Augmented Reality (AR) in Defense - Thematic Research

Augmented Reality (AR) in Defense - Thematic Research

Summary


Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that allows the user to see the real world overlaid with digital data. As AR continues to develop, it will become increasingly important across all segments of the ADS value chain.

As warfare becomes increasingly networked, AR will play an essential role as in ensuring the delge of information is available in a digestible format.

This thematic report takes an in-depth look at look at how AR is being in the defense sector. Firstly, the value chain section summarizes an in-depth description of each of the segments of AR and outlines the specialist vendors and leading adopters of AR in the defense sector. The challenges section outlines the key challenges being faced by the defense sector. This is followed by an impact assessment detailing the areas in AR where defense companies should focus and outlines how AR can be used to resolve the challenges faced by the industry. A case study section is then provided, which highlights the use of AR within the defense sector. A data analysis section provides market size and growth forecasts, followed by mergers and acquisition activity, an AR timeline, and insight into company filings, hiring, and social media trends. Next, the report highlights key AR vendors, with a section specializing in AR defense vendors. It then goes on to outline militaries adopting AR covering all AR use cases.

Warfare is becoming increasingly networked, so finding an effective way to quickly display the deluge of information available, in an easily digestible format, has never been more important. AR is a tool with the capacity to do just that. According to GlobalData estimates, AR will generate revenues of $152 billion globally by 2030, and the defense sector is leading the charge. The military is one of the first industries to fully realize the many different use cases that AR caters for.

Key Highlights

• In defense, AR is currently primarily used in manufacturing and engineering. It is multifaceted, enabling workers to work more accurately, aiding remote assistance collaboration, and can replace paper manuals by providing step-by-step instructions. The advantages of remote assistance and instruction are also being adopted by military medics. As well as this, AR is becoming an increasingly important part of training for the military as simulated assets can be displayed as if in the real world. AR is being used in battlefield applications too, for pilots and infantry, to enhance a soldier’s situational awareness and reaction times.
• AR has some inherent problems including connectivity issues; difficulty in orientation and alignment of real-world and simulated objects; low processing power and weak radio signals for deployed troops; keeping the technology light for infantry; difficulties in seeing AR-generated objects in natural light; and the limited field of view that AR wearable devices can induce. However, AR’s advantages over Virtual Reality (VR) are becoming increasingly apparent. It is usually cheaper, has fewer limitations, tends to cause less motion sickness, and it can be dual purpose—used for both training and battlefield applications.
• The large upfront costs of some AR applications can make some militaries reluctant to invest initially. However, AR technology can provide substantial and long-term cost-saving solutions. AR-simulated training scenarios that overlap a digital layer of obstacles, enemy targets, and differing terrain over the real world allow complex training scenarios to be run more cheaply than deploying troops in training locations. AR offers a greater variety of circumstances and variables while being safer than learning battlefield skills in a real setting. There are also many cost-saving opportunities in manufacturing with AR, as it supplies precision and accuracy and enables automated checks, reducing errors. For example, Boeing is providing AR glasses to its technicians to assist them during the conception phase and for routine maintenance of aircraft. Finally, costs can also be mitigated by the ability to adapt specific AR military use cases to COTS and COTS-derived technology. Hardware manufacturers.

• This report provides an overview of AR in defense
• This report explains why AR will continue to grow in importance for the defense industry
• This report outlines the variety of use cases AR has in the defense sector
• This report provides examples of what companies and militaries are reacting to developments made in AR
• We highlight defense companies and militarues that are leading in this theme, such as Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Elbit Systems and the US Army

• To understand AR and its current and future impact on the industry.
• To understand how AR is addressing key challenges that the defense sector is facing.
• To identify the leading AR adopters and specialist vendors.
• GlobalData’s thematic research ecosystem is a single, integrated global research platform that provides an easy-to-use framework for tracking all themes across all companies in all sectors. It has a proven track record of identifying the important themes early, enabling companies to make the right investments ahead of the competition, and secure that all-important competitive advantage.