Microsoft Phasing out HoloLens 2 – Remains Committed to IVAS

The underpinnings of the XR community shifted a bit more last week when Microsoft announced it was no longer producing HoloLens 2. The technology giant’s support for HoloLens 2, including security updates, is scheduled to end on December 31, 2027.

Microsoft unveiled the HoloLens headset in 2015. HoloLens 2 was launched in 2019 with a wider field-of-view, eye tracking and other more powerful specs than its younger sibling. The most current headset was priced at $3500 and remained posted as a product on the corporate website this October 4.

Of relevance to MS&T, the US Army remains on track to buy a variant of HoloLens 2 – Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS). The land service requested $255 million in fiscal year 2025, which commenced this October 1, to buy more IVAS systems – 3,612 of the IVAS 1.2 heads-up display system variants – to further support the service’s trajectory for operational testing and early fielding. While the IVAS program of record has fluctuated, 121,500 IVAS systems, was a common data point in Army documents for the scope of the technology thrust.

IVAS remains one of the Army’s highest-priority modernization initiatives for both training and battlefield operations for dismounted troops in the service’s outyear programs. 

Microsoft has cited its commitment at this point to continue its support of US Army IVAS.

Queries to the service on its IVAS program roadmap in light of Microsoft’s decision were not responded to.

MS&T and this author will continue following and commenting on the way forward for US Army’s IVAS program or record.