was like billions of years ago and whether it sustained life.
Taking additive manufacturing to the fight: Weapons and Warfare
This week on Weapons and Warfare, the team explores a solution to the military’s billion-dollar parts problem. Host Ryan Robertson looks at additive manufacturing and how military leadership sees it as a solution to boats that need repairing and planes that need maintenance by shortening the supply chain.
Also featured in this episode:
The new Marine One helicopter flies into service.
A veteran-led startup signed an 8-figure deal with the Army.
The Marines take flight with a hybrid aircraft.
Weapon of the Week: The M1A2 Abrams, four decades strong.
You can subscribe to the Weapons and Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
Military embraces additive manufacturing to maintain aging equipment
Despite the modern advancements in America’s national defense, the military still relies heavily on decades-old equipment. The B-52 Stratofortress, the CH-47 Chinook and the M-61 Vulcan are all still in service because they remain effective. However, maintaining such old equipment presents challenges, as parts that were once easy to obtain are now scarce or no longer produced.
Part of the solution could lie in additive manufacturing, a process the military is rapidly adopting. To the casual observer, additive manufacturing might look similar to 3D printing, but the scale is vastly different. While 3D printing might produce a chess piece at home, additive manufacturing can create a ball valve for a Navy vessel.
Andy Pfister, the vice president of aftermarket and product development at Fairbanks Morse Defense, explained that using traditional methods to obtain the same part could take six to 36 months.
“The big innovation with that, I can get that in six weeks,” Pfister said. “I’m going to get it in six weeks every single time. If I need it faster, I can even get it faster, and I know what I’m getting is good. This efficiency allows for better scheduling and increased manufacturing efficiency.”
The efficiency of additive manufacturing is gaining support from those involved in getting boats in the water or aircraft back in the sky. Pfister noted that while valves might not drive the price of a boat, their timely delivery is crucial for ship schedules and Navy deliveries.
“Anything we can do to get our customers in the warfighter what they need, when they need it, is really going to help the supplier industrial race deliver on what the Navy needs,” Pfister said.
Each branch of the Department of Defense (DOD) is finding ways to take the process out of the factory and into the field. For the Marine Corps, this means turning additive manufacturing into expeditionary manufacturing, bringing the process to where it’s needed most.
The USMC has created Expeditionary Manufacturing units, enabling the units to meet the needs of the Marines in the field where they’re operating.
The Army also embraced the process, producing the largest U.S. civil works component ever made by additive manufacturing. The Poe Lock ship arrestor, used to stop a 100,000-ton vessel, was completed in 12 weeks instead of the 18 months conventional manufacturing would have taken. This allowed the Soo Locks between the Great Lakes border of the U.S. and Canada to reopen in March 2024.
After Hurricane Michael damaged large parts of the Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida in 2018, the Air Force turned to additive manufacturing to help rebuild. In 2023, this included a printed facility for robotics research, the first of its kind on an Air Force base worldwide. Air Force leaders noted that the building meets both military building codes and Miami-Dade wind code standards.
The additive manufacturing industry was valued at $14.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach over $69 billion by 2030, according to Vantage Market Research.
The DOD’s challenge now is widespread implementation, building the infrastructure to shorten supply chains and keeping American troops ahead of their near-peer adversaries.