Defense technology company Anduril has introduced EagleEye, a new family of systems designed to integrate command and control, digital vision, and survivability tools for military personnel. The system uses artificial intelligence and a modular architecture to connect individual soldiers to a wider network of battlefield assets, aiming to enhance situational awareness and reduce cognitive load.
EagleEye combines mission planning software with a heads-up display (HUD) and helmet-integrated hardware. This development builds upon Anduril's existing work on the U.S. Army’s Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) programs, expanding the capabilities available to dismounted operators.
Key Takeaways
- Anduril has launched EagleEye, an AI-powered, modular system designed for military personnel.
- The system integrates a heads-up display, mission command software, and a protective helmet.
- Key features include a 3D mission planning tool, advanced teammate tracking, and control of unmanned systems.
- Anduril collaborated with commercial technology companies including Meta, Qualcomm, and Gentex Corporation on the project.
A New Approach to Mission Command
The core of the EagleEye system is its ability to centralize mission planning and control. It provides operators with a high-resolution, collaborative 3D sand table, a digital environment where missions can be planned and rehearsed. This tool allows for the coordination of movements and the integration of live video feeds directly onto the terrain model.
According to Anduril, this creates a shared operational picture that can be accessed before and during a mission. The system is designed to reduce the weight and complexity of equipment that soldiers typically carry, consolidating multiple functions into a single, body-worn platform.
“We don’t want to give service members a new tool—we’re giving them a new teammate,” said Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril. “The idea of an AI partner embedded in your display has been imagined for decades. EagleEye is the first time it’s real.”
Enhanced Situational Awareness
A central feature of EagleEye is its heads-up display, which overlays digital information onto the operator's real-world view. This augmented reality capability is intended to deliver vital contextual information without distracting the user. The system includes two distinct HUD versions: one that is optically transparent for daytime use and a digital night-vision variant for low-light conditions.
Advanced Tracking and Sensor Fusion
EagleEye incorporates an advanced approach to blue force tracking, which monitors the location of friendly forces. Instead of showing teammates as dots on a two-dimensional map, the system can display their precise location in three-dimensional space. This could mean identifying a teammate's exact position within a specific room or on a particular floor of a building.
The system connects to Anduril's broader Lattice network, which is a family of autonomous systems for awareness and security. This connection allows EagleEye to fuse real-time data feeds from distributed sensors across the battlefield. As a result, an operator can detect and track potential threats even if they are obscured by terrain or structures, moving beyond the limits of direct line of sight.
System Capabilities
- Control: Task unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS) and robotic teammates.
- Communication: Call for fire support and maintain contact in denied environments.
- Networking: Uses Lattice mesh networking for resilient command and control.
Focus on Protection and Ergonomics
Anduril has emphasized the physical design and protective qualities of the EagleEye system. The helmet component is described as an ultralightweight shell that provides beyond-full-cut ballistic protection and mitigation against blast waves. The design aims for comfort during long periods of wear.
To expand the operator's awareness, the system includes rear- and flank-view sensors. These provide a wider field of view without requiring the user to turn their head. Additional layers of protection come from spatial audio and radio frequency (RF) detection, which can alert operators to hidden or immediate threats that might not be visible.
Building on Existing Programs
EagleEye is an evolution of Anduril's work on the U.S. Army's Soldier Borne Mission Command (SBMC) and Soldier Borne Mission Command–Architecture (SBMC-A) programs. These initiatives created a mixed-reality platform to provide soldiers with integrated situational awareness and mission planning tools.
Modular and Adaptable Design
The system was developed with a software-first architecture and a modular design. This allows for various configurations, including helmet, visor, and glasses variants, to suit different operational needs. The company states that the design balances weight effectively, reduces the bulk associated with traditional night vision goggles (NVGs), and aligns sensors with the warfighter's center of gravity for improved stability.
Strategic Commercial Partnerships
To accelerate development and manage costs, Anduril partnered with several leaders in commercial technology. These collaborations bring proven technologies from the consumer and industrial sectors directly into a defense application. The partners have collectively invested billions of dollars in their respective fields, providing a mature technology base for the EagleEye system.
Key partners in the project include:
- Meta: A leader in augmented and virtual reality technology.
- OSI: A company involved in rugged eyewear and optical systems.
- Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.: A major developer of mobile computing and sensing technologies.
- Gentex Corporation: A specialist in ballistic helmets and personal protection equipment.
This partnership strategy is intended to ensure a continuous path for upgrades as commercial technology evolves. By leveraging existing research and development, Anduril aims to deliver advanced capabilities to military personnel more quickly and efficiently.
Ultimately, EagleEye is positioned as a comprehensive solution that equips dismounted operators with the ability to plan, fight, and survive while remaining connected to every asset in the battlespace through the Lattice ecosystem.