While augmented reality (AR) has so far been struggling to meet soldier’s expectations in the battlefield, GlobalData notes that the technology still brings critical advantages over virtual reality (VR). The leading data and analytics company notes that the technology is expected to generate revenues of $152 billion by 2030, as militaries begin to see the benefits.

The military is one of the first industries that has fully realized several different uses for AR. These include manufacturing, engineering, remote assistance, training, and battlefield applications.

GlobalData’s report, ‘Augmented Reality (AR) in Defense – Thematic Research’, reveals that as warfare becomes increasingly networked, wearable AR devices are becoming indispensable for infantry officers and soldiers to heighten their situational awareness and improve efficiency, lethality, cost, readiness, capability, and safety.

Emma Taylor, Associate Analyst in the Thematic Team at GlobalData, comments: “AR is clearly superior to VR for military applications due to being cheaper, having fewer limitations and causing less motion sickness. Unlike VR, it can also be used in battlefield applications as well as training, making it a multifaceted technology.”

While the technology has its advantages, there are several inherent issues in the transition of AR for battlefield applications including connectivity issues; difficulty in orientation and alignment of real-world and simulated objects; difficulties in seeing AR-generated objects in natural light; and a limited field of view. Resolution of these issues entirely relies on technical advancements in AR technology, which is likely, however will not happen overnight.

William Davies, Associate Defense Analyst at GlobalData, adds: “All of these practical limitations mean that AR would be better suited to being utilized to augment equipment in the field for aircrafts and vehicles, rather than in the form of portable devices worn by soldiers.”