Army Tests Futuristic Gear on U.S.-Mexico Border to Track Migrants

Troops stationed at the U.S.-Mexico border are currently assessing a range of cutting-edge military gear — featuring drones, jamming devices, and headsets developed by Microsoft — as part of an initiative to assist Border Patrol and test innovative technology for combat scenarios. 

Members of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Carson, Colorado, have been deployed by the Army to carry out detection and monitoring operations along approximately 1,000 miles of the border. 

Authorities stress that military personnel are not engaged in interdiction or deportation activities; rather, they are acting as observers, providing information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Among the equipment utilized by soldiers is the Integrated Visual Augmentation System, or IVAS — a headset created by Microsoft and currently manufactured by Anduril with assistance from Meta. 

The IVAS features a cutting-edge heads-up display equipped with thermal and low-light sensors, advanced navigation tools, and augmented reality mapping capabilities. Capt. Zander Wiesehuegel, a company commander, highlighted that the system enables soldiers to share data across units in real-time. “For this particular mission, it enables them to receive data via radio, map it out, and everyone equipped with the sensor can visualize the plotted information,” he stated. 

The headsets have encountered negative feedback in previous evaluations, with soldiers experiencing headaches, dizziness, and eye strain. According to Army officials, the updated IVAS 1.2 version features a lighter weight distribution and customizable settings to tackle those concerns. 

Additional equipment features the Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station from the Afghanistan era, now enhanced with cutting-edge sensors, alongside the Black Hornet 4 microdrone, a lightweight device at just 70 grams that offers covert surveillance capabilities. Troops are equipped with the Dronebuster system to disrupt or redirect enemy drones, along with the TITAN platform that monitors radio frequencies for detection. 

Officials characterize the undertaking as a blend of practical execution and exploratory analysis. “Troops stationed at the border not only safeguard the integrity of the southern boundary, but also establish a testing ground for new strategies,” stated Maj. Geoffrey Carmichael of the Joint Task Force-Southern Border. 

The latest developments feature Multi-Purpose Companies, integral to the Army’s Transform in Contact initiative, incorporating units that specialize in electronic warfare and chemical reconnaissance alongside conventional infantry. 

Officials report that the adaptable framework enables forces to adjust to various terrains, including desert, mountain, and swamp areas along the border. Col. Hugh Jones, the brigade commander, announced that his soldiers are currently tasked with monitoring over 1,044 miles of the border — effectively one soldier for every half mile — as they evaluate equipment that the Army aims to depend on in upcoming engagements. ‍

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