Built for Speed: The Army’s Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS): A Middle Tier Acquisition Case Study

Abstract

This case study examines how the Army used Middle Tier Acquisition processes to rapidly accelerate development and fielding of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS). After decades of precursor developments, the Army adapted emerging commercial virtual reality goggles for field conditions and use. It uses publicly-released data from 2018 to 2021 consisting of budget submissions, program-related reporting, and contemporaneous press releases to describe how the Army used Middle Tier Acquisition authorities to accelerate IVAS development, testing, and fielding. Research limitations/implications – This research is specific to the IVAS program. The data used in this analysis was derived from public sources and results and conclusions may differ if restricted sources are used to replicate this work.