The Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), currently based on a robust version of the Microsoft HoloLens 2, serves as both night vision goggles and a futuristic heads-up display that integrates sensor inputs into a soldier’s field of view. For years, the Army has been exploring helmet-mounted displays under various “future warrior” initiatives, but IVAS has faced similar challenges encountered in past projects. Soldiers have expressed concerns regarding “mission-affecting physical impairments,” such as headaches, nausea, and discomfort during extended wear. Furthermore, the future of the repeatedly delayed headset remains uncertain. Breaking Defense reports that the Army might consider reverting to a new primary contractor for the advanced system as part of its IVAS Next program, following a review of its current night vision goggle capabilities. Nevertheless, helmet-mounted night vision technology, including both the ENVG-B and IVAS systems, has advanced significantly beyond previous expectations.
Regarding body armor, the bulletproof vest and camouflage suit combination worn by Sawicki for his debut at the AUSA, described in contemporary accounts as “layered nylon armor,” resembles current personal protective equipment more closely than the flak jackets used during the Vietnam War. The Soldier Protection System (SPS) under development offers modern soldiers a lightweight modular suite of protective gear, designed to enhance survivability without hindering mobility. The system features components like the soft armor Torso and Extremity Protection subsystem and the hard armor Vital Torso Protection subsystem, which provide enhanced ballistic protection using reinforced ceramic plates against small arms fire.
While safeguarding soldiers from bullets is one concern, protecting them from nuclear explosions is another significant challenge. Army leaders previously believed Sawicki’s suit offered such protection. The Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) ensemble, for a long time, has been protecting service members from chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, though it remains a separate system not integrated into the SPS or standard-issue Combat Uniform.
In relation to firearms, although the 1959 “soldier of tomorrow” was depicted with an M14 rifle, firearms technology has seen significant advancements since then. The M14 was replaced by the lighter M16 assault rifle in the late 1960s and further replaced by the M4 carbine during the Global War on Terror in the 2000s. Replacing these rifle families has posed challenges, but the Army eventually introduced the new XM7 rifle under the Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) program, offering an evolved standard-issue firearm, even though it is heavier than the M4.
The need for “new high-velocity bullets” was also realized over time. In the early 2000s, the Army introduced the 5.56-mm M855A1 Enhanced Performance Round to improve upon the older M855 ammunition. However, a significant study in 2017 suggested a shift to a different caliber to adapt to the emerging body armor threat among adversaries. Consequently, the Army selected Sig Sauer to produce its two 6.8mm NGSW systems in 2022, and fielding officially began earlier this year.
While some elements of Sawicki’s combat kit were actualized in more modern innovations, others, like automatic foxhole-digging charges, did not see successful implementation. However, the vision of jetpack-equipped troops remains persistent in military and defense planning. Efforts to create militarized jetpacks have continued since the 1950s, leading to various developments, including the Bell Rocket Belt. Although fuel constraints led to the abandonment of some of these projects, military planners have revisited the concept repeatedly.
