Meta is reportedly joining hands with U.S.-based defense technology company Anduril Industries to develop cutting-edge augmented reality (AR) wearables for the U.S. Army under a project known as EagleEye. The collaboration, though not yet finalized, could lead to a defense contract valued at approximately $100 million and is part of a larger $22 billion military wearables initiative led by Anduril.
The EagleEye project is expected to include high-tech helmets, glasses, and other wearables integrated with AR and virtual reality (VR) capabilities. These devices will feature advanced sensors to enhance soldiers’ visual and auditory perception, improving situational awareness and operational performance in the field.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the goal is to create technology that supports national security objectives, both domestically and globally. The wearables will also leverage artificial intelligence, combining Meta’s AI models with Anduril’s autonomous defense systems to offer real-time insights and decision-making support for soldiers — including detecting distant drones or identifying concealed threats.
Palmer Luckey, the founder of Anduril and former co-founder of Oculus VR (acquired by Meta), has emerged as a prominent figure in the defense tech sector. His firm has secured multiple global government contracts and is playing a major role in modernizing military operations using next-gen technology.
Speaking about the growing collaboration between the tech industry and defense forces, Luckey emphasized the importance of private-sector innovation in supporting national defense strategies. His return to working alongside Meta marks a notable reconciliation, following his departure from Oculus in 2017.
As global defense strategies increasingly lean on AI and wearable technology, projects like EagleEye highlight how traditional tech companies are expanding into security and defense — a space being watched closely by governments and industry experts alike, including in India, where modernization of defense forces is also a key priority.
Source: Engadget.com
